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One does not 'drive" the McLaren as much as one takes the controls of a loud, street-dominating cannon. My Airbnb roommate said "I can hear you coming a block away." Your fist will be bumped by fans through the driver side window at red lights, people will ask you what you do for a living, and children will request you gun the engine.
You may, as I was while in Anaheim at a gas station on a Saturday night, be invited to a "party", though you get the feeling the car is being asked, not you. (By the way, you'll be at the gas station a lot. It gets about 15 MPG.)
And what is all the fuss about? The 2025 McLaren 750S is McLaren Automotive's mid-engine, rear-drive supercar -- an evolution of the 720S recipe but with more power, less weight and sharper aerodynamics.
It's sold as a fixed-roof coupe or my tester, the retractable-hardtop Spider, built around a carbon-fiber tub (Monocage II) with McLaren's hydraulically linked suspension doing that signature trick of "track weapon" reflexes without a punishing ride.
What's new for this year?
There aren't any big changes - call it "carryover firepower" rather than a refresh.
Looks
It's classic McLaren - low nose, deep side intakes feeding the mid-mounted V8, dihedral doors (aka gullwings) and a body that looks carved for airflow more than attention -- though it gets attention anyway. The details that matter are functional. Active aerodynamics (including an active rear wing) and aggressive front aero help the car lean harder into its iconic look. No one mistakes you for an Italian rival.
Engine
Power comes from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 using twin electronically actuated twin-scroll turbochargers and dry-sump lubrication, backed by a 7-speed dual-clutch (SSG). Output is 740 hp (750 PS) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm). McLaren quotes 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds and a 206-mph top speed, though I didn't get anywhere near that because Los Angeles.
It's $364,500 to start, climbing to roughly $386,700 depending on configuration. The "Volcani Blue" exterior color is $11,500 alone. Mileage is a predictably low 15 miles per (premium) gallon depending on your foot, and your foot will be typically heavy. It weighs approximately 3,062 pounds.
Inside
The cabin is a clean, tight squeeze with a button-free steering wheel and a vertical 7.0-inch touchscreen handling most functions. Apple CarPlay is included but Android Auto isn't offered. Audio is a standard 4-speaker with a Bowers & Wilkins upgrade available. Cargo room? Pack light, boss. A small front trunk plus a shelf behind the seats will store overnight stuff, but no suitcases.
How is the drive?
Loud and lovely. It's brutally quick in a straight line, but the bigger story is how composed it stays when the road gets messy, thanks to that hydraulic suspension system and active aero working in the background. Advanced aerodynamics, huge acceleration, and a ride that can still feel surprisingly comfortable when you back off are its highlights, as is its grumbly, exciting engine. It's best appreciated on a highway with relatively little traffic, warm day, top down.
It also won't kill your back. You have to sort of dump yourself in and shoehorn yourself out but if you're an older person reasonably in shape, you won't be sore. Big and tall? Not your ride. It’s a country car for highway thrills, not a daily driver, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you can afford a McLaren, you can afford another car just to bop around town in.
Room for improvement
You have to keep an incredibly firm foot on the brake at red lights to keep your the vehicle from lurching forward. In heavy traffic, it gets old. Though you can raise the suspension so you don't scrape underneath the bumper, I still heard that horrifying sound more than once, more than twice, when exiting sloped parking lots or in my own driveway.
Safety
Traditional driver-assistance tech isn't really the point here. The emphasis is on "keep it scratch-free" features - front and rear parking sensors are standard, with a 360-degree camera optional. For crash-test lookups, get thee to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Conclusion: the mania didn't stop for the whole three days I had the ride. Wherever I appeared - road, parking lot, street - Elvis had entered the building. If you have the scratch, buy this car and enjoy your popularity and the thrill of the drive.