The 2018 McLaren 720S

McLaren's 650S And F1 Successor

     After 3 years of selling the amazing McLarens known as the Super Series, such as the 650S, McLaren decided to create a car for 2018. This car, intended to succeed these Super Series car as well as the legendary F1 has been called the 720S. When McLaren fans saw the car the majority of them complained about the new look of the car, especially the new headlights. Despite its looks this car is said to have the performance capable of eating a Ferrari for breakfast. How does it have this kind of performance. Let's find out.

     The McLaren 720S is a British supercar equipped with a twin-turbocharged 4.0 liter V-8 that actually delivers 710 hp for the United States versions at least. I think McLaren can be forgiven for this. Top speed of the 720S is 212 mph. Naught to sixty takes 2.8 seconds putting it near hypercar territory. The engine is coupled to a 7-speed SSG transmission.

     What's different about this McLaren from its fellow Super Series cars. The air intakes behind the door are gone to allow the installation of dihedral doors sort of like those on a Koenigsegg. But perhaps the biggest and most important change is that the 720S uses a new carbon-fiber (carbon-fibre for any British person reading this) called Monocage II. It is a single piece and has helped the 720S decrease a little in weight as well as helping with overall performance. The headlamps don't go into the upper fenders. Instead they sit at a lower height inside large carvings at each corner. The daytime lights have been transformed into separate units. There is also a body colored bumper. The only thing on the 720S's exterior that isn't new is the carbon-fiber splitter.

     Now to the interior features. McLaren installed a new "Folding Drive Display" that gives basic data while standing up straight, and more race car style data when flat. This is referred to Slim Display Mode. This also allows rapid access to such features as the radio. 

     As for the cost of the 720S it will cost $284,000 in the United States when it arrives to be sold to people there. My question is whether you think McLaren made a worthy F1 successor. You decide.

The 2017 Audi R8 V-10 Plus

Audi's New Questionable R8

 

     In the year 2017, Audi decided to do a remake or refresh of the Audi R8 from 2015. The results have received mixed reviews from critics, and auto journalists. If you look at the center grille you might agree that it looks borderline Jaguar-ish. In my mind a German car should be its own thing and that is it. Some may think otherwise, and that it ok with me. Let's learn about what Audi did with the new R8 they're calling the V-10 Plus.

     The 2017 Audi R8 V-10 Plus is a German supercar and grand tourer equipped with a naturally aspirated 5.2 liter V-10 that delivers 610 hp and a top speed of 205 mph. That's a plus (pun intended). LOL! Naught to sixty takes 3.2 seconds. The engine is coupled to a 7-speed 8 tronic transmission with flappy paddles. This will anger some Audi R8 purists unfortunately.

     As for the new exterior changes such as a new spoiler for improved downforce, the interior of this car has changed dramatically. The steering wheel has a wide array of switches and buttons like a Ferrari 458 or 488, and the dashboard screen is now virtual and even features a g-force meter in the center. The Audi R8 V-10 Plus's air vents have also been reshaped for better AC quality. 

     The Audi R8 V-10 Plus has also undergone a diet so to speak. It now weighs 3,428 pounds. 

     Now to the cost of an Audi R8 V-10 Plus. In the United States it costs $162,900 which is almost cheap Ferrari money, and slightly more expensive than the latest Chevrolet Corvettes like the Z06.

     Now for the scary news. When this car was driven around a racetrack by Randy Pobst on Motor Trend he noticed some understeer from the car due to the V-10 Plus's tires which he said were "too thin." His passenger Johnny Liebermann did soften the blow by saying that as a driver's car it was excellent though. Question is are you willing to drive regularly or go to racetracks with such a car provided you bought one? Also are you willing to deal with the new Audi R8 look? Despite the Jaguar-ish look of the new center grille I can honestly say I can.