Don’t for a moment think that McLaren will take a breather now that it’s unveiled its latest 570S coupe supercar – it aims to launch six more flyers over the next seven years. “We are working on lots of new stuff,” McLaren programme director Mark Vinnels told reporters at the 570S event on the eve
of the New York motor show. “We’ve got six car programmes on the go at the moment that go all the way out to 2022,” he said. “It’s a clearly defined product plan which includes platform and engines and powertrains, as well as body-styles.” Senior McLaren management flew into Auckland on April 1 (no, it’s not an April Fools joke) on the eve of the official 570S unveiling in New York.They are expected to bring Sir Colin Giltrap’s McLaren Auckland operation up to date on the future models. McLaren says success of the 570S Sports Series range will secure investment for more new models. Vinnels was asked in New York if a four-door sedan was in the mix, like Porsche did with the Panamera. “We’ll see,” he said. “Even that’s got to be justified. It’s pointless just putting two seats in the back for the sake of it.” However, don’t expect a McLaren SUV. The company’s executive director of global sales and marketing Jolyon Nash
said the company would not risk damaging its reputation with a model that did not fit its core values. “I can categorically say no,” he said. “I’m sure there are growth opportunities in the segment but that’s not McLaren. McLaren is about high-performance sports cars. “The promise to our customers is that we will deliver sports cars that will provide a breathtaking driving experience. That’s our full confidence and that’ s what we will stick to. We just cannot imagine an SUV McLaren.” The 570S is expected to go on sale in New Zealand towards the end of this year. It is understood two buyers have already expressed interest in the car. It shares its DNA with the McLaren Super Series and Ultimate Series that sit above it in the range. The Sports Series introduces McLaren race-derived technologies. As it name suggests its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 delivers 570PS (418kW) at 7400rpm, and 600Nm of torque at 5000-6500 rpm. Power goes to the rear wheels via seven-speed sequential shift transmission. The 570S can sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds and 200 km/h in just 9.5 seconds before topping out at 328km/h. The carbon-fibre bodystyle of the 570S coupe is the first to be shown in the Sports Series, highlighting the latest evolution of the McLaren design philosophy.