In the rarefied air of today's supercar segment, there are some pretty impressive names with some pretty lofty pricetags. And while most of these cars are clearly not meant to be relegated to milk-run duty, a new entry from McLaren seeks to blur the lines between supercars, luxury exotics and sports cars.
The McLaren 570S has the styling, brand pedigree and performance chops to be considered a player in the supercar league. That puts it on par with the Lamborghinis and Ferraris of the world, among others.
But with a sticker price that starts at "only" $184,900, it plays more in the high-end luxury sports car sandbox. Especially considering that its sibling vehicle, the P1, can easily ring up a bill of a little over $1 million.
Officials from McLaren said the 570S is aiming squarely at consumers who are now driving or considering purchasing a Porsche 911 Turbo S or an Audi R8 V10. Lofty targets indeed, but the 570S is more than up for the challenge. Plus, to justify calling it merely a sports car, McLaren officials say the 570S is perfectly suitable as an everyday driver.
The compact road presence of the 570S yields a strong power-to-weight ratio, surprisingly good fuel economy at 16 mpg city, 23 highway and a top speed of 204 mph. You'll feel a little bit of road in this machine, but nothing that would approach the harshness of ride some of its competitors dispense.
The upsweeping doors give it a bit of supercar flair, and provide ingress to an interior that is understated but practical and attractive, with beautiful Napa leather and an easy-to-gaze at multimedia screen. A pair of dials lets you adjust the suspension and traction control settings, with designations for handling or powertrain. There is also a launch control button that lets you blast off like a rocket from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds.
Without a doubt, the 570S makes a dramatic sensory statement. Its compact face, throaty roar and dynamic color palate (choose from 17 hues), make it turn heads and inspire imaginations, adding to its supercar credibility.
Our test drive was, sadly, limited to public roads, rather than giving us the ability to really put it through its paces on a track. But even within those limits, it was apparent that the 570S takes corners with aggression and accuracy, attributable to its brake steering.
The symphony of power that comes from the exhaust system announces that this car will not be denied. Upon throttle, you'll experience a gradual pull of the engine, followed by a ramping up in the midrange and a peak that arrives at a little over 8,000 rpm.
There are normal, sport and track powertrain settings that let you adjust to your driving desires and conditions. And when the track setting is activated along with the dynamic mode, be prepared for dramatic drifts and tail whips that will thrill.
Braking is handled ably by huge carbon ceramic rotors that have gripping calipers that will tackle the speeding machine with confidence. That better be the case when you've got a sprinter like this.
The 570S features a carbon fiber chassis, which, at a weight of 165 pounds, helps limit the total weight of the vehicle to 3,186 pounds. The engine, a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-8, makes 562 horsepower. The transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch.
So whether you want to call it a sports car or a supercar, the distinction ultimately doesn't matter. What matters is the athletic ability combined with refined road manners and stunning good looks delivered by the McLaren 570S.
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