McLaren Offers a Watered-Down Supercar for Buyers in Asia

The 625C is a less powerful, more refined version of the 650S. McLaren

The 650S, McLaren’s $265,000 entry-level supercar, is a triumph. Its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine propels it from a standstill to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. It runs the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds. It’s packed with Formula 1-derived tech that makes any old millionaire feel like a professional racer behind the wheel.

But buyers in Asia, who account for an increasing portion of McLaren sales (20 percent in 2013, more than 30 percent this year), want something a bit different, the company says. And when McLaren customers want something, (say, a $3.3 million hypercar and two years of driving lessons) they usually get it.

And so we have the 625C, a watered-down version of the mid-engine, rear wheel-drive 650S. McLaren says its first “regionally tailored” model has the same exterior as the original, “but with an increased focus on day-to-day usability and comfort.” Translation: It softened the car’s suspension to make hitting potholes less annoying.

The 625C comes as a spider or coupe. McLaren

The 625C, which will be available as an open top spider and a coupe, comes with new dampers and a “revised mechanical balance” that offers a softer spring rate at the back of the car. McLaren also tweaked the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine to dial it down from 650 PS (641 horsepower) to 625 (616 hp), which explains the name change. The “C” stands for “Club,” which, we’re told, connotes “a more accessible and less extreme model in terms of character.” Torque drops from 500 to 450 pound-feet, explaining the 0-to-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds instead of 2.9, but the 625C delivers the same 207 mph top speed as the 650S. There’s no change in fuel efficiency numbers.

Changes to American cars for the Asian market, at least for Chinese buyers, often focus on the backseat, since chauffeurs are more common in China and owners may spend more time riding than driving. But the 650S doesn’t have a backseat, and it’s certainly not made for a chauffeur, so McLaren worked hard to make the car accessible and fun for amateurs.

The 625C and 650S are essentially the same car, and it’s hard to imagine customers demanding a minor power reduction. So why knock down the horsepower? McLaren never got back to us with an official reason, but Karl Brauer, an analyst with Kelley Blue Book, has an idea. It might be in response to taxes or fees levied on cars that produce a certain amount of horsepower—McLaren could be dropping just below the threshold to save its customers money. As for the softer suspension, Brauer says, “I suspect it’s because of the road quality over there,” which may not be as good as it is in Europe or the United States. Bumpy roads can make for a harsh ride or potentially damage the vehicle.

McLaren hasn’t released pricing information for the 625C, but it’s a good bet to think it’ll come for a bit less than the $265,500 MRSP of the 650S. And when you’re spending that much money, any tax you can avoid or pothole you can soften is a good move.