Author: Steve Allen |
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As the covers are removed from the 570GT at the Geneva Motor Show, the model that launched the Sports Series – the 570S Coupé – has been named ‘Best Performance Car’ in the 2016 UK Car of the Year Awards (UKCotY). Since launch, the first model in the Sports Series has received wide-spread praise and won accolades from media the world over. This prestigious award was judged by an independent judging panel of 27 leading UK media, and is a significant milestone for the 570S Coupé. The Sports Series will play a key role in increasing global sales during 2016.

Now in its third year, the Awards are designed to highlight and advise on the best new cars on the market specifically for UK customers.

On selecting the 570S Coupé as the Best Performance Car of 2016, freelance journalist and UKCotY jury member Richard Bremner commented: ‘The 570S is McLaren’s best car yet – a sensational blend of all that you want from a supercar, including a drivetrain that’s not overpowered. Easier to live with than many of its rivals, too.’ Fellow juror Simon McBride added: ‘This may be a niche car when it comes to UK sales but that is not the point. The McLaren a masterpiece, it has serious road presence while its head-turning ability is undoubted. This is what makes Britain great – it is an engineering triumph.’

Guy Bird, regular contributor to CAR, CarDesignNews and Wallpaper concluded: ‘McLaren has called the 570S: “the most important car in our short history”. We agree.’

Andy Palmer, Director of Sports Series at McLaren Automotive explained: ‘The launch of the Sports Series has been one of the biggest challenges for McLaren. It has opened up a new market segment for the brand, which is dominated by well-established and extremely strong rivals, but the 570S Coupé has proved to be up to the challenge. It was important that the 570S, and the Sports Series as a whole, lost none of the excitement or engagement that marks out a McLaren as a McLaren. This latest award is testament to the team behind the car, who have designed and developed a true British sports car.’

The 570S Coupé is powered by a 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 generating 570PS (562bhp) and 600Nm (443 lb ft) of torque. Acceleration from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) takes 3.2 seconds, 0-200km/h (0-124mph) in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 328km/h (204mph). Weighing more than 140kg less than its nearest rival, at just 1,313kg (2,895lbs), thanks in part to the unique lightweight carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis, the 570S Coupé boasts a power-to-weight figure of 434PS, while benefitting from a luxuriously equipped interior tailored towards day-to-day usability and optimised access.

Pricing for the Sports Series in the UK starts from £126,000, while the 570S Coupé is available from £143,250, available from the network of five retailers: Ascot, Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester.