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GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: McLaren 650S – full specs
McLaren reveals all the nitty-gritty pertaining to its new 650S supercar, which slots in between the MP4-12C and P1 flagshipWe recently brought you the first news of McLaren’s new 650S supercar, and now the company has come clean with all the facts and figures relating to the Geneva show debutant.
As previously reported, the 650S joins the range as an additional model alongside the 12C and P1 flagship, and it sources know-how from both these cars, as well as its basic component set.
As per the lesser 12C, the newcomer will be offered in Coupe and Spider formats, with the latter gaining a retractable hardtop and giving away nothing to the former in terms of torsional rigidity.
Here are the key numbers: the 3.8-litre twin-turbo M838T V8 engine (an uprated version of the 12C’s powerplant) cranks out 478kW (650PS) and 678Nm, enabling the 1330kg (dry) 650S to sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.0sec.
The dash to 200km/h takes just 8.4 seconds for the Coupe (Spider 8.6 seconds), while maximum speed is 333km/h (329km/h for the Spider).
McLaren also claims the power-to-weight ratio of 500PS per tonne (368kW per tonne) is the best of any contender in its class.
The 650S’s added grunt vis-à-vis the 12C comes from new pistons and cylinder heads for the twin-turbo V8, along with new exhaust valves and revised cam timing.
As per the 12C, the newbie’s backbone is provided by the ultra-lightweight MonoCell (it weighs just 75kg), and complementing this is Brake Steer, carbon ceramic disc brakes (standard on the McLaren 650S) and active aerodynamics.
The transmission software has also been tweaked to allow faster and crisper gearshifts. Adding to the aural drama in ‘Sport’ mode is ‘cylinder cut’ technology, which produces an exhaust flare on upshifts.
This is achieved by momentarily interrupting the spark and ‘popping’ the fuel on re-ignition. McLaren claims this results in a distinctive engine note, as exhaust sound is amplified, without any loss in performance.
In addition, under hard acceleration in ‘Track’ mode, when full performance is required, the 650S features ‘inertia push’, which harnesses the built up kinetic energy to deliver an impulse of torque as the next gear is engaged.
McLaren also claims ride and refinement are boosted by new damper mounts, while redesigned dampers and springs are coupled with sharper steering.
The car rides on new lightweight forged ‘650S’ alloy wheels, which allegedly offer a 6kg weight saving over the standard cast wheel design of the 12C.
As evident from the accompanying images, the 650S’s styling draws from both the 12C and the P1, with the face featuring a strong resemblance to the latter.
McLaren claims the car’s optimised aero design promotes greater steering feel over the 12C, while also adding to the agility and handling balance of the 650S.
The new McLaren isn’t a stripped-out racer either, as the Alcantara-clad interior is claimed to offer “saloon-car comfort levels”, and kit levels are also comprehensive.
Options include fixed-back carbon racing seats, based on the lightweight design found in the McLaren P1, an electric steering column adjustment assisting ingress and egress, a rear parking camera and extended carbonfibre throughout the interior.
"Everything we’ve learnt from the McLaren P1 and the 12C has gone into the McLaren 650S. The result is a car that’s faster, more fun and thrilling to drive, yet also more comfortable, luxurious and even easier to enjoy, day-to-day" says McLaren chief executive Mike Flewitt.
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Written byGautam Sharma
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