Like many exotic cars, the 2022 McLaren 720S offers a lot of show and serious go. The thrills include explosive launches and the kind of ethereal agility that'll send serious drivers into ecstasy. At the heart of McLaren's lightweight, carbon-fiber-intensive dream machine is a 710-hp twin-turbo V-8. While the engine has considerable turbo lag, the short pause after you stomp the accelerator allows a beat to prepare for a rush to 100 mph in just 5.2 seconds and the ability to reach a claimed 212 mph. When 720S coupe or Spider (read: convertible) drivers aren't living out their Formula 1 fantasies, they’ll find the car provides a surprisingly civil ride. The only real pain is the contortions required to climb out of its simple yet customizable interior. Yes, the 2022 720S is insanely pricey, but that money buys a car that's insanely special.
What's New for 2022?
McLaren doesn't make any significant changes or updates to the 2022 720S coupe or convertible. For those looking for an even more race-centric machine, the 765LT (reviewed separately) scratches that itch with its extra power and additional mass savings.
Most convertible supercars are compromised by more weight and less rigidity, but the 720S Spider is hardly affected at all. Despite the retractable hardtop adding some weight, the Spider is just as quick as the coupe and its open-air cockpit enhances the driving experience. We'd choose it in the Performance spec, with its carbon-fiber exterior addenda and racy interior upgrades. Likewise, we'd select the Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires for maximum stick and the electrochromic glass roof. Personalization options are extensive and subjective, so the only other add-ons we'd want are the front and rear parking sensors, front-end vehicle lift, and McLaren Track Telemetry with a lap-time recorder and three cameras.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Both the coupe and convertible version cradle a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that produces 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. Those totals are funneled through a paddle-shifted seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 720S coupe we tested at our track rocketed to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds and reached 100 mph in 5.2 ticks. We also had the opportunity to pilot a similar version at our annual Lightning Lap, where we called it "wonderfully fun and scary fast." We drove one on a twisting and ill-maintained road in California, where its advanced suspension was able to smooth out imperfections and the steering system was a communicative companion. The experience was further evidence that McLaren has unrivaled chassis tuning.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Since the McLaren 720S clearly isn't a typical commuter car, it doesn't receive the typical EPA certification. We estimate the mid-engine machine would achieve between 15 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined. However, we expect its real-world fuel economy to vary drastically depending on how much time it spends with its throttle wide open.
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