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    Europe-Only Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT Makes Fake Exhaust Sounds

    The Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT is the first electric car to be modified by Shelby American, and only 100 units will be available exclusively in Europe.Changes include a carbon fiber hood, grille, and front splitter along with forged aluminum wheels and new springs that lower the crossover by over an inch.Shelby American also added the Borla Active Performance Sound System, which emits internal-combustion noises that correspond with the vehicle’s speed and RPM.Carroll Shelby’s last name rose to fame thanks to V-8-powered muscle cars like the Cobra and Mustang GT500, but now Shelby American is entering a new era with its first electric car, a modified version of the Mustang Mach-E GT. The package follows a concept from the 2021 SEMA show and focuses on weight reduction and improved handling. Only 100 examples will be available, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Carroll Shelby’s birth. A Shelby for Europe OnlyStrangely, the Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT will be exclusively offered in Europe. Shelby American says the decision was based on rapidly rising EV sales and a greater number of public chargers in the Old World compared to the U.S. The package can be added to a new Mach-E GT or retrofitted to an existing vehicle, adding €24,900—the equivalent of $27,483—to the overall price. Shelby AmericanWhile the concept car wore a unique front end, the production Shelby Mach-E keeps the original design intact, but substitutes carbon fiber for the hood, grille, front splitter, mirror caps, and lower door trim in an attempt to shave off a few pounds. The company didn’t specify how much weight was saved, but the carbon elements also give the Mach-E a sinister look, accentuated by the stripe graphics running down the hood and along the side of the electric crossover. Shelby American also fitted the car with lightweight forged aluminum wheels and performance springs that lower the vehicle by over an inch. The cabin features custom Shelby-branded floor mats, while a Shelby badge on the tailgate and a serialized plaque on the dashboard serve as reminders that you bought the exclusive Shelby version of Ford’s performance EV.A Controversial EV “Exhaust”The most controversial feature of the Shelby Mach-E, however, is the Borla Active Performance Sound System. We got a taste of the system at the 2022 SEMA show, and Shelby’s new Mach-E GT is the first production vehicle to be fitted with the kit, which matches the vehicles speed and RPM with a “hyper-realistic ICE soundtrack.”The SEMA system included three options that mimicked different V-8s, and Borla had said it was working on EV-specific sounds, although Shelby didn’t specify which tones the Mach-E GT would be capable of. Shelby American describes sound as “an important visceral component to motoring for enthusiasts,” but it remains to be seen whether the car-obsessed will approve of artificial noises that are beginning to proliferate across the EV market. Shelby AmericanShelby American left the powertrain untouched, meaning the all-wheel-drive performance SUV still puts out up to 480 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque. In Car and Driver testing, a 2021 GT Performance Edition ripped to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and completed a quarter-mile run in 12.7 seconds at 101 mph. While the Shelby Mach-E GT will remain forbidden fruit for now, we hope Shelby American starts exploring the U.S. market soon and manages to eke some extra performance out of whatever EV it modifies next.More Fun EVsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

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    Mercedes Reveals EQE and EQS ‘Acceleration Increase’ Subscription Pricing

    The Mercedes-Benz EQE350 and EQS450 can gain power and reduce acceleration times via an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Available on both sedan and SUV models, the EQE350 adds 60 hp and the EQS450 adds 80 hp; their zero-to-60-mph claims also drop between 0.8 and 1.0 second. A one-time fee costs $1950 on the EQE and $2950 on the EQS, however, monthly/yearly subscriptions cost $60/$600 and $90/$900, respectively.Many people are familiar with paying a subscription fee for a gym membership or a streaming service, but most people have never paid a monthly or yearly fee to unlock increased performance from their automobile. As we detailed last November, Mercedes is introducing a new over-the-air (OTA) software update to do exactly that. Now we know exactly how much the automaker plans to charge subscribers and what options are available to them.What Does It Do?Called the “Acceleration Increase,” it can be purchased through Mercedes me Connect services. Initially, it’ll be available on the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQE350 and EQS450 for both their sedan and SUV body styles. The dual-motor EQE350 models make 288 horsepower standard, while the dual-motor EQS450 produces 355 horses out of the box. Opting for the OTA power upgrade raises the EQE’s figures by 60 to 348 horsepower and the EQS’s by 80 to 435 horsepower. Mercedes also claims the added power will lower each vehicle’s zero-to-60-mph acceleration times. The mightier EQE350 sedan and SUV are expected to hit 60 mph in 5.1 and 5.2 seconds, respectively, which are between 0.9 and 1.0 second quicker. The mightier EQS450 sedan and SUV are expected to hit 60 in 4.5 and 4.9 seconds, respectively, which are between 0.8 and 0.9 second quicker.EQE350 SUVMercedes-BenzHow Much Is It?So, what will this new-age performance upgrade cost customers? The EQE350 models can add it for $60 per month or $600 per year. The EQS450 models can add it for $90 per month or $900 per year. Most notably, however, is that Mercedes will let people avoid the potentially annoying subscription fees and instead pay a one-time fee. That price is $1950 for the EQEs and $2950 for the EQSs.Other Mercedes EQ StoriesThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

