New McLaren 650S

McLaren 650S officially revealed

Following the leak earlier today, the McLaren 650S has been officially revealed. The new 12C-based McLaren 650S gets more power and a round of mechanical updates but costs £20,000 more.

The manufacturers claim to have made the new model faster, louder and more controllable if you want to cut loose but also more comfortable and better equipped when you don't.

The McLaren brand has always been based on motorsport and speed, however, following the brands dissappointing year in Formula 1 last year. The McLaren Mercedes brand is the second oldest brand within the Formula 1 sport behind Ferrari.

McLaren 650S specs and tech

Power is driven by a 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 engine that is increased by 25 brake horse power to 641 brake horse power, torque shooting up from 600Nm to 678Nm. Due to these modifications, the 0-62mph time has fallen by 0.1 seconds to 3.0 seconds., reaching 125mph in 8.4 seconds. Despite this, McLaren claim the CO2 emissions have also fallen by 4g/km to 275g/km.

To reduce body roll, the springs are now 22% stiffer and thanks to new damper mounts McLaren claims ride comfort has simultaneously been improved. New clutch software has been added, supposedly making the 650S smoother in auto mode while also improving shift times in manual mode. The brakes have also been recalibrated, to make them less 'grabby' at low speeds.

The McLaren 650S styling and price

Style-wise the new model has a new front end inspired by the P1, which is claimed to help create 40% more down-force than the 12C at 150mph. A new front splitter is amongst other tweaks in model styling, there has also been the addition of 'door blades' to smooth out airflow behind the front wheel and larger side intakes to cool the engine.

The McLaren 650S will be available in four new colours, along with higher levels of standard equipment; this includes carbon-ceramic brakes, sat-nav, DAB radio, forged alloys and full Alcantara trim as standard, with a rear parking camera and carbon-fibre racing seats offered as an option.

The model was revealed in coupe form ahead of it's debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. When it debuts at the Geneva show, it will be alongside the Spider version and will slot into the company's line up between the 12C and the P1.

The new McLaren model is available to order now and first deliveries are set to begin at the end of March. Prices of the new McLaren 650S model begins at £195,000 for the coupe and £215,000 for the Spider.