Photo: McLaren
McLaren has just released the performance numbers and pricing for the 650S ahead of its Geneva debut. The numbers are... well... McLarenish, so they’re nothing short of impressive.
The figures
McLaren’s 650S covers the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 3 seconds flat, while it needs 8.4 seconds for the 0 to 124 mph (200 km/h) run. The latter figure makes the 650S one second quicker than the iconic McLaren F1. Of course, putting things this way is a bit of a marketing trick, since McLaren’s 12C is also beats the F1 at the 0-124 mph game, albeit by a smaller margin (under 0.5s).
The McLaren 650S also outperforms the F1 for the quarter mile run, by 0.6 seconds. The latter sits in the mid 11s, so we can asume the 650S is a high 10s car.
As usual, McLaren comes to comfort us when discussing efficiency, promising 24.2 UK mpg (20 US mpg or 11.6 l/100 km) and CO2 emissions of 275 grams per km.
Well, Mclaren claims that they’ve learned their lesson and promise the 650S will offer much more driving involvment. They will offer the two models alongside each other, with the 12C now remaining the cost-effective advantage. We mustn’t forget that the 12C is the first “junior” supercar to offer a carbon fiber chassis.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see the what 2015 will bring for the 12C. Next year, McLaren is launching an entry-level model called the P13.
Here is McLaren’s way of explaining the 650S is much more than a pumped-up 12C with a front end borrowed from the P1 hypercar: “Driving excitement is at the absolute heart of the McLaren 650S,” said Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive. “Of course the performance figures are important, and they help boost excitement. But they’re only part of the story. This is a car that’s about feel as well as measurement.”
McLaren says the 650S comes with optimised aerodynamics and that this “increases driver engagement - enhanced handling, high-speed balance and steering turn-in result from improved levels of downforce. To be more precise, the top downforce is now 40 percent greater than in the 12C and also better spread.
We have to add that the standard tires on the 650S are Pirelli P Zero Corsas, which are optional on the 12C.
As for the list of options, this includes features such as carbon racing seats, power steering column adjust for easy access, a rear-view camera, as well as an extended interior carbon fiber package.
McLaren’s 650S covers the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 3 seconds flat, while it needs 8.4 seconds for the 0 to 124 mph (200 km/h) run. The latter figure makes the 650S one second quicker than the iconic McLaren F1. Of course, putting things this way is a bit of a marketing trick, since McLaren’s 12C is also beats the F1 at the 0-124 mph game, albeit by a smaller margin (under 0.5s).
The McLaren 650S also outperforms the F1 for the quarter mile run, by 0.6 seconds. The latter sits in the mid 11s, so we can asume the 650S is a high 10s car.
As usual, McLaren comes to comfort us when discussing efficiency, promising 24.2 UK mpg (20 US mpg or 11.6 l/100 km) and CO2 emissions of 275 grams per km.
The money
As for the pricing, McLaren is asking GBP 195,250 (EUR237,820 or $ 324,915) for the 650S Coupe and GBP 215,250 (EUR258,530 or $ 353,015)for the Spider. This means that the new weapon is about GBP 20,000 more expensive compared to the 12C it is based on.The spirit
Now that we’ve covered the figures, it’s time to talk about the spirit of the 650S. Notice the man drifting it in the image above (ignore the fact that the image may not be real). The 650S is probably brilliant at the performance game, just like the 12C. Nonetheless, the biggest gripe we and others have had with the 12C is that it is only rewarding when going fast.Well, Mclaren claims that they’ve learned their lesson and promise the 650S will offer much more driving involvment. They will offer the two models alongside each other, with the 12C now remaining the cost-effective advantage. We mustn’t forget that the 12C is the first “junior” supercar to offer a carbon fiber chassis.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see the what 2015 will bring for the 12C. Next year, McLaren is launching an entry-level model called the P13.
Here is McLaren’s way of explaining the 650S is much more than a pumped-up 12C with a front end borrowed from the P1 hypercar: “Driving excitement is at the absolute heart of the McLaren 650S,” said Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive. “Of course the performance figures are important, and they help boost excitement. But they’re only part of the story. This is a car that’s about feel as well as measurement.”
McLaren says the 650S comes with optimised aerodynamics and that this “increases driver engagement - enhanced handling, high-speed balance and steering turn-in result from improved levels of downforce. To be more precise, the top downforce is now 40 percent greater than in the 12C and also better spread.
The features
Moreover, McLaren’s 650C is also better gifted than the 12C. The list of standard equipment includes carbon ceramic brakes, IRIS satellite navigation with Bluetooth telephony, DAB digital radio in Europe (SIRIUS in the US), wireless tethering, audio streaming and voice control. Moreover, the Alcantara trim you see in the image above is also a standard feature.We have to add that the standard tires on the 650S are Pirelli P Zero Corsas, which are optional on the 12C.
As for the list of options, this includes features such as carbon racing seats, power steering column adjust for easy access, a rear-view camera, as well as an extended interior carbon fiber package.
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