The McLaren 540C belongs to the Sports Series and is the cheapest McLaren you can buy. This sports car debuted in 2015 – a month after the 570S – and has been at the bottom of the hierarchy ever since. One of two McLaren models priced under $200,000, the 540C aims to generate volume for the company. While it may be a detuned version of the 570S, which isn’t the most prolific model to begin with either, but tThe 540C certainly functions as a weekday sports car thanks to its spacious cabin (sports car par) and comparatively affordable cost.
For $184,900, you get a 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine that unleashes 533 ponies and 398 pound-feet of twist. Peak torque is available at 7,500 rpm, while peak torque ranges from 3,500 to 6,500 rpm. Power is sent to the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Just because it’s the cheapest McLaren doesn’t mean it’s not fast. It can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 199 mph.
| engine | 3.8 liter biturbo V8 engine |
|---|---|
| hp | 533 horses at 7,500 rpm |
| torque | 398 pound-feet at 3,500-6,500 rpm |
| transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| 0-60km/h | 3.4 seconds |
| 0-124km/h | 10.5 seconds |
| top speed | 199km/h |
| basic price | $184,900 |
The 570S was unveiled at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, marking the launch of the Sports Series. Don’t discount this 570S as a cheap McLaren; it still shares its DNA with the 650S and the P1, the latter being the company’s first supercar since F1. The 570S was launched to bring more customers into the McLaren family, and probably even steal a few from the Porsche 911 while it’s at it.
The McLaren 570S draws its power from a 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 powerplant tuned to deliver 562 horses at 7,500 rpm and 443 pound-feet of torque between 5,000 and 6,500 rpm . Here, too, the power is sent to the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It’s faster and faster than the 540C. You can rocket to 60 mph from a standstill in 3.1 seconds and touch 124 mph in 9.5 seconds if you hold down the A pedal. Keep going and you’ll hit the 570S’s top speed of 204 mph. The 57S is one of the only two McLaren models, alongside the 540C, that can be yours for under 200G – $191,100.
| engine | 3.8 liter biturbo V8 engine |
|---|---|
| hp | 562 horses at 7,500 rpm |
| torque | 443 pound-feet at 5,000-6,500 rpm |
| transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| 0-60km/h | 3.1 seconds |
| 0-124km/h | 9.5 seconds |
| top speed | 204km/h |
| basic price | $191,100 |
McLaren continued its assault on the Sports Series with the 570GT, a model based on the 570S but a little more practical. The biggest difference between the 570GT and 570S is the luggage space, which you get in the former. It comes with McLaren’s MonoCell II carbon fiber tub and sports an identical front fascia. The standard vented hood is replaced here with a side-opening glass hatch that gives you access to 7.8 cubic feet of storage. Yes, you’re paying around $13,000 extra for that extra space in the first place. It came with a softer suspension tune and better insulation to justify the tourer label.
The grand tourer is powered by the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 as the 570S, and in the same condition too. To burp, it produces 562 ponies and 443 pound-foot booms. The same driving modes – Normal, Sport and Track – are also offered here. However, there is a difference in the performance data. This McLaren model takes 3.3 seconds to 60 mph and 9.8 seconds to 124 mph from a standing start; 0.2 and 0.3 seconds slower than the 570S, respectively. Top speed remains the same at 204 mph. The McLaren 570GT will cost you $203,950.
| engine | 3.8 liter biturbo V8 engine |
|---|---|
| hp | 562 horses at 7,500 rpm |
| torque | 443 pound-feet at 5,000-6,500 rpm |
| transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| 0-60km/h | 3.3 seconds |
| 0-124km/h | 9.8 seconds |
| top speed | 204km/h |
| basic price | $203,950 |
The drop-top version of the 570S was inevitable. McLaren introduced the 911 Cabriolet and rival Audi R8 Spyder a few years after the launch of the coupe, and it became the most affordable McLaren convertible. The top is operated electrically from the driver’s seat with a simple control that folds it under a tonneau cover. The opening and closing process of the roof takes 15 seconds and can take place at vehicle speeds of up to 40 km/h. A wind deflector can be raised or lowered electrically at the touch of a button. The entire mechanism adds just 101 pounds to the coupe’s weight.
