After obtaining the 650S Spider from the Forza Horizon 5 Series 6 Hot Season Playlist, it's time to settle the issue of how much the 720S Spider evolved from the 650S Spider. But first, let's get to know the prime specimens.
The 650S Spider offers the same thrills as the coupe version, especially the 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine producing 641hp of power while mated to a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox but with a foldable roof for some open-top enjoyment on the road and track. While the 650S coupe weighs around 1330kg, the Spider weighs 40kg more and as a result, the top speed is dropped by 4mph, resulting to 203mph, but the 0-60mph time is still at three seconds.
The 720S Spider offers the same driving experience as the coupe version only with the retractable roof that can be opened or closed at the push of the button. It carries the same 720PS 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine as well and although it weighs 4% heavier than the coupe, it can still do 0-60mph in almost three seconds and onwards to 212mph.
Now that we get to know these open-top Super Series machines, it's time to revisit the main Horizon Mexico Festival Site to find out how fast it takes for the 650S Spider to evolve into the 720S Spider. Without further ado, let's roll the tape.
After a quick lap, here are the results;
650S Spider - 1:08.635
720S Spider - 1:07.301
Although these two machines weigh the same, it took nearly a second for the 650S Spider to evolve into the 720S Spider. That's evolution, the McLaren way, and I've never felt this surprised over this result. Still, they're worth fun driving both and deciding.
The McLaren 720S is the current evolution of the Super Series, the series that has been around since the 12C, the very first McLaren they've made after the divorce between McLaren and Mercedes-Benz. With its challenging but cutting-edge, motorsport-inspired dynamics, the 720S sure knows the true meaning of respect from those who treat it right.
However, those who demand more respect than the normal 720S should consider its pumped-up version, the 765LT, the prize car that can be obtained from the FH5 Series 6 Storm Season Playlist.
So, what's it all about the McLaren 765LT, you may ask?
The McLaren 765LT is the third Longtail model unveiled since the 650S-based 675LT and the 570S-based 600LT. It's the most potent Longtail ever built as it incorporates most of the know-how from McLaren's motorsport experience and features an upgraded version of the 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine producing 755HP of power and 590ft-lb of torque. Mated to a double-clutch gearbox, it does 0-60mph in less than three seconds. Because of its 1,229kg dry weight courtesy of its extensive carbon fiber use, it has a power-to-weight ratio of 622PS per tonne, beating rivals by over 50PS per tonne. Apart from that, the 765LT features a hydraulically actuated rear wing with three main operational positions; Driver Downforce, DRS, and High-Speed Braking.
How does it compare to the 720S? The 765LT is more potent and crazier to drive compared to the 720S and because it delivers so much power, it takes an expert to handle this monster machine like a boss. Call it a road-legal track toy but it's definitely more than that because the 765LT pushes the definition of what makes a McLaren, well, a McLaren.
To test this notion, it's time to give the 765LT a moment it will never forget and with that, it's a leisurely street race against the best hypercars gathered in the Mexican desert. Hold on to your seats, folks, because it's going to be a crazy ride. Roll the tape.
The craziest moment pulled by a potent McLaren. Makes you want to do it again, huh?
The 765LT demonstrated to the world what happens when you turn the already crazy-but-wonderful 720S into the ultimate expression of the Super Series that possesses motorsport levels of fun and excitement on the open road. It may be a track toy but it's road legal and that's how McLaren rocks.
Back in 2013, McLaren created the P1, a hybrid hypercar that forever spectacularly rewrote the rules of electrification. Then came the Speedtail, which became the most powerful McLaren ever built. Thanks to such astonishing achievement, McLaren decided to employ most of their electrification know-how in their brand new supercar known as the Artura, Britain's answer to the Ferrari SF90 Stradale.
Priced at over 180K Pounds, the first-ever McLaren Artura is an entirely new McLaren that uses most of the know-how from the legendary P1 and Speedtail, creating a plug-in hybrid supercar that makes its first impression last for speedo boys behind the wheel.
