The McLaren 540C Coupe is currently celebrating its world debut at the ongoing Shanghai Motor Show 2015. Created as the British marque’s entry-level model, the 540C Coupe aims to directly rival the potent Porsche 911 Turbo. What that in mind, we just had to check it out up close and personal.
Underneath, the McLaren 540C is virtually the same as the 570S Coupe. It gets the same carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis and the same mid-mounted 3.8 litre V8. As the name suggests, the engine has been down tuned further to generate 540 PS at 7,500 rpm and 540 Nm of torque between 3,500 and 6,500 rpm. Performance figures from 0-100 km/h are 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 320km/h (199mph).
Dry weight is 1,311 kg (2,890lbs) thanks to aluminium body panels. Economy is another proud feather in the McLaren 540C cap with a claimed 25.5 mpg on the EU combined cycle and emissions of just 258 g/km. Power is routed to the rear wheels through a seven-speed seamless shift gearbox.

To differentiate the 540C from the 570S Coupe, McLaren fit unique aero blades below the front bumper and a unique diffuser which sits between the twin exhausts. The Sports Series Coupé also gets dihedral doors which include the floating door tendon. Finally, the 540C Coupe is fitted with distinctive new cast alloy wheels, available with silver or stealth finish, measuring 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear.
For more about the McLaren 540C, be sure to check out our previous post. For more from the Shanghai Motor Show 2015, see our dedicated news channel.
