2018 Mclaren 720s

Unlike most brands that only offer their supercars and only one trim level, McLaren goes the extra mile and offers it in three. Even though it is quite expensive, it comes with an excellent infotainment system, an excellent engine and powertrain and so on that should keep its owners very happy even in the base trim. The trim levels are called Base, Luxury and Performance and the focus of each one is self-explanatory. The car offers you creature comforts such as interior ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition and entry, and so on. But even the base trim is pretty well equipped like we mentioned with staggered rims, dual zone automatic climate control, Sirius XM satellite radio, navigation system and rain sensing wipers.

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The McLaren 720 S is a car that is excellent even if you don’t check anything in its personalization list. However, buying a supercar is all about the exclusivity and personalization is a big part of what makes each car unique. The base trim in the McLaren are itself very well equipped. But it is very tempting to look at the higher trim levels because they are offered only at a slight premium. One will find that the optional extras list is not as extensive as the one that is offered by Ferrari or Lamborghini, but McLaren does offer a lot to make your car unique. Our pick among the lot would be the Performance trim level as the extra carbon fiber bits do make it look unique as well as faster. It is the trim that brings out the strengths of the car the most and would be our pick for sure.

One thing that you have no shortage of in this car is performance. The 720S is powered by a 4.0 L twin-turbocharged V-8 engine that produces 710 hp and 568 pound-feet of torque. The figures speak for themselves and leave you no doubt that the car is extremely capable and quick. McLaren has always delivered a very visceral package in terms of driving dynamics so it goes without saying that the drivetrain is rear-wheel drive. The power is transmitted equally quick with the help of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that is as snappy as it can get. It delivers shifts that are precise and intuitive, making you never miss the lack of engagement due to an automatic.

But what the company truly deserves praise for his in the way this chassis and suspension have been tuned. This chassis is sublime and is tuned in such a way that one gets as much feedback as possible. Unlike most supercars that have stiff suspensions, the ride quality in this car is not punishing. It is certainly very comfortable for something that goes around corners that fast. Another big highlight of the car is how communicative and direct the steering is. The acceleration is extremely fast and you can get a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.7 seconds and a quarter-mile time of just 10.1 seconds. The top speed of this car has been noted to be 212 mph which is definitely another highlight. The driving experience is nothing short of mind blowing and could be one of the best around.

If you compare the prices, you will see that McLaren is very competitively priced and is the cheapest one among its segment. And despite this, it is one of the highest performing cars hands down. The Ferrari 812 Superfast might deliver the drama of a V12 engine but it is the McLaren 720S that is faster in terms of real-world figures. Although the Lamborghini has the highest top speed, the McLaren is the one that manages to have the fastest quarter-mile timing which means its acceleration progressively gets much better than its competitors. The Aston Martin is much more relaxed in terms of how it delivers its power and is not as fast as any of the competitors.

One will not find EPA certified fuel efficiency ratings for any of these cars because they are not tested like other civilian cars are. But it goes without saying that when you make an engine squeeze out 710 hp, it will return absolutely terrible fuel efficiency. That is the case for most supercars, they do not have efficiency as a matter of concern and hence returns very poor MPG figures. However, the technology of today’s era has definitely reduced fuel consumption a lot. One will be pleasantly surprised looking at the fuel efficiency of the V-8 engine in the McLaren returns. It returns 18 MPG combined which is an unheard figure in this segment. Even the city fuel efficiency is 15 MPG in the highway efficiency is an awesome 22 MPG. The fuel tank is sufficiently large for long trips at 19 gallons.

One truly finds out how competitive McLaren is when you look at the fuel efficiency figures this car returns with sets the category benchmark in all aspects. One can also find that the fuel efficiency figures of the Lamborghini Aventador are abysmally low. In that sense, Ferrari has done a good job of making the V12 return half-decent figures. The Aston Martin has the highest range figures out of this category while the Lamborghini has the least. We are very impressed with the way McLaren performance even in terms of the overall range where it comes second. The Aston Martin has a much more relaxed state of tune and has very good efficiency due to this.

Inside the McLaren, you will find that there is a laser-sharp focus on ergonomics. The car feels instantly comfortable and just feels right to drive fast inside. Just like every other bit of the McLaren, even the interior is catered to provide you with the best driving experience and nothing else. To start with, there are very few visual distractions and one feels focused right from the get-go. Even though its competitors are nearly the same, one feels more comfortable inside the McLaren. The material quality inside is also very nice with leather and suede bits everywhere. There is some scope for customization but not as much as some of its rivals.

The fit and finish inside is equally striking and everything is put together very neatly. There is an adequate amount of space offered in the interiors but people with a larger frame will find it hard getting in and out of the car. There is a digital driver information display that provides you with only the necessary information. The seats are extremely well engineered and support you correctly when you need to go through corners flat-out. The manufacturer has also done a very great job of providing visibility outside. One does not feel that the car is exactly large when looking out. Cargo capacity is very low but that is not something that buyers in the segment exactly look for. 

