The McLaren 650S is the successor to the car that put McLaren back on the map, the MP4-12C. After the company's relaunch in 2010 under the name McLaren Automotive, taking over from McLaren Cars, the company that gave us the SLR and legendary F1, the MP4-12C was the first bespoke sportscar offering.
As such, the 650S shares similarities with the 12C. So many in fact, that 75% of the car is the same as the 12C, albeit in a different state of tune.
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It carries the unmistakable design language of McLaren, penned by Frank Stephenson, the man responsible for the design of the Ferrari F430, FXX, Maserati MC12 and believe it or not, the new MINI.
With prices starting at R2.5-million the 650S is an attractive offering, but here are a few things you need to know before heading out on that test drive.
1. The engine
You're interested in a McLaren 650S because it's a super-sports car. Performance is the name of the game and the engine is the main component behind this. The 650S uses the M838T engine, the same one found in the MP4-12C, 675S and even the P1, all in different states of tune. The 650 in the name derives from the 650PS (641 hp / 478 kW) that the engine develops, thanks in part to the two Mitsubishi turbochargers.
This 3.8-litre V8 has engine won the coveted Internation Engine of the Year award three years in a row, from 2013 through to 2015, in the 3- to 4-litre category.
2. Performance
The engine is one thing and while its power is impressive, it's the sum of the parts that give it its final performance. The M838T is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and send power to the rear wheels. This makes the McLaren 650S good for a 0 - 100 km/h sprint time of 3-second flat and a 0 - 200 km/h time of only 8.4-seconds. It will rocket to a 333 km/h top speed - not that you will be able to test this on public roads.
3. Stopping power
Getting going is one thing, stopping it is another. Thankfully the McLaren 650S is blessed with a set of meaty carbon-ceramic brakes with a front disc size of 394 mm and a rear disc size of 380 mm. Six-pot callipers do duty up front with 4-pots in the rear.
You will not that these brakes are slightly under-assisted and perhaps not as sharp as one would expect. This ties-in to the next design cue - the pedal spacing and placement that sees the brake pedal further over to the left that one would expect. This is to aid with left-foot braking and the under-assistance helps you modulate the brake pressure with your less-capable left foot.
4. The doors
You'd be lying to yourself if you didn't, in some way, shape or form, think that scissor doors are cool. The 5-year old in you loves them. On the outside, you may think that they're a bit flash but there's a sense of occasion when you open a door and it goes up and not out.
On the 650S these scissor/butterfly doors are electrically operated, allowing you to push a button and stand back, waiting for the door to open itself. Don't stress about a dead battery though as there is a manual override.
You will also notice that the sills of the 650S are rather large. Climbing straight into the driver's seat is rather tricky so may we suggest sitting on the wide, carbon fibre sill first and then hopping in?
5. Interior design
The design of the McLaren 650S interior is an exercise in simplicity. McLaren wanted you to be besotted with the performance and concentrating on the driving experience, rather than revelling in the luxurious appointment of the cabin. The cabin is deliberately sparse but also symmetrical in its design. You'll notice that the steering wheel is also devoid of buttons - simplicity at work. This is not to say that the interior is stripped out and bare, on the contrary, you will find it draped in leather, Alcantara and carbon fibre.
Anyone that has played with the infotainment system in the MP4-12C will know that it was a bit of a mess. thankfully this was resolved in the 650S and you'll be able to pair a phone, access navigation and control the unit with greater ease.
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