McLaren unveiled its second model in the new Sports Series, the McLaren 540C Coupe, at the Shanghai Motor Show. The most attainable McLaren yet, the 540C Coupé joins the recently revealed 570S Coupe in the Sports Series as the brand brings its race derived DNA to a new audience and segment. These introductions bring the number of new McLarens launched in 2015 to four as the brand continues its rapid growth. The 540C Coupe is a pure McLaren, and a pure sports car, sharing its DNA with the models in the Super Series and Ultimate Series, including a light weight carbon fiber chassis and race-derived technologies.
It is fitted with a mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin turbocharged V8 that generates 535bhp at 7,500 rpm and 540Nm of torque at 3,500-6,500 rpm. With stop-start technology, it offers optimised levels of efficiency and a longer range suited to the typical usage of cars in this segment. Power is delivered through the rear wheels via a seven-speed seamless shift gearbox (SSG) which, aided by the low weight of the 540C, sees the 0 to 100kmph sprint completed in 3.5 seconds, 0 to 200kmph in just 10.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 320kmph . A subtly revised aerodynamic package and a dedicated wheel design mark out the 540C Coupé against the more powerful 570S Coupe. Unique aero blades below the front bumper channel cold, clean air through the lower bodywork and up over the sculpted bonnet, flanked by large LED headlamps. At the rear, the diffuser sits between the twin exhausts which exit below the rear bumper. Pricing for the 540C Coupé starts from £126,000.