McLaren Is Expanding Faster Than Starbucks

Orange is the new black and McLaren Automotive has brought to the table yet another new model that is ready to debut tomorrow at the New York International Auto Show. The 570S is the first of what McLaren calls their “Sports Series.” It will be a direct competitor with the Porsche 911 Turbo and it looks every bit the part. A speeding ticket waiting to happen, the new 570S has the same 3.8 liter, twin turbocharged V8 as its big brother, the 650S, but is detuned to produce “just” 562 horsepower. That should be good enough to motivate the 2,895lb (when all the lightweight option boxes are checked on the order sheet) carbon fiber laden chassis to 60 in just 3.2 seconds.

Much like the Porsche 911, its weight lies in the rear with a 42/58 split front to rear. It will be motivated by the rear wheels through a 7-speed SSG dual-clutch transmission stout enough to handle the 443lb-ft of torque, allowing the 570S to hit 124mph in only 9.6 seconds to an eventual top speed of 204mph. Standard carbon ceramic brakes will provide the stopping power to the Pirelli P Zero Corsa’s with 225/285 rubber on the front and rear, respectively.

The interior is stuffed with modern electronics and is supposed to provide for easier everyday use. The list of options for the 570S is long, but standard options include a 4 speaker audio system to keep weight to a minimum and a 7-inch touchscreen to control the climate, infotainment and Bluetooth controls. Customization is as easy as checking off a few boxes for such amenities as carbon fiber trim, Alcantara or nappa leather covered seats and even interior touches that pair up with the exterior colors throughout the cockpit, allowing the 570S to be tailored to their liking. While this is McLaren’s first model in their more affordable “Sports Series” lineup, don’t go cashing in that 401k just yet. Prices will likely start in the $150,000 range and go up from there depending on how much “personalizing” you do.

With all that power in a lightweight package, you can almost hear the nervous chatter coming from the boys in Stuttgart. Performance is on par for others in the class and the styling is definitively McLaren, following the design cues from the 650S and 675LT. We will get more specifics on pricing and when we can expect the drop top version when McLaren debut the 570S later this week in New York.