Performance Review: McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo - [2014]

Figures & Specs Summary:

McLaren 650S Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2014. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2015 Koenigsegg Agera RS 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo.This particular McLaren 650S has a 3799cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 650S shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 650S's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1400 kgs (3086 lbs) this makes the McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The McLaren 650S shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (651 bhp)

In terms of power the 3799cc 32V V8 engine produces 641 bhp (477 kW) @ 7250 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (651 bhp) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 500 lb-ft (677.9 Nm) @ 6000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the McLaren 650S you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2021 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 6.5 V12 (482.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the McLaren 650S.

The McLaren 650S has a Power to weight ratio of 457.8 bhp per ton and 357.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2014 650S competing with the 2021 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 6.5 V12 (482.1 bhp per ton) or the 2014 McLaren 650S 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (481.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the McLaren 650S generating around 357.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2019 Ferrari Roma 3.9 V8 Turbo (381.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid (380.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.2 secs, this made the McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo as fast as the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992 (3.10 secs) the 2022 Lamborghini Urus Performante Twin Turbo (3.10 secs) the 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.10 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche Cayenne GT 4.0 V8 Bi-Turbo (3.10 secs). This McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo is also faster than the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.20 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Dakar 3.0 Turbo 992 II (3.20 secs) the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 PDK 992 (3.20 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 982 (3.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 650S and the 2002 Audi A6 RS6 Avant 4.2 V8 Twin Turbo

When talking about the performance of the McLaren 650S on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.74 secs @ 127.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Audi A6 RS6 Avant 4.2 V8 Twin Turbo (10.71 secs), the 2001 BMW 3 Series M3 GTR E46 (10.72 secs), and the 2003 Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 (10.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2014 version of the McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo has a maximum speed of 207mph.

Top Speed of the 2014 650S equals the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (219 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2014 McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo then how about the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (219 mph), the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (220 mph), or the 2011 Aston-Martin One77 7.3L V12 (220 mph).

Related Links:

2014 650S Rivals List.

A Brief History of McLaren

Car Comparison