I attended the launch of the new McLaren 650S supercar in both coupe and spyder form earlier today. This marks the third car launched by McLaren after the 12C and the P1. Some may say that the 650S is an evolution version of the 12C as it looks similar. But underneath is a whole slew of parts which differ from the 12C. One of which is the suspension hydraulics which have been placed closer to the top of the strut instead of being in the middle of the car. This does all sorts of things, but I would have to actually drive the car to find out and see. Fingers crossed (big time).
So what are the most important specs of the 650S. A 3.8liter Twin Turbocharged V8 powers the rear wheels via a 7 speed dual clutch gearbox. Performance is class leading for both the Coupé and Spider models: 0-100 km/h (62mph) acceleration takes only 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) takes just 8.4 seconds for the Coupé [Spider 8.6 seconds]. Maximum speed is 333 km/h (207mph) [329 km/h (204 mph) for Spider].
The price is estimated at RM2.4million for the coupe and RM2.6million for the Spider. Other interesting details is that its service intervals are 15,000km or once every year and that this first service would cost in the region of RM3,500. Peanuts. Well, compared to buying the car in the first place right?
So the 650S in the flesh looks promising. Some would say that a McLaren is more of a logic based purchase rather than a heart based purchase. I think that since McLaren does have a racing heritage since the 1950s with its founder Bruce McLaren as well as its many victories and that it combines this with a clinical approach I believe this is more of a thinking man's supercar than some others in its price range. Logic and the mind must overcome tradition and the heart when opting for a Macca.
PRESS RELEASE
McLaren 650S Sets Performance Luxury Standards
· McLaren Kuala Lumpur officially unveils its latest groundbreaking supercar –
the 650S
· Developed to give the enthusiast driver the ultimate in luxury, engagement
and excitement
· Offers the widest breadth of capabilities of any supercar
· Design and engineering inspired by the groundbreaking McLaren P1™
The McLaren 650S made its much anticipated debut in Malaysia today to the joy of
fans and owners alike. McLaren Automotive’s fastest, best equipped, and most
beautiful series-production supercar, the 650S is designed for drivers who celebrate
life and brings a new level of excitement to the McLaren drive experience.
“Malaysian drivers and McLaren enthusiasts expect nothing but the best. Following
the success of the 12C and McLaren P1™ here, we’re very excited to be bringing the
new pinnacle in high-end luxury supercar offerings to Malaysia,” said Simon Rock,
Director at Sime Darby Auto Britannia Sdn Bhd, the local representative of the iconic
British brand of high performance sports cars in Malaysia.
The 650S is specifically developed to give enthusiast drivers the ultimate in luxury,
engagement and excitement, on both road and track. The already sold-out hyper car
McLaren P1™, which marks the new design language for the McLaren brand,
unmistakeably inspires the design of the new 650S.
Commenting on the launch of the 650S in Kuala Lumpur, George Biggs, McLaren
Head of Sales and Operations Asia-Pacific, said: “We are very excited to bring the
McLaren 650S to Malaysia. This car really stands out on its own as no other series
production sports car on sale today offers such a breadth of capabilities”.
Commenting further, Biggs added: “Since launching McLaren in Malaysia last year
we have been impressed with the passion and enthusiasm our customers have
demonstrated for the brand and our products. We are pleased to continue to
showcase the McLaren brand in Malaysia by bringing our latest edition of
groundbreaking supercars to the region. There is lots of potential in the market and
we look forward to bringing more products to Malaysia.”
The launch of the 650S was held at McLaren Kuala Lumpur Show Gallery and was
graced by George Biggs, Head of Sales and Operations, McLaren Automotive Asia;
Dato' Lawrence Lee, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors; Tan Sri Mokhzani
Mahathir, Director of Sime Darby Auto Britannia; Simon Rock, Director of Sime Darby
Auto Britannia; and Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Head of Retail, Sime Darby Auto
Britannia.
