The McLaren 720S came on the market in 2017 and was a completely new model, unlike its predecessor 650S, which was little more than a major facelift of the MP4-12C from 2010. It received a biturbo V8 boosted to 4 liters with 720 hp and a computer-drawn body that still managed to look exotic and striking. The 720S scored points for its great steering feel and its V8, which secretly seemed to develop a little more power in practice, but its reputation was a bit snowed under by McLaren’s overall weak reputation. The endless variations on the same recipe are detrimental to the residual value and the financial situation of the British manufacturer has not been too good for a long time.
Evolution, not revolution
Anyway, back to the 720S. It is one of the models that will retire in 2023, just like the Volkswagen Up! GTI and the Renault Mégane RS, but unlike those two hot hatches, there will be a direct successor to the McLaren. We just don’t know much about it yet. Nicholas Brown, the American boss of the brand, has already told Automotive News that it will be a thorough evolution of the 720S and not a completely new model, as the Ferrari F8 Tributo, for example, is an evolution of the 488 GTB.
In addition, according to Brown, there is so much demand for the model that the order books are already full well into 2024. That is all the information we already know. If we were to take a guess ourselves, we think the 4-litre V8 gets an upgrade with some electrical assistance for more power and less CO2 emissions. It also seems a safe bet that there will be more modern safety and comfort technology on board, such as on the Artura, which also has things like adaptive cruise control. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for confirmation!
