McLaren 650S: specs, Spider, fuel economy and recalls

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The McLaren 650S is a Super Series supercar revealed as a Coupé and Spider at the 2014 Geneva motor show. Its 3.8-litre twin-turbo M838T V8 makes 650PS (641bhp) and 678Nm, with 0–100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and 204 mph quoted for the Spider. US model years are 2015–2016; the 720S followed it.

Years
2015–2016 (US model years)
Body
2-door coupe (also sold as 650S Spider with a retractable hard top)

McLaren 650S specs

McLaren 650S output and performance as published by McLaren
VariantEnginePowerTorque0–100 km/hTop speedWeightSource
650S Spider (mechanically identical to the Coupé)Seven-speed SSG · Rear-wheel drive (EPA listing)3,799cc twin-turbo V8 (M838T)641650PS (641bhp) at 7,250 rpm — McLaren figure500 lb-ft3 sec204 mph1,370 kg dry (Spider; McLaren says about 40 kg more than the Coupé)[1][2]

Figures are McLaren's published numbers; acceleration is shown only in the form McLaren published it. "—" means no official figure was found.

McLaren 650S fuel economy

McLaren 650S EPA fuel economy estimates (mpg)
Model yearVariantCityHighwayCombinedSource
2015650S Coupe (7-speed auto, 3.8L turbo V8)162218[3]
2015650S Spider (7-speed auto, 3.8L turbo V8)162218[2]
2016650S Coupe (7-speed auto, 3.8L turbo V8)162218[4]
2016650S Spider (7-speed auto, 3.8L turbo V8)162218[5]

McLaren 650S generations and years

McLaren 650S generations, years and key changes
GenerationYearsNotes
650S Coupé and Spider2014–2016Both revealed together at the 84th Geneva motor show in March 2014; McLaren updated its assembly line for the 650S that month. EPA lists both body styles for model years 2015 and 2016, and McLaren’s site map now lists the 650S and 650S Spider under its 'legacy' models.[1][6][3][5][7]
650S Can-Am2015–2016Limited to 50 examples worldwide, all based on the 650S Spider, marking 50 years of the Can-Am race series; EPA lists it as a 2016 model.[8][9]
625C (Asia)2014A regionally tailored 625PS model based on the 650S, launched first in Hong Kong.[10][6]

Performance figures

McLaren quotes 650PS (641bhp) at 7,250 rpm and 678Nm (500 lb ft) at 6,000 rpm for the M838T V8. Coupé and Spider share 0–100 km/h in 3.0 seconds; the Spider reaches 200 km/h in 8.6 seconds, 0.2 seconds behind the Coupé, and tops out at 329 km/h (204 mph). The Spider’s roof works in under 17 seconds at up to 30 km/h (19 mph).[1][11]

Place in the Super Series

The 650S followed the 12C in McLaren’s Super Series; McLaren said in February 2015 it had “continued to develop and build on” the 12C into the 650S, and the 5,000th Super Series car built was a 650S Coupé. In 2017 McLaren introduced the 720S as the second-generation Super Series.[6][12]

What to check before buying a used 650S

On a used 650S, confirm the passenger air bag inflator replacement under NHTSA campaign 19V141, which covers 2014–2016 650S cars. Then check for an annual stamped service history and whether extended-warranty eligibility remains.

  • Air bag inflator recall 19V141

    Covers 2014–2016 650S cars (plus 12C, 675LT, P1 and 570 models); confirm the passenger frontal air bag inflator was replaced.[13]

  • Annual service history

    McLaren’s published service schedule (as stated for the 750S in 2023) is once a year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first; a stamped retailer history should show at least one visit a year.[14]

  • Extended warranty eligibility

    McLaren’s published terms (as stated in 2023) sell the McLaren Extended Warranty in 12- or 24-month periods until a car is 15 years old, so check whether the car is still eligible and whether cover has lapsed.[14]

McLaren 650S recalls

NHTSA safety recall campaigns that cover the McLaren 650S
CampaignReportedSubjectScopeUnits
19V141000February 28, 2019Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May ExplodeThese vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.2014–2016 650S (also 2012–2013 MP4-12C, 2015–2016 675LT, 2014–2015 P1, 2015–2017 570)2,792

From the U.S. DOT open-data recall dataset (NHTSA). Units are the vehicles the manufacturer reported as potentially affected, which can span several models. Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer.

