Skip to main content

2015 McLaren 650S Sprint promises to be less backbreaking than the hardcore GT3

Apparently taking a page from rivals Porsche and Ferrari, McLaren is doing a lot with a little.

The British carmaker may only produce two cars at the moment (at least until P1 deliveries finish), but it keeps making new permutations of its 650S, from the mildly-tweaked MSO versions to the race-ready 650S GT3.

This latest creation is somewhere in the middle. Debuting at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concour d’Elegance, the McLaren 650S Sprint is a less-extreme race car that (affluent) civilians can buy.

Aeesthetically, the Sprint benefits from revised air intakes and a big rear spoiler. They also help with engine cooling and downforce, respectively, but their primary impact is definitely cool factor. Ditto the racing-style graphics, which feature an inverted version of the color scheme from the 650S GT3.

The interior isn’t quite bare, but it’s pretty darn close. It features an FIA-approved roll cage, carbon-fiber seat with six-point harness, and an integrated fir extinguisher.

RELATED: 2015 McLaren 650S Review

The whole car also sits lower to the ground than a stock 650S, and rides on 19-inch center-lock wheels. An integrated air jacking system makes tire changes especially quick.

McLaren says the 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission have been re-calibrated, but it hasn’t disclosed any power or performance figures. Even the stock 650S’ 493 horsepower should be plenty in this lightened track toy, though.

All of that will cost 198,000 pounds, or about $248,294 at current exchange rates. That’s a bargain compared to the $561,000 base price of a 650S GT3, and the Sprint will probably be easier on your back too.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Trump administration prepares to end Biden’s EV tax incentive, report says
president biden drives 2022 ford f 150 lightning electric pickup truck prototype visits rouge vehicle center

If you’re looking to buy or lease an electric vehicle (EV) and benefit from the Biden administration’s $7,500 tax incentive, you’d better act soon.

The transition team of the incoming Trump administration is already planning to end the credit, according to a report from Reuters citing sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Read more
Kia EV4: everything we know so far
Kia EV4 Front

Kia is continuing to expand its electric car lineup. The EV6 and EV9 have both been out for some time now, and the company is in the middle of rolling out the EV3 in Europe, with a North American release expected next year. After that, it's likely the company will turn to the EV5. But what about after that? Well, that could be where the Kia EV4 comes in.

Kia announced a concept version of the EV4 at its EV Day in 2023, showing off a futuristic-looking hatchback that's seemingly a little smaller than the EV6, but keeps many design elements. Since then, Kia has confirmed very few details about it, though we have seen it shown off at other automotive events. Here's everything we know about the Kia EV4 so far.
Kia EV4 design
The Kia EV4, or at least the concept version of it, is smaller than the EV6, and much smaller than the EV9. It's actually closer in size to a sedan than anything else, though with its open trunk, it could be considered a hatchback. Regardless, it certainly blurs the line between the two. So much so, that in recent months we've actually seen a full hatchback version of the EV4 being tested -- and it's possible that Kia is pivoting the design of the EV4 entirely to be a hatch, or will be releasing both hatchback and sedan versions.

Read more
Hertz is selling used Teslas for under $20K, Chevrolet Bolt EVs under $14K
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently nixed hopes of a regular Tesla model ever selling for $25,000.

But he was talking about new models. For car rental company Hertz, the race to sell used Teslas and other EVs at ever-lower prices is not only still on but accelerating.

Read more