corners flat. However, in Sport/Sport the 720S is much firmer than my i8 in Sport mode. In Track/ Track it is even firmer and much more aggressive in its responses. Its suspension is the latest evolution of McLaren’s hydraulic cross-linked system. It offers incredible suppleness, with flat handling, and astonishing traction as it keeps the tyres in contact with the road so well. I’ve often described it as witchcraft, as it seems to read my mind. It really is magical. The software controlling the suspension was developed as part of a PhD project at Cambridge University, and uses predictive algorithms to set the car up (for the next predicted state) within 2 milliseconds, based on what forces, attitudinal state and inputs it is experiencing at any point in time. The AI assesses data from 12 sensors - including 4 wheel accelerometers, 2 pressure sensors per damper, and multiple body sensors, to interpret and read the road ahead. It learns from previous scenarios to “predict” (calculate) what will happen next. The 720S has too much power for its standard PZero tyres on anything other than a pool-table smooth surface. It will break traction in 3rd on a straight, with stability systems compensating albeit very well and unobtrusively. It is dramatically better on the optional Corsa tyres, in summer on dry roads. I opted for Corsa’s on mine. The 720S is so far ahead of the old 12C (or its updated 650S facelift model) that it feels like it’s from a different manufacturer. The 12C feels unsettled at the limit, especially under braking and did not inspire confidence close to the limit. It also feels slightly “remote” on track and road. The 675LT is however more involving than any of these, including 720S, but it is of course a limited production track focused model. The 600LT is similarly very involving. The interior is a significant improvement on all previous McLarens. It looks like it’s from a different manufacturer if you compare the 720S with what came before. All switches are milled from single blocks of aluminium for example, and you can feel the quality of interior fittings. The 4 speaker sound system is awful. The optional 12 speaker Bowers & Wilkins system is very good indeed, albeit hampered by the car’s cabin acoustics with so much glass all around. The moving dash is truly useful, and switching it to its folded track mode can be helpful when pressing on, as it eliminates unnecessary and potentially distracting information from the driver’s primary display. I had expected it to be just a gimmick. It’s especially useful as a night-mode, eliminating surplus light
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and distraction in the driver’s sight-line. Comfort, Sport, and Track settings adjust separately for handling and power-train and are user friendly, and make a very noticeable difference. The 720S inspires confidence, even in Track/Track. I have tried the variable drift control settings, but only when playing around with settings, not whilst driving it - thanks to Covid cancelling 3 track events for me in 2020. The Huracan Performante leads the pack for its amazing engine and ease of going very quickly in poor conditions with 4WD. However, it has big negative points for vision out, its non-Lambo doors and its limited steering feel. It has some, but limited, carbon construction. The “forged carbon” used for many parts also has a kitchen worktop appearance, and is structurally weaker, and heavier than normal woven laid carbon fibre. Forged composite is however cheaper and simpler to manufacture, which is why it is used by some manufacturers (e.g. GR Yaris’ roof). The 488 wins for its badge, 4 year warranty and 7 year servicing thrown in. It has a huge negative though for still using bonded aluminium construction. It is also the slowest by quite some margin, and has already been overshadowed by the F8 Tributo. The F8 appears to be Ferrari’s response to the 4 year old 720S, as it has the same nominal power output. Having driven the F8, I found it to be inferior to 720S in all significant respects. I’ve owned more Ferraris than McLarens though and currently own a V12 Ferrari, so I really wanted to like it. After all, no one makes a screaming V12 engine as well as Ferrari do! The 720S is however so far ahead of its competitors that there really is no valid comparison to make. In performance, it is comparable to hypercars. I had my 720S for nearly 3 years, and nothing ever went wrong with it aside from a broken windscreen. Not so much as a warning light, glitch, noise, or false alarm. In fact I never saw a single error code during all the time I owned it. The car never used a single drop of oil, as far as is measurable. During both its services it was also apparent that the car had never leaked so much as a drop of any fluid. Everything was pristine. The 720S is in fact the most reliable car I have ever owned to date. My car did however arrive with numerous misaligned panels and missing tools, indicating better quality control is required at Woking. All these were rectified under warranty in one visit to my dealer, to complete perfection. It did take a couple of weeks’ work to perfect it though. McLaren transported it there and back however,
