I’ve had the privilege of piloting an array of incredibly fast vehicles this year at Jalopnik, from the mind-bending Lucid Air Sapphire to the track-ready Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, the luxurious Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, and the imposing Bentley Continental GT Speed. Yet, none of these automotive marvels have recalibrated my senses and rewritten my understanding of performance quite like the Mclaren 750s. It’s not merely about the staggering 2.3-second sprint to 60 mph, as verified by Car and Driver, or its ability to reach a blistering 206 mph on an open stretch. The true magic of the McLaren 750S lies in its raw, untamed power delivery, capable of spinning the rear tires in fifth gear while rocketing you into warp speed.
The McLaren 750S isn’t just a car; it’s a paradigm shift in how you perceive automotive performance and velocity. And this is before even delving into its cornering prowess or its surprising aptitude as a grand tourer. This vibrant McLaren, bathed in a striking orange hue, transcends the realm of ordinary automobiles, feeling almost extraterrestrial – a sensation justified by its price tag exceeding $420,000 as tested.
Image: Front three-quarter view of the McLaren 750S showcasing its aerodynamic design and vibrant orange paint.
Unleashing the Power: Engine and Performance of the 750S
At the heart of the McLaren 750S, both literally and figuratively, resides a potent twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. This powerplant, a descendant of the unit first seen in the McLaren MP4-12C back in 2011, has been meticulously refined over the years. In its current iteration, it churns out a formidable 740 horsepower – a 30-hp increase over its predecessor, the 720S – and 590 lb-ft of torque. These figures might even be understated, given the sheer ferocity of its acceleration. All this power is channeled to the rear wheels via a lightning-fast seven-speed Graziano dual-clutch transmission, executing shifts quicker than the human mind can conceive.
A standout feature is McLaren’s innovative single-piece metal paddle shifters, allowing both upshifts and downshifts with a push or pull action. Coupled with its featherlight weight, just over 3,000 pounds, the McLaren 750S delivers breathtaking performance while maintaining an unexpected ease of driving. And with an engine note that’s pure auditory bliss, the optional Bowers & Wilkins stereo might just remain silent throughout your exhilarating drives.
Image: Interior view of the McLaren 750S cockpit, highlighting the driver-focused layout and premium materials.
Masterful Handling: Cornering Prowess and Driving Dynamics
Engage Sport or Track mode with excessive enthusiasm, and the McLaren 750S might hint at swapping ends – a quick reminder of its raw power. However, with a measured approach, it reveals itself as remarkably approachable and astonishingly quick to drive. This duality is partly attributable to the exceptionally grippy Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires (245/35R19 front and 305/30R20 rear). Yet, the car’s inherent dynamic balance and subtly permissive electronic aids play an equally crucial role in its confidence-inspiring handling.
Make no mistake, the 750S is a beast. Launching hard can induce tire spin through first, second, third, fourth, and even fifth gear, especially on slightly damp surfaces. Instead of intimidation, this raw power translates to an exhilarating sense of dominance. The McLaren 750S seemingly operates outside conventional physics, inviting you to experience driving on an entirely different plane.
Image: McLaren 750S demonstrating exceptional cornering ability on a race track, showcasing its agility and balance.
Steering and Agility: A Symphony of Control
Extending its defiance of physics, the McLaren 750S redefines cornering capabilities. Its steering, while substantial in weight, offers unparalleled directness and feedback – a testament to its hydraulic system, increasingly rare in modern cars. Even minute steering inputs translate to immediate directional changes, yet the car never feels nervous or twitchy. Credit goes to the masterful British engineering that underpins the 750S. Cornering remains remarkably flat, allowing for immense speeds, aided by both the high-performance tires and the active rear wing, which dynamically adjusts based on velocity. Observing the wing’s subtle movements in the rearview mirror adds another layer of engagement to the driving experience. In essence, the McLaren 750S delivers the closest sensation to a road-legal, V8-powered go-kart imaginable.
Image: Close-up of the McLaren 750S active rear wing, highlighting its aerodynamic functionality and design.
Striking Design: Exterior and Interior Aesthetics
The McLaren 750S boasts an exterior design that is as audacious as its performance. While subtly refined from the 720S with minor tweaks to the front and rear fascias, its visual impact remains dramatic, amplified by the signature McLaren Orange paint. True to supercar tradition, the dihedral doors ascend upwards, a flamboyant touch that feels almost essential for ingress and egress. Owning an orange McLaren 750S inherently means embracing the spotlight. One minor critique is the limited engine visibility; the magnificent V8 is partially obscured, viewable only through rear vents and grilles, albeit illuminated in red at night.
