McLaren unveils 540C at Shanghai Motor Show

Woking-based McLaren Automotive has unveiled its latest creation the 540C coupe. We told you that the 540C will be launched at Shanghai, when its elder brother – the 570S – made its debut at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. 540C is the second model in the Sports Series and is priced at 1,26,000 Pounds (1,91,356 US Dollars) globally. This is the cheapest and most affordable McLaren yet.

The face continues the same formula seen on the 570S; incorporating the brilliant looking LED headlights and also a huge front splitter for aerodynamic purposes. The sides get signature dihedral doors with a floating tendon that directs air to the intakes located on the rear quarter panel. The tendons also do the job of minimising drag along the bodywork, creating a clean path for air to go into the flying buttress and over the rear deck. This route taken, aids in cooling the engine as well as increasing downforce. Wheels are 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear and can be brought with silver or stealth finish. They are shod with Pirelli P Zero tyres as standard, designed for grip with focus on comfort. The posterior gets the sweet looking arc-like LED tail lights. A huge diffuser is completed with single exhaust tips integrated at each end; a fixed spoiler at the trailing edge of the rear deck adds to the 540C’s road hugging abilities.

The cabin is endowed with a ‘floating’ centre console replete with a seven-inch IRIS touchscreen that can be used to control various functions of the infotainment system. This touchscreen also lets you access standard DAB digital radio, satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephony and media streaming, voice activation and the audio media player.

The light weight, carbon-fibre Monocell II chassis houses the mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine developing 540PS (533 bhp) at 7,500 rpm and 540Nm of torque at 3,500-6,500 rpm. Power is delivered through the rear wheels via a seven-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG). 0 to 100kmph (62mph) takes a lowly 3.5 seconds, 0 to 200kmph (124mph) mark is dispatched in just 10.5 seconds, and top speed is just shy of 200 mph (199mph/320 kmph). The 540C possesses stop-start technology that enables it to churn out fuel efficiency figures of 25.5 mpg (10.84 kmpl) on the combined EU cycle and emissions of just 258 g/km.

The 540C features a newly-developed suspension that has Formula 1™- style dual wishbones and independent adaptive dampers. The damper tuning has been revised keeping in mind everyday usability and is more softly sprung compared to the 570S. There are three driving modes available — Normal, Sport and Track. ‘Normal’ mode makes the ride more pliant and refined, while the ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ settings allow a greater level of focus and engagement.

McLaren has already started taking bookings for the 540C. Move fast and you can get the first ones that will be delivered early next year.

Want more images? Check out the 540C image gallery.