McLaren wants to be the number one supercar company in the world, it seems. In its bid for total supercar domination, the company created the 12C to destroy Ferrari, then they created the hybrid monster called the P1, and then an updated 12C called the 650S, and then finally they unveiled a lower end 570S. All of this happened in the span of just a few years, and the company shows no signs of stopping. The paint isn’t even dry on the 570S that was just unveiled in New York, but McLaren has already released information on a new entry level car called the 540C.
Unveiled in Shanghai, the 540C looks to be a true competitor to the Porsche 911 in the realm of supercars that you can drive daily. The 540C uses the same 3.8-liter engine found in every McLaren product, but it has been tuned to produce 533 horsepower. The bones that hold the entire machine together starts with the new MonoCell II chassis that is found in the 570S. A collection of carbon fiber and aluminum keeps things light, and curb weights should hit under 3,000 pounds.
With a price of just $165,000, th new 540C is pretty easily the cheapest car on the brand’s portfolio, but it certainly isn’t slow. The 0-60 run is dispatched in 3.5 seconds or so, and the top speed is 199 mph. It may be the least expensive McaLaren so far, but the team in Woking sure haven’t sacrificed performance to hit that price mark.
The new 540C starts sales next year, but only select markets. The US is NOT included in that first market blast, so you will just have to make do with the 570S
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PRESS RELEASE
McLAREN UNVEILS THE 540C COUPE IN SHANGHAI
Two weeks after the New York unveiling of the 570S, the second model in the McLaren Sport Series debuts in China
The 540C Coupe completes the current two car line-up for the McLaren Sports Series
Most attainable McLaren yet, introducing the brand to a new audience
A pure sports car, bringing McLaren DNA to the segment for the first time
533 hp and 398 lb/ft: 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds, top speed of 199 mph
WOKING, England (April 20, 2015) – McLaren will launch its second model in the new Sports Series, the McLaren 540C Coupe, at the Shanghai Motor Show, April 20-29, 2015. The most attainable McLaren yet, the 540C Coupe 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. Priced from $165,000, the 540C will begin delivery in 2016 for select global markets.*
The 540C Coupe is a pure McLaren and a pure sports car, sharing its DNA with the models in the McLaren Super Series and the McLaren Ultimate Series: including a lightweight carbon fiber tub and race-derived technologies. The 540C coupe features a mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine which has been developed to be responsive and thrilling, even at low engine speeds. As the model name suggests, the Sports Series dedicated application of the award-winning McLaren power unit generates 540PS (533 hp) at 7,500 rpm and 398 lb ft of torque at 3,500-6,500 rpm. With stop-start technology, it offers optimized levels of efficiency and a longer fuel range in line with other cars in the sports car segment.
At the heart of the 540C, along with the 570S, is the unique carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis. This chassis has been newly designed with a greater focus on day-to-day usability, offering improved ingress and egress from the cabin, along with class-leading occupant protection and safety. A dry weight of as low as 2,890 lbs (1,311 kg) is achieved as a result of this lightweight structure and the use of aluminium body panels. This figure sees the 540C almost 330 lbs lighter than its closest market competitor.
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 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint completed in 3.5 seconds, 0 to 124 mph (200 km/h) in just 10.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h). Given this level of performance, 25.5 mpg on the EU combined cycle and emissions of just 258 g/km are an impressive achievement.
A subtly revised aerodynamic package and a dedicated wheel design mark out the 540C Coupe 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. The aerodynamically-led styling of the Sports Series Coupe includes intricately designed dihedral doors which include the elegant floating door tendon. This design feature channels air along the length of the door into the two integrated air intakes mounted in the rear quarter panel. This creates a clean path for the air to flow along the bodywork with minimal drag, directing towards the flying buttresses at the rear of the cabin which optimize air flow over the rear deck to increase downforce levels and aid engine cooling. An integrated spoiler at the trailing edge of the rear deck provides optimal downforce.
The 540C Coupe is fitted with distinctive new cast alloy wheels, available with silver or stealth finish, 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear. These are fitted with Pirelli P Zero™ tires as standard, which have been developed specifically for the Sports Series to offer high levels of performance in all conditions, with progressive levels of grip and a focus on comfort. The 540C retains the Formula 1™-derived Brake Steer system, designed to aid cornering through the application of braking force to the inside rear wheel. This enables later braking into corners, and earlier application of power on exit.
The 540C features a newly-developed suspension system ensuring enhanced levels of driver engagement and refinement on both road and track. The system uses front and rear anti-roll bars, Formula 1™- style dual wishbones and independent adaptive dampers. The damper tuning has been revised from 570S to the 540C, with more focus on everyday road driving. Adaptive dampers offer control over bump and rebound settings using the familiar McLaren ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ handling settings, with the Sports Series having its own unique damper settings. In ‘Normal’ mode, the system provides a refined yet engaging ride, while the ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ settings allow a greater level of focus and engagement when required. Twin damper valves ensure precise control, while dual wishbone suspension provides optimized levels of ride quality and driver feedback.
The interior of the Sports Series has been created with a focus on space and ergonomics, offering great outward visibility and interior space for occupants and their belongings. Organic curves carried inside from the exterior design bring delicate tension without aggression to ensure the cabin remains a welcoming environment.
Inside the cabin, the 540C Coupe is luxuriously appointed with leather upholstery to the seats, dashboard and lower doors as standard. The ‘floating’ center console features a seven-inch IRIS touchscreen which controls all elements of the infotainment system. The air conditioning controls are also incorporated, as first seen on the McLaren P1™, minimizing switchgear in the cabin. The touchscreen also controls the standard DAB digital radio, as well as satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephony and media streaming, voice activation and the audio media player. The IRIS system also includes the electronic owner’s manual.
The McLaren 540C Coupe is the second model to join the Sports Series, and sits alongside the 570S Coupe.
* The 540C is not yet available for order in the North or South American markets, only the 570S is available for late 2015-early 2016 deliveries.
McLAREN 540C TECHNICAL STATISTICS
PERFORMANCE
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) 3.5 seconds
0-200 km/h (0-124 mph) 10.5 seconds
Top speed 320 km/h (199 mph)
Power-to-weight 412PS per ton (5.4 lbs per hp)
ENGINE & POWERTRAIN
Engine configuration V8 Twin Turbo / 3799cc
Power 540PS (533 hp) @ 7,500 rpm
Torque 540Nm (398 lb ft) @ 3,500-6,500 rpm
Transmission 7 Speed SSG
CO2 258 g/km
Economy 25.5 mpg (EU combined)
Engine lubricant Mobil 1 New Life™ 0W-40
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Dry weight 1,311 kg (2,890lbs) with lightweight options
Weight distribution (f / r) 42 / 58
Length 4,530mm
Width 2,095mm
Height 1,202mm