Beginning with the design, the Artura is like a mashup between the GT's rear and the 570's front. Mind you, the Artura served as the replacement for the 570S (although its GT equivalent will continue as well as its big brother, the 720S). Although it's hard to determine which position the Artura sits in, rest assured it feels like it's the middle child of the family of elitists, which is nice. The interior, meanwhile, is typical McLaren without all of the showy features that most luxury cars have. You just get in, buckle up, hit the switch, and go. No explanations.
The PHEV powertrain is the Artura's core that brings life to this hybrid supercar. The 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine is mated to an axial flux motor and a refrigerant-cooled Li-ion battery producing 680PS of power and 720Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed SSG, it sprints from 0-60mph in three seconds and has a top speed of 205mph. That's less than its chief rival, the Ferrari SF90.
Running on electricity alone, it can go for as little as 19 miles, which is fine on the city streets until you hit the highway and return to engaging its petrol engine and make some noise.
In terms of dynamics, the Artura is McLaren at its best on the road and on the track because of its near-perfect weight distribution courtesy of its carbon bodywork, front double wishbone, multi-link rear, Proactive Damping Control, electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering, Carbon Ceramic Discs, forged aluminum brake calipers, and specially-developed Pirelli P-ZERO tires. It even comes with a Variable Drift Control that can adjust its drifting angle. Go to the least and it's no longer a drift machine but go the furthest, it's the hardest to control unless you have the skills of a pro drifter to do it. When set to its well-balanced setting, the Artura is fun to drive and fun to drift as well.
Although it's not a proper threat to the Ferrari SF90, the McLaren Artura follows in the footsteps of the P1 and the Speedtail with its electrified powertrain that will inspire others to do the same in the age of the new normal. Because of such dynamics and powertrain that will cater to the next generation of speedo boys, the Artura really is the McLaren you'd wish to have if you are itching to drive one someday. This car is now under red notice and the whole world's on its rearview mirror.
In case you really really really missed it, Forza Horizon 4 has now been enhanced for Xbox Series X and Series S users since the launch of the newest Xbox consoles.
What that means is thanks to the strengths of the newest Xbox console, playing Forza Horizon 4 has never felt so alive and thanks to the console's speed and power, loading times have been sharply cut to near none, meaning if you are going to start the game right now, it really means right now. Don't worry though because most of the progress you've worked so hard in this game while on Xbox One is already carried over from the Series X upgrade. Of course, you still need to install most of the DLC packs including the Fortune Island and LEGO Speed Champions expansion you've bought from it to get the most out of it.
To experience the difference the Series X/S enhanced version of FH4 can do, let's redo some of the finales in the game starting with the time I've driven the McLaren Senna at The Goliath. Roll the tape!
Courtesy of the folks from Panic Button, the Series X/S enhanced version of Forza Horizon 4 is more dynamic, livelier, and sharper than the original Xbox One version, giving you plenty of reasons to enjoy your British escapades even more. Of course, results may vary because if you are planning to record the whole thing, well knock yourselves but remember; while recording FH4 gameplay video on the Xbox Series X or S, recording 1080p videos is limited to four minutes while less-quality but compact 720p ones are limited to 10 minutes, which is enough to record the whole Goliath track attack but it's hard to tell.
Now, let's redo the time the Urus takes on The Leviathan at Fortune Island and the LEGO McLaren Senna takes on the LEGO Goliath at LEGO Valley, just to take a much deeper look at how much difference the Series X/S enhanced version of Forza Horizon 4 made for your driving pleasure.
Roll the tapes!
Although it's hard to tell the difference, let's remember that thanks to the capabilities of the newest Xbox console, playing Forza Horizon 4 never felt so alive with more dynamic graphics and lesser loading times. Of course, even while you're playing this game on a new console, you can still expect great content coming up to this game.
Your British escapades just got better. Welcome back to Forza Horizon 4.
For decades, McLaren created some of the wildest exotics that are proud to be called the best of the British. From the record-breaker F1, the hybrid hypercar P1, to the track-honed Senna, McLaren sure knows how to create no-nonsense exotics that give the Italians a good beating.
