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

By Stephen Edelstein Published August 11, 2014

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.

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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