The recently held Geneva Auto Show saw the unveiling of McLaren's supercar 720S. Equipped with a 710 HP twin turbocharged V8-mounted engine, it is definitely the one to look out for.
According to Car and Driver, McLaren's rapid model development program has been a real cause of concern for its competitors like Ferrari. This also shows in the 720S, which has a more advanced carbon fiber composite tub than that of its predecessor, the 650S. The 720S debuts as the second generation Super Series car and will be followed by a Spider and a quicker LT version.
The 720S is the first car by McLaren to use its new Monocage II carbon fiber tub. It has an integrated carbon A-pillars and a carbon windshield header, along with a central roof spar that consists of mounting points for the new, wider opening doors, a B-pillar hoop, and buttresses. The 720S's overall weight is claimed to be 2829 lbs in the car's lightest configuration. The supercar also boasts of new turbos, cylinder heads, pistons, and a new crankshaft. 568 lb-ft of torque is directed to the rear wheels of the 720S, handled by a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.
According to Motormag, the new V8 engine in the 720S initiates a maximum of 770 Nm and 5500-6500 rpm. McLaren also claims the top speed of the 720S to be of 341 km/ph, and a maximum acceleration of 0-100 km/ph in 2.9 seconds and 0-200 km/ph in 7.8 seconds. Despite the incredible power and displacement, fuel consumption of the 720S is improved to 10.7l per 100 km.
As MacLaren says, 41 percent of the new M840T engine present in the 720S is new compared to that of the M838T in the 650S, including new pistons, con-rods, turbos, and intercoolers. The 8.0 touch screen display controls audio, media and navigation. Deceleration is also very impressive in the 720S, with carbon ceramic disc brakes measuring 390 mm and 380 mm in the front and rear respectively, bringing the car to a halt from 100 km/ph in 29.7m. The 720S is equipped with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires measuring 245/35 ZR19 and 305/30 ZR20 in the front and rear respectively.
The 720S is expected to hit the showrooms by the end of 2017. Though not yet confirmed, there might be an increase of five percent over the price of the 650S, making the supercar cost around $490000.
