Brilliant new McLaren 650S tested at the limit on track

The latest addition to McLaren's line-up may be based on the 12C, but it's a whole new ball game. Steve Sutcliffe puts the McLaren 650S coupe to the test on track.

The McLaren 650S is almost as fast as a Bugatti Veyron, but costs less than one fifth of the price. After driving the McLaren 650S Spider last week, Steve Sutcliffe takes to the Ascari circuit in southern Spain to discover if the replacement for the McLaren 12C lives up to the promise of being much faster and more exciting to drive.

Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.

Can a supercar beat a superbike? Can a Audi A1 outrun a Nissan GT-R on a wet circuit? Can a Porsche 911 slay a Corvette on the drag strip? Autocar pitches the giants of the performance car world against each other to deliver the all-important verdict.

Autocar, the world's leading motoring magazine and website, delivers industry-leading news, the most in-depth car reviews and opinion from our team of experts. Our presenters include some of the world's top motoring journalists who have unrivalled access to the world's fastest, rarest, most exotic and most exciting cars on some of the world's best roads and race tracks.

[rousseau]

I didn't like the front-end when it was first introduced, but it's starting to grow on me. It gives the 650S the dash of specialness in design that the 12C didn't have.

[anotherone]

I wasn't too keen on the looks when the 650S was first unveiled, but its grown on me & I have to say it looks really nice in white. And those tyres look like they shred so easily, when its drifting theres rubber flying off left, right and center!

[tvanb]

Hahah good bye tires @ 4:30... Look at all those rubber chunks!!

[marcofava]

I think this and the 458 speciale need a head to head, badly

[bernzie]

The McLarens exhaust note is soooo lovely and deep. I think if i fell in that exhaust id never get back out.

[trefod]

For once I'd like to see a fast car driven fast, instead of driven like drift racer. It's like going sideways has erased all other forms of automotive enjoyment, because it makes for spectacular video.
The 650s is a supercar, portraid here as a Sileighty.

[autospotter]

After watching this, I would prefer it over a 458 Italia!

[coureurdebois]

i still think the 12c has a cleaner look.... but this does look more "exotic" / "styled" which is what people seem to enjoy more. but still love the 12c just a little bit more

[Baseketballify]

Agreed; different league than any Porsche. But don't tell Evo that. They'd rank the 911 GT3 1st, even if it's engine caught fire on the track. Bring on the 458 italia vs 458 Speciale vs 650S vs SLS AMG Black.

[VChevy]

I don;t know. I think only the P1 deserves those headlights. It is elegant and full of beautiful curves so they fit the rest of the car, but this doesn't look quite right.

[Chris.Davies]

I must be getting old, because I am disappointed not to see the car cornering on the limit at speed, rather than all that tyre-shredding silliness over and over again.

[alexanderyoung]

1:47 - 3:10 That's some bloody good driving

[higurro]

I think the looks are growing on me. It's not great, but it's growing on me.

[donphobos]

A mental car, amazing piece of engineering.

[suprasport]

Wow! Where can I get one? And how much, is it on xbox1 or ps4?

[bigdave]

Got the opportunity to see one of these in person last Saturday at the Euro Auto Festival at the BMW Manufacturing Plant near my house. It looks and sounds even better in person. 

[Winedawg]

Damn!! This guy shredded the shit outta those tires!!

"The brakes feel the same as the P1s" This is actually a compliment to the P1 seeing as it has regenerative braking from the electric motor and the 650s just has standard hydrolics and discs. Getting the feel of hydrolics from a regenerating brake is very difficult.

[tohara]

the clicking of the paddles is really annoying 

[slabsides]

Breathtaking. As much as I luv the 458 Speciale, I'd take this over it. Incredible.