If you’re looking for the ultimate and rare supercar, McLaren Kuala Lumpur has just the option for you with their latest McLaren 720S Spider. Priced at RM1.218 million, there are only 3 units available for the Malaysian market and if you happen to buy one, we would like to be your best friends. (more…)
The McLaren 720S which was voted as the World Performance Car 2019 by the World Car of the Year jury wants to get the younger generation passionate about the world of supercars and they’ve successfully created something that will win many hearts (most of them will be dads). (more…)
McLaren Automotive has finally revealed their latest interpretation of a modern yet powerful Grand Tourer in the form of the McLaren GT. Challenging the normal conventions of a Grand Tourer, the superlight GT is simply sleek, elegant, and muscular with a true supercar DNA thrown into the mix. (more…)
The latest McLaren GT is set for its global launch next week, specifically on 15 May 2019. Known as the McLaren Superlight Grand Tourer, it’ll be the fourth brand new model announced under the McLaren Automotive Track25 business plan. (more…)
What happens when you combine your passion for supercars and children’s toys? You’ll get a full-scale McLaren Senna built entirely out of LEGO! This came out of nowhere as a team of specialist assemblers took shifts around the clock to build this masterpiece. (more…)
The Bangkok International Motorshow 2019 is coming! Set to begin on 26th March 2019 at the IMPACT Challenger Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, it’s the 40th installment of what is widely regarded as the best motorshow in the region. And here, in no particular order are the Top 10 Cars to look out for at BIMS 2019!
(ALL information, spec data and photos that follow are from GPI International, the organisers of Bangkok International Motorshow)
BMW Z4 M40i
MERCEDES-BENZ G63 AMG 2019
MERCEDES-BENZ S 500E Plug-In Hybrid
HYUNDAI KONA
SUZUKI JIMNY SIERRA
MAZDA 3 KAI CONCEPT
ALL NEW HONDA ACCORD 1.5L Turbo
ALL NEW TOYOTA SUPRA
MCLAREN 720S SPIDER
ASTON MARTIN VALKYRIE AMR PRO
MITSUBISHI E-EVOLUTION CONCEPT
McLaren has unveiled a new supercar that’s part of its Ultimate Series collection. Called the Senna, this particular machine pays homage to former McLaren F1 Driver and legend Aryton Senna, in more than one way. Unlike the usual crop of cars we are used to seeing from the Woking based automaker, this one has minimal tech and luxuries.
It is built with the company’s carbon fibre Monocage III chassis, the very same one that underpins the McLaren 720S, and is said to be the strongest one that it has ever built. The car sports similar looks to the base 720S but comes with heavily modified bodywork, rear wing and diffusers for aerodynamic efficiency.
This rear-wheel-drive McLaren forgoes the practicality and luxuries of other cars in the stable for a race-focused setup and overall weight of just 1,198kg. In fact, it happens to be the lightest production car that the company has produced since the iconic F1. Downforce is magnified through the use of active aerodynamics for the front and rear.
“The McLaren Senna delivers true performance, all the way to the limit of a driver’s ability. With a truly astonishing power-to-weight ratio, this car is about performance that is accessible and attainable, yet at the same time exciting and challenging for the very best drivers in the world – and with an intense, sensory experience to match, “ Andy Palmer, Vehicle Line Director, McLaren Ultimate Series.
Powering the car is a mid-mounted 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 789bhp and 800Nm of torque. Codenamed M840TR, the company’s engineers from the beginning, set out to build a powerplant that provides the intended visceral feel and experience. And it is mated to a dual clutch 7-speed gearbox that has manual and auto mode.
Output from the drivetrain can be altered via the Active Dynamics Panel, that sets the throttle response based on the selected setting of Comfort Sport or Track. The ambiance is is improved by several added features that include a roof mounted snorkel air intake, as well as engine acoustics transferred to the cabin via the mounts and body panels.
McLaren has fitted the car with the RaceActive Chassis Control II (RCC II), a hydraulic suspension setup works with the active aerodynamics and race tuned chassis to create a truly track-focused experience. The automaker says that the car, though road-legal, isn’t meant for regular runs to the supermarket. It’s a razor-sharp track car that can be used on the road, occasionally.