The 650S follows the McLaren design ethos of ‘form follows function’, with the front
bumper providing a dramatic, yet clean, appearance while the integrated front splitter
contributes to increased levels of down force. This offers a greater level of steering
feeling and confidence to the driver on turn-in, while also adding to the agility and
handling balance. Unique door blades behind the front wheels, on the leading edge
of the dihedral doors, direct air from the trailing edges of the front splitter, further
benefit front-end grip and vehicle balance.
The dramatic exterior styling includes full LED headlamps derived from the McLaren
P1™. These provide a distinctive illumination of the road ahead, and echo the
signature McLaren ‘speed marque’ logo in the design. The bonnet is finished with a
new McLaren badge, inspired by the badge fitted to the iconic McLaren F1. The rear
of the McLaren 650S has been designed to optimize aerodynamics, with a 12C GT3-
inspired three-piece bumper.
Rock said, “The bottom line with the 650S is performance. Beyond its stunning looks,
the 650S is all about amazing performance wrapped up in the very latest in
technology to bring about an unbeatable drive and driver experience.”
The 650S badge designation refers to its engine output: 650PS (641 bhp). The
unique British-built McLaren M838T twin turbo V8 engine produces impressive
650PS (641 bhp) and 678 Nm of Torque, the 650S Spider can accelerate zero to
100km/h in a staggering 3.0 seconds, reach 200km/h in 8.6 seconds and with top
speed of 329km/h.The engine has undergone significant changes for the McLaren
650S.
To produce the required levels of performance and throttle response, new pistons
and cylinder heads have been designed, new exhaust valves have been fitted and
the cooling circuits have been optimised. The camshaft timings are unique to the
McLaren 650S, to further improve throttle response and help reduce CO2 emissions.
A new exhaust system adds to the aural excitement, and reduces weight.
Weight has been a mortal enemy for McLaren, as reducing weight off the car has
been an inherited obsession, and this remains the same with the 650S. By utilizing a
unique single piece constructed carbon fibre tub as the chassis, which is better
known as Mono-Cell, the McLaren 650S has achieved an incredible total dry weight
of a mere 1,330kg for Coupe and 1,370kg for Spider.
Performance is class leading for both the Coupé and Spider models: 0-100 km/h (62
mph) acceleration takes only 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) takes just 8.4
seconds for the Coupé [Spider 8.6 seconds]. Maximum speed is 333 km/h (207mph)
[329 km/h (204 mph) for Spider].
However with that low weight figure and impressive performance more similar to a
stripped out super car, the 650S still manages to maintain everyday convenience and
luxury features on board; including Meridian high-end performance speakers, parking
sensors, rear-view parking camera, electric and heated seats, dual climate control
and the list goes on.
“An important distinction for us is that many McLaren owners do use their cars every
day, and frequently drive hard on track days. The McLaren 650S is designed for both,
as the comfort levels rival the very best executive saloons. It really is a no
compromise option for the most discerning of individuals who really appreciate the
very best things in life,” Rock said.
The pioneering ProActive Chassis Control (PCC) suspension system, developed by
McLaren, has been further enhanced for the McLaren 650S. A feature of the system
is 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. These settings, for both powertrain and suspension, have been recalibrated
to improve driver engagement. The updates are especially noticeable in Sport mode.
All McLarens in Malaysia have access to the McLaren Kuala Lumpur Service Centre
in Temasya Industrial Park, Glenmarie. The Service Centre has a fully-equipped
workshop where the employees have been professionally trained at the McLaren
Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, Surrey (UK). This ensures that these high
performance luxury supercars remain in peak condition at all times.
McLaren Kuala Lumpur opens from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Sunday. For those
who are interested in registering to preview the 650S, please call +6 019 339 6888 or
log on to our website (www.kualalumpur.mclaren.com) or our Facebook site
(www.facebook.com/mclarenkualalumpur) for more information.
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