Performance Review: McLaren 720S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo - [2017]

Figures & Specs Summary:

McLaren 720S Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the McLaren 720S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport 8.0L W16 Quad Turbo and the 2018 Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo.This particular McLaren 720S has a 3994cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 720S shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 720S's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1419 kgs (3128 lbs) this makes the McLaren 720S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto or the give or take 50kg.

The McLaren 720S shares the same bhp with the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (690 bhp)

In terms of power the 3994cc 32V V8 engine produces 710 bhp (529 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (690 bhp) or the 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (697 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 568 lb-ft (770.1 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (590 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the McLaren 720S you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid (521.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the McLaren 720S.

The McLaren 720S has a Power to weight ratio of 500.3 bhp per ton and 400.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 720S competing with the 2013 McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid (521.1 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Noble M600 4.4L V8 (520.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the McLaren 720S generating around 400.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2021 McLaren 675 LT Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (425.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 (424.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 2.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 2.9 secs, this made the McLaren 720S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo as fast as the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the or the 2021 Ferrari 812 Competizione A 6.5L V12 (2.80 secs). This McLaren 720S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (2.90 secs) the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (2.90 secs) the 2021 Maserati MC20 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (2.90 secs) the and the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (2.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 720S and the 1992 TVR Griffith 4.3

When talking about the performance of the McLaren 720S on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.43 secs @ 131.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 TVR Griffith 4.3 (10.38 secs), the 2006 Mercedes CLK 63 AMG (10.38 secs), and the 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 (10.38 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2017 version of the McLaren 720S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo has a maximum speed of 212mph.

Top Speed of the 2017 720S equals the 2005 Gumpert Apollo 4.2L V8 Twin Turbo (223 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2017 McLaren 720S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo then how about the 2005 Gumpert Apollo 4.2L V8 Twin Turbo (223 mph), the 2009 Gumpert Apollo S 4.2 V8 Twin Turbo (224 mph), or the 2009 Noble M600 4.4L V8 (225 mph).

Related Links:

2017 720S Rivals List.

A Brief History of McLaren

Car Comparison