Express & Star

Road Test of the Year 2017: McLaren 720S

The McLaren 720S offers mind blowing acceleration figures in a space-age package. What does that feel like on the public road? James Baggott finds out

Published

I’ve just exited a roundabout – one I’ve left many times before in a variety of cars – and I’m heading down a familiar straight. I know it leads to a 90 right, and yet more well-sighted, beautifully-surfaced road, but this time it’s different.

I’m sat behind a wonderfully-crafted steering wheel, in a plum pudding purple leather cabin, and things are happening faster than they’ve ever happened before. Behind me, a 4.0-litre twin- turbo V8 is converting 710bhp into forward thrust that has to be experienced to be believed.

Gullwing doors mean the McLaren is an attraction wherever it stops
(PA/Jonathan Fleetwood)

Short of sitting on one of Kim Jong Un’s weapons of mass dissatisfaction and firing myself into the sea off Japan, I can’t imagine what could come close to the gut-wrenching forces that this incredible machine is managing.

Just a look at the numbers gives an indication of what the new darling of Woking has in its arsenal: 60mph in 2.8 seconds, 124mph in 7.8 seconds and 186mph in 21.4 seconds. That’s a lot of numbers that need perspective. Take the 124mph time as just one example: that’s just a few tenths slower than a Volkswagen Golf GTD manages to hit 60mph. In the same time, the 720S is doing double that speed. Double.

Active aero provides downforce at higher speeds
(PA/Jonathan Fleetwood)

While those figures give you some reference, what they can’t explain is the feeling that translates to when you’re sat behind the wheel.

The G forces such explosive acceleration exert on your body under foot-to-the-floor power are like a roller coaster, like freefalling from a plane as the world becomes a blur in your peripheral vision. Braking is a monumental accident: sharp, shockingly sudden and painfully precise.

The McLaren's interior is designed with the driver in mind
(PA/Jonathan Fleetwood)

The McLaren takes countryside sweepers, motorway miles and quick changes in direction and road surface in its stride.

It’s incredibly capable and a huge step on from the 650S it replaces. Steering is pinpoint direct, well-weighted and trembling with pins and needles-like feedback.

A large rear wing provides downforce when braking and at high speed
(PA/Jonathan Fleetwood)

The seven-speed automatic gearbox rifles through gears like a sharp shooter – OK, maybe at load speeds it can be a bit grabby as shunt through the transmission is felt in the cabin, but at speeds, in maximum attack, it’s rapid, slick and enjoyable. The rocker mechanism to the paddles is a joy too. Pull one and you can feel the other move away from you. It’s a classy touch.

Unfortunately, it’s not all good news. The electronics, while much better and easier to use than the cars they have featured in before, are still buggy. Our test car warned us of impending suspension failure, when it was fine, and of power steering catastrophe, again when there was nothing wrong. You wouldn’t forgive that on a car costing a tenth of the price, let alone one costing around a quarter of a million pounds.

Bonnet vents do genuinely provide cooling
(PA/Jonathan Fleetwood)

The second disappointment is the noise. It’s all sucking, blowing and wind roar – there’s no start up, high speed thrum, or deep bellowing exhaust note. Just a rush of air intake and utterly ballistic forward motion. OK, it’s no Tesla, all silent propulsion, but then at the same time it’s no rival for Ferrari’s now equally-muted, but still loads better, 488 soundtrack.

Thankfully, the out-of-this-world looks make up for some of those foibles. The dramatic doors stop petrol station punters in their tracks as you arch them skyward. Huge air scoops, plus slits and slants in the bodywork add to the visual drama, while also playing an important part in directing the huge gulps of air the revised powerplant needs to keep it cool.

Large brakes provide plenty of stopping power
(PA/Jonathan Fleetwood)

Sadly, McLaren still has a lot of work to do in wiggling its way into the public consciousness – as much as those we encountered fell instantly in love with it, few knew what brand it belonged to, let alone which model it was.

But back to what the McLaren does best. I’ve got dials turned to slippery sport mode, and Wales to cross. The rain is just starting to cover the road with a glistening dew-like coating and the 720S is twitching in the bends, squirming as it hunts for traction. It’s palm-dampening, but exciting, and about to create a journey that’ll be indelibly marked on my memory.

This McLaren may not be quite perfect, but my word, it is getting incredibly close.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Price (as tested): £265,992
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin turbo V8
Power: 710bhp, 770Nm
Top speed: 212mph
0-60mph: 2.8 seconds
Fuel economy: 26.4mpg
Emissions: 249g/km

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.