McLaren 720S: Engineering Theatre Without the Excess Drama

Where some rivals lean on visual aggression to signal performance, this car's party trick is doing everything with unnerving, almost understated precision.

Illustration for editorial purposes

A Supercar That Doesn't Need to Shout

Plenty of cars in this category rely on aggressive styling to announce their intent before you've even started the engine. This one takes a quieter approach, letting the numbers and the driving experience do the talking instead.

Generations at a Glance

The Carbon Monocage That Sets It Apart

A 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 710 horsepower, propelling the car from 0-62mph in under three seconds and on to a top speed exceeding 210mph. Its carbon-fibre "Monocage" chassis, a McLaren signature since the brand's road-car renaissance, gives it a strength-to-weight ratio that few rivals can match at any price. Distinctive double-skin "eye socket" headlights integrate cooling ducts directly into the lighting units, a solution that's as functional as it is visually distinctive — the overall shape prioritises airflow management over visual drama, resulting in a car that looks fast without needing exaggerated wings or vents to prove it.

Common Problems and Recalls Worth Knowing

The 720S has attracted several safety recalls worth understanding before buying used. Cars from the 2016-2020 model years were recalled over a foam pad beneath the fuel tank that can trap moisture and corrode the tank itself, raising a genuine fire risk if left unaddressed — if a used example ever smells faintly of fuel after being parked, that's the first thing worth checking. Separately, some 2019-2020 cars were recalled for a missing hole in the brake assembly's banjo bolt that could cause brake failure at one corner, and in 2025 McLaren recalled the 720S alongside the 600LT, Artura, GT and GTS for incorrectly routed brake lines that could cause a rear wheel to lock unexpectedly. None of these are common failure modes in day-to-day ownership, but confirming a used car's recall history has been fully actioned is a genuinely essential step before purchase — McLaren's low production volumes make individual recalls rarer than at a mainstream manufacturer, but no less important to verify.

How Much Does a McLaren 720S Cost in 2026?

As a car now out of production, replaced by newer models in McLaren's lineup, well-maintained examples have begun to see growing collector interest, particularly lower-mileage cars in desirable specifications and colours. Special editions carry a further premium — the 50-unit Le Mans commemorative edition, marking the 25th anniversary of the 1995 win covered on our F1 page, launched at £254,500 against the standard car's roughly £208,600 starting price. As with most modern supercars, a full, documented service history and confirmation that any relevant recalls have been completed matter enormously to resale value on a car this technically complex.

Watch & Explore

More McLaren Icons

• McLaren F1 Overview — Classic Icon
• McLaren Artura Overview — Modern Icon
• McLaren W1 Overview — Modern Icon

Sources: evo, McLaren press materials.