The McLaren 570S was the car designed to bring McLaren into a broader part of the sports-car market. Revealed in 2015, it led the new Sports Series and targeted drivers considering a Porsche 911 Turbo, Audi R8 or Mercedes-AMG GT as well as more traditional mid-engined supercars.
It was still unmistakably a McLaren: carbon structure, twin-turbo V8, dihedral doors and vivid performance. The difference was its emphasis on accessibility, personality and everyday use.
The idea behind the Sports Series
McLaren’s earlier 12C and 650S belonged to the more expensive Super Series. The 570S used a related carbon-fibre MonoCell II tub, but with easier entry, more storage and conventional anti-roll bars in place of the complex hydraulically linked suspension. This helped reduce cost and gave the car a direct, playful character of its own.
Unlike the understated early 12C, the 570S embraced drama. Flying buttresses, deep side intakes and curved rear bodywork made the airflow visible, while the compact cabin placed the driver close to the centre of the action.
McLaren 570S specifications
The familiar 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 produced 570PS, equivalent to roughly 562bhp. Power went to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. McLaren quoted 0–62mph in about 3.2 seconds and a top speed of around 204mph.
- Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 570PS / approximately 562bhp
- Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch
- Drive: rear-wheel drive
- Structure: carbon-fibre MonoCell II
- Body styles: Coupe and Spider
What was it like to drive?
The 570S felt lighter and more agile than its rivals, with quick steering and a strong sense of connection through the chassis. Turbo lag was modest, and the V8 delivered its biggest surge as revs rose. The gearbox could behave smoothly in automatic mode or respond rapidly to the large steering-wheel paddles.
Ride quality remained impressive for a car with this performance, although it was firmer than the 650S. Good visibility, a front luggage compartment and a sensible driving position made regular use realistic rather than merely possible.
570S Coupe or Spider?
The Spider added a folding hard-top while preserving most of the Coupe’s structural integrity thanks to the carbon tub. The Coupe offers maximum simplicity and a slightly purer profile. The Spider makes more of the exhaust and induction sounds, and its lowered rear window can add atmosphere even with the roof raised.
Why enthusiasts still search for the 570S
The 570S helped establish McLaren as more than a producer of high-end limited models. It brought the brand into daily comparison with the 911 and R8 and showed that carbon construction did not have to make a supercar remote or fragile in character.
It also became the foundation for the 540C, 570GT, 600LT and GT4 racing car. Of those, the 570S remains the balanced all-rounder: faster and more focused than the GT, but less extreme than the Longtail.
Ownership snapshot
A prospective car deserves a specialist inspection and a complete maintenance record. Important areas include paint and panel condition, corrosion on exposed fixings, door operation, electrical functions, suspension noise, tyres and evidence of careful warm-up and servicing. A separate 570S buying guide will cover costs and checks in depth.
Sources and image credit
Specifications and historical context: McLaren Automotive archive and contemporary UK road tests. Featured image: Calreyn88, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Everyday usability without losing the occasion
The 570S was deliberately easier to live with than earlier McLarens. Its lower and narrower sills simplified entry, the doors needed less space to open, and the front luggage compartment was large enough for a weekend away. A nose-lift system helped with steep driveways, while the cabin’s visibility made the car manageable on British roads.
None of that made it ordinary. The low seating position, carbon tub and dihedral doors delivered proper supercar theatre, while the conventional anti-roll bars gave the 570S a slightly more natural, playful balance than the hydraulically linked Super Series cars.
McLaren 570S FAQs
What is the difference between a 570S and 570GT?
The 570S is the sharper sports car. The 570GT has softer settings, quieter exhaust tuning and a side-hinged Touring Deck for additional luggage.
How fast is a McLaren 570S?
McLaren quoted 0–62mph in about 3.2 seconds and a top speed of approximately 204mph for the Coupe.
Can a McLaren 570S be used every day?
It is one of the more usable mid-engined supercars of its period, with good visibility, practical luggage space and a surprisingly compliant ride. Running costs and dimensions still demand planning.
Is the 570S Spider structurally weaker?
The carbon MonoCell II provides the main structural strength, so the Spider retains impressive rigidity without the heavy reinforcement required by many aluminium cars.
Continue the McLaren story
Browse the Rare & Performance McLaren hub for more model histories, engineering stories and connected guides.
