5 Reasons Why McLaren’s New 750S Is Not Just A Small Upgrade Over The 720S

McLaren claims that the 750S is the lightest and most powerful series-production McLaren, with segment-leading power-to-weight ratio of 579bhp-per-tonne. That’s a 22bhp advantage over its closest competitor. While it stopped short of giving names, we can certainly tell that the brand is very much engaged in the numerical arms race - full burden shouldered by the MP4-12C since 2011.

12 years might seem like ages, even more so in tech speak when we realised that’s the year Siri was introduced. So how is this different from the 720S, you might ask, given its visual similarities before we probe further. Apparently there’s plenty to uncover and admire…

Lighter than a Honda E

At just 1,389kg, it weighs 30kg less than a 720S. Carbonfibre-shelled racing seats are a combined 17.5kg lighter than the base seats in a 720S. New 10-spoke ultra-lightweight forged wheels are the lightest ever fitted as standard on a series-production McLaren and save 13.8kg. The new driver instrument display is lighter by 1.8kg. Even the windscreen glass contributes to weight reduction, providing a 1.6kg saving.

Flow rider

Springs are softer at the front and stiffer at the rear than in the 720S. Together with reconfiguration of passive and active elements of the bespoke valve stack and a new approach to tuning the suspension (adjusting the accumulators in the struts, which is used for the first time in 750S) benefits ride comfort, roll control, steering feedback and cornering balance.

Heavy lifting, simplified

A new vehicle-lift system raises the front of the 750S in only four seconds compared to the 10 seconds it takes in a 720S, although owners may not call on it too often as the lengthened front splitter has no impact on approach angles.

Wing it

The surface area of the lengthened active rear wing is 20% greater than the wing of the 720S. Yet, the component is lighter by 1.6kg due to its carbonfibre construction. A cut-out in the centre section maintains rear visibility and also ensures that high temperatures from the exhaust do not impact the wing when the vehicle is stationary after extended circuit running.

Face-bending acceleration

Its 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 extracts 740bhp and 800Nm. Mated to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox, full fury is unleashed to 100km/h from standstill in 2.8 seconds. That’s 0.1 seconds faster than the 720S. Doesn’t sound like much? Owners of the McLaren P1 with an identical sprint time ain’t complaining…

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