If you’re more familiar with the P1 end of McLaren’s range, then you might be surprised by their latest offering, which has been priced from just £126,000. This is their most affordable model yet, the 540C Coupé.
The car mark’s McLaren’s increasingly bold venture into a market currently dominated by the Audi R8 and Porsche 911. Slightly lower spec’d than the 570S, the 540C uses a 533BHP version of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo mid-mounted V8 engine used in the 570S. Maximum torque is 398 lb-ft, appearing between 3500 – 6500 RPM. Power spins to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and produces a 0-62MPH acceleration speed of just 3.5 seconds – not bad for a ‘cheap’ car. The 540C’s top speed is 199MPH, just 5mph slower than its big brother the 570S.
One of the reasons for the McLaren’s excellent performance is the MonoCell II carbonfibre chassis, which features aluminium body panels. All in all, it weighs just 1311kg, which is 150kg lighter than rival the R8. The car’s body is aerodynamically sculpted, with added flair provided by new alloy wheels that span 19 inches up front and 20 inches behind.
The 540C is available to purchase now, with deliveries scheduled for early 2016. The ‘C’ at the end of the name is understood to stand for Clubsport and, unlike the other car with a C suffix, the 625C, does not indicate that the model is only available in China.
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