The McLaren 720S
Morgan Jacobsen & Desilynn Aguirre
Dihedral Doors and Active Aero
The McLaren 720S is so ground-breaking that even the doors reach for the stars. The active rear spoiler is no exception. With both deployed the 720S transforms from a sleek wedge to an angry airbrake.
Folding Driver Display
The locomotion doesn't stop there. With the push of a button the driver can active the folding driver display for all of the vehicle information you could ever need.
Launch Control
This 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 pushes out 710 horsepower and rockets the 720S to 60mph in a claimed 2.8 seconds. That's faster than you can say, "Holy #@$!, that's a McLaren!"
THE REVIEW
Where do you even begin with such a masterpiece? Let's start with the team who knows them best. McLaren writes, "The 720S embodies our relentless quest to push the limits of possibility." The McLaren 720S has set the industry standard in what it means to be a supercar. Even while being a relatively "new" company for producing road cars. It's impossible to mention top performers without taking into account the 720S.
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The 720S has styling cues that have been pushing the envelope for road cars since the beginning. McLaren say that for the 720S they have taken inspiration from a great white shark that makes a bold statement about power and beauty. The smooth lines of the car flow uninterrupted throughout creating a beautiful wisp of a car. The silhouette is smooth and elegant while reminding the viewer that it means business. Everything on the car was designed with aerodynamics in mind. The headlight surrounds allow air into the car's front air intakes while cooling the brakes simultaneously. It doesn't end there. While the unique dihedral doors look like ordinary doors, there is a secret air channel that will direct air into the side intakes that keep the engine cool. With the secret channel, it makes it nearly impossible to throw boogers out of the car. You should keep those to yourself anyways.
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Not only is the McLaren 720S absolutely breathtaking, it's powerful as well. Each 720S is equipped with what McLaren call the MonoCage II. It is a one-piece carbon fiber tub that even includes the roof. Nestled right behind the driver and passenger in the Monocage II, lies the 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8. While speculation remains on whether McLaren undercut their horsepower numbers, the 720S pushes out approximately 720 well, horsepower. With that said, it is the fastest 700 horsepower I've ever felt. The car is blistering fast and will pull your eyelids back if you're not ready for the acceleration. The 720S can reach 60 mph from a stand still in around 2.8 seconds.
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Speed is one thing that makes a supercar so thrilling. The 720S while being refined and planted, can also be switched to kill mode and become an absolute animal. The 720S will eat most anything that comes it's way. The particular example we reviewed was modified slightly. It was lowered some fraction of an inch, added a cosmetic roof scoop, a reinforced harness bar, and a titanium exhaust. Unfortunately, with those modifications I cannot competently say that the 720S is exactly what you would experience on the road in an unmodified car. Fortunately, I've driven two models and the performance was unnoticeable. No matter where the car sits in the rev range, it is ready to go. The 720S houses a 7-speed dual-clutch and in all the drive modes, the car kicks down gears seamlessly.
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The car pulls away effortlessly in nearly every situation. On the highway or racetrack is where the car shined most. Accelerating out of the final turn of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is where I fell in love with the car. The power delivery was smooth and still felt like a launch from 0. I can only think of one instance where the car stuttered. Pulling away from a stop light I pushed the skinny pedal with too much enthusiasm. The car immediately put power down, but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. The car struggled for grip and I looked like a jackass. The 720S has so much potential that the driver needs to remain attentive at all times.
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The 720S will always have a special place in my heart for many reasons. Firstly, the car is immaculate in every aspect. Secondly, being born July 20th, I feel like this car was made for me. Third, the memories I've had in this car will remain with me for the rest of my life. The 720S is the car that I was able to break the family speed record at 176 miles per hour. The 720S made a spectacle everywhere it went. Especially at the local McDonald's. Throwing the doors open and hearing a mother say, "He likes your car, it reminds him of his HotWheels." The 720S is a storybook that opens new adventures with every drive.
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Review: Morgan Jacobsen, October 11, 2024
Video: Morgan Jacobsen, Desilynn Aguirre, October 2, 2024
Photo: Morgan Jacobsen, Desilynn Aguirre, October 2, 2024