The McLaren 570S Coupé is the first – and highest powered – model launched in the recently announced Sports Series.
Following its global debut at the New York International Auto Show in April 2015, the new model range marks the entry of McLaren into the luxury sports car market, introducing race-derived technologies and supercar performance in a package which is very much a pure McLaren. Lightweight construction, including the use of a carbon fibre chassis, recognisable design values and a comprehensive specification list ensures a class-leading offering, and as uncompromised as is expected from a McLaren. With pricing starting at £143,250, the 570S Coupé is available to order now with deliveries depending on market starting before the end of 2015 – the 540C Coupé, which retails from £126,000, follows in Q2 2016.
The latest addition to the range completes the three tier model strategy for McLaren alongside the Super Series and Ultimate Series. The Sports Series is the most usable and attainable model to wear a McLaren badge to date, but it retains the core design and dynamic focus that ensures it is still worthy of the iconic name. Weighing as little as 1,313kg (2,895lbs), thanks in part to the unique lightweight carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis, the Sports Series is almost 150kg lighter than its closest rival. Power is provided by an evolution of the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine with 30 percent new components. This ensures electrifying performance, with the 570S boasting a class-leading power-to-weight figure of 434PS. At the same time, the interior is more tailored around day-to-day usability, with optimised access, greater levels of stowage space and more refinement.
The Sports Series is a showcase of modern craftsmanship, with each model hand-finished at the state-of-the-art McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, England. A suite of new optional content and a ‘By McLaren’ designer range of interiors highlight the levels of customisation available.
The interior design of the 570S Coupé carries the exterior design approach through with key features including floating elements to add to the sense of depth, while organic shapes and curves bring delicate tension without aggression for a welcoming and ergonomic layout. The space has been created to ensure superb outward visibility and enhanced interior space for occupants both in terms of seating position and stowage space.
The feeling of luxury and airiness is heightened by the use of a ‘floating’ centre console, to add a sense of depth to the cabin. Shapes and lines seamlessly integrate from exterior to interior, and vice versa. The facia and door trim incorporate floating elements which remove mass – both visually and practically – as well as adding layered depth and integrated components such as the audio speakers and the touchscreen IRIS system.
Interior components and switchgear are ergonomically designed and finished to the highest standard further enhancing the feel of quality and craftsmanship throughout the cabin. Rotary switches, buttons and steering wheel mounted stalks are all tactile to touch, while a seven-inch touchscreen is intuitive and the most advanced infotainment system to feature in a McLaren model to-date. The ‘floating’ screen is not connected to the lower transmission tunnel – as is the case with models in the Super Series and Ultimate Series – giving enhanced access to the stowage space and cupholders below the dashboard. It is also mounted in portrait view, rather than the more conventional landscape, bringing the occupants closer to the centreline of the car to further optimise response and agility. Air conditioning is controlled via the screen reducing the amount of switchgear and controls in the cabin environment. The touchscreen also controls the standard DAB digital radio (or Sirius satellite radio in North America), as well as satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephony and media streaming, voice activation and the audio media player. The IRIS system also includes the electronic owner’s manual.
The interior of the Sports Series can be upholstered in a wider range of leathers and Alcantara® options than previously available. Extended Leather is standard on the 570S Coupé, available in four themes – Carbon Black, Saddle Tan, Scoria Grey and Midnight Blue. In addition the 570S Coupé is available with four further interior levels: Nappa Sport Leather, Nappa Design Leather, Nappa Sport Alcantara® and one of 10 unique ‘By McLaren’ colour and trim combinations.
With the launch of the Sports Series, McLaren has launched its most attainable model to-date with a starting price of £126,000 for the 540C Coupé and £143,250 for the 570S Coupé. As important as the initial purchase price is the overall cost of ownership and servicing, and the Sports Series delivers on this front as well, with the lowest running costs of any McLaren to date. The highly efficient powertrain, with low weight 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine returns 26.6 mpg (10.7 l/100km) on the EU combined cycle, with emissions of just 249 g/km. As with all McLaren models, these figures ensure the Sports Series range is exempt from gas guzzler tax in North America. The unique calibration and set up offers a more usable sportscar, suited to daily driving, with more of a focus on road driving, and an extended fuel range of around 10 percent over the 650S models.
As with all McLaren models, the Sports Series has an annual service schedule to ensure it is continually updated with the latest software developments and improvements. These scheduled services require the lowest level labour and parts than in any previous McLaren model, ensuring that costs have been reduced to less than half the cost of the original 12C when it launched in 2011. Engine oil replacement intervals are every two years / 15,000km, whichever comes first – whichever comes first
