The new McLaren 570S has made its way to the streets of Dubai courtesy of Al Habtoor Motors. It marks the first time McLaren has offered its pioneering and race-derived technologies in the sports car segment. Joanna Andrews checks it out.
This fiery sports car is the first to be unveiled in McLaren’s new Sports Series.
It made its debut at the New York International Auto Show on April 1, 2015. A few weeks later it was unveiled in Dubai at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection.
There is no denying it, the new McLaren 570S looks sleek. It’s a classic sports car with a mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive layout and a carbon fibre chassis. Its 570PS converts to 562 horsepower courtesy of a M838TE twin-turbo V8 engine.
Power is delivered through a seven-speed SSG transmission and transmitted to the road via Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres, and this power is brought under control with standard fit carbon ceramic breaks.
McLaren says, “The Sports Series has its own newly-developed suspension system along with Normal, Sport and Track handling setting.”
This car stands out from the crowd, not just in terms of looks, but it has the best power-to-weight ratio in the sports car segment.
The automaker says, “The unique carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis, at the heart of the 570S Coupé, is incredibly strong and stiff. Yet it weighs less than 80kg, and has been designed to offer optimum levels of protection without inhibiting ingress and egress from the cabin.”
The lightweight structure, and the use of aluminium body panels, contributes to a dry weight as low as 1313kg. That’s almost 150kg lighter than its nearest competitor.
The 570S Coupé shares its DNA with the P1 and 650S and that’ s clearly visible the moment you set your eyes on it. The manufacturer has taken great pains to sculpture this car into an aerodynamic bullet.
This sports car has plenty of oomph! It goes from 0-100 kilometers an hour in 3.2 seconds (0-62 miles per hour), and has a top speed of a whopping 328 km/h - or just over 200 mph.
Despite its superb performance, the 570S delivers excellent fuel efficiency and emission for a car of its calibre. It has fuel economy equating to 25. 5 mpg on the EU combined cycle, which means for the US market it is exempt from the gas guzzler tax.
As with all of its cars, McLaren prides itself on designing vehicles around the driver, and its latest offspring is no different. It is clear that designers have put emphasis on visibility, functionality and engagement. As soon as you slip into the cabin, you can’t help but notice how the intelligent and ergonomic design has created space.
Once inside you are treated to a full infotainment system, including a newly designed digital instrument cluster that changes configuration according to the selected driving mode. In addition there is a seven inch IRIS touchscreen that is mounted on a flouting centre console, complete with integrated climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and, depending on the market, DAB digital or SIIUS satellite radio. And for those who want a greater variety of interior customisation there is plenty to choose from. Prices start from AED 750,000.