Following the success of the track-focused, road-legal, Senna hypercar, McLaren created the fourth installment of their Ultimate Series that pays tribute to the legendary F1 while incorporating most of the hybrid know-how from the P1. Ladies and gentlemen, the McLaren Speedtail.
Having won this best of the British from the Series 20 Horizon Summer Playlist, let's have a quick word on McLaren's bewitching hypercar that combines F1 looks with P1 tech.
The McLaren Speedtail is the fourth installment of the McLaren Ultimate Series and it is dubbed as the first Hyper-GT that delivers unheard performance no driver ever experienced. It is the first of McLaren's Track25 business plan where they will launch 18 new cars within the year 2025.
With the hybrid powertrain delivering a hundred horses more than the P1, aerodynamically optimized body, signature Monocage carbon fiber structure, and unique dynamics, the Speedtail is capable hitting the top speed of over 250mph in its signature Velocity mode, more than the McLaren F1's legendary top speed. It is capable of hitting 0-286mph in 12.8 seconds. Paying tribute to the McLaren F1, the Speedtail features a unique three-seater layout with the driver's seat laying to the middle for the race car experience just like the McLaren F1.
All 106 units have been sold out at a starting price of 1.75 million GBP plus taxes.
When tagging alongside past Ultimate Series installments, you can really see how much presence the Speedtail delivers and apart from being a show-off to its predecessors, the way it behaves is very visceral despite its Hyper-GT status. It maybe the ultimate grand tourer McLaren ever made but it's all hypercar stuff and when driving through the straights, it feels like it's ready for takeoff, spread its wings, and prepare for a force. A Category 5 hurricane kind of force, if you know what I mean. Reminds me of a Top Gear episode where the Speedtail challenged the F35 and then lost.
Anyway, long story short, because while I got my mind boggled over the Speedtail's mind-blowing performance that rends through space and time like legendary creatures from fairy tales, it's time for takeoff as I'm taxing the Speedtail for launch at the M68 while ignoring other hypercars standing its way. Channeling my inner fighter pilot spirit, the Speedtail prepares its takeoff at the British motorway to see how it's made.
Okay, people. It's time to sortie!
Now that's what I called a proper sortie!
The McLaren Speedtail is the definite proof of how McLaren pushing themselves beyond limits and such example is why this hypercar is branded "the best of British." With such performance, there's no denying how ultimate the Speedtail is and that is the bottom line.
McLaren has been wowed the modern supercar scene for almost a decade with the Sports Series, the Super Series, and the Ultimate Series. Now, the British supercar maker tries to rewrite the rules by creating their dedicated grand tourer that is more on comfort and more on manners, well almost. Say hello to the first ever McLaren GT, a grand touring McLaren made for casual driving in mind.
2020 McLaren GT
Priced at around 163,000 Pounds unless some optional extras from the pricelist will hike it further, the new McLaren GT is a serious super grand tourer that is all about refinement on the road rather than being a racy supercar with some F1 knowhow involved underneath it.
Of course, most McLaren people said that they've already made a grand tourer in the form of the 570GT but the new GT serves as the replacement to the 570GT and judging by the customer feedback, the McLaren GT is taking shape with its perfect balance of style and performance suitable for the gentleman driver rather than the average speedo boy in the neighborhood.
Beginning with the styling, the exterior of the McLaren GT can be easily confused with the Ferrari F430 because the front looks like it of course, whereas the back of it is nothing much to say for sure. Despite that, the GT's styling fits rather well for its grand tourer status as well as the well-crafted interior and some luggage space suitable for the lifestyles of the rich and famous.
The McLaren GT is separate from every other McLaren supercar because it uses its own monocoque body structure developed specifically for this car. Not only a hundred kilograms lighter than its closest rival but it can accomodate up to 570 litres of boot space at both sides. Under the hood, the McLaren GT uses a specially-made 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine producing 620PS of power and 630Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed SSG transmissions, it can do 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 203mph. Not as fast as a Ferrari 812 but this is surprisingly quick for grand tourer standards.
