Light weight and brute force align in McLaren’s new 750 S

McLaren has showcased the latest evolutionary model in its Sport Series of models, the 750S in both coupe and retractable hard-top Spider guises.

The simultaneous replacement for the 720 S and its lightweight, more hardcore offshoot, the 765 LT, the 750 S not only premieres as the most powerful Sport Series model ever made, but also the lightest with a dry weight of 1 389 kg for the coupe.

Weight matters

Although likely to be viewed with some content for being an effective facelift of the 720 S, McLaren has countered by claiming that around 30% of the 750 S is new and therefore different from its predecessor.

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At the same time, McLaren has increased the 750 S’ front track by six millimetres and fitted brand-new lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in model unique Pirelli PZero tyres it says has reduced the claimed weight by 13.8 kg.

For its part, the Spider’s retractable hard-top roof only adds 49 kg to the mass of the coupe, though both are distinguishable from the 720 S by a new front air intake, air channels along the doors to improve aerodynamics, a new Formula 1 DRS-style active rear wing, rear bumpers and lighter glass for the windscreen that weighs 1.6 kg less than on the 720 S.

Underneath

Underneath its skin, McLaren has been a lot more extensive in equipping with the 750 S with is new Proactive Chassis Control system, new coil springs that reduces weight by two kilograms and spring rates three percent softer at the front and four percent stiffer at the rear than on the 720 S.

Woking hasn’t stopped there though as the vehicle-lift system that raises the nose now takes four seconds instead of the ten seconds, the hydraulic power steering further refined for even better feedback and feel, the exhaust system made lighter by 2.2 kg as a result of using stainless steel and the electronics for the drive mode selector and Electronic Stability Control changed.

Although no changes have been made to the carbon monocoque chassis, inside, subtle enhancements have taken place. These include an electrically adjustable steering column, better resolution for the instrument cluster, no buttons on the steering wheel, seats covered in Alcantara and with carbon fibre shells that are 17.5 kg lighter than those of the 720 S and an optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

The power

Unsurprisingly, the main highlight of the 750 S is its powerunit, which still displaces 4.0-litres and with twin-turbocharging, but now with 552kW/800Nm.

An uptake of 22kW/30Nm from the 720 S, the amount of twists translates to a top speed of 332 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 7.2 seconds for the coupe and 7.3 seconds for the Spider. A bespoke Graziano-developed seven-speed sequential gearbox is again the sole transmission available.

The final draw card is the engine itself that features better acoustics inside and in the case of the Spider, which replaces the equivalent 765 LT, can be amplified clearer as a result of a rear window retracting when the roof lowers in 11 seconds at up to 50 km/h.

When?

Soon to be available in the United Kingdom but also priced from $324 000 (R5.9-million) in the United States, sales of the 750 S have not been confirmed for South Africa, but expect the local importer, Daytona Group, to make an announcement before the end of 2023.

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