Friday 26th September 2014

McLaren 625C confirmed

McLaren confirms 'comfort spec' version of the 650S for Asian markets

---

Tempted to buy a new McLaren 650S, but worried it might be a bit too much for driving every day? Well, McLaren's just announced a watered-down version, named the 625C - but it'll only be available in Asia.

We now live in a time where cars are 'detuned' to 625hp

The 625C (C for Club) uses the same 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine as the 650S, but shares the same tune as the 12C - meaning, yup, you guessed it, 625hp. So not watered-down that much, when all's said and done.

For those worried about keeping up appearances among the local supercar crowd you'll be pleased to know the 625C looks identical to the 650S. The company says it has "an increased focus on day-to-day usability and comfort" - helped by softer rear spring rates, as well as a more usable engine tune.

Performance hasn't been hit dramatically - McLaren says the 625C will hit 62mph in 3.1 seconds (that's 0.1 of a second slower than a 650S). The top speed remains the same at 207mph.

The 625C will be launched initially in Hong Kong with coupe and spider bodystyles available. It'll then be introduced to other markets across Asia in the coming months - but there are no plans to bring it to Europe.

[Pyrolysis]

Don't really see the point..

[130R]

The 650S review says "it still has that floaty sense of comfort unique among contemporaries", so I'm not sure why you would want an even softer ride. But I guess McLaren think they will sell them or they wouldn't be building it.

[mikEsprit]

Huge news.

[Chapppers]

The new Mclaren Blah wiil use the same 3.8 litre V8 turbo with a blah blah blah and the modular design allows extra blah blah blahs. It will start at £blah,blah and come in a number of blahs and blahs.

[canucklehead]

i don't suppose it will be cheaper?

[dazwalsh]

Chapppers said:

The new Mclaren Blah wiil use the same 3.8 litre V8 turbo with a blah blah blah and the modular design allows extra blah blah blahs. It will start at £blah,blah and come in a number of blahs and blahs.

Did a 650S try and bum your dog or something?

[Armen]

WTF

Useless !!!!!!

[Mini1275]

Pyrolysis said:

Don't really see the point..

Struggling to see the point, too, as I'm sure many people are.

[renorti]

oh dear, their making different versions every week now.always a sign of "the car was't quite as good as we thought"

[F1GTRUeno]

I'll never be convinced that lumping the P1 styling cues on the 12C has made it anything other than an absolute mess.

[andyps]

renorti said:

oh dear, their making different versions every week now.always a sign of "the car was't quite as good as we thought"

You don't think they have had comments from potential customers in Asia saying they would rather have softer suspension and a slightly more relaxed engine tune then. I guess you are correct that the car wasn't quite as good as they thought for those markets, so they are changing it - much better that than saying that it is perfect, why is no one buying it?

Why not celebrate the speed with which McLaren are reacting to market needs and praise a British based engineering company which can do this successfully and profitably?

[MitchT]

F1GTRUeno said:

I'll never be convinced that lumping the P1 styling cues on the 12C has made it anything other than an absolute mess.

^this^

12C is a great looking car. If it ain't broke ...

[DUMBO100]

I think it actually makes sense from a sales point of view. They have a suitable McLaren for every occasion and everyday if required. Sir should probably buy seven McLarens

[Pommygranite]

It saddens me how boring this sort of thing is nowadays. I long for the days when supercars were rare and raw.

[Kawasicki]

I think it is a great idea, perfect for those who have no intention of driving the car very hard, for those who value more comfort.

[P4ROT]

Pommygranite said:

It saddens me how boring this sort of thing is nowadays. I long for the days when supercars were rare and raw.

Agreed. You can't even blame the boringness on turbocharging-just look at the F40-It's not the technology used, but the ethos behind its application.

[articulatedj]

Pyrolysis said:

Don't really see the point..

It's for driving around in the city and looking flashy. Which is all most people who buy these use them for anyway.

[Randy Winkman]

Pommygranite said:

It saddens me how boring this sort of thing is nowadays. I long for the days when supercars were rare and raw.

But I think they need to sell them and make a profit, rather than just amuse people that read about them on the internet, or (in my day), Car magazine.

[007 VXR]

Can't understand why they did not just have the 12C and the 650S as the line up?

[gregf40]

This has to be the stupidest thing I've ever read.

I genuinely can't see them selling any of them.