There’s a new McLaren on the way. It’s called the 750S, and I spent an enjoyable chunk of this morning reading all about it. If it looks familiar, then there is a very good reason for that. As the name implies, the 750S is an evolution of the 720S, which arrived in 2017.
The impact the latter had upon its release was so seismic that it immediately reset the standards of supercars, becoming the new benchmark for Ferrari to beat. Sure, much of that was down to its sheer potency; a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, 710bhp and a 3.0-second 0-62mph time left road testers truly dumbfounded. Equally shocking, however, was just how useable the 720S was, thanks in large part to a firm but absorbent ride. Combine all this with steering which bristled with connection and truly stellar looks, and the 720S represented McLaren Automotive at its tantalising best.
So how to improve on such a winning formula? Well, unsurprisingly, the new 750S bristles with changes and improvements in all the vital areas, such as power, dynamics, aero and design. An additional fuel pump, upgraded turbos and so on have liberated an extra 30bhp (to 740bhp); the chassis benefits from a wider front track and new bushings; and the larger active rear spoiler combines with a new front splitter to boost downforce.
However much all of the above undeniably excites me, though, it also makes me wonder: where will this all end?
Anything ‘new’ these days has to have more of everything, and cars are no exception. Customers demand more interior space, more advanced technology and ever greater connectivity from their motors. In terms of supercars, who is going to buy a new variant of a particular model if it doesn’t accelerate more quickly than its predecessor? They would be endlessly ridiculed in the pub, wouldn’t they?
And yet I cannot say I have read many stories involving a 720S in which the scribbler has yearned for more performance. Equally, I am at a loss to recall a tester complain of a lack of turn-in bite or downforce. The 720S was already too fast for the road - so how will an extra 30bhp aid its usability?
This is not a criticism of McLaren alone - it’s simply an observation of the way the modern supercar has evolved. These vehicles have become capable of ever-greater velocities, and yet the speed limits haven’t changed. Roads have become more congested, and the increased (and not necessarily unwelcome) proliferation of speed monitoring devices has meant that any supercar driver exercises their right foot at their peril on the public road.
The bottom line? That unless you have regular access to a circuit, driving a supercar such as the 750S will be an exercise in restraint. The limits of performance and grip will be such that only a tiny, tiny proportion of the car’s potential will ever be realised. What counts in a fast car is not its ultimate pace; it is the frequency with which you can tap into its potential. Sometimes, less is more...
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