See how a specific McLaren 650S was built at the factory.

See what a specific McLaren VIN was factory-built with. The CarWhere McLaren build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

McLaren build sheet by VIN

Related McLaren pages

Frequently asked questions

How much horsepower does the McLaren 650S have?

McLaren rates it at 650PS (641bhp) at 7,250 rpm, with 678Nm (500 lb ft) of torque.

What is the McLaren 650S top speed?

McLaren quotes 329 km/h (204 mph) for the Spider, which it says is mechanically identical to the Coupé, with 0–100 km/h in 3.0 seconds.

What gas mileage does a McLaren 650S get?

The EPA rates the 2015 and 2016 650S Coupe and Spider at 16 mpg city, 22 highway and 18 combined.

How many 650S Can-Am cars were made?

McLaren limited the 650S Can-Am to 50 examples worldwide, all based on the 650S Spider.

Is the McLaren 650S discontinued?

Yes. McLaren followed the 650S in its Super Series with the 720S, which it presented as the second-generation Super Series in 2017. EPA records for the 650S stop at the 2016 model year, and McLaren lists it among its legacy models.

Sources

Specifications, prices and production figures are as published by McLaren; recalls are from the U.S. DOT/NHTSA recall dataset and fuel economy from the EPA. CarWhere does not publish auction or market values for these cars.

  1. Open-top McLaren 650S Spider joins 650S Coupé for Geneva global debut (Mar 4, 2014) — McLaren Automotive press release (republished by Automotive World) (secondary reference)
  2. EPA fuel economy: 2015 McLaren 650S Spider (Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 3.8 L, Turbo) — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  3. EPA fuel economy: 2015 McLaren 650S Coupe (Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 3.8 L, Turbo) — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. EPA fuel economy: 2016 McLaren 650S Coupe (Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 3.8 L, Turbo) — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. EPA fuel economy: 2016 McLaren 650S Spider (Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 3.8 L, Turbo) — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. Groundbreaking McLaren Super Series continues to break records — 5,000th car (Feb 2, 2015) — McLaren Automotive press release (republished by Automotive World) (secondary reference)
  7. McLaren Cars site map — current model pages and 'legacy' model pages (checked Nov 9, 2026) — McLaren Automotive
  8. McLaren celebrates 50 years of historic US race series with limited-run 650S Can-Am (Oct 9, 2015) — McLaren Automotive press release (republished by Automotive World) (secondary reference)
  9. EPA fuel economy: 2016 McLaren 650S Can-Am (Auto 7-spd, 8 cyl, 3.8 L, Turbo) — U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. McLaren 625C: first regionally tailored McLaren model (Sep 26, 2014) — McLaren Automotive press release (republished by Automotive World) (secondary reference)
  11. McLaren M838T engine retains title at 2014 International Engine of the Year Awards (Jun 26, 2014) — McLaren Automotive press release (republished by Automotive World) (secondary reference)
  12. Second-generation McLaren Super Series set to be Geneva show-stopper (Feb 22, 2017) — McLaren Automotive press release (republished by Automotive World) (secondary reference)
  13. NHTSA recalls dataset (DOT open data 6axg-epim), McLaren campaigns — U.S. DOT / NHTSA
  14. The new McLaren 750S: peak supercar performance, pure exhilaration (Apr 26, 2023) — McLaren Automotive press release (republished by Automotive World) (secondary reference)
  15. Recalls Data (NHTSA recall campaigns) — U.S. Department of Transportation open data

More McLaren research

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by McLaren Automotive Limited. McLaren and the model names are trademarks of their owners.