Skip advert
Advertisement

New entry-level McLaren 540C revealed in China

Most basic McLaren sports car gets 533bhp and will do 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds. The 540C is priced from £126k

A new entry-level McLaren 540C has been unveiled at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show, undercutting the recently revealed 570S in the brand’s Sports Series range. 

The 540C can be pre-ordered now, with first deliveries early next year. Prices start from £126,000 – putting it in direct competition with the Porsche 911 Turbo, Audi R8 V10 and Mercedes AMG-GT S

Advertisement - Article continues below

Billed as “the most attainable McLaren yet”, the 540C is the fourth new McLaren to be launched this year, continuing the British manufacturer’s intense model onslaught. It’ll share its platform with the £143,250 570S, using the same carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis and aluminium body panels. 

The 540C gets a subtly revised aerodynamic package and a new alloy wheel design to separate it from the 570S. The 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) wheels are shod in Pirelli P Zero rubber and have been developed specifically for the McLaren Sports Series models. The dampers have been tweaked to offer a more comfortable ride, but retain the familiar Normal, Sport and Track modes for greater engagement when desired. 

All 540C models feature unique aero blades below the front bumper, which channel air through the bodywork and over the bonnet towards the rear of the car. Like the 570S, the 540C uses the same mid-engine rear-wheel-drive configuration, applying power through a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox.

Despite this being the cheapest McLaren ever, the performance stats don’t disappoint. The 0-62mph sprint takes just 3.5 seconds, while 0-124mph is covered in 10.5 seconds. It’ll keep accelerating right up to 199mph, and is said to do 25.5mpg with a light right foot.

McLaren says the 540C has been designed with a “focus on space and ergonomics, offering great outward visibility and interior space.” All cars get leather upholstery on the seats, dash and lower doors, with a seven-inch touchscreen display on the centre console. DAB radio, sat-nav and Bluetooth are also on the standard kit list.

Find out more about the cars of the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show on our hub page 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the our team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

McLaren lifts the lid on how its future road cars will look
McLaren design sketches
News

McLaren lifts the lid on how its future road cars will look

With plans to enter new segments and all-electric power on the horizon, McLaren has reaffirmed its design strategy
27 Mar 2024
New McLaren Solus GT features a 829bhp V10
McLaren Solus GT at Goodwood Festival of Speed - front
News

New McLaren Solus GT features a 829bhp V10

McLaren has turned its Gran Turismo concept car into a reality
13 Jul 2023
Chinese car brand HiPhi is coming to the UK
HiPhi Y Shanghai - front
News

Chinese car brand HiPhi is coming to the UK

Chinese EV start-up HiPhi will sell cars in Europe by the end of 2023, with right-hand drive models for the UK set to follow
19 Apr 2023
New Toyota bZ3 electric saloon makes Shanghai Auto Show debut
Toyota bZ3 saloon Shanghai - front
News

New Toyota bZ3 electric saloon makes Shanghai Auto Show debut

The bZ3 will share plenty of parts with Toyota’s bZ4X SUV
19 Apr 2023

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024