The McLaren name has long been synonymous with cutting-edge performance and motorsport dominance. Based in the UK, McLaren builds exclusive supercars and hypercars along with competing professionally in Formula 1.
But what exactly sets a McLaren car apart from other exotics? Let’s examine What kind of Car is McLaren, the key characteristics and engineering that makes a McLaren a McLaren.
A Brief History of McLaren Cars
The McLaren company was founded in 1963 by New Zealander Bruce McLaren as both a racing team and sports car manufacturer. After success building Formula 1 cars and the seminal M6GT road car, Bruce McLaren died in 1970.
However, McLaren continued releasing potent mid-engine sports cars throughout the 1970s and 80s like the M1 and ruthless F1. The 90s brought dominance in endurance racing with the F1 GTR while road car production slowed.
In 2010, under Ron Dennis’ leadership, McLaren Automotive was spun off as a dedicated supercar subsidiary focused on exclusive high-performance models. The boundary-pushing MP4-12C marked the modern era of McLaren road cars leading to today’s lineup.
McLaren’s Core Sports Car Models and Categories
McLaren organizes its core sports car models into three categories:
Entry-Level Super Series
The Super Series represents the most attainable McLaren models but still boast 600+ horsepower twin-turbo V8s and 200+ mph top speeds. Notable Super Series models include:
- 720S – McLaren’s core supercar combining performance with daily usability.
- 600LT – Lightweight, track-focused variant of the 570S.
Mid-Tier Sport Series
Serving as McLaren’s “entry-level” range are the slightly less extreme Sport Series models. Highlights include:
- 570S – The foundation of McLaren’s V8-powered sports car lineup.
- 570GT – Adds practicality and comfort to supercar performance.
- 600LT Spider – Open-top version of the track-oriented 600LT.
Flagship Ultimate Series
Here lie McLaren’s most outrageous hypercars designed with no compromise. They include:
- Senna – The most responsive and agile McLaren yet with nearly 800 horsepower.
- Speedtail – Ultra-streamlined and exclusive with a403 kph top speed.
- Sabre – Even more extreme with 824 horsepower but not street legal.
Signature McLaren Design Elements
McLaren sports cars stand out for their exotic, futuristic profiles purposefully honed in wind tunnels for aerodynamic performance. Design elements include:
- Distinctive dihedral doors that swing upward and outward
- Wraparound windshields and side air intakes
- Aggressive front splitter and active rear spoiler
- Clean, flowing bodysides to guide air
- Quad exhaust tips surrounded by sculpted rear fascia
The composite and aluminum body panels wrap around McLaren’s bespoke carbon fiber tubs, which form the core chassis. This lightweight structure allows remarkable rigidity and safety given the vehicles’ performance capabilities.
What Powers McLaren’s Cars?
Every modern McLaren sports car utilizes a mid-mounted twin-turbo V8 engine sourced from BMW then heavily modified. Advantages of this engine layout:
- Central mass concentration improves handling agility
- Smaller frontal area cuts through the air more efficiently
- Shorter exhaust path allows greater tuning of the engine note
Turbocharging adds dense power while retaining a compact, lightweight nature. Outputs range from 570 horsepower in base models to nearly 800 horsepower in limited hypers. Electric assist through hybrid powertrains is becoming more prevalent as well across the range.
McLaren’s Racing DNA and Tech
Drawing from founder Bruce McLaren’s racing roots, McLaren’s road cars incorporate cutting-edge Formula 1 technology:
- Ultra-stiff and lightweight carbon fiber chassis
- Race-spec pushrod suspension systems
- Active aerodynamics altering downforce at speed
- Innovative air brake wings for serious stopping power
- Brake steer applying brakes to help turn-in
- Predictive driving analytics systems
Optimized for track use yet livable on the street, a McLaren road car focuses sheer mechanical grip and tactile precision like a racing prototype free of regulatory restrictions.
Why McLaren Cars Are So Expensive
Pricing for McLaren’s sports cars ranges from around $200,000 for a base model 570S up past $2 million for limited hypercars like the Speedtail. What accounts for these eye-watering price tags?
- Low production volumes – less than 5,000 McLaren cars are hand assembled annually.
- Exotic construction techniques like carbon fiber tubs bonded to aluminum frames.
- Powerful yet compact twin-turbo V8s modified by McLaren engineers.
- Cutting-edge racing technology adapted to road use.
- Handling and performance only matched by hardcore track machines.
- Lavish and bespoke interior trim with premium amenities.
For customers seeking the pinnacle of road-legal performance and experience, cost becomes secondary. McLaren operates in an uncompromising arena above even everyday supercars.
McLaren’s Formula 1 Team
In addition to road car development, McLaren also campaigns two cars in the Formula 1 World Championship. This top-level open-wheel racing series provides critical real-world data and marketing halo for the brand.
The McLaren Formula 1 team has achieved 182 race wins and 12 driver’s championships since debuting in 1966. Famous champions include Bruce McLaren, James Hunt, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton.
McLaren has endured recent struggles but possesses the technical might and resources to rebound given smart leadership. The F1 team remains a critical component of the brand’s motorsports ethos.
Conclusion
With a continuous commitment to futuristic design, unbeatable performance and leading-edge racing technology, McLaren epitomizes the no-compromise supercar. Even entry-level McLarens push boundaries far above ordinary sports cars thanks to the brand’s relentless innovation culture.
For customers seeking the ultimate blend of responsive handling, sophisticated design and brutal acceleration under the McLaren badge, choices range from surprisingly livable supercars to barely legal hypercars bordering on open-wheel racers. Whatever the model, a McLaren delivers an unmistakable taste of excellence.