What is a Hypercar?

To know what a hypercar is, you first need to understand what the difference is between a hypercar and a supercar. A supercar refers to an elite segment of high-performance vehicles that feature the lightweight chassis design and engine power of a racecar while remaining legal to drive on Wellington streets. 

Traditionally, the hypercar has referred to the top 1% of these vehicles. These vehicles often feature around or more than 1,000 hp and can cost millions of dollars. In general, a hypercar must include features that innovate in automotive design. It’s also an unspoken rule that hypercars should be able to go from 0-60 MPH in under 3 seconds. 

So, is a McLaren a hypercar? Is the McLaren 720S a hypercar? Let’s take a look at which McLaren models fall into this category. We’ll also explore how the definition of what a hypercar is has changed. Once you’re done reading, fill out a pre-approval and contact McLaren Palm Beach to arrange a test drive in West Palm Beach! 

Which McLaren Models Qualify As Hypercars?

Is a McLaren a hypercar by default? The majority of McLaren models are supercars. Bear in mind that only a few vehicles have ever qualified as a hypercar; however, McLaren models saturate the hypercar short-list. The McLaren P1, for instance, is among the most iconic hypercars of all time, and the McLaren 720S is a hypercar that blurs the line between supercars and hypercars, offering hypercar-like performance at a fraction of the price. Here’s a list of some obvious McLaren candidates for supercar status: 

• McLaren P1
• McLaren F1
• McLaren Sabre
• McLaren Speedtail
• McLaren Senna 
• McLaren 720S 

How Has the Definition of Hypercars Changed? 

Still unsure about what the difference is between a supercar and a hypercar? Unfortunately, these terms have only become murkier. While hypercars used to refer to the most powerful and innovative supercars on the market, today, the definition of what a hypercar is has become even more speculative. 

Increasingly, “hypercar” refers to a subclass of supercars that implement hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full-electric powerplants to achieve racecar-like performance. By this definition, the McLaren Artura is a hypercar. When you consider that the McLaren Artura has innovated heavily in the field of track-ready PHEV performance, however, it checks many of the boxes of a traditional hypercar, as well—it’s just much more affordable. 

Test Drive a McLaren Hypercar Near Boca Raton

Now that you know what a hypercar is and what the difference is between a hypercar and a supercar, if you have more questions or would like to schedule some test drives, call McLaren Palm Beach at 561-462-1180! We’ll walk you through the wide variety of supercars and hypercars in our showroom and help you find the perfect option for your needs. In the meantime, explore our overview of how to buy a McLaren hypercar online through our website!