In case you weren’t yet aware, McLaren is prepping their successor to the 650S supercar, arguably the most important car in their range as it occupies that mainstream slot in which it battles the Ferrari 488 GTB and Lamborghini Huracan.
Tentatively called the 720S, and earlier leaked in a closed door unveil to potential customers, the next car in McLaren’s mid-tier Super Series stable will feature a more advanced version of their Proactive Chassis Control suite.
The second-generation system is, very logically, split into either Comfort, Sport, or Track, as before, but is more able to adapt each mode to the driver’s inputs and driving situation based on readings from a bevy of sensors, mining data from 12 additional sources over the current Proactive Chassis such as an accelerometer in each wheel hub to measure tyre contact patch in real time.
In Sport and Track modes, Variable Drift Control can be activated to deliver more leniency to the car’s chassis and traction control systems in order to allow for some sweet sideways action. Knowing McLaren, we expect it to still be safe enough to it will step back in when it detects the power oversteer becoming too dangerous.
“Proactive Chassis Control II generates a significant amount of additional grip, but not at the expense of the balance and feel of the car,” explained Mark Vinnels, Executive Director – Product Development, at McLaren Automotive. “The depth and breadth of handling precision and ride comfort in combination with the peerless level of driver involvement in the second-generation McLaren Super Series is simply extraordinary.”
The new Super Series car will also feature a newer version of the McLaren MonoCage carbon fibre tub that forms the structural basis for each of their cars dating back to the MP4-12C in 2011. An equally improved version of their M838T 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 is also expected to be powering the car, perhaps producing as much as 720hp to match the rumoured name, which equates to 537kW.
Coupled to some intriguing active aerodynamic components that have recently been teased on the car, it’s sure to be a very quick car around a track.
For more on McLaren vehicles, including pricing and specifications, check out our Showroom.
