The 720S is powered by the M840T engine, a 3,994 cc twin-turbocharged V8 producing 720 PS (530 kW; 710 hp) at 7,500 rpm — the figure that gives the car its name — and 568 lb⋅ft (770 N⋅m) of torque at 5,500 rpm. McLaren quoted a 0–97 km/h time of 2.9 seconds, 0–200 km/h in 7.8 seconds, and a top speed of 341 km/h (212 mph), with an official quarter-mile time of 10.3 seconds. Independent testing produced quicker results, with some drag-strip runs recording sub-10-second quarter miles.
The active suspension system, ProActive Chassis Control II, is an evolution of the unit used in the 650S but 16 kg lighter. It uses accelerometers at the top and pressure sensors at the bottom of each damper to continuously feed road conditions to the car's control systems, with the underlying algorithms informed by research from a PhD programme at the University of Cambridge. Three driver-selectable modes — Comfort, Sport, and Track — govern both suspension and powertrain behaviour. The car also features Variable Drift Mode, which adjusts the stability control threshold to facilitate controlled slides.
The MonoCage II tub is based on the same principles as the MonoCage unit in the McLaren P1 but is 18 kg lighter than its predecessor. The same tub was carried across to the Senna, Speedtail, and Elva models. The structure enables dihedral doors with large sill cutouts for easier ingress and egress, and the reduced roof pillar size was a deliberate design decision to improve driver visibility. McLaren cited a 50 percent increase in downforce relative to the 650S as a result of the exterior airflow management, which routes incoming air through headlight housings into small front radiators and channels it through door apertures to the engine.
The 720S Spider, introduced in December 2018, uses a revised monocoque designated MonoCage II-S that deletes the spine running front to rear and enables a retractable carbon-fibre hardtop operable in 11 seconds at speeds up to 50 km/h. The Spider weighs 45 kg more than the coupe but matches its 0–97 km/h time of 2.9 seconds and top speed of 341 km/h with the roof closed.
The 765LT, unveiled in March 2020 and limited to 765 units worldwide, is the Super Series Longtail successor to the 675LT. Its M840T engine was uprated to 765 PS (563 kW; 755 hp) through a higher-capacity fuel pump, forged aluminium pistons, and a three-layer head gasket carried over from the McLaren Senna. Despite producing more power than the standard car, the 765LT weighs 80 kg less at 1,339 kg in its lightest specification and generates 25 percent more downforce through revised aerodynamics including front fender vents, a larger splitter, and an extended active rear wing. A limited 765LT Spider followed in July 2021, again capped at 765 units.
A 720S Le Mans special edition was launched in June 2020 to mark the 25th anniversary of the McLaren F1 GTR winning the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. Each car carried a VIN beginning with 298, the number of laps completed by the winning F1 GTR chassis, and featured unique five-spoke wheels referencing the design of the race car's wheels along with gold brake calipers.
The 720S GT3, revealed in August 2018 at $564,000, was developed with approximately 90 percent of its components differing from the road car to meet FIA GT3 regulations. A non-homologated track-day variant, the 720S GT3X, followed in 2021 and won the timed shootout at the Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb that year in 45.01 seconds. An Evo update to the GT3 specification was released in 2023, offering improved aerodynamic and suspension performance with an option for existing GT3 owners to retrofit the changes via an upgrade kit.
The 720S received the Top Gear Supercar of the Year award in 2017, the Festival Automobile International Most Beautiful Supercar of the Year in 2017, the Red Dot Design Award Best of the Best in 2018, and the World Car Awards World Performance Car in 2019.
The 720S was replaced by the 750S in 2023. The 750S retains the same basic architecture but with revised front and rear styling, a 750 PS (552 kW; 740 hp) power output, approximately 30 kg reduction in weight, a shorter final-drive ratio, and a new 8-inch Apple CarPlay infotainment system.
Gallery · 4 related images
