McLaren 720S: Farewell To The King?

Calling the McLaren 720S the “king” may feel like a slight directed at its highly-accomplished competitors. But if you’ve experienced the 720S you know this McLaren supercar is among the most capable street legal exotics ever released into the eagerly-embracing arms of performance-hungry driving enthusiasts.

The 720S’ basic numbers tell a compelling story. A 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 making 710 horsepower, propelling a 3,300-pound carbon fiber chassis, and body, to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, to 100 mph in 5 seconds, and to 120 mph in 7 seconds. The quarter miles passes in 10.5 seconds at around 140 mph, and top speed is 212 mph. So…it’s not slow.

But the McLaren 720S is more than a collection of exotic components and impressive performance numbers. What set this supercar apart when it debuted in 2018 was an ability to beat up other exotics at the race track before coddling its occupants on the drive home. With the McLaren 720S, the British automaker combined record-breaking performance with uncompromised comfort, if not outright luxury

This combination is, in theory, the goal of every “GT” car, but McLaren established a new benchmark in both areas that, even 5 years after it debuted, the 720S continues to tout in the face of much newer models. From seat comfort to audio system quality to McLaren’s trademark rotating gauge cluster, the 720S feels as compelling as the latest designs from Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche.

The 720S’ multifaceted personality was particularly welcome during a recent drive in a lovely Amaranth Red model. After one of the coldest and wettest winters I’ve experienced since moving to Southern California in 1994 I found myself in yet another constant downpour as we officially crossed into spring. This meant minimal opportunity to experience the McLaren’s performance envelope, but plenty of time to use the car as basic transportation in and around South Orange County.

And despite the inclement weather the 720S lived up to its reputation as an accommodating steed. Certainly I would have preferred feeling its intuitive steering, confident brakes, and high lateral grip on the corners of Ortega or Angeles Crest Highway, but I knew those would be a muddy mess during my time with the 720S, so functional commuter uses were on the docket instead. And the 720S happily obliged, feeling as confident on wet city highways as it feels strafing dry mountain passes.

Eventually the sun shined, giving me an all-too-brief opportunity to drive the 720S the way it’s meant to be driven. This is when McLaren’s on-point chassis tuning and dynamic dexterity conspire to give even middling drivers a sense of omnipotence. It was a welcome reminder of how and why the 720S has held such a revered spot in the supercar pantheon. At a starting price of $300,000 (my test car came in at $347,670 with options and delivery charges) it’s not the cheapest way to get around in the rain. But it’s a good reminder of the depth and breadth of this car’s aptitude — before it fades into automotive history.