LOS ANGELES — As you're trying to fall asleep, you can't stop thinking about this car.
The slick lines. The sweet ever-present rumble of the engine. The never-ending acceleration. They all figure into the equation. But really, it's more how driving a McLaren 570S makes you feel. Passing motorcyclists give you a thumbs up. Passengers in other cars take photos. But you can't help wondering if others stuck in traffic just think you're a rich jerk.
The McLaren is easily the most intimidating car we've ever test driven on the street. On a track, no problem. It's just another supercar speeding by at triple-digit speeds. But driving it around the city, it's like a tiger pacing in a steel cage.
It's also intimidating because a car built to be this light — 2,895 pounds before you add gas and oil — and powerful feels, well, a tad delicate. In order to help achieve its maximum 204 mile-per-hour top speed, the 570S has only a smidge of ground clearance. You push a button to engage the mechanism that raises the front end by a couple of inches in order to get over the lip of a driveway or speed bump. With the front splitter largely made of costly carbon fiber -- the same material that makes up the chassis -- you are in constant fear of bottoming out. We learned the hard way on one of those concrete parking-lot chocks.
The car also came with a bug: At one point, the driver's side upward-opening door wouldn't open — requiring the driver to crawl through from the passenger side.
But you don't buy a McLaren for dependability. The 570S runs on emotion as much as it does premium fuel. When you aren't on the road, you daydream about it. You might even find yourself sketching it.
All cars have an engine, but only a few seem to be built around the engine. The 570S is one of those supercars with engines that are considered so special. It's a 5.8-liter V-8 that produces an impressive 562 horsepower. The mid-engine design puts the engine at your back — and it never lets you forget it's there. Crank up the audio as you like, the engine always reminds you it's at your ready.
That engine is pussycat around town. The McLaren drives much like any other car at lower speeds. It's only when you put your foot to the floor that its remarkable power becomes apparent. Not only are you thrown back into your seat — but you pretty stay there with torque that won't quit.
The McLaren comes billed as good for zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. It can manage zero to 124 mph in 9.5 seconds.
If you tire of speed, you can simply just admire the 570S.
It's as artful inside as it is outside. The racing seats are among the most comfortable we've encountered. The controls are surprisingly simple on the car's dashboard and "floating" center console. There are settings for suspension and for the seven-speed transmission — normal, sport and track.
Based on touches like having all the features inside of your basic normal car, McLaren envisions the 570S as a car that we will drive daily. But between its tiny front trunk, low ground clearance and overall envy-me factor, we're not seeing that as a huge market. Rather, we think it will remain one of the most amazing weekend cars you can buy.
If, indeed, you can afford it. The base price of the car is $184,900, plus $2,500 shipping. Throw in the extra $4,150 for the Ventura Orange paint job alone — the prettiest finish we've ever seen — and even more for the sports exhaust, interior and exterior trim, fancy wheels and such and you hit about $211,000. So while you're at it, add the Lux Pack for another $6,500 for more goodies. Grand total: $218,030.
Stuff of dreams? For sure.
What stands out?
Engine: The power never quits
Sound: The motor noise never quits, either
Looks: Gentlepeople, start your engines
2016 McLaren 570S Coupe
What? A super sports car for street or track — well, mostly track.
When? On sale now
Where? Hand built in Surrey, England
How much? Starts at $184,900 plus $2,500 in delivery charges
What makes it go? A 3.8-liter V-8 producing 562 horsepower
How big? 14.8 feet long
How thirsty? 16 miles per gallon in the city, 23 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg overall
Overall: Amazing car that deserves track time — not the street — to fully exploit it.