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    2024 Land Rover Defender Starts at $57,875 and Can Exceed $120K

    Land Rover released pricing for the 2024 Defender lineup.The four-cylinder Defender 90 starts at $57,875, while a new Outbound trim for the Defender 130 starts at $85,975.The 130 can be had with a new 493-hp supercharged V-8 ($118,075), with the 519-hp V-8 Defender 110 exceeding $120K.Land Rover has released pricing for the 2024 Defender lineup, ranging from the relatively inexpensive four-cylinder 90 to the much pricier V8 offerings at the top. The company is also shaking things up for the Defender 130 this year by adding a new 493-hp supercharged V-8 option. There’s also a new-for-2024 Outbound trim, which is exclusive to the 130. Like before, the Defender 90 comes standard with a 296-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Pricing increases slightly for the new year, as it now starts at $57,875. Bumping the cylinder count to six and horsepower to 395 adds an additional $12,000 to the price. JLRIf the four- and six-cylinder options don’t offer the power you want from your Defender, or you just want the grunt of a V-8, Land Rover has you covered with two options. A new 493-hp supercharged V-8 has been added to the Defender 130 lineup. It starts at $118,075. If that’s still not mighty enough, the shorter Defender 90 and 110 models both offer a 518- hp version of the supercharged V-8. This setup starts at $109,675 with the 90 and $112,975 with the 110For $600, Defender 110 customers can add the County Exterior Pack, which adds County graphics along the doors and body, illuminated treadplates with a unique County insignia, as well as a contrasting roof and tailgate.The Outbound trim is new for the 130 lineup this year. For $85,975, it’s intended to maximize storage space and is available exclusively with a five-seat configuration, forgoing the third row in the stretched Defender and offering lots of open storage behind the second row of seats. According to Land Rover, the Defender 110 with the County Exterior Pack as well as the 130 Outbound and 130 V-8 are available to order now, with the other models to follow later in 2023. Even More DefenderThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

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    2024 Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound Is a Lengthy Five-Seater

    The 2024 Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound joins the lineup with a starting price of $85,975.Despite its long wheelbase, the Outbound only seats five and replaces the rearmost side glass with panels.The regular 2024 Defender 130 adds an available 493-hp supercharged V-8, which also arrives as the Defender 110 P500.Land Rover—or should we say the recently rebranded JLR—is hard at work making the Defender SUV appeal to as many people as possible. Along with offering four-, six-, and eight-cylinder powertrains, the fancy off-roader is also available with two- and four-door body styles, including long (110) and longer (130) wheelbases. Now the 2024 Land Rover Defender family gets even bigger with the introduction of the 130 Outbound trim level as well as the expanded availability of V-8 power.Meet the Defender 130 OutboundThe thing about the Defender 130 is that it’s so long—about 16.5 feet overall—to make room for a third row of seats and commensurate cargo capacity. Well, the newly added Outbound variant only offers two rows with seating for five instead of the usual three for eight. The missing third row means there’s now nearly 50 inches of open floor space behind the second row. That open area translates to 47 cubic feet and expands to 89 cubes with the back seats stowed. A rubber floor mat that can be folded over the rear bumper for added scratch protection, extra cubbies and latch points, and (wait for it) a new cargo net are all part of the Outbound experience.JLRThe Defender 130 Outbound in these photos looks like something a Bond villain would take overlanding. However, underneath its rear side-mounted accessories is a color-matched panel that replaces the windows. It’s a unique touch that separates the Outbound from other 130 models. Paint colors are limited to Carpathian Grey, Fuji White, Eiger Gray, and Santorini Black. Land Rover also offers the latter two with a protective satin film for the princely sum of $5500.JLRA set of black 20-inch wheels mounted on Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac All-Terrain tires are standard on the Defender 130 Outbound. All-season rubber is available for no extra cost, and larger 22-inch rollers are optional too, but they cost $2400 and only come with all-seasons. Every Outbound is powered by Land Rover’s 395-hp 3.0-liter straight-six, which features an electric supercharger and a 48-volt hybrid system. The starting price for the new Outbound trim is $85,975.More V-8s and New Retro GraphicsFor 2024, more Land Rover Defenders can be equipped with a V-8. That’s because 130 models are now available with the supercharged 5.0-liter, which pumps out 493 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The engine upgrade does require customers to choose between grey or black paint colors, but it brings exclusive quad exhaust tips too. Of course, it also comes with a hefty price hike, as the V-8 version of the 130 starts at $118,075.As shown on the Defender configurator.JLRFor Defender fans who prefer the shorter 110 model, it also adds the new 493-hp V-8 option, which joins the previously available 518-hp V-8. But we’re more interested in the new County appearance pack that can be had on 2024 Defender 110s. For just $600, customers can add retro graphics as well as contrasting colors on the roof and tailgate that are inspired by the original Defender County models. We’re especially smitten when the County pack is paired with the gloss-white steel wheels.Land Rover Defenders Tested!This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

