McLaren 650S

The McLaren 650S, the British supercar maker’s new model. Fundamentally it’s obviously a development of the McLaren 12C, and it has now usurped that car's production. The McLaren 650S, the British supercar maker’s new model. Fundamentally it’s obviously a development of the McLaren 12C, and it has now usurped that car's production. See Ford Mustang

Available in coupe and Spider variants, it's priced almost £20,000 higher than the 12C it replaces, costing from £195,250. McLaren 650S Available in coupe and Spider variants, it's priced almost £20,000 higher than the 12C it replaces, costing from £195,250. McLaren 650S

With the 12C's 616bhp and 442lb ft outputs increased to 641bhp and 500lb ft, the claimed performance is mind-blowing: a 0-60 time of 2.9sec is impressive, but it’s the 0-100mph time With the 12C's 616bhp and 442lb ft outputs increased to 641bhp and 500lb ft, the claimed performance is mind-blowing: a 0-60 time of 2.9sec is impressive, but it’s the 0-100mph time

McLaren 650S Most of the extra straight line performance over a standard 12C (which hits 60mph in 3.1sec) comes from the reworked engine McLaren 650S Most of the extra straight line performance over a standard 12C (which hits 60mph in 3.1sec) comes from the reworked engine

The new nose makes a real difference, giving the 650S a much more distinctive McLaren identity than the 12C and sprinkling the car with a bit of P1 kudos. The new nose makes a real difference, giving the 650S a much more distinctive McLaren identity than the 12C and sprinkling the car with a bit of P1 kudos.

Aerodynamically the new snout also increases downforce by 40 per cent, the car now generating 100kg at 150mph, but that almost seems like a bonus. McLaren 650S Aerodynamically the new snout also increases downforce by 40 per cent, the car now generating 100kg at 150mph, but that almost seems like a bonus. McLaren 650S Learn more

Heading through town and then onto the motorway with the adaptive powertrain and handling modes set to normal it’s really very like a 12 C. McLaren 650S Heading through town and then onto the motorway with the adaptive powertrain and handling modes set to normal it’s really very like a 12 C. McLaren 650S

The smaller bumps seemed to be a bit more noticeable but over bigger undulations there is still that slightly loose-limbed waterbed The smaller bumps seemed to be a bit more noticeable but over bigger undulations there is still that slightly loose-limbed waterbed

the more shocking of course. Pressing the ‘Active’ button so that it glows orange and switching the dials to ‘Sport’ or even ‘Track’ stiffens the 650’s sinews and slices its response times. the more shocking of course. Pressing the ‘Active’ button so that it glows orange and switching the dials to ‘Sport’ or even ‘Track’ stiffens the 650’s sinews and slices its response times.

The combination of the stiffer springs and the Corsa rubber means that you seem to get better initial reaction as you turn into a corner and then more confidence to lean on the front end. The combination of the stiffer springs and the Corsa rubber means that you seem to get better initial reaction as you turn into a corner and then more confidence to lean on the front end.

Until the tyres have got a bit of heat into them there is a bit of understeer to manage through the tighter corners McLaren 650S Until the tyres have got a bit of heat into them there is a bit of understeer to manage through the tighter corners McLaren 650S Learn more

you can get the 650 to oversteer if you’re on the throttle with the boost building early enough, but by and large the car is simply stunningly fast and completely composed without an ounce of slip. you can get the 650 to oversteer if you’re on the throttle with the boost building early enough, but by and large the car is simply stunningly fast and completely composed without an ounce of slip.

The 650 comes as standard with carbon ceramic discs, but where there used to be a horrible dead feeling at the top of the pedal travel The 650 comes as standard with carbon ceramic discs, but where there used to be a horrible dead feeling at the top of the pedal travel

Pure performance has its own thrill, of that there is no doubt, but there’s some emotion still lacking in the 650S. I got to the end of several fast runs Pure performance has its own thrill, of that there is no doubt, but there’s some emotion still lacking in the 650S. I got to the end of several fast runs

McLaren 650S The turbocharged engine simply doesn’t make a noise that you crave. There’s supposedly a new cylinder cut on upshifts when you’re in Sport mode McLaren 650S The turbocharged engine simply doesn’t make a noise that you crave. There’s supposedly a new cylinder cut on upshifts when you’re in Sport mode

it was meant to add and although overall it’s not a bad sound being piped into the cabin, you won’t lie awake at night longing for the next time you hear it.McLaren 650S it was meant to add and although overall it’s not a bad sound being piped into the cabin, you won’t lie awake at night longing for the next time you hear it.McLaren 650S