The McLaren 750S is the car McLaren built when they decided the 720S needed to be better. Not different, not redesigned – better. Lighter, sharper, more powerful, with aerodynamics developed from the McLaren Senna. It arrived in Australia in 2023 and promptly became the benchmark in its price bracket for any buyer who prioritises driving engagement over brand prestige.
What Changed from the 720S
The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 now produces 559 kW (750 PS, hence the name) and 800 Nm. This is up from the 720S’s 530 kW and 770 Nm. New intake manifolds, higher-flow turbochargers, revised exhaust. The result is stronger mid-range torque delivery and a fractionally higher top speed of 332 km/h.
Weight dropped to 1,389 kg dry. This is 30 kg less than the 720S, achieved through carbon fibre-intensive construction and attention to component mass throughout. Every kilogram removed improves every performance metric simultaneously – McLaren understands this more clearly than most manufacturers.
Aerodynamics were redesigned using lessons from the Senna programme. A new front bumper with active louvres replaces the 720S’s fixed arrangement. The result is 50 per cent more downforce than the 720S at the same air resistance.
Braking comes from carbon ceramic discs as standard – a change from the 720S where steel discs were standard and ceramics were an upgrade.
Performance
- 0-100 km/h: 2.8 seconds
- 0-200 km/h: 7.2 seconds
- Top speed: 332 km/h
- Power: 559 kW at 7,500 rpm
- Torque: 800 Nm from 2,200 rpm
The 7.2-second 0-200 km/h is the number that matters most for Australian road use. It demonstrates the strength of mid-range torque delivery – getting to 200 km/h from a standing start in 7.2 seconds requires the engine to be making useful power across a very wide rev range.
Chassis and Suspension
The 750S uses McLaren’s carbon fibre Monocell II-T chassis, refined from the 720S. The suspension is the same proactive hydraulic four-corner arrangement that reads road inputs and prepares the suspension response before the wheel encounters the disturbance, resulting in a genuinely flat body attitude during cornering.
Variable drift control was added – a system that adjusts the stability control intervention point, allowing drivers to access oversteer progressively rather than having it switch off completely. Track mode provides enough freedom to be entertaining without requiring full commitment to the limit.
The Interior
McLaren’s Folding Driver Display rises from behind the steering wheel as you start the car and folds away when you turn it off. It is theatrical but also practical, giving an unobstructed view over the bonnet.
The central console and door controls use physical buttons and switches rather than a touchscreen-heavy interface. This is deliberate and widely praised: you can adjust temperature, fan speed, and driving mode without taking your eyes from the road.
Luggage: 150 litres in the nose, which accommodates carry-on luggage for a weekend trip.
Australian Pricing
The McLaren 750S Coupe launched in Australia at approximately $517,000 before on-road costs. The Spider (convertible) adds approximately $40,000.
On a $517,000 car, LCT adds approximately $145,000. Total drive-away pricing in Sydney or Melbourne typically reaches $620,000 to $680,000 depending on options selected.
Running Costs
Service intervals are annual or 12,000 km. McLaren Sydney and McLaren Melbourne handle all warranty work.
- Annual service: $3,500 to $5,500
- Tyres (Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R): $4,500 to $6,000 per set
- Carbon ceramic brakes: $20,000 to $35,000 when replacement is eventually required
Annual running cost estimate at 8,000 km: $18,000 to $28,000 including insurance.
750S vs Ferrari 296 GTB
The direct comparison most Australian buyers in this price range make is with the Ferrari 296 GTB. Both cars cost approximately $500,000 to $600,000 drive-away.
The Ferrari 296 GTB is more comfortable daily. The hybrid system gives it an electric-only mode. The interior quality and switchgear finish edge towards the Ferrari.
The McLaren 750S is faster in a straight line and produces more lateral grip. It is less comfortable daily. The cabin is more driver-focused. The sound of the V8 under full throttle is more visceral.
Both are excellent. The choice reflects whether you want a car that rewards driving commitment most (750S) or one that works across a wider range of uses (296 GTB).
Verdict
The McLaren 750S does exactly what McLaren said it would do: it improves every meaningful performance metric of the 720S while adding aerodynamic sophistication from the Senna programme. The result is the most capable road-legal McLaren you can buy without moving into the Senna or P1 GTR.
At $620,000 to $680,000 drive-away, it is expensive. The performance justifies the price for buyers who will use it. If driving it is the point, there is very little in Australia at this price that does it better.