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    1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG Is Our Bring a Trailer Auction Pick of the Day

    This Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG features a 302-hp 4.3-liter V-8 under its hood.Silver paint and a black interior emphasize this eight-cylinder C-class’s sleeper status.Bidding closes on Monday, May 1, 2023.For the 2024 model year, the Mercedes-AMG C63 loses its predecessor’s V-8 engine in favor of a complex turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. On the plus side, the new C63 still accelerates like a rocket. Alas, it comes at the expense of a hefty curb weight. Today’s pick from the auction site Bring a Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is a part of the Hearst Autos group—hearkens back to a simpler time at the three-pointed star. This 1999 C43 AMG marked the first time Mercedes fit a big V-8 into the small C-class sedan.Related StoriesToday, AMG slots neatly into Mercedes’s corporate structure, a neatly polished cog in a vast machine. In late 1997, when the C43 was first shown to the world, AMG Motorenbau und Entwicklungshesellschaft mbH was still its own entity (Mercedes would take a controlling interest in the tuning shop in 1999). Having previously built the six-cylinder C36 to compete with the BMW M3, the company now returned to its favorite activity: stuffing big V-8s in small cars.Bring a TrailerIn the case of the C43, AMG plucked the 4.3-liter V-8 from the Mercedes-Benz E430 mid-size sedan and fit it under the compact C-class’s hood. The folks at AMG hand-assembled each engine (one technician per V-8). Thanks to improvements to the big engine’s oil cooling and intakes, the C43 rolled off the line with a stable of 302 horses—27 more than an E430.The C43 may have lacked the handling grace of an M3. But what it fell short of in lateral dynamics, the little AMG-tuned C-class made up for with its V-8 engine’s melodious soundtrack and plentiful torque. Bring a TrailerThis particular C43 being auctioned off is a 1999 model painted in silver and fitted with a black interior, and it is the epitome of “speak softly and carry a big stick.” The C43 is all about subtlety, but those in the know won’t miss its big—for the era—17-inch monoblock wheels and moderately massaged fascias This example is particularly attractive due to its relatively low miles (a few ticks over 41,000 miles), all of which were put on during the car’s tenure with its original owner. The car also benefits from a clean CarFax report and a well-documented service history.Bring a TrailerFewer than 1500 C43s were produced for the United States over the course of three model years, which makes these AMGs relatively rare finds. In spite of this, these V-8 sedans still trade for relatively reasonable sums, with the most expensive C43 on Bring a Trailer (as of this writing) selling for $33,500. We figure it’s only a matter of time until the prices of W202 C43s rise as more collectors come to appreciate this German muscle car.Car and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoContributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. More

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    Lotus Type 135 Is an EV Worth Waiting For

