Performance Review: McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo - [2020]

Figures & Specs Summary:

McLaren Sabre Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2020. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the 2021 Rimac Nevera 1888bhp Electric AWD.This particular McLaren Sabre has a 3994cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Sabre 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 Sabre'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 1489 kgs (3282 lbs) this makes the McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The McLaren Sabre shares the same bhp with the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (603 bhp)

In terms of power the 3994cc 32V V8 engine produces 590 bhp (439 kW) @ 0 rpm similar to the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (603 bhp) or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 206 lb-ft (279.2 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale (419.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the McLaren Sabre.

The McLaren Sabre has a Power to weight ratio of 396.2 bhp per ton and 138.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2020 Sabre competing with the 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale (419.4 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Dodge Viper GT 8.4 V10 (419.3 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 Sabre generating around 138.3 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 2012 Porsche Cayman 2.7l (163.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera (163.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 2.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 2.7 secs, this made the McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo as fast as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (2.60 secs) the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo (2.60 secs) the 2020 Hennessey Venom F5 6.6 V8 Twin Turbo (2.60 secs) the or the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo (2.60 secs). This McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo is also faster than the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (2.70 secs) the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (2.70 secs) the 2022 Pagani Huayra Codalunga 6.0 V12 Twin-Turbo Long Tail (2.70 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo (2.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Sabre and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the McLaren Sabre on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.26 secs @ 121.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 (11.21 secs), the 2017 BMW 4 Series M4 Competition Package F83 (11.22 secs), and the 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV RS (11.23 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2020 version of the McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo has a maximum speed of 217mph.

Top Speed of the 2020 Sabre equals the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo (228 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo then how about the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo (228 mph), the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo (229 mph), or the 2022 Pagani Huayra Codalunga 6.0 V12 Twin-Turbo Long Tail (230 mph).

Related Links:

2020 Sabre Rivals List.

A Brief History of McLaren

Car Comparison