At a private unveiling last night in New York, McLaren took the wraps off the 570S, the carmaker's first high-end sports car that will enter the market later this year to take on the likes of the Mercedes-AMG GT and Porsche 911 Turbo. The first member of the Sports Series, the 570S will eventually be joined by the 540C - a slightly less potent variant that will be rolled out globally - allowing the brand to widen its sphere of accessibility to those with around $180,000 to spend on a car.
Like its supercar and hypercar kinsmen, the 570S uses a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 plonked slap bang in the middle of a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, sending power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Output is rated at 562 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, while an 80-kg chassis and aluminum body panels ensures a dry weight of 1,313 kg – or around 150 kg less than "its closest competitor," i.e. the 911 Turbo. The result is a 0-62 mph time of 3.2 seconds, a 0-124 mph time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 204 mph. As well as being a member of the 200-mph club, the 570S boasts impressive fuel economy, exempting it from the gas-guzzler tax.
Viewing the McLaren 570S in person, its proportions are palpably similar to that of a 911, something backed up the numbers. It's a little bigger all round and while some will point to its body panels looking awfully familiar, the 570S has some nice unique touches of its own, including a new nose, flying buttresses on the side and fixed rear wing. Wheels measure in at 19/20 inches front/rear, housing carbon-ceramic brakes as standard and wrapped in Pirelli PZero Corsa tires. A newly-developed suspension gets adaptive dampers, anti-rollbars and double wishbones. Pictures courtesy of Barry Halpert (CarBuzz)
The driver-focused cabin sports a seven-inch IRIS touchscreen integrating climate controls and access to Bluetooth, DAB digital and SIRIUS satellite radio, as well as a new TFT digital instrument cluster, optional Alcantara and Nappa leather upholstery, carbon-fiber trim, and 12-speaker, 1280-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system. More live shots to follow from the NY Auto Show this week.
