McLaren 625C launched specifically for Asian markets

McLaren Automotive has announced what they calls their “first regionally tailored model aimed at the Asian market.” Dubbed the McLaren 625C, it looks exactly like the 650S.

According to McLaren, the Asian market has seen the biggest area of growth for them over the past two years, specifically China.

Available in both coupe and convertible forms, the McLaren 625C is basically a 650S with a revised ProActive Chassis Control programme and suspension hardware to improve ride quality. McLaren claims it is their most comfortable-riding model ever, with a less stiff spring rate at the rear. The suspension still gets Normal, Sport and Track modes.

If you read our 2014 McLaren 650S drive in the UAE, we mentioned that the 650S had lost the smooth-riding characteristics of the MP4-12C in the pursuit of better lap times, something that is irrelevant for a daily-driven car. Clearly their well-heeled customers thought the same.

The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 powerplant has also been detuned back down to 616 hp, bringing it down to the level of the MP4-12C. Acceleration from zero to 100 kph still stands at 3.1 seconds, with a top speed of 333 kph for the Coupe and 329 kph for the Spider.

New dampers and revised mechanical balance give the McLaren 625C the most refined ride of any McLaren model to date. The bespoke set up, with a less stiff spring rate at the rear, ensure a sharp response with no loss in ride comfort through the ProActive Chassis Control system in ‘Normal’ mode, without any compromise to handling or performance in ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’ modes, offering.

The new McLaren 625C will initially be launched in Hong Kong, with Coupe and Spider bodystyles both immediately available. Selected other markets across the Asia-Pacific region will be announced in the coming months. It will likely be offered in the GCC eventually.