2022 McLaren 720S

March 04, 2022

The 2022 McLaren 720S offers a lot of show and serious go. The thrills include explosive launches and the kind of ethereal agility that'll send serious drivers into ecstasy. At the heart of McLaren's lightweight, carbon-fiber-intensive dream machine is a 710-hp twin-turbo V-8. While the engine has considerable turbo lag, the short pause after you stomp the accelerator allows a beat to prepare for a rush to 100 mph in just 5.2 seconds and the ability to reach a claimed 212 mph. When 720S coupe or Spider (read: convertible) drivers aren't living out their Formula 1 fantasies, they’ll find the car provides a surprisingly civil ride.

Engine Performance

Both the coupe and convertible version cradle a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that produces 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. Those totals are funneled through a paddle-shifted seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 720S coupe we tested at our track rocketed to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds and reached 100 mph in 5.2 ticks. We also had the opportunity to pilot a similar version at our annual Lightning Lap, where we called it "wonderfully fun and scary fast." We drove one on a twisting and ill-maintained road in California, where its advanced suspension was able to smooth out imperfections and the steering system was a communicative companion.

Fuel Economy

Since the McLaren 720S clearly isn't a typical commuter car, it doesn't receive the typical EPA certification. We estimate the mid-engine machine would achieve between 15 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined. However, we expect its real-world fuel economy to vary drastically depending on how much time it spends with its throttle wide open.