As wonderful as the ’90s were because the McLaren F1 was new back then, they weren’t as great as they could’ve been because the V12-powered hypercar was the only car McLaren made. I’d argue the 2010s are better. We not only have a new ultra Mac (the P1), but we also have other, more (relatively) attainable models from the racing powerhouse.
The newest one is the 540C. It’s the second offering in McLaren’s Sports Series and falls under the visually similar 570S. Given its lowest spot on the totem pole, the 540C is the least powerful McLaren available. However, its 533-bhp/398-lb.-ft., 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 is nothing to sneeze at. Neither is a 0-62 mph time of 3.5 seconds or a top speed of 199 mph.
That power is put to the road through a seven-speed “seamless shift” gearbox and 19-inch front and 20-inch rear cast alloy wheels wrapped in custom-designed Pirelli P Zero rubber.
The 540C’s Formula 1-derived Brake Steer system is designed to improve cornering ability by clamping down the brake of whatever rear wheel is on the inside of a particular curve. An all-new suspension “uses front and rear anti-rollbars[,] Formula 1™- style dual wishbones and independent adaptive dampers. The damper tuning has been revised on 540C, over 570S, with more focus on day-to-day road driving.” The adaptive dampers can be set to one of three modes: Normal, Sport, and Track.
McLaren designed the 540C’s carbon-fiber MonoCell II chassis for easier ingress and egress to the space- and ergonomics-focused cockpit. Inside, a seven-inch IRIS touchscreen controls the infotainment system, the AC, and the radio. The unit also accesses the navigation system, Bluetooth, media streaming, voice activation, and the audio media player.
McLaren is currently taking orders for the 540C, which will be on display at the Shanghai Motor Show from today until April 29. Deliveries will start rolling out early next year. Prices start at around $187,000.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
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