Skip advert
Advertisement

evo Car of the Year 2017 - McLaren 720S - evo Car of the Year best supercar

McLaren could have built a 650S evolution: a little lighter, faster more capable. Instead it produced something truly extraordinary.

So, what defines a supercar? Eye-widening performance? Looks that make it suitable for bedroom wall decoration? A high price-tag? A certain tantalizing je ne sais quoi that however hard you try you can’t quite pin down? The McLaren 720S has all these in abundance and is the definitive supercar of 2017, a hugely impressive feat given the competition from the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini.

Advertisement - Article continues below

But behind all the supercar essentials the McLaren also brings a level of everyday usability that’s, quite frankly, astonishing. How is it that it has a near-perfect driving position and the sort of visibility that puts a BMW 3-series to shame? And it rides better than many luxury GTs and doesn’t have an engine that’ll leave your ears in tatters after a cruise up the motorway. So, is it really a supercar… aren’t they meant to be no compromise, balls out road racers?

> Click here for our full review of the McLaren 720S

That’s the thing about the 720S, it can do that too. With 710bhp on tap it’s mind-warpingly fast and to fully appreciate its ferocity you need to switch off the traction control and feel the full effect that twin-turbocharged 4-litre V8 has on its rear Pirellis as hurls itself towards the horizon. As it repeated chases down the red-line that V8 takes on a more rabid nature as the 720S knocks off the 0-100mph dash in less than six seconds.

As you’d expect from a McLaren it’s dynamically brilliant and has the sort of looks that will make owners Instagram stars every time they manoeuvre their cars out of the garage. It’s ruthlessly high-tech and modern yet doesn’t slavishly follow the normal supercar conventions. It’s a dramatic-looking car, perhaps not one you immediately fall for, but one which you grow to love over time as you absorb its detailing and high-tech cockpit.

That McLaren Automotive has been able to achieve all this in a scant six years is nothing short of incredible. From Johnny come lately to best in class, especially when you consider the class contains some of the brightest ever pupils is nothing short of sensational.

Highly commended:

Ferrari 488 GTB: for its stunning lag-free V8, balanced chassis, monumental pace and everyday usability.

Lamborghini Huracán Performante: for its naturally aspirated V10, shattering soundtrack, high limits and chassis poise.

evo cars of the year

Supermini: Peugeot 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport

Hot hatch: Honda Civic Type R

Sports saloon: Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce

Supersaloon: Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Sports car: Lotus Elise Sport 220

Coupe: BMW M4 Competition Pack

SUV: Porsche Macan GTS

GT: Bentley Continental GT

Supercar: McLaren 720S

Hypercar: Bugatti Chiron

Car of the year: McLaren 720S

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

McLaren adds ex-Ferrari boss to its team following reshuffle
McLaren Artura Spider
News

McLaren adds ex-Ferrari boss to its team following reshuffle

Former Ferrari Chairman Luca Montezemolo joins McLaren to spearhead growth under new owners
30 Jun 2025
McLaren V10 hypercar will race Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin at Le Mans
McLaren Le Mans hypercar
News

McLaren V10 hypercar will race Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin at Le Mans

After years of speculation, McLaren has finally teased its top-level hypercar that will race at Le Mans in 2027
11 Apr 2025
McLaren saved in Forseven merger and EVs are part of the plan
McLaren merger
News

McLaren saved in Forseven merger and EVs are part of the plan

Under new ownership, McLaren and Forseven are merging to create McLaren Group Holdings, with EVs and SUVs expected to join Woking's supercars in the l…
3 Apr 2025
McLaren 750S replacement to get detuned W1 hypercar hybrid V8
MCLaren W1
News

McLaren 750S replacement to get detuned W1 hypercar hybrid V8

McLaren has confirmed that the all-new hybrid V8 it’s developed for the W1 will live on beyond the run of 399 hypercars, powering future McLaren super…
26 Feb 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI
Cheap sports cars
Best cars

Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI

With the sun shining and fuel prices palatable, now is the time to indulge your used sports car desires
1 Jul 2025
New 2026 Ferrari Amalfi revealed – physical buttons return in the 631bhp Roma replacement
Ferrari Amalfi front
News

New 2026 Ferrari Amalfi revealed – physical buttons return in the 631bhp Roma replacement

The Ferrari Amalfi picks up where the Roma left off, as a more capable, debugged super GT that’s finally brought back buttons
1 Jul 2025
Can Lotus survive its latest crisis?
Lotus factory
Opinion

Can Lotus survive its latest crisis?

Lotus’s latest troubles are grabbing headlines, but the writing’s been on the wall for some time.
28 Jun 2025