McLaren Automotive has taken the wraps off the second model of their new Sports Series the 540C Coupe which will have a starting price of just 1,26,000 British pounds which roughly equates to about 1.18 crores in INR. By bringing the world of performance cars to a wider audience, McLaren is trying to take pride in saying that it is their most affordable model yet, which is surprising for a sports car manufacturer.
Unveiled at the ongoing Shanghai Motor Show, the 540C is powered by the same 3.8 litre turbocharged V8 engine found in the 570S Coupe but in a slightly detuned state. It churns out a maximum power output of 540 PS at 7,500 rpm and 540 Nm of peak torque which kicks in the range of 3,500 to 6,500 rpm.
The power to weight ratio is 412 Ps per tonne! Transmission too is the same 7 speed SSG unit.The carbon fibre MonoCell 2 chassis is also the same as the one in the 570S and continues to be a beacon in the move to make sports cars focus more on day to day usability.
The lightweight structure and aluminium body panel helps the car have a low dry weight of just 1311 kilos (2 kg less than 570S) and claims to be 150 kg lighter than its closest rival. The car claims to have a top speed of 320 kmph, 8kmph slower than the 570S, and reaches to 100 kmph from 0 in just 3.5 second with 200kmph coming in 10.5 second. If you want to compare the acceleration to the 570S, the slightly heavier car can hit 100 kmph in 3.2 second and 200 kmph in 9.5 second.
The 540C gets a different aerodynamic package to make it stand out from the 570S. Unique aero blades below the front bumper channel cold, clean air through the lower bodywork and up over the sculpted bonnet, flanked by large LED headlamps. At the rear, the diffuser sits between the twin exhausts which exit below the rear bumper. It also gets new cast alloy wheels in 19 or 20 inch size options.
McLaren has started taking pre-orders for the 540C and is expected to start deliveries in early 2016. And if you haven’t had enough of it…here are some more pics
Mclaren 540C Pic Gallery
