How the McLaren 720s Uses Variable Drift Control
McLaren’s 720S is a monster with a 710 horsepower twin-turbo V8. So, how does it keep its owners from ending up in a ditch? Enter variable drift control.
McLaren seems to build supercars like a technology company, meaning a completely new model is out every 6-12 months. Similar to Apple and Android cell phones, the latest and greatest are always less then six months old. In fact the 720S is already old, as the new McLaren Senna was just shown. On the plus side McLaren is developing these cars like a technology company, which means they are always advancing the technology. The 720S is 91-percent new over the other cars from the brand. The engine is a big part of that advancement.
The new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 710 horsepower and 568 ft-lbs of torque. This blasts the 720S to 60 in 2.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 212 mph. McLaren has uses a complete carbon fiber tub in the 720S which is stiffer than the 650S it replaces. The new chassis has wider opening doors that include a portion of the roof to ease entry and exit. Adding all this speed and performance makes driving the new 720S like controlling a rocket launch. You need to harness all the power and point it toward the moon. Luckily McLaren has a fancy bit of software to give you control without the rocket science degree.
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In this video, YouTube channel Daily Driven Exotics takes us on a drive on the new McLaren 720S around the mountains near Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. The roads are a bit slippery as it is winter and it has been raining. As we find out the 720S has the power to light up the tires in third and forth gear at freeway speeds. McLaren in an attempt to keep owners alive to buy the next car have put in a software they call, variable drift control. The center screen shows the 720S and an adjustable angle of drift in which you can dial up or down. It will allow the car to slip up to a certain angle before using the stability control to correct the slide. Is this awesome or too much like a video game? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
