McLaren 570S review - Interior, design and technology
The McLaren’s swoopy styling says everything you need to know about its awesome performance
The 570S is undoubtedly a pretty car, and easily as eye-catching as any Porsche 911 or Audi R8. It is possibly a little less flamboyant than a Ferrari 488 GTB or Lamborghini Huracan, although with the 570S, McLaren clearly responded to criticism that its older models were a little too anodyne for some customers. The whole car is swoopier, and the back end especially has much more appeal from a design perspective.
Although from many angles it looks a lot like the 650S – which was the Super Series model that preceeded the current 720S – the 570S Sport Series was launched with a totally unique body made from aluminium. The metal panels are cheaper to produce and to repair than the composite items featured on the 650S. As you’d expect from McLaren, it’s not just any old aluminium, though. Many of the panels are shaped by a process called superforming, using heat and pressure to create complex curves that are no heavier than their composite equivalents.
The 570S also has a cabin that’s considerably upgraded over older models, with easier access over lower sills – although you still get the wacky dihedral doors that pivot upwards from the front – and various oddment storage areas including small door bins. Build quality is very good, and there’s a luxurious feel with high quality leather and Alcantara dominating.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
McLaren has always made a big deal of its ‘driving first’ philosophy, and that purity of purpose is reflected in a steering wheel that’s refreshingly free of stereo controls, or drive mode selectors. There’s a binnacle ahead of the driver with a big central rev-counter dial and a digital speed readout, flanked by displays offering other essential driving info.
Sat-nav, smartphone connectivity, infotainment and climate control are taken care of by McLaren’s IRIS system, with its portrait-orientated touchscreen at the centre of the dash. It’s a bespoke system, and much easier to use than older versions thanks to more intuitive menus and shortcuts on the home screen. It’s still a little fiddly, however, and not as comprehensive as the setup in some rivals.
Standard sounds are provided by a four-speaker stereo, but there are a couple of upgrade options including a 1,280-watt system by Bowers and Wilkins.
