It's not a secret anymore that McLaren Automotive is teasing the upcoming Sports Series like its some kind of Second Coming of the F1 hypercar. Fortunately though, the British company stopped showing us swan feathers in the detriment of the vehicle itself.
Slated to debut at the New York International Auto Show in less than a month, the McLaren Sports Series will boast a name made up of the typical McLaren power-output-then-letter pattern. With over 500 PS (493 HP) promised from the M838T 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, look forward (at first) for two models.
Other than the basic 5xxC model and the 5xxS, dubbed by McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt as "almost our ideal specification—more power, more focus, and so on," a convertible and a McLaren 5xxLT will follow. Priced to compete against European exotica such as the Porsche 911 Turbo, expect many go-faster goodies.
For starters, a carbon fiber monocoque will keep the weight down, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will shift that low mass with the previously mentioned 500 PS (493 HP) of turbocharged madness. But let's be frank here – buying a supercar isn't done by what it offers on paper, but on more subjective matters like exterior visuals.
As you can see in the latest McLaren 5xxS teaser image, the Sports Series will have a visually enticing carbon fiber door insert that flows into the not-so-subtle carbon fiber air intake. Apart from the curvaceous character and shoulder lines, we can also see good ol' door-mounted mirrors – a detail you don't see that often on the modern crop of supercars. So far, so good...
Other than the basic 5xxC model and the 5xxS, dubbed by McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt as "almost our ideal specification—more power, more focus, and so on," a convertible and a McLaren 5xxLT will follow. Priced to compete against European exotica such as the Porsche 911 Turbo, expect many go-faster goodies.
For starters, a carbon fiber monocoque will keep the weight down, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will shift that low mass with the previously mentioned 500 PS (493 HP) of turbocharged madness. But let's be frank here – buying a supercar isn't done by what it offers on paper, but on more subjective matters like exterior visuals.
As you can see in the latest McLaren 5xxS teaser image, the Sports Series will have a visually enticing carbon fiber door insert that flows into the not-so-subtle carbon fiber air intake. Apart from the curvaceous character and shoulder lines, we can also see good ol' door-mounted mirrors – a detail you don't see that often on the modern crop of supercars. So far, so good...