Although the dynamics are focused solely for comfort in mind because the suspension, steering, and brakes are made specifically for this car, that doesn't stop drivers by taking it to a track like every super grand tourers do because why not? Not only it can enjoy some leisure trips on the road but it can do some laps on track even though it wasn't made to do so. It maybe a grand tourer but it's still a McLaren and you'll have plenty of reasons to fall in love with it.
It's easy to fall in love with the first-ever McLaren GT from start to finish because while it wasn't quick enough to beat any supercar on track, it's worth stimulating to drive on the open roads. McLaren really pulled off the grand touring stint after the 570GT experience years ago and now, we're getting jealous to have one.
The McLaren 720S is the current evolution of the Super Series, the series that has been around since the 12C, the very first McLaren they've made after the divorce between McLaren and Mercedes-Benz. Having familiarized with one of the most sensational sportscars of the decade, just how much the Super Series has evolved from the 12C to the 720S?
To find out, let's pit down the three stages of the McLaren Super Series, from the 12C to the 720S, and see how much these machines evolved by taking on a time attack with a major twist; traffic. I know, my experiment is a bit out of touch but I like spicing things up, you know. Before that, let's get to know the Super Series evolution.
The MP4-12C harks the return of McLaren making supercars since the legendary F1. As a pure McLaren sportscar, the 12C features cutting edge-technology borrowed from McLaren's racing data which harks back to the time Lewis Hamilton represented McLaren, making it well adapt to any road and track condition while being aerodynamically efficient at high speeds. Its 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine which is somewhat small but packs a heavy punch when you put your foot down.
Most people believe that the 650S is a mashup between the 12C's body and the P1's face but there's more to its questionable styling than that because while it represents the next step of the Super Series range, the 650S picks up where the 12C left off by incorporating some of the P1's knowhow and improving the 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine that powers it, making it a supercar that can be driven faster and harder for longer.
And now, the latest generation of the Super Series, the 720S. Powered by a brand new 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine and mated with the double clutch gearbox, it does 0-60mph in less than three seconds and onwards to 341km/h (212mph). Apart from the performance, the 720S is all about form and functionality as well as employing McLaren's racing know-how on the road and track, giving the Italian rivals a run for their money.
Now that I got to know about the evolution of the Super Series, it's time to take these three for a sprint on the Monument Wynds. Ready, GO!
After surviving the Monument Wynds, here are the results;
12C - 2:23.010
650S - 2:18.505
720S - 2:12.666
By science, it took somewhat eleven seconds to evolve from the 12C to the 720S and seems that McLaren wasn't joking about improving the Super Series with new and exciting ways to make it faster everywhere.
Call it challenging to drive and tricky to master but the 720S is here to stay and as the Italian rivals get better and better, this British icon stays defiant to the very end and this 720S shows that McLaren is a force to be reckoned with on the road and on the track. Speaking of which, now that the 720S passed my little experiment, how about I treat this little charmer a little something?
This is something to smile about or scare about if it catches you by surprise but anyway, this pesky little joker is ready for action and with that, I'm off to LEGO Valley to get its comic mischief on...
I should warn you that when you inject this fellow with lots of power, it's going to be catastrophic at the start. Trust me, it happens a lot. Anyway, with my favorite joker in place, it's time to see if this is worthy of being my favorite McLaren.
Man, this is messy and anticlimatic from start to finish but the 720S sure knows how to put a smile in my face, especially with a special someone by its side.
There are two new Ferraris added in the Series 16 update of Forza Horizon 4 and the first one is, I'm sorry to say, too little, too late for the party. It's a Ferrari that recently went out of production but boasts the record for being the fastest car to lap the Top Gear Test Track. I'm talking about the Ferrari 488 Pista.
As the hardcore version of the now-outgoing Ferrari 488, the Pista is a track-ready mid-engine V8 super sport that employs all the knowhow from the 488 Challenge racing machine and made it fit for road and track use, making it a real mega-multitasker.
With its 710HP four-liter V8 Twin Turbo engine, it really is the most-powerful mid-engined V8 Ferrari ever made and when mated to a Formula 1-style double clutch gearbox, it is capable of going from 0-100kph in 2.85 seconds and a top speed of over 340kph. Apart from that, the Pista features track-honed vehicle dynamics inspired from the 488 Challenge racing machine as well as weighing 90kg less than the normal 488 GTB.
