McLaren 570S vs 720S — What's the Difference?

On the surface the McLaren 570S and 720S look like variations on a theme — mid-engined British supercars with dihedral doors, carbon fiber tubs, and twin-turbocharged V8 engines. But spend any time with both cars and the differences become significant. They occupy different positions in McLaren's lineup, attract different types of owner, and deliver meaningfully different driving experiences.

This guide breaks down exactly how the two cars compare — and what that means when you're shopping for aftermarket parts for either one.

The Basics — Where They Sit in McLaren's Lineup

The 570S belongs to McLaren's Sports Series — the entry point into the McLaren ownership experience. It was designed to be approachable, usable every day, and accessible to drivers who are stepping into a McLaren for the first time. That doesn't mean slow or compromised — the 570S is a genuinely rapid car by any objective measure — but it was engineered with liveability as part of the brief.

The 720S sits in the Super Series — McLaren's core performance tier, above the Sports Series and below the Ultimate Series cars like the P1 and Senna. The 720S was designed from the outset to be a more extreme machine. More power, more sophisticated aerodynamics, more focused dynamics. It is not an evolution of the 650S it replaced so much as a ground-up reimagining of what a McLaren Super Series car should be.

Performance

The 570S is powered by a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 562bhp and 443lb-ft of torque. It will cover 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 204mph. These are extraordinary numbers for a road car and ones that embarrass most machinery you'll encounter on road or track.

The 720S uses a heavily revised version of the same basic engine architecture, but in 4.0-litre form producing 710bhp and 568lb-ft of torque. The result is 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds, 0-124mph in 7.8 seconds, and a 212mph top speed. The extra performance isn't just felt in straight-line speed — it transforms the character of the car entirely, particularly in the mid-range where the 720S delivers acceleration that feels genuinely shocking even after repeated exposure.

Design and Aerodynamics

This is where the two cars diverge most visibly. The 570S has a cleaner, more conventional supercar silhouette — attractive and purposeful, but without the visual drama of the car above it in the range.

The 720S is a more complex and striking design. The dihedral doors feature integrated front wing vents that channel air through the door structure rather than around it — a solution that is uniquely McLaren and immediately distinguishes the 720S from every other car on the road. The rear features an active wing system that deploys automatically under braking and at speed, providing downforce management that the 570S's fixed rear spoiler cannot match.

The aerodynamic differences between the two cars are genuine and measurable — the 720S generates significantly more downforce than the 570S at equivalent speeds, which directly contributes to its more confident high-speed stability and shorter braking distances.

Interior and Usability

The 570S interior is more conventional than the 720S and generally regarded as the more liveable daily environment. The driving position is excellent, the infotainment system is straightforward, and the car's overall refinement makes it genuinely comfortable for longer journeys in a way that few cars of its performance level can claim.

The 720S raises the drama inside as well as outside. The instrument binnacle folds flat at the touch of a button to reveal an unobstructed view through the windscreen — a theatre-first design decision that encapsulates the 720S's character perfectly. The cabin is more focused and more exciting but also slightly less relaxed as a result.

Aftermarket Parts — What's Different Between the Two?

This is important for buyers. Despite sharing the same basic engine architecture and McLaren's carbon fiber MonoCell tub, the 570S and 720S have entirely different exterior body structures. Their bumpers, doors, body panels, side skirts, diffusers, and aero components are not interchangeable.

The 720S's more complex aerodynamic surfaces — particularly around the front end and the door vent area — mean that aftermarket body parts for the 720S are more technically demanding to produce and fit than equivalent parts for the 570S. The tolerances are tighter and the geometry is more complex.

When shopping for McLaren aftermarket parts it is critical to verify that parts are listed specifically for your model. A part listed for the McLaren Sports Series that doesn't specify 570S or 720S compatibility individually should be treated with caution.

At Velocity Car Parts our McLaren listings are always specific to the model they fit. Browse the McLaren 570S collection and the McLaren 720S collection and shop with complete confidence in the fitment.

Which One Should You Build?

If you own a 570S, embrace what it is — a supremely capable, beautifully balanced sports car that rewards a thoughtful approach to upgrading. Aero enhancements, exhaust upgrades, and carbon fiber detailing all work beautifully on the 570S's cleaner design.

If you own a 720S, you have one of the most aerodynamically sophisticated road cars ever produced as your starting point. Aftermarket upgrades should respect that engineering foundation — enhancing what's already there rather than fighting against it.

Either way, both cars deserve parts sourced with the same precision they were built with.