The McLaren 650S Coupe is set to make its debut at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show, but McLaren is giving us all an early peek with these pictures of their latest supercar. You’ll be able to get the McLaren 650S as either a Coupe or Spider with a retractable folding hard top.
The 650S name is a nod to its power output of 650PS (641 bhp) from a McLaren M838T twin turbo V8 engine with the S standing for Sport.They say they’ve continued building on what they learned while developing the M1 and 12C to improve the transmission, handling and drivability of the 650S with its exact performance figures still to be released.
Up front, a dramatic bumper sits below new LED headlamps and an integrated front splitter helps increase downforce to give better steering feel. This also adds to the handling balance of the McLaren 650S. Additionally, door blades behind the front wheels direct air from the edges of the front splitter to enhance front-end grip and vehicle balance.
The McLaren 650S has the same drag coefficient as the 12C but the way the air flows over the vehicle’s body means that at 150 mph, the downforce levels are 24 percent greater. Side intakes behind the dihedral doors help with engine cooling and special five-spoke alloy wheels unique to the 650S paired with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires provide optimum handling.
Active Aerodynamics and the Proactive Chassis Control have been improved and the McLaren Airbrake has been optimized. Designed to provide increased downforce on the rear of the car, the new airbrake system deploys whenever the car senses extra downforce is needed rather than simply during braking or when manually operated.
Although designed as a driver’s car, they’ve not left out creature comforts on the McLaren 650S. Satellite navigation with Bluetooth, DAB digital radio (SIRIUS in North America), wireless tethering, audio streaming and voice control are all standard. Options include fixed-back carbon racing seats based on those in the P1, an electric steering column adjustment assisting ingress and egress, a rear parking camera and extended carbon fiber throughout the interior of the vehicle.
The McLaren 650S is set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, March 4th.
Watch the debut of another British performance car, the Jaguar F-Type S…
Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. Nicole also writes for NerdApproved and GeekMom.
