Skip to main content

McLaren confirms ‘pure’ Sport Series model positioned below 650S

McLaren’s upcoming entry-level sports car has a name, but it’s not the 500S or P13.

The 911-fighting speedster will be called the Sports Series, and although the brand is mum on details at the moment, previous reports have indicated the car will feature a detuned version of the 650S’ twin-turbo V8 making around 500 horsepower.

Expect more details to be coming shortly, as McLaren has launched a new series of teaser ads for the Sports Series dubbed ‘Black Swan Moments.’

The ad is somewhat cryptic, but it does sound a lot more sophisticated than ‘Black Sheep’ would have. I doubt the British brand wanted a carbon fiber “pure McLaren” sports car to be associated with Chris Farley.

The film starts with the allegory of the black swan, a rare, oft misunderstood-creature that changed the perception of the world when they were discovered in 1697.

“People once thought that all swans were white,” the narrator says. “Sometimes, things are not always as we believe them to be.”

“The black swan became a symbol of a moment that challenges beliefs and turns thinking upside down,” the narrator continues. “Challenging beliefs is an ethos we’ve lived by for over 50 years. Maybe it’s time we did it again.”

The Sports Series will make its global premiere in early 2015, making it the company’s four new model in as many years.

Part of the reason for McLaren’s rapid output is that most of its vehicles share major components, the engine for example. The 650S, P1, and 12C all use the 3.8-liter M838T engine in some state of tune (or hybrid status), so it’s a no-brainer than the Sport Series will as well.

Pricing is expected to stay well below the $265,500 base price of the 650S, so bet on the Sport Series costing around $200,000.

Stay tuned for more of McLaren’s 13-part ‘Black Swan Moments’ series.

Editors' Recommendations

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more
Cybertruck production reportedly halted over pedal issue
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck. Tesla

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been hit by a production delay caused by an issue with a part of the vehicle, a number of media reports have claimed.

Read more
Don’t let the gimmicks fool you. The Ioniq 5 N is a serious track car
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N drifting.

We’re finally getting to the fun part of automakers’ methodical quest to replicate their lineups with electric cars.

Performance versions of ordinary cars have been a staple of the auto industry for decades. But while we’ve already seen some variants of EVs boasting more power and more impressive stats — think Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire — the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the first to truly apply that format to an EV.

Read more