McLaren 750S - 2024

The McLaren 750S: A Comprehensive Review of the Ultimate Pure V8 Supercar

The McLaren 750S is not a ground-up revolution but a masterful evolution, a targeted and obsessive refinement of the already legendary 720S. Representing the "next-level supercar," it embodies McLaren's core ethos: a relentless quest for lightness and performance honed by decades of Formula 1 expertise. With approximately 30% of its components being new or revised, the 750S is a significant engineering update designed to elevate driver engagement and purity of response to a new apex. More than just an improvement, the 750S holds a poignant place in automotive history as it is widely considered the last of its kind—the final series-production McLaren supercar to be powered solely by a non-hybridized V8 engine, marking the glorious end of an era.

Powertrain: More Power, More Aggression

At the heart of the 750S is the formidable 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, now calibrated to produce 740 bhp (750 PS) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque—an increase of 30 PS and 30 Nm over its predecessor. This power gain is achieved through hardware upgrades like lighter pistons and a new engine management system.

However, the most transformative change is the 15% shorter final drive ratio in the 7-speed gearbox. This decision dramatically enhances the car's character, delivering a claimed 10% improvement in in-gear acceleration and making the car feel significantly more responsive and aggressive at all speeds. This newfound aggression is complemented by a new, lighter stainless-steel, central-exit exhaust system inspired by the McLaren P1™, which gives the 750S a ferocious and distinctive voice that was a noted point of critique in the 720S.

The result is staggering performance. The 750S officially sprints from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.8 seconds, but independent testing has clocked its 0-60 mph time at a record-breaking 2.3 seconds, making it the quickest rear-wheel-drive car ever tested by some publications. The top speed is a formidable 206 mph (332 km/h).

Chassis and Dynamics: A Study in Lightness and Control

McLaren's identity is built on its mastery of carbon fibre and suspension dynamics. The 750S is founded on the Carbon Fibre Monocage II, an incredibly rigid and lightweight structure that forms the car's core. This foundation is key to the car's obsessive weight-saving program, which shaves 30 kg (66 lbs) from the 720S for a DIN kerb weight of just 1,389 kg (3,062 lbs). With all lightweight options, the dry weight drops to an astonishing 1,277 kg (2,815 lbs). These savings were achieved through components like standard carbon fibre racing seats (saving 17.5 kg) and the lightest-ever standard forged alloy wheels (saving 13.8 kg).

The car debuts the next-generation Proactive Chassis Control III (PCC III), a linked-hydraulic suspension system that has been revised with new geometry, a 6mm wider front track, and new lightweight springs and dampers. This system provides the 750S with its signature "magic carpet" ride, offering a shocking level of compliance and comfort on public roads while delivering immense roll stiffness and stability for track performance. The electro-hydraulic steering, a rarity in the modern era, has been sharpened with a faster ratio, providing the unfiltered feedback for which McLaren is praised.

Design and Interior: Purposeful Refinements

While visually an evolution, every design change on the 750S serves an aerodynamic purpose. A new front end with an extended splitter and narrower "eye socket" intakes works with a redesigned rear deck to channel air towards a 20% larger active rear wing. This results in a 5% increase in downforce, enhancing high-speed stability.

Inside, the cockpit is more driver-focused than ever. A new instrument binnacle is mounted to the steering column and features rocker switches that allow the driver to change powertrain and handling modes without taking their hands off the wheel. Responding to owner feedback, McLaren has made significant usability improvements, including the standardization of Apple CarPlay® (though Android Auto is still absent) and a new, faster vehicle-lift system that raises the car's nose in just 4 seconds, compared to 10 in the 720S. A new McLaren Control Launcher (MCL) feature, nicknamed the "Speedy Kiwi," allows drivers to save and recall their favorite dynamic setup with a single button press.

Conclusion: A Definitive Swan Song

Available as both a Coupe and a Spider, the latter adds only 49 kg (108 lbs) with no compromise in structural rigidity or performance, offering a more immersive sensory experience. The 750S enters a market in transition, standing as a champion of pure internal combustion against hybrid rivals like the Ferrari 296 GTB. It is a triumph of evolutionary engineering, a car that improves upon a masterpiece in every measurable and emotional way. As the industry pivots to electrification, the 750S will be remembered as a glorious and defiant final statement—the ultimate expression of McLaren's V8 supercar legacy.