McLaren 720S

The McLaren 720S is a Supercar designed and manufactured by British automobile manufacturer McLaren Automotive. It is the second all-new car in the McLaren ''Super Series'', replacing the 650S beginning in May 2017.

The 720S was launched at the Geneva Motor Show on 7 March 2017 and is built on a modified carbon monocoque, which is lighter and stiffer than the previous model, the 650S.

Specifications

The 720S is the first all-new car to be introduced by McLaren as a part of its new plan to launch 15 new cars into the market by 2022. The 720S according to McLaren is 91% new as compared to its predecessor.

Engine

The 720S features McLaren's new M840T engine which is an evolution of the M838T used in the 650S. It is a twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The engine has a rated power output of at 7,500 rpm, giving the car its name; the maximum torque is at 5,500 rpm.

Suspension

The ProActive Chassis Control II active suspension system used in the 720S is an evolution of the system used in the 650S but is lighter than the previous version. The new system features accelerometers on the top and pressure sensors at the bottom of the dampers to precisely communicate to the car's onboard computer the driving conditions in real-time for optimum suspension settings. The system uses findings from a PhD course at the University of Cambridge.

Chassis

The carbon fibre tub used in the 720S' chassis is based on the similar principle of the ''MonoCage'' unit in the P1 but is lighter than its predecessor. Called the ''MonoCage II'', the tub allows for dihedral doors with large cutouts for easier entry and exit. It also reduces the size of the pillars of the roof, improving visibility for the driver. The same tub underpins the Senna, Speedtail and the Elva sports cars.

Interior

The interior is designed to be a blend of modern and race-inspired elements. Alcantara and Weir leather upholstery along with carbon fibre trim is standard. A Bowers and Wilkins audio system and fixed carbon fibre racing seats are included as an option. The main focus of the interior is the driver and this is reflected by the new digital display behind the steering wheel which retracts to a thin screen to reveal vital information to the driver when the car is in track mode. The touch screen on the centre console is angled away from the driver but vital controls are designed to be in the driver's easy reach. The car comes with two driving modes, default and comfort with the former focusing on an enhanced track driving experience.

Performance

According to McLaren the 720S can accelerate to in 2.9 seconds, to in 7.8 seconds, can achieve a maximum speed of , and has a time of 10.3 seconds. The 720S also comes with Variable Drift Mode, which manipulates the stability control to help drift the car.

Efficiency

McLaren claims class-leading efficiency for the new 720S, with CO₂ emissions of 249 g/km and combined fuel economy of —both of these figures represent an improvement of around 10% from the 650S.

Design

The McLaren 720S features twin-hinged butterfly doors and many design features from the McLaren F1. The headlights hide air vents that funnel incoming air to two small radiators in front of the wheels. The doors feature air channels that direct air to the engine. The rear of the car features thin LED taillights similar to those on the McLaren P1, and two round exhaust pipes. The design was inspired by the great white shark and features a teardrop-shaped cockpit. All of the exterior features result in an improvement of 50% more downforce than the 650S. The interior of the car includes a folding driver display and carbon fibre accents.

Variants

720S (2017-)

The vehicle was unveiled in 2017 Geneva International Motor Show.

The vehicle went on sale on 7 March 2017, with deliveries to customers starting in May 2017.

720S Velocity

McLaren Special Operations unveiled the McLaren 720S Velocity just one day after the 720S was revealed. It featured Nerello Red and Volcano Red paint scheme, and a carbon fibre bonnet. In addition to those, the wheels are lightweight aluminium painted metallic bronze. The interior has Carbon Black Alcantara trim with red highlights and carbon fibre accents.

720S Spider (2018-)

The 720S Spider was introduced in December 2018 as the brand's new open-top flagship sports car. Due to the integral roll structure of the monocoque used in the 720S, the Spider did not need additional bracing to compensate for the loss of a fixed roof. The modified monocoque loses the spine running from front to the rear of the car and is dubbed the ''Monocage II-S''. Due to the loss of the roof, the 720S Spider uses traditional dihedral doors. The Spider weighs more than its coupé counterpart due to the retractable hardtop system. The Spider marks the debut of new 10-spoke alloy wheels and new exterior colour options.

The roof is a single piece of carbon fibre and takes 11 seconds for operation, 6 seconds quicker than the 650S Spider. The roof can be operated at speeds up to . The Spider uses the "flying buttress" as used on all convertible McLaren models. There is an added window on the buttress of the car to increase rear visibility. The retractable window between the roll-over hoops is carried over from the 650S Spider.

The engine and the transmission remain the same as the coupé with the engine generating the same amount of power. The Spider can accelerate to from a standstill in 2.9 seconds, to in 7.9 seconds and on to a top speed of with the top closed. The top speed reduces by with the top retracted.

