2018 McLaren 720S

The 720S represents an important milestone for McLaren. It's the first direct model replacement in the relatively young British company's entire history. The design brief called for a car better than its predecessor, the 650S, in every measurable way. We say "mission accomplished.”

The 720S is only offered as a coupe for the time being. We expect a topless model will arrive to replace the 650S Spider in the not-too-distant future.

Overview

On paper, the 720S' specifications are downright impressive. 720 horsepower, hence the name. 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. 0-124 in 7.8 seconds. 124-0 in 4.6 seconds. McLaren claims it'll do a standing quarter mile in 10.3 seconds.

It's also lighter than its predecessor and, McLaren claims, more "dynamically capable." The core remains a carbon fiber monocoque which allows it to weigh in at only 2,829 pounds dry. Yes, this car has more power than a stock Dodge Challenger Hellcat and weighs less than your Ford Focus hatchback.

The 720S' beating heart is a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine mounted behind the passenger compartment. In addition to 720 horses, it produces 568 pound-feet of torque. There's a paddle-shifted seven-speed automatic transmission in charge of putting that power to the ground by routing it through the rear wheels.

Life aboard

The two passengers travel in a delightfully simplistic cabin that stands out by being equal parts luxurious and driver-focused. It's no Bentley, don't get us wrong, but the materials used are top-notch; this is what you'd expect to find in a high-end German sedan. Leather, real carbon fiber, and Alcantara all answered "present” during McLaren's roll call.

The 720S is surprisingly high-tech, too. The infotainment system's portrait-style screen is integrated into the center console, where it's within the driver's reach when needed but out of the way when it's not. The car's coolest party trick is its digital instrument cluster, though. It shows full information about the car and its surroundings in its standard configuration. At the push of a button, it rotates into the dash and shows very basic data like the speed, the gear the transmission is in, and the engine's rpm.

Standard and optional features

There are no trim levels in the standard sense of the term. You didn't to find expect a base model with steel wheels and hubcaps, did you?

720S buyers have three configuration options called standard, luxury, and performance, respectively. The differences are relatively minor; luxury-spec cars get bright trim around the windows, while the performance spec adds carbon fiber side mirrors. From here, you can have it your way - your credit line is the limit.

Buyers can pay extra for a seemingly endless list of option packages that add colored accents to various parts of the car, like the seats, the wheels, and the bumpers. The list of options also includes extended shift paddles, carbon fiber air vents, a power-adjustable steering column, sport seats that are power-adjustable and heated, McLaren's track telemetry tool, a vehicle lift system to clear tricky driveways, and a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

Occupant safety

McLaren makes the 720S with front and side airbags plus traction and stability control systems. 360-degree park assist is found on the list of options.

Key competitors

The McLaren 720S competes against the Ferrari 488 GTB and the Lamborghini Huracan, though it's more expensive than either of those rivals. Speed aficionados seeking a hardcore track toy can also consider high-end variants of the Porsche 911.