2016 McLaren 540C Is a More Affordable 570S
Packs 533 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque.
Conner GoldenWriter
2016 McLaren 540C Is a More Affordable 570S
Packs 533 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque.
Conner GoldenWriter
Hot on the heels of the recent debut of the McLaren 570S at the 2015 New York auto show, McLaren revealed the least-expensive entry in their model lineup at the Shanghai auto show. The new McLaren 540C slots in under the 570S, packing a little less power and performance to bring the price down to attainable levels.
The new McLaren 540C is the most affordable model in the McLaren "Sports Series," and is aimed at pulling buyers away from the new Mercedes-AMG GT, Audi R8, and the perennial Porsche 911 Turbo. While the new 540C shares the same platform with the 570S, power and performance have been reigned in, with 533 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque from McLaren's ubiquitous twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8, compared to 562 hp and 443 lb-ft in the more expensive McLaren 570S. The 540C sprints from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and tops out at 199 mph, compared to 3.1 seconds and 204 mph in the 570S.
The McLaren 540C starts at $165,000 without destination, a good $19,000 cheaper than the 570S. Though U.S. customers cannot yet place orders for the 540C, the quoted price in U.S. dollars means that chances are high for the 540C to come stateside in the near future. U.S. orders are open for the McLaren 570S which is scheduled to arrive in late 2015 and early 2016. In other global markets, the 540C is said to begin delivery sometime in 2016.
Visually, the 540C is nearly identical to the 570S, with the only changes being slightly revised front aeroblades and different wheels. Both the 540C and 570S were designed to be easier to use on a daily basis, with thinner sills on the carbon mono-cell chassis tub, providing ease of entry and exit. These McLaren Sport Series supercars also have more luxury-minded interiors, with extensive use of leather and an improved infotainment system.
Both the McLaren 540C and the 570S share a conventional suspension setup, moving away from the more complex and expensive active suspension found in the McLaren 650S and 675LT. Curb weight for the 540C has not been released, but dry weight comes in at a relatively lithe 2,890 pounds.
The McLaren 540C makes its official debut at the 2015 Shanghai auto show. Take a look at the newest McLaren in the photo gallery below.