    The Lotus Emira has only just launched, but work is already advancing on the all-electric model that ultimately will replace it. Currently known only by the internal design code Type 135, the two-seat sports car will be clearly aimed at the bit of the market the British manufacturer is most associated with. Basically, it’s an EV successor to the Elan and Elise.Whereas Lotus plans to engineer its SUVs and sedan in Germany and produce them in China, the brand is developing the Type 135 in the U.K. and intends to produce the model at its longtime home in Hethel, initially alongside the Emira. The sports car will be the first model to use Lotus’s new LEVA platform—that’s Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture—that combines a bonded-aluminum structure with a so-called “chest battery” mounted behind the passenger compartment rather than under the floor. A cast-aluminum subframe behind it serves as the mounting point for the control-arm rear suspension and the motor. Looking Forward at LotusLotus insiders say the Type 135 will use a single axial-flux motor producing up to 470 horsepower and driving the rear wheels. Power will come courtesy of a 66.4-kWh battery pack. The LEVA platform will also support a brawnier twin-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration, but that’s being reserved for a larger and more expensive model. Simplified, with Added LightnessThe Type 135 version will be the lightest and simplest—two classic Lotus qualities. Although the mass of the battery pack means it will weigh more than its gasoline-powered predecessors, the Type 135 is still anticipated to come in at less than 3300 pounds. It will launch as a coupe in 2025, later followed by a roadster. Renault subsidiary Alpine is also planning to use the LEVA platform as the basis for its next-generation electric sports car, one that the company hopes to sell in the States. Philippe Krief, Ferrari’s recently departed R&D boss, will develop that version, so we can experience the same core package in two different guises.As for the name, that could be hiding in plain sight, given the British brand’s need to start every model with the letter E. Add that to LEVA and you get Eleva, which means “to raise” in several Romance languages.Car and driverCar and driver Lettermark logoEuropean EditorMike Duff has been writing about the auto industry for two decades and calls the UK home, although he normally lives life on the road. He loves old cars and adventure in unlikely places, with career highlights including driving to Chernobyl in a Lada. More

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    Honda to Build a New EV on Its Own Platform in 2025

    Honda announced plans to sell a new EV model in North America starting in 2025.Unlike the 2024 Prologue, which uses GM’s EV platform, this car will use Honda’s own EV architecture.It’s described as a “mid- to large-size” vehicle, but we don’t have any details on its name or specs.Honda is currently relying on General Motors to get its new electric SUV to market, but the Japanese automaker is working on its own EV platforms as well. While the 2024 Prologue uses GM’s Ultium battery platform, Honda has just announced that a second electric model using Honda’s proprietary platform will follow in 2025 for North America. It’s described as a “mid-to large-size” EV and will use Honda’s new electric platform, called e:Architecture.We strongly suspect that this EV will be some sort of SUV, possibly even a three-row crossover to slot in above the two-row, five-seat Prologue. While Honda hasn’t released any images or illustrations indicating this model’s styling, pictured at top is one of the company’s Chinese EV concepts that’s part of Honda’s e:N lineup specific to that market. Although Honda’s China-market EVs, including this e:N SUV concept, use a separate platform called e:N Architecture W, there may be some shared components. Honda could also decide to share this EV design language globally, even if the new e:Architecture-based model will be for the North American market.More on Honda EVsWe think it’s likely that the Prologue, plus its Acura sibling the ZDX, will be sold alongside this new Honda-developed model for some time. Honda and GM’s partnership won’t simply be a temporary stop-gap measure, because the two automakers have already announced further collaboration for a “new series” of electric compact SUVs that will be sold in the U.S. starting in 2027. Honda has also promised two electric sports cars but didn’t provide a timeline for their arrival.Either way, it’s clear that Honda’s EV plans are ramping up as the company embarks on its quest to sell only electric and fuel-cell vehicles by 2040. The company’s interim goals for North America are for electric models to make up 40 percent of Honda’s sales by 2030, 80 percent by 2035, and 100 percent by 2040.Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

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    2024 McLaren 750S Is a Lighter, Mightier, and Subtly Restyled 720S

