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McLaren's new supercar hits 124 mph in 7.8 seconds with an all-new 4.0-liter V8

McLaren is set to debut its follow-up to the 650S next month in Geneva, and the yet-to-be named second-gen Super Series model gets an all new heart to match it's new skin and bones. The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-plane crank V8 promises to be more powerful and more efficient than the 3.8-liter mill it replaces. Expect more superlatives once we get a chance to get behind the wheel. Like the carbon-fiber "Monocage II," the new engine will provide the basis for every McLaren model over the next few years. All cars will share the engine, with tuning varying for each variant. It's a cost-effective way to provide some variety to the automaker's lineup. For McLaren's second round of cars (or third if you count the F1), expect more models to adopt a V8-based hybrid system. Currently, only the million-dollar P1 makes use of hybrid components. Along with some brief info on the new engine, McLaren revealed some performance metrics on what we assume is the new car. Frankly, the numbers are astounding. Zero to 200 km/h (124 mph) takes 7.8 seconds, a shorter time than it takes many cars to reach 60 mph. The new car will blast through the standing quarter mile 10.3 seconds. While 0-60 times aren't the best measure of performance, it does provide a good basis for comparison. McLaren also promises improved throttle response with better power and torque delivery. No word on who will be manufacturing the engine and engine components for the new V8, dubbed the M840T. The current engine, the M838T, is manufactured by Ricardo and uses Mitsubishi turbochargers, though not the one from the Lancer Evolution. McLaren recently announced some new technical partnerships, including one with BMW. It's not clear if the German automaker has had any input on this new engine. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2017 McLaren 570GT First Drive

The late, great LJK Setright used to rail at engineers who thought that "if you can't measure it, it doesn't exist." There's an element of that in McLaren's starter Sports Series, particularly the 570S, where spectacular performance doesn't quite fill the soul. What McLaren has so far failed to understand is that at this level ($198,950 before state and federal taxes) its products need to appeal to more than just number-obsessed track junkies. While incisive turn-in, roll-free handling ,and jet-fighter fast tick some boxes, others such as space and grace are left resolutely unticked. GT derives from The Grand Tour, a 17th-century European rite-of-passage cultural tour undertaken by well-heeled young blades anxious to see and hear the great works of art and music for themselves; food, wine, and other earthly pleasures might also have been involved. And while the name has been lifted by Clarkson, Hammond, and May for their forthcoming Amazon car show, true petrol heads will more properly associate Grand Tour with the Italian Gran Turismo, a car capable of high-speed, cross-continental peregrination in style, with space for expensive luggage. Whoops, did I mention Italy? Not something done lightly in the presence of McLaren, which has a culture of omerta when it comes to rivals: Ferrari, Lamborghini, and even Audi and Porsche. McLaren Cars might be passionate and fired with the winning spirit of its racing founder Bruce McLaren, the mercurial and talented Kiwi who died in a testing accident at Goodwood 46 years ago, but its clinical approach to the business of making cars leaves some cold. The new 570GT aims to change all that. It's basically a 570S with a glass rear hatchback that opens toward the according sidewalk for right- and left-hand-drive depending on the country of sale. Unlike the S owner cramming luggage behind the seats, the GT owner elegantly posts weekend bags into the leather-floored trunk. Actually the width of the rear fender means they'll likely be dragging them across the all-aluminum bodywork. At least McLaren offers a vinyl-coating service to protect the paint. Another advantage of space is a welcome simplicity to the coachwork. The GT transformation declutters chief designer Rob Melville's basically sound proportions, and they breathe a little better as a result. The hatchback gives an additional 7.8 cubic feet to add to the 5.3 cubic feet under the trunk lid, which added together is more room than in a Ford Focus.

2016 McLaren 650S Spider Review [w/video]

All I saw was a cloud of dust. At some point during my 575-mile drive of the 2016 McLaren 650S Spider, I sort of became immune to gawkers. Phones snapped hundreds of pictures and videos, so I imagine I'm semi-famous on exactly 200,000 different Twitstagram accounts by now. But then a kid so intent on capturing my green machine actually drove off the road. Thankfully, he regained control, and in the process was hopefully taught a very important lesson about distracted driving. Probably not. That's what happens when you drive a bright green McLaren through the heartland of America: everyone takes notice. Car enthusiasts or not, every single person I passed in the 650S gave it a second look. Usually they just stared and stared. Or honked. Or tried to race me (and lost – dummies). My road trip was a 575-mile-long case of distracted driving, and all I can say is, "sorry, not sorry." It all started over dinner in New York. I told our McLaren guy that he should send a car to Detroit, and instead of hiring a transportation company, should just let me drive it over. Next thing I knew, I was on a plane to Baltimore with intrepid video producer Chris "Roy Rogers" McGraw, where a $350,000-plus, Mantis Green 650S Spider would be waiting for me by the BWI airport rental car plaza. McLaren cars enter the US through the Port of Baltimore, so it felt right picking up the car there, instead of in New York. Plus, driving this thing through Manhattan seemed like a massive pain in the ass. View 10 Photos No car I've ever driven could draw a crowd like the 650S. No car I've ever driven could draw a crowd like the 650S. It's not uncommon to see supercars rolling through big cities – people don't bat an eye if one drives by in Los Angeles. But in the country, it's a sight to behold. Say what you will about Mac's derivative styling, I think the 650 looks killer. And so did everyone who stopped me on the street. What I found most interesting was, just saying "McLaren" was enough to really draw people in. If they're familiar with the British marque, they haven't heard the name in a really long time. And if the word doesn't ring a bell, they want to know what it's all about. "It's not a Ferrari – it's a McLaren," one guy said to his wife at a rest stop. The brand recognition might still be lower than McLaren would like – everyone instantly thinks it's a Ferrari or Lamborghini – but everyone I met took this car very, very seriously. And you have to take it seriously.