Image: McLaren 750S with its signature dihedral doors open, showcasing its exotic and dramatic entrance.
The interior mirrors the exterior’s futuristic design while surprisingly prioritizing practicality. McLaren replaced the rotating dual-screen instrument cluster of the 720S with a more conventional single-screen display in the 750S. Information is presented with clarity and adapts its layout to the selected drive mode (Comfort, Sport, and Track for both Power and Handling). A central 7-inch vertical touchscreen manages most in-car functions. While its responsiveness could be improved, seamless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provides a convenient workaround. Physical buttons to the screen’s left offer quick access to active aero settings, custom mode, and launch control. Below, the start button and gear selectors for reverse, neutral, and drive are intuitively placed.
Image: McLaren 750S interior, focusing on the dashboard layout, central touchscreen, and driver controls.
Luxurious Comfort and Practicality: Everyday Supercar
The test car’s interior showcased extensive use of Alcantara, carbon fiber, and metal trim, all exuding a premium tactile quality, complemented by a leather-wrapped steering wheel and dashboard. Despite their aggressive bolstering, the seats proved surprisingly comfortable, although adjusting them required some initial fumbling due to their unconventional front-side placement. Once dialed in, the driving position is excellent.
Image: Close-up of the McLaren 750S seat, highlighting the sporty design and premium upholstery.
Remarkably, the McLaren 750S is surprisingly livable for a supercar. While not as effortlessly relaxing as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, it approaches everyday usability. A 7-cubic-foot front trunk (frunk) and a sizable parcel shelf behind the seats offer practical storage. A rapid front-end lift system prevents damage to the costly carbon fiber bumper, and even a 360-degree camera system is included, albeit with average image quality. On the open road, cruising in the 750S can be remarkably relaxed. While the engine’s presence is always audible, it quiets down at highway speeds as RPMs decrease. The suspension and seats maintain surprising comfort even on extended journeys. Impressively, fuel economy can reach nearly 24 mpg on highway trips, and a stop-start system caters to eco-conscious driving.
Image: McLaren 750S showcasing its front trunk (frunk) space, demonstrating surprising practicality.
Minor Flaws: Tech Quirks and Build Quality
Despite its brilliance, the McLaren 750S isn’t flawless. Most shortcomings are linked to technological glitches and build quality concerns. The test vehicle, with under 4,000 miles, exhibited a noticeable rattling sound within the cabin, its source remaining elusive. The reverse camera, displayed in the instrument cluster, occasionally froze, requiring a full system reboot to rectify. Furthermore, the onboard navigation system consistently failed to pinpoint the car’s location. While potentially isolated issues with the test car, McLaren’s inconsistent reliability record raises a degree of concern. However, these minor imperfections do little to diminish the overall allure of the McLaren 750S.
Image: McLaren 750S instrument cluster displaying the reverse camera view, part of its driver assistance technology.
The Price of Perfection: Value and Exclusivity
The McLaren 750S commands a significant price tag, commensurate with its power, performance, and overall experience. The base MSRP begins at $330,800, including destination charges and gas guzzler tax. The test car, far from base specification, incorporated nearly $28,000 in carbon fiber upgrades. Adding options like track brakes ($18,050), 360-degree camera ($4,000), five-spoke wheels ($5,800), and the 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system ($5,400) elevates the as-tested price to $421,400. The McLaren 750S is a serious machine with a price to match.
Image: Rear view of the McLaren 750S, emphasizing its aggressive styling and aerodynamic elements.
The price might initially seem prohibitive, prompting questions about its inherent value. While comparable performance metrics might be achievable through heavily modified, less refined vehicles, the McLaren 750S transcends mere numbers. Its essence lies in the holistic driving experience, its ability to redefine your perception of speed, and the sheer exhilaration it evokes. Driving the McLaren 750S is an occasion; it makes you feel extraordinary. Viewed through this lens, the $420,000 price tag starts to resemble something of a bargain for an experience that truly feels priceless. Perhaps, experiencing the McLaren 750S is indeed a transformative, almost brain-altering event.