The interior space details of the cars in this category are not exactly known as manufacturers do not publish them. The Aston Martin is the only car that offers seating for four passengers while the rest of the competition only offers seating for two. It is hands-down the most practical due to its interiors as well. However, it even it doesn’t offer much in terms of cargo space. You will find that 5 ft.³ does not really fit much and hence packing for a weekend trip in the McLaren will be a hard task. If you want a track-focused driving experience, McLaren would still be your best bet. Some standard features include:

• Alcantara and leather inserts
• Leather upholstery
• Many interior customization options and leather colors
• Flat bottom steering wheel
• Aluminum pedals and paddle shifters
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Electrochromic dimming rear view interior mirror
• Heated and powered seats

What’s there to keep you entertained in the 2018 McLaren 720S Coupe?

The McLaren driving package is focused on delivering good ergonomics and not entertainment. The car has very minimal infotainment but the system is very good. There is a digital driver information display that sits behind the steering wheel and delivers you vital information. Other than this, you get the 7 inch vertically oriented touchscreen infotainment system that is fast and intuitive to use. The audio system is also quite nice and provides smartphone connectivity which is a blessing. The audio system is basic with only four speakers and the experience is not very scintillating or immersive. Some features of the infotainment system include: 

• MIS (McLaren Infotainment System) 8” touchscreen infotainment system
• 4-speaker audio system
• AM/FM & DAB radio
• Bluetooth telephony
• USB connectivity x2
• AUX input
• Voice recognition

The McLaren line-up has matured very slightly in terms of design language and the 720 S is one of the modern ones. The manufacturer has placed function over form very definitely but has a very distinctive identity in terms of how its cars look. Nevertheless, it is still very attractive and does not let go of any drama wherever it goes. Aerodynamics has played a very large part in dictating how this car looks and that focus makes it quite beautiful. There are also dramatic bits like the doors. When we see its dihedral doors opening, it still looks purposeful and unique. Apart from this, it has managed to be extremely light at about 3000 pounds.

The McLaren 720 S is much smaller in terms of dimensions when compared to its competitors. We feel this is what made it the lightest car in this category. McLaren has specialized in making their cars extremely light and optimizing this chassis tuning to an extent that other supercars appear pedestrian. The biggest car would definitely be the Lamborghini Aventador which has proportions that are a bit impractical. In terms of weight, the Aston Martin is the heaviest and is followed by the Ferrari. None of the cars offer any ground clearance that one might be proud of. All of them offer below 5 inches of ground clearance. Some standout features include:

• Soft-close doors
• Active rear spoiler with air brake and automatic Drag Reduction System (DRS)
• Electrically folding heated door mirrors (with a dip in reverse functionality)
• Electronic external door release buttons (both sides)
• Dark Palladium front splitter
• Front air intakes
• Rear aerobridge
• Diffuser
• Gloss Black upper canopy
• Satin Graphite exterior window surrounds
• Sandblasted silver exhaust finisher

To start with, when the car is produced in extremely low volumes, it will not be evaluated by the NHTSA or the IIHS, and nor will it ever be. This is the case for all cars from McLaren but that does not say that they are not safe. Modern supercars do not have a lot of safety features to talk about but they are incredibly safe. In fact, the manufacturer has constantly innovated its chassis technology so much that the cars can race in a FIA approved categories without even a roll cage. It has always provided excellent technology in terms of structural engineering in the car even though it is not big on driver assistance technology. That said, there are very few driver assistance features and the like. Some of the standout safety features include: 

• Brake assist
• Stability control
• DRLs
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Side impact beams
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Front-end lift system
• Rear-view camera
• Cruise Control
• 360-degree view parking assist
• Anti-lock braking system
• Traction control
• Electronic Stability Control

2018 McLaren 720S Coupe Vs. 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast

The Ferrari 812 Superfast might be one of the last front V-12 engined cars from the brand and hence is definitely special. However, it is much more of a cruiser than McLaren is. Hence, if you take your car to attract more often, you will definitely enjoy the McLaren more. The Ferrari is also offered at a higher price than the McLaren. Although the Ferrari is to be more powerful, it has very comparable acceleration figures to the McLaren. The Ferrari also offers very charming interiors and a lot of personalization there as well but we would pick the McLaren over it for the driving experience.

2018 McLaren 720S Coupe vs. 2018 Aston Martin DBS Superellegera

The Aston Martin DBS is a very different car when compared with the McLaren. It is built with luxury in mind much more than McLaren never was. It comes with a lot of functional advantages but has been compromised in terms of its performance. It can carry around two more people and also feel much more luxurious and spacious. However, if you want a driving experience that is unique and fascinating, you would have to go with McLaren.

2018 McLaren 720S Coupe Vs. 2018 Lamborghini Aventador S

The Lamborghini Aventador S is easily the most dramatic car of this bunch. It offers a truly special engine and is revered among all kinds of people as the ultimate supercar. It offers better performance credentials and also a much more dramatic exterior and interior. If you prefer understated styling, however, the McLaren is truly your best bet. The Aventador has the advantage of offering a naturally aspirated V-12 while the McLaren only has a twin-turbocharged V-8. But it is equally fast on a track and feels much more fun to drive.

The 2018 McLaren 720 S Coupé is a truly unique product and one that is worth checking out. If you want to know the supercar that feels the most engaging to drive and the easiest to push on a track, it would be this one. Considering the price that it is offered at, which is lesser than all of its competitors it goes without saying that it is one of the best cars to pick from the segment. There are definitely a lot of practical compromises in buying a toy as expensive as this but it is one of the best driving experiences that you can find in this world and that is definitely worth treasuring.