The Sena’s adaptive dampers are connected to each other hydraulically. Each has two valves independently adjustable for compression and rebound. The car’s stiffness is separately controlled via a kinetic roll system, or K-damper. As for braking power, the Senna has the most advanced system fitted to a McLaren road car. It features carbon ceramic discs that offer exceptional performance.
Production of the car is limited to 500 units, which will be hand-assembled at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, Surrey, England from Q3 2018. Like its siblings, all 500 will probably be snapped up in no time at all.
McLaren hosted a special track day event for 21 of its luckiest customers in Australia. The event was held at the iconic Philip Island Circuit where participants got to experience the thrill of driving their cars flat-out in a controlled environment.
It also shines a spotlight on the automaker’s commitment to ensuring that customers are given opportunities to enjoy the ownership experience. Unlike others, McLaren doesn’t believe that their relationship with customers end as soon as the money exchanges hands. instead, they believe that it is forged by continued engagement between both parties.
The event mirrored other track day programmes held by the Woking based manufacturer in other areas of the world. participants were offered the chance to get behind the wheel of 29 other McLaren models to truly experience the entire range of its supercars.
George Biggs, Managing Director of Asia Pacific at McLaren Automotive, said, “This event marks the first ever McLaren owner’s day to take place in Australia. Every McLaren is built to be driven and enjoyed, hosting it here on the Philip Island Circuit provides the best opportunity for our owners to do so.”
“It is great to see a growing community of McLaren owners in Australia that enjoy sharing their passion for driving. Besides the Owner’s Day event, McLaren owners in Australia may look forward to more driving programmes in the near future as we definitely have an exciting line up of activities in 2018,” he later added.
McLaren enlisted the expertise of Kenny Brack, Indy Racing League Drivers Championship winner and Indy 500 champion, to train and offer tips to owners that might help boost their performance on track. Even owners who are adept at handling a Mclaren at its limits can learn a thing or two from an instructor and professional racer like Brack.
Brack was appointed as Test and Development Driver for McLaren Automotive in 2015. His insight and experience has played a part in strengthening McLaren’s three tier product range – Sports Series, Super Series, and Ultimate Series. He will also be responsible for ensuring that every new car that is produced, is worthy of being called a McLaren
McLaren’s 720S has managed to nudge out nine other competitors to win the 2018 Performance Car of the Year title by Road & Track. According to the title, the car is the friendliest, least intimidating supercar thye have ever driven.
The 720S is the first model in the second-generation Super Series range. It has received praises by many due to its ability to blend performance with added luxury and exceptional driving enjoyment.
Commenting on the award, Tony Joseph, President, McLaren Automotive North America said: “We believe that the McLaren 720S is a revolutionary step forward, not only for our brand, but for the supercar segment.”
“To be named Performance Car of the Year by Road & Track is a great validation of the car and its capabilities,” he added.
Introduced this year, McLaren’s 720S features a 4.0-litre V8 engine that produces 710bhp and 770Nm of torque. It can accomplish the 0-100km/h sprint in just 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 341km/h. It also features McLaren’s active chassis system called Proactive Chassis Control II.
Unlike most other supercars, the 720S features a decent amount of creature comforts and wide variety of cutting edge technologies at the driver’s fingertips. And as such, this probably won’t be the only award that this McLaren will bag in its lifetime.
After a rocky few months, McLaren’s driver line-up for the 2018 season seems to be set in stone. Former F1 world champion Fernando Alonso, who recently gave the team an ultimatium, has chosen to stick around for another year, according to F1.com.
He will rejoin current teammate Stoffel Vandoorne as McLaren mounts its renewed title hopes next year with new engine supplier, Renault. After several dismal seasons trying to rekindle the glory days of the McLaren-Honda partnership, both companies have decided to go their own separate ways.
The under performing McLarens have lacked the much needed power that would have allowed them to compete further up the grid. Instead, plagued with several reliability issues and a noticeable power deficit, contributed to a lackluster few seasons.
Previously, McLaren F1 cars were powered by Mercedes-Benz engines, the very same ones that allowed the team to be a dominant force in Formula 1 for decades. Now, with Renault power, the UK based team should be able to harness all of its knowledge and resources to make a much needed comeback.
Source: F1.com