It comes with the same powertrain and performances. The V8 engine displaces 3.8 liters and is coupled with two turbochargers. The mill feeds our 562 ponies and 443 pound-feet of torque. Despite the added weight of 101 pounds, The 570S Spider can sprint from a standing start to 60 mph in the same 3.1 seconds. 0-124 mph is a tenth of a second slower here, with the convertible taking 9.6 seconds instead of the coupe’s 9.5 seconds. Top speed also stays at 204 mph with the roof down, but it doesn’t go past 196 mph with the top down. The McLaren 570S Spider starts at $211,300; around $20,000 more than the standard coupe model.
| engine | 3.8 liter biturbo V8 engine |
|---|---|
| hp | 562 horses at 7,500 rpm |
| torque | 443 pound-feet at 5,000-6,500 rpm |
| transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| 0-60km/h | 3.1 seconds |
| 0-124km/h | 9.6 seconds |
| top speed | 204km/h |
| basic price | $211,300 |
Continuing its commitment to offering more affordable McLaren models, McLaren brought Long Tail heritage to the Sports Series with the 600LT. It was launched at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, following in the footsteps of the F1 Longtail and 675 Longtail. The 600LT was the most track-focused McLaren in the sports series and featured some interesting details. They had a new bumper, revised side air intakes and flics, aggressive carbon fiber diffuser, large rear wing, etc.
McLaren updated the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 for the 600LT, increasing power to 592 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. That’s an increase of 30 ponies and 14 pound-feet of torque over the 570S. Thanks to weight saving measures and a lower curb weight, it has a power-to-weight ratio of 474 hp/tonne, a huge increase over the 570S’s 428 hp/tonne ratio. The 600 LT can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and touch 124 mph in 8.2 seconds. Top speed remains the same at 204 mph. All of that impeccable spec comes with a starting price of $242,500, making it one of the cheapest McLarens you can buy today.
| engine | 3.8 liter biturbo V8 engine |
|---|---|
| hp | 592 horses at 7,500 rpm |
| torque | 457 pound-feet at 5,500 to 6,500 rpm |
| transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| 0-60km/h | 2.8 seconds |
| 0-124km/h | 8.2 seconds |
| top speed | 204km/h |
| basic price | $242,500 |
frequently asked Questions
Is McLaren exotic?
McLaren is a brand that produces exotic sports cars, supercars and hypercars. The company opened its doors to a larger clientele with a comparatively affordable line of cars called the Sports Series. But fortunately, it hasn’t diluted the “McLaren” brand as a whole. So, yes, all McLarens are exotic cars for sure.
Is a McLaren a sports car or a supercar?
McLaren makes both sports cars and supercars. The company manufactures sports cars and supercars from around 540 horses to over 1,000 hp. For a company that only builds exotic cars, the British automaker’s portfolio is pretty exhausting.
Which is the most expensive McLaren?
The 2020 McLaren Speedtail is the most expensive McLaren. It starts at around $2 million. This car boasts a hybrid powertrain that produces 1,035 hp. It’s also the fastest McLaren ever built, with a top speed of 250 mph. McLaren limited production to just 106 examples and all are sold out.
How much does a 2020 McLaren P1 cost?
The McLaren P1 was the spiritual successor to the F1 and has been the automaker’s first supercar ever since. The company had announced just 375 of these, priced at $1.15 million each. Production ended in 2015 and all 375 P1s were sold out. They rarely come up for sale on the used market, but those that sell for around $2 million do.
How much is a 2020 McLaren worth?
Some Ultimate Series McLaren models and legacy McLarens in general tend to appreciate in value making a McLaren worth a lot more than what you would end up paying to buy it from the factory. A specimen of the F1 was auctioned at Pebble Beach in 2021 for a whopping $20.5 million! When they hit the market in the mid-’90s, they cost anywhere from $800,000 to $1 million.
How much does McLaren cost?
If you want to be the proud owner of a new McLaren today, you’ll have to shell out anywhere from $184,900 to over $2 million.
How much do McLarens cost?
The McLaren lineup currently starts at $184,900 with the 540C and goes up to $2.1 million for the 2020 Speedtail.
How much does a regular McLaren cost?
You have to stick to a budget of around $200,000 to get a McLaren. The 570S is the most popular McLaren model, starting at $191,100.
What is the second cheapest McLaren?
The McLaren 570S is the second cheapest McLaren model, starting at $191,100
What is the cheapest 2020 McLaren?
The 2021 McLaren 540C is the cheapest new McLaren you can buy today. It starts at $184,900.
How much does a McLaren 540C cost?
The McLaren 540C starts at $184,900 and is the cheapest McLaren available today.