McLaren 750S makes its Asian debut

McLaren has taken the covers off the 750S, its most powerful series-production model to date. The launch, which was held at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei, Taiwan, marked the car's debut in Asia.

The 750S succeeds the 720S, which was launched in 2017. Though based on the 720S, is not merely a facelifted model. It has undergone extensive modifications both inside and out to make it lighter and quicker than its predecessor.

The new model's name highlights the most obvious upgrade: Power from the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 (codenamed M840T) has risen from 720PS (710bhp) to 750PS or 740bhp thanks to higher turbo pressures. Torque has also been boosted from 770Nm to 800Nm.

The 750S retains the 720S' distinct silhouette and dihedral doors

Together with the seven-speed sequential shift transmission that now has a shorter final drive ratio, the 750S boasts even quicker acceleration times.

The car now sprints from rest to 100km/h in 2.8 seconds instead of 2.9 seconds, which is a massive gain at this level. The 750S also goes from a standstill to 200km/h even faster than before, with the coupe taking just 7.2 seconds instead of 7.8 seconds.

Apart from powertrain improvements, the 750S is also up to 30kg lighter than the 720S thanks to the use of lightweight components. These include new 10-spoke forged wheels that save 13.8kg (McLaren says these are the lightest to be fitted to a standard series production model).

The windscreen glass is thinner and 1.6kg lighter than before, while the carbon fibre bucket seats are a combined 17.5kg lighter than the standard ones in a 720S. Even the instrument panel is now 1.8kg lighter than before.

The folding instrument panel is gone but high-res screens are now standard, while the carbon fibre bucket seats are 17.5kg lighter than the standard seats of a 720S

Design-wise, the 750S looks very similar to the 720S, but there are distinct differences between the two cars. For starters, the 750S has a lower nose section with a longer front splitter, and narrower air intakes that enclose the head lights, whose surrounds can now be body-coloured or in carbon fibre. At the rear, the exhaust system now features a single, centre-exit layout and is lighter than the 720S' system.

Helping the 750S harness the higher performance is the new Proactive Chassis Control III suspension system, which features semi-active dampers, passive coil springs, and a hydraulic roll circuit that replaces mechanical anti-roll bars.

The front track is also 6mm wider than before. However, the front spring rates are now 3% softer than before, while the rear springs are 4% stiffer. McLaren says this combination allows the 750S to be more compliant and thus comfortable, whilst still improving precision and control.

Inside, the 750S has a more advanced cockpit than its predecessor, with high-resolution displays for the instrument cluster and the infotainment system, which comes with Apple CarPlay as standard. For convenience, the steering column is now electrically adjustable as well.

Charlotte Dickson (second from left) says that the 750S could be previewed during the lead-up to this year's Singapore Grand Prix

Another new addition is MCL or the McLaren Control Launcher. It lets the driver save his or her favourite configuration of powertrain, suspension, aerodynamics and transmission settings, which can then be recalled and set by pressing the MCL button.

Charlotte Dickson, McLaren Automotive's Head of Asia Pacific, said that the first 750S units are expected to be available in Singapore in Q1 2024 - if they can be homologated before then.

However, she hinted that the car could make an appearance as early as September during the lead-up to the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix. "We cannot confirm this yet, but we are trying, so it could potentially happen."