McLaren’s 720S is a searingly fast, scalpel-sharp hypercar that triggers all the senses, so it is no surprise it has scooped up a hatful of awards and accolades since its 2017 launch.
Almost seven years down the road, it is time for a successor to take over the baton from the best-selling car that McLaren has built to date. However, as there really isn’t a whole lot wrong with the 720S, creating a mid-cycle replacement for such a lauded vehicle presented a dilemma.
McLaren could have taken the easy path and rolled out a mildly nip-tucked version of the former with a couple of minor cosmetic changes. At face value, that might appear to be the case as the new 750S has not changed much externally. Even so, it represents a comprehensive revamp as McLaren claims 30 per cent of its components are new.
The 750S is lighter, more potent and dynamically sharper than its predecessor, and the user interface has also been improved to provide clearer graphics and make it easier to navigate through the various functions.
The 720S was already a much lighter car than any of its rivals, yet McLaren has found ways to pare even more kilos from its girth; the 750S coupe weighs just 1,389kg with all fluids on board (30kg less than the 720S) and the drop-top Spider is only 49kg heavier than its fixed-roof sibling at 1,438kg.
The trusty M840T 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has also come in for a thorough rework. It is equipped with higher pressure turbos, new twin fuel pumps and a lightweight sports exhaust system to produce 750hp at 7,500rpm and 800Nm of torque at 5,500rpm compared to 720hp and 770Nm for the 720S.
Apart from being 2.2kg lighter than before, the new centre-exit exhaust system has also been configured to belt out – in McLaren’s words – a “more emotional” soundtrack than the 720S.
With so much power and torque and so little weight to shift, it is hardly surprising the 750S nails down stunning acceleration numbers. The coupe dispatches the sprint from 0-100kph in just 2.8sec and 0-200kph in 7.2sec.
My first on-road stint is in a 750S Spider and first impressions are dominated by the panoramic view from the driver’s seat. Not only is front and lateral vision unimpeded by blind spots, even the view out the back – normally a particular weak point in mid-engined supercars – is exemplary.
The 750S doesn’t throw up any histrionics at pootling speeds in traffic. The twin-turbo V8 is decently tractable at low revs, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission shunts through ratios unobtrusively, and ride quality is remarkably compliant for a car with such blistering racetrack pace.
A subsequent stint in the coupe across the same road loop reinforces the impressions gathered earlier. The 750S can devour winding roads once the traffic thins out yet doesn’t tax all your senses when you are stuck in a bumper-to-bumper grind in inner-city environs.
You need access to a racetrack to fully tap into the dynamic abilities of the 750S and, as luck would have it, we have the 4.2km Circuito do Estoril at our disposal in the afternoon.
The 750S is a monstrously fast car and the unrelenting fashion in which it piles on speed is eye-opening. We see almost 280kph on the digital speedo readout before the huge carbon-ceramic brakes are called upon to slow the car down for Turn One – a slow-ish third-gear right-hander.
SPECS
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In addition to its raw pace, there is a delightful delicacy to the McLaren’s pin-sharp responses. The hydraulically assisted power steering delivers textured feedback that you simply don’t get with the electrically assisted systems that have been adopted across the board by other brands.
The car we drove on track was equipped with optional Pirelli Trofeo R semi-slick tyres, which serve up high cornering limits, but you still need to be patient on the throttle on corner exits as 800Nm is a lot to put down on the tarmac via just two contact patches.
All in all, the 750S represents a comprehensive and carefully considered revamp of the already capable 720S. Apart from being one of the fastest, most engaging offerings in its segment, it undoubtedly sets the hypercar benchmark in terms of day-to-day comfort and usability. Life just got tougher for Ferrari, Lamborghini et al...
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Company%20Profile
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Youth YouTuber Programme
The programme will be presented over two weeks and will cover the following topics:
- Learning, scripting, storytelling and basic shots
- Master on-camera presence and advanced script writing
- Beating the algorithm and reaching your core audience
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
India squad
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, K.L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE%20set%20for%20Scotland%20series
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SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
more from Janine di Giovanni
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
THE BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Whenever I have any free time I always go back to see my family in Caltra, Galway, it’s the only place I can properly relax.
Favourite film: The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It’s about the Camino de Santiago walk from France to Spain.
Personal motto: If something’s meant for you it won’t pass you by.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
MATCH INFO
Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Naga
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The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
Company%20profile%20
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ASSASSIN'S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
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SPECS
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