It went round the Fiorano test track in 1:21.5 and recently, at the Top Gear Test Track, it set the fastest lap time in 1:12.7, faster than the Dallara Stradale and the 992.5-spec Porsche 911 GT2 RS.
It may be now old and now out of production but still rather impressive by supercar standards and for a track-focused car, it's worth a thrill. It may feel difficult at the start but when it gets faster for longer, the 488 Pista truly shows its colors as the opportunity arises. Those people (especially Mr. Harris) who claim that the 600LT is better than the 488 Pista because it's cheap might new to scratch their heads on because not only the Pista obliterates it, it humiliates it, which is a sad day for Britain's finest.
Speaking of which, the McLaren 600LT came back to play with Ferrari's ultimate super sport once again on British soil ever since the Prancing Horse humiliated it on TV and with that, let's give these two the rematch they deserved but near the castle for a more dramatic atmosphere.
I'm already familiarized with the McLaren 600LT a while back but now that it got itself a revenge match against the 488 Pista, this could be the most interesting comparo ever done since Chris Harris did a comparison between the two. Too bad he went for the slower one. Time to prove him wrong once again with a quick lap shootout between the two near Bamburgh Castle and see who's the fastest.
And now the results;
600LT - 0:58.592
488 Pista - 0:56.990
Aw man. It's Ferrari 2, McLaren zero. Another sad day for Britain.
Let's be real, folks, because while I'm starting to gain respect to the 488 Pista, it feels like it has already served its purpose because its arrival is somewhat too little, too late, not like the 600LT from McLaren. It maybe a sold-out lost cause but it feels like it's long for this world and man, I'm sounded like him now.
Anyway, enjoy your new ride if you can. You'll have mixed reactions having the Pista the moment you got one.
The 720S is the evolution of McLaren's Super Series that started from the 12C and the 650S and by blending performance and technology with motorsport know-how in mind, this British supercar truly adapts to the road and track in a way no driver ever experienced before.
I have fallen in love with the 720S because it really pulls the joker right from its trumpet and with such character, it makes me want to go back for more. Now, however, there's the Spider version that I just won from the recent Horizon Playlist and the main question is, do I still love the 720S even though the roof is opened?
The 720S Spider offers the same driving experience as the coupe version only with the retractable roof that can be opened or closed at the push of the button. It carries the same 720PS 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine as well and although it weighs 4% heavier than the coupe, it can still do 0-60mph in almost three seconds and onwards to 212mph.
While the 720S Spider is downright stylish right from the skin deep, it's surprisingly aerodynamic and cutting edge. The buttresses on it direct air over the tonneau for better powertrain cooling and downforce while the most of the body is shrink-wrapped through the carbon fiber Monocage II-S structure and the V8 Twin Turbo engine for the sake of efficiency, performance, and drag, and thanks to applied science, the Proactive Chassis Control II monitors the car's dynamics while delivering the perfect balance of body control and ride comfort.
Although different from its hardtop equivalent, the 720S Spider still behaves just like it and I'm starting to fall in love with the 720S even more. Even with the roof opened and with a few weight gain compared to the coupe, it is still a fun-to-drive car that I can always come back for more not just for the styling but for the characteristics lurking through this supercar.
Having gotten to know the 720S Spider, the question is how does it really differ from the coupe? With Princes Street at hand, it's time to see how much difference the two 720S models made. I know the Spider is 4% heavier than the coupe but would that translate to such slower times compared to the coupe? To find out, let's roll the tape for the answer.
After a quick lap on the Princes Street, here are the results;
720S - 0:56.156
720S Spider - 0:58.959
These two cars are almost three seconds apart as a result of this comparison between the two 720S models, the coupe and the Spider, but still an impressive feat these two supercars shown.
Coupe or Spider, it doesn't matter which 720S I chose because deep down, the 720S range really tickled my fancy into coming back for more because of its performance that overshadowed its illustrious style and that is the bottom line.