File:McLaren 720S Spider Genf 2019 1Y7A5614.jpg, McLaren 720S Spider at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, alt=
File:McLaren 720S Spider, GIMS 2019, Le Grand-Saconnex (GIMS1234).jpg, Rear view

765LT (2020-)

Unveiled on 3 March 2020, the 765LT is a limited (765 units worldwide) version of the 720S and the successor to the 675LT as a Super Series Longtail car, focused on track performance. The M840T engine is now rated at at 7,500 rpm and of torque at 5,500 rpm achieved with a higher-capacity fuel pump, forged aluminium pistons and a three-layer head gasket from the Senna.

The top speed is lowered from the 720S's to due to added drag created by the added high downforce parts, although the 765LT weighs less than the 720S at in its lightest configuration and has a quicker time of 2.8 seconds. It also can hit in 7.0 seconds and complete a quarter-mile dash in 9.9 seconds according to McLaren. A US-spec McLaren 765LT was tested by '' Road & Track'' with a quarter-mile time of 11.6 seconds at , which equates to 0–100 km/h in the high-3 range and 0–200 km/h in the mid-10 range. In addition, it stopped at 92 feet from 60-0 mph.

The Senna's brake calipers are also available as an extra-cost option; McLaren claims these have four times the thermal conductivity as conventional carbon ceramics, while Pirelli Trofeo R tyres are standard. Suspension changes involve a reduction in ride height and the use of lightweight main springs with secondary "helper" units as well as an upgraded Proactive Chassis Control system. The aerodynamics are redesigned to produce 25% more downforce than the 720S, featuring front fender vents, a larger front splitter and a longer active wing element at the rear at the cost of less noise insulation, thinner-gauge glass and stiffened engine mounts. The rear of the car also features a quad-exit full titanium exhaust to distinguish it from the 720S. Production was limited to 765 cars globally with customer deliveries in October 2020.

720S Le Mans special edition (2020-)

It is a version of 720S coupé celebrating the 25th anniversary of McLaren F1 GTR #59's 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans race win. It includes:
*Choice of two body colours (McLaren Orange, Sarthe Grey)
*VIN starting with 298 (the number of laps completed by the original race car)
*'Ueno Grey'-painted body side lower, rear bumper and front bumper lower
*'McLaren 25 anniversary Le Mans' logo on lower body side panel
*Gloss black roof scoop with polycarbonate rear glazing
*Carbon fibre louvred front fenders
*Unique 5-spoke LM wheels that based on the design of the #59 F1 GTR wheels, with 'Le Mans' etching
*Gold-coloured brake calipers
*Gloss black contrast body components
*Choice of two black Alcantara themes with accents in McLaren Orange or Dove Grey
*Carbon fibre racing seats
*Embroidered headrests with 'McLaren 25 anniversary Le Mans' logo
*12 o'clock steering wheel marker, linked to interior accent colour
*Dedication plate with 'McLaren 25 anniversary Le Mans' logo
*Floor mats with 'McLaren 25 anniversary Le Mans' logo
The vehicle went on sale in 2020-06-17.

765LT Spider (2021-)

Unveiled on the 27 July 2021, the convertible is a limited (765 units worldwide) version of 765LT coupe. It uses the same M840T engine which produces . The Spider weighs less than the 720S Spider at , making it heavier than the coupe.

Awards

* ''Top Gear'' - Supercar of the Year 2017

* Festival Automobile International - Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year 2017

* Red Dot Design Awards - Best of the Best 2018

* World Car Awards - 2019 World Performance Car

* IEEE - Top 10 Tech Cars in 2018

The McLaren 720S GT3X won the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb, by setting the fastest time at the shootout final, sprinting up the hill in 45.01 seconds.

Motorsport

720S GT3

The McLaren 720S GT3 is a motorsport version of the 720S designed to take part in GT3 races. The car was revealed in August 2018 with a price of $564,000 and McLaren said that 90% of the car was different from the road-legal 720S. It was originally teased through renderings in November 2017.

720S GT3X (2021-)

In March 2021, McLaren announced the 720S GT3X, a track-only car based on the 720S GT3 which isn't limited by the restrictions put in place by the FIA for GT3-class cars.

McLaren 720S GT3X wins 2021 Goodwood Festival hill climb , set the fastest time at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed’s famous hill climb timed shootout final, sprinting up the hill in just 45.01 seconds.

Marketing

LEGO Speed Champions McLaren 720S model kit, which also includes a minifigure car designer with design studio desk, went on sale June 2017.New McLaren 720S builds interest among younger generations of supercar enthusiasts
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References

External links

*McLaren page
720S720S Spider765LT765LT Spider
*Press kit
720S720S Spider765LT765LT SpiderOfficial experience site

{{McLaren Automotive

720S
Cars introduced in 2017
Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles
Sports cars
2020s cars