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Second-gen McLaren Super Series gets new 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8

The second-generation McLaren Super Series will depart from its predecessor in one major way.

Since McLaren began producing cars in volume, every model it’s made has used some variation of the same 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8. This engine has powered every modern McLaren, from the “entry-level” Sports Series models to the P1 hybrid hypercar. But it won’t power the new Super Series.

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That’s because this new supercar, which debuts next month at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, will have an all-new 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8. In addition to having slightly more displacement than outgoing V8, the new engine, code-named M840T, will feature a new turbocharger design. The new twin-scroll turbos will be able to spool up faster than previous designs, McLaren says. That will cut down on dreaded “turbo lag” and make the engine more responsive to throttle inputs.

For now, McLaren won’t say how much power the M840T engine produces. The first version of the Super Series is expected to carry the 720S name which, based on the company’s naming practices, should mean it will have 720 metric horsepower (a U.S. horsepower rating would be slightly lower). McLaren claims the V8 will propel the Super Series from 0 to 124 mph in 7.8 seconds, and through the standing quarter mile in 10.3 seconds.

Besides the new engine, the second-generation Super Series will be based on a new body structure called Monocage II. The company expects the carbon-fiber-intensive design to cut just under 40 pounds of weight compared to the current 650S, which the new Super Series will replace. McLaren is targeting a dry curb weight of 2,828 pounds. It also expects the new chassis to provide a lower center of gravity, better outward visibility, and easier ingress and egress than its predecessor.

Between the M840T engine and Monocage II body structure, McLaren seems to have the makings of an impressive new supercar. But we won’t know for sure until the new Super Series debuts at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show March 7. Stay tuned.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
The week in EV tech: From sky-high dreams to ground-level drama
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Welcome to Digital Trends’ weekly recap of the revolutionary technology powering, connecting, and now driving next-gen electric vehicles. 
Buckle up, folks — this week we’re taking off with a look at the futuristic dream of flying electric cars possibly gliding above U.S. roads sooner than you think. But before we get carried away, let’s bring it back down to the bumpy road of present-day realities.
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Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  (NHTSA) launched an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD. Big questions remain about the driver-assist system's performance under adverse, yet naturally-occurring conditions such as fog, sun glare, rain, and snow.
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It didn’t help that the Trump administration followed Musk’s recommendations and relaxed crash-reporting requirements put in place since 2021, while also relaxing rules to accelerate the deployment of fully-automated robotaxis.
The Trump/Musk clash takes place just as Tesla is due to launch its robotaxi pilot progam in Texas later this month. While Trump is now threatening to pull billions of dollars in government subsidies and contracts from Musk’s companies, it’s unclear whether he might pressure the Department of Transportation to again tighten the regulatory screws on Tesla. What is clear is that Trump has never been a fan of electric vehicles and is already trying to end federal subsidies on EV purchases and leases. And while he had made a big deal about buying a bright red Tesla Model S back in March, Trump now says he wants to sell it.
Back to the tech
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We’ll have to wait and see.
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But while the buzz around flying electric vehicles has mostly focused on air taxis— like Archer Aviation’s Midnight, expected to fly athletes around the 2028 LA Olympics, or Joby’s slick air taxi, backed by Toyota — one California startup is shooting for something a little more... driveable.
Meet Alef Aeronautics, a Bay Area company that wants to put the “car” back in “flying car.” This week, Alef announced it has received over 3,400 pre-orders for its electric flying vehicle, the Model A — and get this: it’s not a futuristic prototype gathering dust in a lab. Alef says production could begin by the end of 2025, or early next year.
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The Model A has already received the nod from regulators for test flights.
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iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 shown on devices.

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Silver Tesla Model Y Juniper side

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