McLaren 570S — The Complete Build Guide

The McLaren 570S is the car that opened McLaren ownership to a wider audience than any model before it. When it arrived in 2015 as the first Sports Series McLaren it offered the essential McLaren experience — the carbon fiber MonoCell tub, the twin-turbocharged V8, the dihedral doors, the mid-engine handling balance — at a price point that made it accessible to enthusiasts who couldn't stretch to the 650S or 675LT above it in the range.

The result was McLaren's most successful model and one of the most celebrated sports cars of its generation. The 570S's combination of everyday usability, genuine supercar performance, and a driving experience that rewards skill and commitment in equal measure created a car with an enthusiast following that continues to grow as values settle into the used market and the aftermarket matures around the platform.

This guide covers the complete build path for the McLaren 570S — every modification category, in the right order, with the detail needed to make informed decisions at each stage.

Understanding the 570S as a Platform

The McLaren 570S is built on McLaren's MonoCell II carbon fiber tub — a structure that provides an exceptional foundation for performance in terms of rigidity, weight, and safety. The twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 producing 562bhp sits behind the driver in a mid-engine configuration that gives the 570S its characteristic handling balance — neutral, adjustable, and communicative in a way that front-engine cars cannot replicate.

The 570S was produced from 2015 to 2021 alongside the 570GT — a more grand-touring-oriented variant with different rear bodywork and additional luggage space — and preceded the 600LT, which represented the factory's most extreme Sports Series development. Understanding where the 570S sits in this family is important for aftermarket buyers — the 570S, 570GT, and 600LT share significant mechanical architecture but have different body structures that affect exterior parts compatibility.

The 570S coupe and 570S Spider share the same front bumper and most exterior body geometry but differ in roof structure and rear body configuration. Always verify your body style when ordering exterior components.

Stage One — Foundation and Safety

Before any aftermarket modification, the 570S's foundation needs to be properly established. For a newly acquired used 570S this means a thorough mechanical inspection by a McLaren specialist — checking the V8 for any signs of oil consumption or coolant issues, inspecting the hydraulic folding roof mechanism on Spider variants, verifying the condition of the carbon ceramic brakes, and ensuring the DCT gearbox is operating correctly.

Fresh brake fluid, new high-temperature brake pads if track use is planned, and a complete fluid service are the foundation of any 570S build. The 570S's carbon ceramic brakes are excellent but require specific brake fluid and pad compounds — using incorrect specification products creates problems that are expensive to resolve.

Paint protection film on the front bumper, bonnet leading edge, and mirror caps is the first investment for any 570S that will be driven regularly. The 570S's front end is low and aggressive — stone chip exposure is significant on normal roads and the cost of repairing paint damage on a McLaren's complex body panels is substantial.

Stage Two — Exhaust Upgrades

The exhaust upgrade is typically the first performance modification on any 570S build — and for good reason. The factory V8's acoustic character is significantly more impressive than the standard exhaust system reveals, and the transformation from a quality aftermarket system is immediate and dramatic.

A valved cat-back exhaust system is the right starting point for most 570S owners. In closed mode it remains quiet enough for residential areas and everyday driving. In open mode the twin-turbocharged V8 reveals a character that the factory system's noise regulation compromises prevent — more present, more intense, and with a turbo-related acoustic signature that is distinctively McLaren.

High-flow sports cat downpipes take the 570S's exhaust upgrade further — removing the primary restriction from the V8's exhaust path and delivering meaningful performance gains alongside the improved sound. Combined with a supporting ECU remap, downpipes on the 570S V8 deliver power gains that transform what is already a rapid car into something significantly more urgent in its responses and acceleration.

The 570S's side-exit exhaust system — unlike the 600LT's top-exit arrangement — creates a specific installation geometry that requires professional fitting. The exhaust routing through the 570S's rear bodywork is tight and the installation requires specialist knowledge to execute correctly.

Stage Three — Carbon Fiber Aero

The 570S's clean, flowing body is one of the most rewarding canvases in the current aftermarket scene for carbon fiber aero upgrades. Unlike the 600LT — which arrives with an extensive factory aero package — the 570S's standard aero specification is relatively modest, leaving significant room for aftermarket enhancement that genuinely transforms the car's visual and aerodynamic character.

Front splitter — the most impactful single visual upgrade on the 570S. The factory front bumper's lower section is clean and purposeful but relatively understated. A carbon fiber front splitter extension transforms the front end completely — adding visual mass to the lower bumper, generating front downforce, and giving the car a more aggressive, planted stance from every angle. The 570S's wide, low front end means a well-fitted splitter has a proportionally large visual impact.

Look for 570S-specific splitter designs developed from accurate measurements of the production car rather than adapted from other McLaren models. The 570S's front bumper geometry differs from the 600LT and 720S — generic McLaren Sports Series listings without model-specific fitment verification should be avoided.

Carbon fiber canards are a natural companion to the front splitter on the 570S. Small vertical carbon fins mounted at the outer edges of the front bumper generate additional front downforce and create a visual reference to the GT4 racing car that McLaren developed from the 570S platform. Canards work best when integrated with a splitter rather than fitted alone — the combined aero effect of splitter plus canards creates a more complete front downforce package than either element delivers individually.

Carbon fiber side skirts connect the front and rear aero elements cohesively on the 570S's longer Sports Series body. The 570S's flanks — with their prominent side intakes and flowing body surfaces — respond well to carbon skirt additions that follow the factory sill line and visually lower the car's stance. Quality 570S side skirts are designed around the car's side intake geometry to avoid restricting airflow to the V8's cooling system.

