After images of the McLaren 650S were leaked online, McLaren have officially revealed the 650S ahead of the Geneva motor show.
The model known as the 650S has McLaren 12C underpinnings and P1 style front end, enabling it to sit perfectly between the two models. It will be made available as a fixed head coupe or a convertible with a retractable hard top. With the new P1 inspired front end and splitters adds more down-force and better driver turn-in.
The name is derived from the power output of the engine in PS, powered by a tweaked 3.8L twin turbo V8, the same as in the 12C with 25bhp more at 641bhp or 650PS. Torque has been increased to over 650Nm whilst CO2 emissions and 0-62 mph times have dropped slightly to 275g/km and 3secs respectively.
There is a newly developed Air brake system on the 650S that doesn’t only deploy in ‘Aero’ mode as in the 12C but also deploys when the car senses extra down-force may help the driver.
Large side intakes have been added behind the doors to help feed air into the large radiators to cool the mid mounted engine. Even though the drag coefficient is the same as the 12C, the air is worked harder and more efficiently, effectively increasing down-force by 24% over the 12C at 150mph. Tweaks have been made to the dampers along with the clutch making the car 22% stiffer but also making the car feel smoother on road when in ‘auto’ mode and making manual shifts quicker.
Four new colours will be revealed for the 650S and it will be packed with top end equipment as standard including carbon ceramic brakes, sat nav and new forged alloy wheels on purpose-built ‘MC1’ tyres from Pirelli. Prices will start at £20,000 more than the £178,000 12C at £195,000 for the coupe with deliveries being made at the end of March.
The global reveal of the McLaren 650S Coupé and Spider will take place on Stand 1240, Hall 1 at 11.00GMT on Tuesday, 4 March 2014 at the 84th International Geneva Motor Show.
SCDW 