Performance Review: McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo - [2015]

Figures & Specs Summary:

McLaren 540C Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo is the 7 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out in 2015. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo.This particular McLaren 540C 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 540C 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 540C's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1311 kgs (2890 lbs) this makes the McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo in the same weight category as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R or the give or take 50kg.

The McLaren 540C shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 3799cc 32V V8 engine produces 533 bhp (397 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 398 lb-ft (539.6 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the McLaren 540C you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (430.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the McLaren 540C.

The McLaren 540C has a Power to weight ratio of 406.5 bhp per ton and 303.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2015 540C competing with the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (430.0 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Maserati MC12 6.0 V12 (429.7 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 540C generating around 303.5 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 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo 991 II (328.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 AC Cobra 212 S/C (327.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.5 secs, this made the McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo as fast as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs) the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (3.40 secs) the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo Roadster (3.40 secs) the or the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs). This McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo is also faster than the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (3.50 secs) the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.50 secs) the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (3.50 secs) the and the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 (3.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 540C and the 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV RS

When talking about the performance of the McLaren 540C on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.28 secs @ 121.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV RS (11.23 secs), the 2019 Audi Q3 RS Sportback 2.5 Turbo (11.23 secs), and the 2013 Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo (11.25 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2015 version of the McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo has a maximum speed of 199mph.

Top Speed of the 2015 540C equals the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2015 McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo then how about the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph), the 2018 Lamborghini SC18 Alston 6.5 V8 (210 mph), or the 2017 Pagani Huayra Roadster 6.0 V12 (210 mph).

Related Links:

2015 540C Rivals List.

A Brief History of McLaren

Car Comparison