At the 2014 Geneva Motorshow, McLaren Automotive, will showcase its fastest, most engaging, best equipped series-production supercar, yet - the 650S. The company teased the world with a few days ago and now says that the 650S joins the range as an additional model alongside the 12C and sold-out McLaren P1, and learns from both models as well as 50 years of competing in the highest levels of motorsport.
The 650S will be made available as a fixed-head coupe; or as a Spider, with a retractable folding hard top and McLaren promises that it has been designed and developed to provide the ultimate in driver engagement on the road and on the race track.
The 650S badge designation refers to the power output - 650PS or 641 bhp which is churned out by the British-built McLaren M838T twin turbo V8 engine. No guesses what the 'S' stands for - 'Sport'.
The front end of the McLaren 650S is inspired by the McLaren P1 and the rear is more like the MP4-12C. You would imagine that this hybrid of the P1 and the 12C will evoke a lot of emotions but it really doesn't but the aerodynamic performance of the McLaren 650S is as efficient as the 12C, boasting the same drag coefficient figure.
"As always with McLaren, the new design is there for good engineering reasons," says McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt. "The newly designed front bumper improves downforce and steering turn-in. The high speed handling balance is now even better. The LED lights use less power and last longer."
The 650S also gets the ProActive Chassis Control (PCC) suspension system, developed by McLaren. This gives the supercar the ability to adjust the ride and handling modes - Normal / Sport / Track - in isolation from the drivetrain, which gives complete freedom in terms of ride and handling.
If we believe McLaren, then the 650S is designed to be the best and most engaging driver's car in its class but maintains the comfort and refinement of an executive saloon. Equipped with IRIS satellite navigation with Bluetooth telephony, DAB digital radio (SIRIUS satellite radio in North America), wireless tethering, audio streaming and voice control as standard, while also offering enhanced levels of optional specification than previously offered, the 650S promises to be something more than just a track day car.
