Just days ahead of the Geneva Auto Show, manufacturers continue to leak images and vehicle details. Following on the heels of last week’s reveal of its new 650S supercar, McLaren has just released performance specs for the vehicle. Until today power specs, styling chatter and passenger amenities were all the public had to go on, but now the company has made available the car’s true performance ability – and it is glorious.
For those who missed last week’s 650S release, the latest weapon in McLaren’s arsenal is a revised twin-turbocharged V8 sporting a mid-engine arrangement. The newly-tweaked 3.8 liter engine is capable of developing 641 horsepower (650 for marketing purposes) and 500 lb ft (678 Nm) of torque through McLaren’s 7-speed SSG gearbox.
Faster than McLaren’s F1 and 12C, but with a familiar-looking design, the 650S is reportedly capable of not only a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph) but can hit 200 km/h (124 mph) in only 8.4 seconds. Figures like a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 3.0 seconds flat and a quarter mile time of 10.5 seconds not only guarantees the car a spot in the supercar charts, but also puts it faster to 200 km/h than McLaren’s legendary F1 by a full second.
However this comparison is based on current versus 20 year-old technology, so to ensure fairness McLaren reports the 650S is also faster to the 200 km/h mark than the 12C by a half second. No word yet on how the new model compares against the P1.
The 650S also makes good use of McLaren’s signature carbon fiber monocell and aluminum architecture. Weighing in at 1,330 kg (2,932 lb) the 650S is lighter than the 12C by 69 kg (152 lb), and is 65 kg (143 lb) lighter than the the 1,395 kg (3,075 lb) P1.
When it comes to stopping, the 650S apparently will not disappoint. According to the firm known for its F1 innovations, by using the joint forces of carbon ceramic rotors (F 394mm/R 380mm), forged aluminum hubs, McLaren’s ProActive Chassis Control, Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires (F235/35 R19 / R305/30 R20) and the active Airbrake wing out back, the 650S is capable of decelerating from 100 km/h (62 mph) to 0 in only 100 ft (30.5 m). As speeds jump so do braking distances. From 200 km/h (124 mph) the 650S needs 404 ft (123 m) to come to rest, while from 300 km/h (186 mph) to 0 the car needs 889 ft (271 m).
Most owners won’t be overly concerned about mileage, but the few who are will be happy to know the 650S can achieve a combined rating of 24.2 mpg (9.7 L/100km) when the car is driven in a reasonable manner. McLaren reports pricing for the 650S to start at US$265,000.
The global reveal of the McLaren 650S Coupé and Spider will take place next week at the 84th International Geneva Motor Show. Watch for Gizmag’s upcoming coverage from the show.
Source: McLaren
