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McLaren 650S Coupe – first details and official pix

mclaren 650s 01

Earlier in the week, we saw the first photos of the McLaren 650S, which will join the company’s range of supercars, sitting in between the already sold-out P1 and existing MP4-12C. Now, the hi-res images are out, as well as first details of the Geneva debutant.

The 650S, essentially a ramped-up 12C, will be available as a fixed-head coupe or as a Spider with a retractable folding hard top – its badge designation of course refers to the power output, which is 650PS (or 641 hp) running off the M838T twin-turbo V8 engine, with the ‘S’ suffix denoting Sport.

In terms of aerodynamic performance, the 650S is claimed to be as efficient as the 12C, the company adding that downforce levels have been increased (at 240 km/h, by 24%). The McLaren Airbrake, originally fitted to the 12C and 12C Spider, now offers more functionality and increased stability – it deploys whenever the car senses extra downforce is advisable rather than simply under braking or when manually-operated in ‘Aero’ mode.

mclaren 650s 04

There’s a newly-designed front bumper, which aids the downforce cause as well as improve steering turn-in. Also on, a new rear three-piece bumper, similar to the GT3 racing version of the 12C. Also unique to the car, a new, unique five-spoke lightweight forged ‘650S’ alloy wheel wrapped with Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber, the bespoke MC1, in this case.

Elsewhere, the ProActive Chassis Control (PCC) suspension system has been enhanced for the 650S – the settings for both powertrain and suspension have been recalibrated to improve driver engagement, with the updates being especially noticeable in Sport mode.

In terms of equipment, options include fixed-back carbon racing seats based on the lightweight design found in the McLaren P1, an electric steering column adjustment to aid easier ingress and egress from the cabin and a rear parking camera. There’s also plenty of carbon fibre to be found throughout the interior.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

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