McLaren will launch its second model in the new Sports Series, the McLaren 540C Coupe, at the Shanghai Motor Show, April 20-29, 2015. The most attainable McLaren yet, the 540C Coupe joins the recently revealed 570S Coupe in the Sports Series as the brand brings its race derived DNA to a new audience and segment. These introductions bring the number of new McLarens launched in 2015 to four as the brand continues its rapid growth. Priced from $165,000, the 540C will begin delivery in 2016 for select global markets.*

The 540C Coupe is a pure McLaren and a pure sports car, sharing its DNA with the models in the McLaren Super Series and the McLaren Ultimate Series: including a lightweight carbon fiber tub and race-derived technologies. The 540C coupe features a mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine which has been developed to be responsive and thrilling, even at low engine speeds. As the model name suggests, the Sports Series dedicated application of the award-winning McLaren power unit generates 540PS (533 hp) at 7,500 rpm and 398 lb ft of torque at 3,500-6,500 rpm. With stop-start technology, it offers optimized levels of efficiency and a longer fuel range in line with other cars in the sports car segment.

At the heart of the 540C, along with the 570S, is the unique carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis. This chassis has been newly designed with a greater focus on day-to-day usability, offering improved ingress and egress from the cabin, along with class-leading occupant protection and safety. A dry weight of as low as 2,890 lbs (1,311 kg) is achieved as a result of this lightweight structure and the use of aluminium body panels. This figure sees the 540C almost 330 lbs lighter than its closest market competitor.

Power is delivered through the rear wheels via a seven-speed seamless shift gearbox (SSG) which, aided by the low weight of the 540C, sees the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint completed in 3.5 seconds, 0 to 124 mph (200 km/h) in just 10.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h). Given this level of performance, 25.5 mpg on the EU combined cycle and emissions of just 258 g/km are an impressive achievement.

A subtly revised aerodynamic package and a dedicated wheel design mark out the 540C Coupe against the more powerful 570S Coupe. Unique aero blades below the front bumper channel cold, clean air through the lower bodywork and up over the sculpted bonnet, flanked by large LED headlamps. At the rear, the diffuser sits between the twin exhausts which exit below the rear bumper. The aerodynamically-led styling of the Sports Series Coupe includes intricately designed dihedral doors which include the elegant floating door tendon. This design feature channels air along the length of the door into the two integrated air intakes mounted in the rear quarter panel. This creates a clean path for the air to flow along the bodywork with minimal drag, directing towards the flying buttresses at the rear of the cabin which optimize air flow over the rear deck to increase downforce levels and aid engine cooling. An integrated spoiler at the trailing edge of the rear deck provides optimal downforce.

The 540C features a newly-developed suspension system ensuring enhanced levels of driver engagement and refinement on both road and track. The system uses front and rear anti-roll bars, Formula 1™- style dual wishbones and independent adaptive dampers. The damper tuning has been revised from 570S to the 540C, with more focus on everyday road driving. Adaptive dampers offer control over bump and rebound settings using the familiar McLaren ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ handling settings, with the Sports Series having its own unique damper settings. In ‘Normal’ mode, the system provides a refined yet engaging ride, while the ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ settings allow a greater level of focus and engagement when required. Twin damper valves ensure precise control, while dual wishbone suspension provides optimized levels of ride quality and driver feedback.