McLaren 540C Unveiled in Shanghai With 533 HP

The second car in the McLaren Sport Series has been unveiled in China.

Joining the McLaren 570S, that made its debut at the 2015 New York Auto Show, the British automaker has pulled the wraps off the 540C at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show.

As the second model in the McLaren Sport Series, it looks quite similar to the 570S and will be available globally starting early next year. Just like other vehicles in the company’s lineup, the McLaren 540C is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine but this particular entry-level model has 533 hp (540 PS) and 398 lb-ft of torque (540 Nm). The powerplant is mated to a seven-speed seamless shift gearbox (SSG) and accelerates to 62 mph from a standstill in just 3.5 seconds. Just like the 570S, the 540C features the company’s carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis that helps it obtain a dry weight as low as 2,890 lbs.

SEE ALSO: McLaren 570S is Here to Hunt Porsches

To set it apart from the 570S, McLaren did give the 540C some subtle changes to the aerodynamic and a dedicated wheel design. Located below the front bumper are unique aero blades, while the rear sees a diffuser sitting between the twin exhausts, which exit below the rear bumper. The 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) wheels are available in silver or stealth finish and are paired with Pirelli P Zero tires. Newly-developed suspension includes front and rear anti-rollbars with Formula 1-style dual wishbones and independent adaptive dampers.

On the inside, McLaren put a focus on space and ergonomics, especially considering the 540C will be the brand’s entry-level model and geared more towards daily driving. Leather upholstery outfits the seats, dash and lower doors as standard while the “floating” center console houses a seven-inch IRIS touchscreen.

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