The Budget Supercar We Don’t Get: McLaren 540C
The Mclaren 540C is the entry level car from the British supercar manufacturer. Here in the US, we don’t get one. What are we missing?
McLaren has come a very long way in a short period of time. Launching the MP4-12C in 2011, as their first supercar since the iconic F1, the 12C was a success, but the brand was evolving very fast. In just 6 short years we have seen the 650S, the P1, the 675LT, the 570s, the 570GT, the 720S and the 540C. This is a huge number of models in this period of time. So, it is clear that McLaren is a technology company and they are developing cars like cell phones, there is a new one every year.
In the US market the 570S is the entry level into McLaren. It is an incredible car for the starting price of $185,000. To put things in perspective, a Porsche 911 Turbo S starts at $188,000 but the 570S is much more of a rarity. All McLaren models feature carbon fiber monococques, “billionaire” doors, a twin-turbo V8, and show stopping looks.
However, in the rest of the world there is a bargain McLaren, called the 540C. It starts at $165,000 and is just a lower power version of the 570S. So, similar to the 911 Turbo and the Turbo S, but with a lot more presence on the road.
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In this video, YouTube channel Motor1 UK drives the baby McLaren around to find out how it stacks up. In detuned form, the twin-turbo V8 propels the 540C to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds. As pointed out in the video, the mighty V12-powered Ferrari Enzo would only do 0-60 in 3.65 seconds. The 540C will also do 199 mph at the top end. As an “entry-level” car the performance figures are staggering. So, as we said the US market does not get the 540C, as McLaren has deemed that no one would buy it. While we do see the point, if Porsche can sell the regular 911 Turbo, then McLaren could sell the 540C. Just sayin’ McLaren. So, let us know what you think in the comments.
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