Overview: McLaren 650S

Cars, Reviews I By Winding Road Staff I January 01, 2014
This is the overview page for the 2014 McLaren 650S. From now on, future drive reviews, updated specifications, videos, and other relevant information will all be included here.  
 
PREVIEW
 
Making good on their promise of a new product every model year, McLaren has taken the wraps of their latest creation, the 650S. Due for a proper debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the 650S takes the already-stellar McLaren MP4-12C underpinnings and stretches the performance envelope even further. Set to be slotted between the MP4-12C and the P1, the 650S improves upon the 12C in numerous ways.
 
Visually, the 650S takes inspiration from the P1 in the redesigned front end, complete with a more thoroughly integrated front splitter and LED headlamps, while the rear of the car sees a dollop of inspiration from the 12C GT3 racecar. Taking all the new aero bits into account, downforce is said to be up by 24 percent than that of the 12C at 150 mph.
 
 
 
Power comes from a revised version of the M838T 3.8-litre biturbo V8 engine, now developing 641 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, thanks to beefed up pistons, valves, exhaust components and some as-yet unnamed bits and pieces. McLaren says that more than ten percent of the engine’s internals will be unique to the 650S. The seven-speed dual clutch gearbox is unchanged from the 12C, but due to revised software, it should provide smoother low-speed launches and gear changes, while Track mode has also been tweaked for improved shift times.
 
 
Handling also sees some notable revision, with a revamped stability control system which promises to allow more adjustability and controllability during oversteer. Spring rates will increase by 22 percent in the front and 37 percent in the rear, while dampening will be adjusted to maintain a reasonable level of comfort with the newfound stiffness. Continuing the theme of improved drivability, new carbon ceramic brakes are also on board, and are said to improve feel at the top of the pedal. 
 
Expect many more details when both the coupe and convertible hardtop debut next month in Geneva, but in the meantime, be sure to check out the press release below for more details.
 
McLAREN AUTOMOTIVE RELEASES FIRST IMAGES OF THE 650S COUPÉ AHEAD OF GENEVA REVEAL
 
– Designed and developed to give the enthusiast driver the ultimate in luxury, engagement and excitement
– The McLaren 650S will offer the widest breadth of capabilities of any supercar
– Coupé and Spider, with electrically retractable hardtop, to be available from Spring 2014 launch
– Joins McLaren’s range of supercars above 12C, which continues on sale
– Uniquely enhanced active aerodynamics and ProActive Chassis Control systems optimise the capabilities and usability
 
McLaren Automotive will return to the International Geneva Motor Show this year with its fastest, most engaging, best equipped and most beautiful series-production supercar yet.
 
The McLaren 650S joins the range as an additional model alongside the 12C and sold-out McLaren P1™, and learns from both models as well as 50 years of competing in the highest levels of motorsport. Available as a fixed-head coupé or as a Spider, with a retractable folding hard top, the McLaren 650S promises to redefine the high performance supercar segment, and has been designed and developed to provide the ultimate in driver engagement on the road and on the race track.
 
The 650S badge designation refers to the power output – 650PS (641 bhp) – of the unique British-built McLaren M838T twin turbo V8 engine. ‘S’ stands for ‘Sport’, underlining the focus and developments made to handling, transmission, drivability and engagement. Performance figures will be confirmed ahead of the Geneva Show but will improve on the already rapid 12C which continues on sale.
 
The design is inspired by the McLaren P1™, previewing a new family design language. The front bumper gives the McLaren 650S a dramatic, yet clean appearance and sits below new LED headlamps which reflect a similar look to the McLaren P1™. The more integrated front splitter contributes to increased levels of downforce, giving a greater level of steering feeling and confidence to the driver on turn-in, while also adding to the agility and the car’s handling balance. Unique door blades behind the front wheels direct air from the trailing edges of the front splitter, further benefiting front-end grip and vehicle balance.
 
The aerodynamic performance of the McLaren 650S is as efficient as the 12C, boasting the same drag coefficient figure, yet the air is being worked harder and more efficiently as it flows over, and through, the functional bodywork. At 150 mph, downforce levels are increased by 24 percent.
 
‘As always with McLaren, the new design is there for good engineering reasons,’ says McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt. ‘The newly designed front bumper improves downforce and steering turn-in. The high speed handling balance is now even better. The LED lights use less power and last longer.’
 
Unique side intakes behind the dihedral doors feed large, efficiently packaged, radiators which help provide the cooling requirements of the mid-mounted, compact engine. A new design five-spoke lightweight forged ‘650S’ alloy wheel is unique to the model, and are fitted with Pirelli P Zero™ Corsa tyres to offer optimised roadholding, handling and driver feedback – the bespoke ‘MC1’ branded tyres have been developed alongside the McLaren 650S by McLaren technology partner Pirelli, and offer strong performance in normal road conditions and on track.
 
The McLaren 650S builds on experience from success on the track, and groundbreaking technologies fitted to other McLaren models. Active aerodynamics, which feature on both the 12C and McLaren P1™, have been further developed and honed to ensure the ultimate performance and ability for the McLaren 650S. The McLaren Airbrake, originally fitted to the 12C and 12C Spider and designed to offer optimised levels of downforce on the rear of the car, now operates with a greater level of functionality providing increased stability. The newly developed system means the Airbrake deploys whenever the car senses extra downforce is advisable – rather than simply under braking or when manually operated in ‘Aero’ mode. Below the Airbrake, a distinctive rear three-piece bumper, similar to the GT3 racing version of the 12C, compliments the aerodynamic shaping of the McLaren 650S.
 
The pioneering ProActive Chassis Control (PCC) suspension system, developed by McLaren, has been further enhanced for the McLaren 650S. A feature of the system is the ability to adjust the ride and handling modes – Normal / Sport / Track – in isolation from the drivetrain, which gives complete freedom in terms of ride and handling. These settings, for both powertrain and suspension, have been recalibrated to improve driver engagement. The updates are especially noticeable in Sport mode.
 
‘McLaren is a fast moving company, continually striving for improvements and technical advantages. We are always seeking to innovate, to be the class leaders, to bring new technologies and thinking to market. That’s our Formula 1 heritage shining through,’ explains Mike Flewitt. ‘Everything we’ve learnt from the 12C and the McLaren P1™ has gone into the design and development of the McLaren 650S.’
 
The McLaren 650S is designed to be the best and most engaging driver’s car in its class, yet it is not a stripped out road racer. Ride comfort and refinement are to executive saloon standards. The McLaren 650S models are equipped with IRIS satellite navigation with Bluetooth telephony, DAB digital radio (SIRIUS satellite radio in North America), wireless tethering, audio streaming and voice control as standard, while also offering enhanced levels of optional specification than previously offered. Options include fixed-back carbon racing seats, based on the lightweight design found in the McLaren P1™, an electric steering column adjustment assisting ingress and egress, a rear parking camera and extended carbon fibre throughout the interior.
 
The global reveal of the McLaren 650S Coupéand Spider will take place on Stand 1240, Hall 1 at 12.00CET (11.00GMT) on Tuesday, 4 March 2014 at the 84th International Geneva Motor Show.
 
VIDEO
 

 
 

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