    The 2024 McLaren 750S debuts as a lighter, more powerful, and subtly restyled version of the outgoing 720S.McLaren says about 30 percent of the 750S’s parts are new or updated, with the 740-hp twin-turbo V-8 adding 30 horsepower.The 750S coupe is said to weigh up to 66 pounds less than its 720S predecessor, and the 750S Spider is only 108 pounds heavier than the new coupe. The 2024 McLaren 750S isn’t dramatically different from the 720S model it’s replacing. Some might see the new nameplate’s subtle exterior alterations and jump to conclusions, like accusing McLaren of giving its series-production supercar a basic facelift. Others will correctly predict there’s a lot more going on underneath the 750S’s similar-looking skin.Lighter and MightierCompared with the outgoing 720S, the changes to its successor are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. McLaren says around 30 percent of the 750S’s parts are new or updated. A twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 is still mounted in the middle of the car’s carbon-fiber structure, but higher boost pressure means the engine now makes an extra 30 horsepower and 22 pound-feet of torque, raising peak output to 740 horses and 590 pound-feet. The flat-plane-crank V-8 also shares lightweight pistons with the track-focused 765LT. The previously separate exhaust pipes now converge in a center-exit setup like on the McLaren P1. We’re told this makes the 750S sound even more ferocious, especially at stratospheric revs. Larger air intakes ahead of the rear wheels are said to improve engine cooling, and the redesigned rear bumper sits below a new mesh grille.Power still routes to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but McLaren says the 750S’s gearbox has a shorter final-drive ratio. A feature that limits downshifts that would otherwise over-rev the engine is also new, and it ensures gearchanges only occur at the optimal time. These mechanical upgrades are further optimized by meticulous weight-saving measures. The 750S coupe is claimed to weigh up to 66 pounds less than its 720S predecessor (a 2018 example registered 3161 pounds on our scales). One source of the 750S’s weight reduction is the new standard carbon-fiber racing seats, which are said to save a combined 38.6 pounds versus the regular seats in the 720S. An even lighter set of carbon buckets are also optional. Other areas where McLaren did its best Atkins diet imitation include the new standard forged wheels that are claimed to be the lightest ever worn by a series-production model. These rollers allegedly save 30.4 pounds. Subtract another 4 pounds thanks to the new column-mounted digital gauge cluster, another 3.5 pounds for the lighter windshield, and another 4.4 pounds due to some revised suspension components and it’s clear that McLaren was committed to improving the car’s power-to-weight ratio.With the 750S becoming lighter and mightier, the coupe and Spider (read: convertible) are both claimed to hit 60 mph in 2.7 seconds. The Spider, with its retractable hardtop, is said to weigh 108 pounds more than the coupe and reach 124 mph in 7.3 seconds—one-tenth behind the coupe. Top speed for both body styles is a claimed 206 mph.Helping haul these exotic beasts to a stop is a newly available brake package designed for the racetrack. With bits inherited from the McLaren Senna, the kit includes 15.4-inch carbon-ceramic rotors with monobloc (a.k.a. one-piece) front calipers intended to significantly resist fade and wear. Even without the upgrade, a new brake booster and vacuum pump are said to provide more consistent braking feel.An active rear wing with a larger surface area, albeit 3.5 pounds lighter than the old one, delivers more downforce and also assists with braking duties at high speeds. Outside of the standard Pirelli P Zero tires, customers can upgrade to stickier P Zero Corsa or ultra-sticky Trofeo R rubber.From 720S to 750SCustomers won’t have to pay extra for the 750S’s enhanced suspension, which features the third generation of McLaren’s Proactive Chassis Control. As with the PCC II system on the 720S, it uses a network of hydraulic hoses and accumulators designed to mitigate body roll without diminishing ride quality. However, PCC III brings retuned accumulators, revised geometry, and lighter dampers and springs. The spring rates are also said to be slightly softer in the front and slightly stiffer in the rear. Compared with its predecessor, the 750S features a front track that’s 6mm wider. The new car still uses a hydraulic steering system, but it now has a quicker ratio. When asked why the company hasn’t switched to an electrically assisted setup, a McLaren representative said it’s because steering feel and authentic feedback are what defines the brand, and currently a hydraulic system is the only way to maintain that.Inside, the 750S doesn’t look too different from the 720S. However, there’s a new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that now features Apple CarPlay (Android Auto users are out of luck). The cabin also has customizable ambient lighting, and a Bower & Wilkins sound system is still available for rich folks who like to rock out. The steering column adds power adjustments, and individual drive modes can now be accessed without the driver having to take their hands off the wheel. The debut of the McLaren Control Launcher also means driver’s can configure their favorite drive-mode settings and activate or deactivate them on the fly.McLarenFor coupe owners who like to be reminded of the ballistic V-8 located behind them, McLaren offers a clear panel through which the engine can be seen. Other desirable features include a front-axle-lift system, which now raises the car’s nose in 4 seconds instead of 10. The car’s nose also has an extended front splitter that protrudes from the new lower front fascia, which hardly stands like the smaller spacing between the signature “eye sockets.” One cool new detail is the ability to have the area around the headlights painted to match the body color or trimmed with carbon fiber.The 2024 McLaren 750S coupe starts at $331,740, and the Spider version starts at $352,740. With U.S. dealers currently accepting orders, the first examples are expected to hit the streets starting sometime in the third quarter of this year. Driving the McLaren 720SThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More