McLaren will launch its second model in the new Sports Series, the McLaren 540C Coupé, at the ongoing Shanghai Motor Show, 20-29 April 2015. At £126,000 (INR 1.18 Crore), the 540C Coupé is the most attainable McLaren yet, and joins the recently revealed 570S Coupé in the Sports Series.
The 540C Coupé is fitted with a mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine which generates 540PS at 7,500 rpm and 540Nm of torque at 3,500-6,500 rpm. Stop-start technology ensures optimized levels of efficiency and a longer range suited to the typical usage of cars in this segment.
At the heart of the 540C, as with the 570S, is the lightweight, carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis, which, along with the use of aluminium body panels allow for a thrifty dry weight of 1,311 kgs. Power is delivered through the rear wheels via a seven-speed seamless shift gearbox (SSG) which sees the 0 to 100km/h sprint completed in 3.5 seconds, 0 to 200km/h in just 10.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 320km/h (199mph). Efficiency is rated at 25.5 mpg on the EU combined cycle.
A subtly revised aerodynamic package and a dedicated wheel design mark out the 540C Coupé against the more powerful 570S Coupé. Up front, unique aero blades below the front bumper channel cold, clean air through the lower bodywork and up over the sculpted bonnet, flanked by large LED headlamps.
At the rear, the diffuser sits between the twin exhausts which exit below the rear bumper. In profile, the trademark dihedral doors include the floating door tendon, which channels air along the length of the door into the two integrated air intakes mounted in the rear quarter panel. This creates a clean path for the air to flow along the bodywork with minimal drag, directing air to the flying buttresses at the rear of the cabin which optimise air flow over the rear deck to increase downforce levels and aid engine cooling. An integrated spoiler at the trailing edge of the rear deck provides optimal down-force.
The 540C Coupé is fitted with new cast alloy wheels, available with silver or stealth finish, 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear. These are fitted with Pirelli P Zero tyres as standard, which have been developed specifically for the Sports Series. The 540C retains the Formula 1-derived Brake Steer system, designed to aid cornering through the application of braking force to the inside rear wheel. This enables later braking into corners, and earlier application of power on exit.
The 540C features a newly-developed suspension system which uses front and rear anti-rollbars, Formula 1™- style dual wishbones and independent adaptive dampers. The damper tuning has been revised on 540C, over 570S, with more focus on day-to-day road driving. Adaptive dampers offer control over bump and rebound settings using the familiar McLaren ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ handling settings.
Inside the cabin, the 540C Coupé is appointed with leather upholstery to the seats, dashboard and lower doors as standard. The ‘floating’ centre console features a seven-inch IRIS touchscreen which controls all elements of the infotainment system. The air conditioning controls are also incorporated, as first seen on the McLaren P1™, minimising switchgear in the cabin. The touchscreen also controls the standard DAB digital radio, as well as satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephony and media streaming, voice activation and the audio media player. The IRIS system also includes the electronic owner’s manual.
The 540C Coupé can be pre-ordered now with deliveries scheduled to being in early 2016.
McLAREN 540C TECHNICAL STATISTICS
PERFORMANCE
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | 3.5 seconds |
| 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph) | 10.5 seconds |
| Top speed | 320 km/h (199 mph) |
| Power-to-weight | 412PS per tonne |
ENGINE & POWERTRAIN
| Engine configuration | V8 Twin Turbo / 3799cc |
| Power | 540PS (533 bhp) @ 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 540Nm (398 lb ft) @ 3,500-6,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 7 Speed SSG |
| CO2 | 258 g/km |
| Economy | 25.5 mpg (EU combined) |
| Engine lubricant | Mobil 1 New Life™ 0W-40 |
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
| Dry weight | 1,311 kg (2,890lbs) with lightweight options |
| Weight distribution (f / r) | 42 / 58 |
| Length | 4,530mm |
| Width | 2,095mm |
| Height | 1,202mm |
