* NOW UPDATED WITH VIDEO. Can the new McLaren 570S Coupe – the first of the company’s new Sport Series – really outperform a Porsche 911.
[Not a valid template]McLaren has unveiled its new rival to the Porsche 911 ahead of its debut at the New York Motor Show. The new 570S Coupe is the first derivative of McLaren’s brand new Sport Series, the second of which is expected to be within the next few months.
The updated 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 – coined the M838T E (as in ‘Evolution’) – is a more efficient version of the unit found in Woking’s established 650S, 675LT, P1 hypercar, and the now defunct 12C. McLaren’s ‘baby’ Porsche rival though kicks out 562bhp and 443 lb ft of torque, enough for the mid-engined rear-wheel drive coupe to hit 100kph from standstill in just 3.2 seconds, and 0-200kph in just 9.5 seconds. Top speed is a very un-baby-ish 328kph.
Running on unique 570S design forged alloy wheels (19in at the front, 20in at the rear) and Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres, the 570S Coupe weighs 1313kg – compared with the 650S’ 1330kg – some 160kg less than its nearest rival. Key to this lightweight build is a newly designed carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis that weighs less than 80kg, while adaptive dampers and anti-roll bars are paired with double wishbone suspension for McLaren-savvy performance. As is the seven-speed SSG transmission.
The 570S’ aerodynamic design though is not radical compared with McLaren’s existing model line-up, front aero blades, side skirts, fixed rear wing and rear diffuser being the main areas of focus. Few would argue that it looks better than a Porsche 911. And for it too handle better than a Porsche 911 is an enormous ask. We’re watching Woking…
