The 2024 McLaren 750S: How It bests the Retired 720S

After it was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Auto Show and entered the market for the 2018 model year as a replacement to the 650S, the McLaren 720S was a popular pick among thrill-seeking drivers. Sleek and sophisticated, this supercar was well-loved, which is why it came as a shock to many that McLaren decided to retire it at the end of the 2023 model year.

While we had to say adieu to the 720S, McLaren eventually confirmed that we’d be getting a replacement – the 2024 McLaren 750S. Reports state that the new 750S will be slightly more aggressive than the 720S and will have 30 more horsepower than its predecessor. With an even more upscale design, the 750S is going to be a pricy model.

Will the 750S be a successful successor to the 720S? Let’s break down what we know so far about the 750S and how it compares to the 720S.

McLaren 720S
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A Stronger V8 Engine

Sources claim that the new 750S features the same platform and powertrain as the outgoing 720S. However, the 750S will come with a bounty of upgrades to its performance capabilities. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine carries over but will be tweaked to get 30 hp more, boosting the power output from 710 to 740 hp. It’s hard to say if that 30 hp bump will make a big difference.

Sharper Handling Capabilities

The 720S was a stellar supercar out on the track, but it wasn’t as riveting as other McLarens, such as the 765LT. It seems like the 750S will slide somewhere between the 720S and 675LT with sharper handling capabilities than the 720S. Just don’t expect it to be as bonkers and aggressive as the 765LT model. It will certainly be track-worthy, as it is a McLaren, but again, it is hard to judge just how engaging the performance will be.

An Interior Inspired by Newer McLarens

The 720S had a beautiful interior, but it could be construed as looking a touch outdated. What we know right now is that the 750S will likely have larger side air intakes, a bigger active rear wing (which is an idea taken from the 765LT), and a restyled front bumper. There should be more paint options available, plus there will be various new wheel designs to choose from.

Sources also state that the interior design draws from the Elva (yes, that strange windshield-less contraption) and McLaren’s new Artura plug-in hybrid. The switchgear for the selectable drive modes is going to be placed on the cluster’s bezel, and the steering-column-mounted gauge cluster will carry over from the Elva and Artura models.

mclaren 720s
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Coupe and Spider Body Styles

The 750S is going to come in two body styles: a coupe and a spider (which is just another way of saying ‘convertible’). It is unusual for McLaren to debut its models with both body styles. A coupe is often released first, then a second body style – like the spider – gets released later in the model year.

However, given the popularity of the new 750S, McLaren is releasing both at once. McLaren’s Americas region president, Nicolas Brown, already stated that the 2024 McLaren 750S had sold out “through deep 2024.” So, you’ll have to get in the queue if you want to buy the new 750S.

mclaren 720s
Image Editorial credit: Roman Belogorodov / Shutterstock.com

It Will Be Pricier

While prices have not yet been released, it is reasonable to expect the 2024 750S to be more expensive than the retired 720S. A 2023 McLaren 720S coupe has a starting MSRP of $310,500, and sources state that the 750S will be about 10 percent more expensive than the 720S. This means that the base 750S coupe could sell for about $340,000.

Of course, no one expects a McLaren to be cheap, so serious buyers will probably not mind the increased cost all that much.

As we anxiously await the ‘big reveal’ coming from McLaren, it is easy to see that the new 2024 750S is slated to be a popular purchase among supercar enthusiasts. It has a lot of the same trappings as the outgoing 720S but will feature some upgrades that justify the price bump.

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Author: Jen Chichester

Jen Chichester is a freelance writer who grew up around classic cars. She holds a M.A. in English Literature and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior. When she isn't working, she's hanging out with her twin boys and taking care of her cats and guinea pigs.

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