Carbon fiber rear diffuser transforms the 570S's rear end. The factory diffuser is functional but visually underwhelming compared to the car's front end presence. A carbon replacement adds visual depth and race-derived detailing that better reflects the car's performance credentials. The 570S's twin-exit exhaust arrangement creates a natural visual symmetry that carbon diffuser designs exploit well — the combination of carbon diffuser and quality exhaust tips creates a rear end treatment that looks genuinely purposeful.

Carbon fiber rear wing is the most dramatic single visual upgrade available for the 570S. The factory rear wing is modest — a fixed unit that is deliberately understated to keep the car's visual profile clean. Aftermarket fixed rear wings in carbon fiber transform the 570S's rear profile into something that references the GT4's more aggressive aerodynamic specification directly. Fixed rear wings are available in configurations ranging from subtle blade spoilers on carbon end plates to full GT-inspired units with significant chord and downforce.

For owners building a comprehensive aero package, buying all aero components from the same manufacturer ensures visual consistency — the design language across front, side, and rear elements is cohesive rather than a mix of competing styles.

Stage Four — Suspension and Geometry

The 570S's factory suspension is competent but calibrated for broad appeal rather than maximum performance. It uses McLaren's Proactive Chassis Control hydraulic suspension system — a sophisticated unit that actively manages body movement but that reaches its performance limits more quickly than a dedicated track-focused setup.

For road-focused 570S owners the factory suspension is difficult to improve upon significantly in everyday use — its sophistication and the quality of McLaren's setup means it delivers an excellent road-going experience that aftermarket alternatives struggle to match for comfort and compliance.

For track-focused 570S builds, coilover conversion options from specialist manufacturers with 570S-specific development programs are available. These replace the factory hydraulic system with conventional spring and damper units that provide the consistency and adjustability the factory system cannot maintain over multiple hard track sessions. The ride quality on a track coilover setup is firmer than the factory system — appropriate for circuit use but less comfortable on road.

Geometry setup is particularly important on the 570S. The car's mid-engine layout means suspension geometry changes have a more direct effect on handling balance than on front or rear-engine cars. A specialist geometry setup with platform-specific knowledge — appropriate camber settings for the 570S's weight distribution, correct toe for the intended use — delivers handling improvements that rival hardware changes. Always book a geometry setup as part of any suspension modification on this car.

Stage Five — Wheels and Tyres

The 570S's McLaren-specific bolt pattern limits aftermarket wheel options compared to more mainstream performance cars. However the range of McLaren-specific aftermarket wheels available has expanded significantly as the Sports Series platform has matured — from lightweight forged aluminium options to carbon fiber wheels for the most serious performance applications.

For track-focused 570S builds, a dedicated set of track wheels fitted with a semi-slick or track tyre compound is the most impactful performance modification available after exhaust and tune work. The 570S's mid-engine handling balance responds exceptionally well to the additional grip of a proper track tyre — the car's natural balance and the V8's power delivery can be exploited more fully with rubber that can use the available downforce effectively.

For road-focused builds where appearance is the primary consideration, aftermarket wheel designs in appropriate McLaren-specific fitment are available in styles ranging from clean multi-spoke designs that suit the 570S's elegant body to more aggressive deep-dish designs that suit a more heavily aero-modified build direction.

Stage Six — Power Upgrades

With the foundation, exhaust, aero, and suspension development complete, power upgrades are the final stage of a comprehensive 570S build. As covered in our exhaust section, downpipes and an ECU remap are the primary performance upgrade combination — delivering 80–120bhp over standard on a well-executed tune with appropriate supporting modifications.

Beyond downpipes and remap, intake upgrades — cold air intake systems that replace the factory airbox with a less restrictive unit — contribute to the complete engine breathing package and deliver a more direct V8 induction sound alongside modest additional power gains.

For 570S owners targeting the highest power levels — builds aiming at 700bhp and above — upgraded turbocharger hardware is available for the M838T V8 from specialist McLaren performance tuners. These builds require significantly more extensive supporting modification than a standard tune and are the territory of dedicated performance specialists rather than general aftermarket suppliers.

Stage Seven — Interior Upgrades

The 570S's interior is a well-designed, driver-focused environment that benefits from carbon fiber detailing in a way that enhances its existing character without altering it fundamentally. Carbon fiber dashboard inserts, door card panels, centre console trim, and seat back panels are all available for the 570S and create a more comprehensively carbon-trimmed cabin that suits the car's performance specification.

For 570S owners who want to reduce interior weight — relevant for track-focused builds — removing the standard audio system, replacing the standard seats with lighter fixed-back bucket seats, and stripping non-essential interior trim items delivers meaningful weight reduction from a car that is already lighter than most of its competition.

Buying 570S Parts — Key Considerations

The 570S was produced across a relatively long production run with minor specification updates between model years. Front bumper geometry, side intake configuration, and rear body details are consistent across the production run — but always verify your specific production year when ordering parts, as minor changes can affect fitment in some categories.

The 570S Spider's different roof structure affects rear body geometry — certain rear aero components are Spider-specific and will not fit the coupe correctly. Always specify your body style alongside your model when ordering exterior parts.

At Velocity Car Parts all McLaren 570S parts are verified for 570S-specific fitment across coupe and Spider body styles and backed by our fitment guarantee. Browse our full McLaren 570S collection and build your 570S with confidence.