2018 McLaren 720S Fury Edition

OVERVIEW

Personally owned by Alex Hirschi, aka Supercar Blondie, this GCC-spec 2018 McLaren 720S is finished in silver with black trim, over a gray alcantara interior with orange trim. It is powered by a 4.0-liter, twin turbocharged V8 engine, running power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. It has covered 7,090 km (about 4,405 mi) to date, and is now being offered at auction with no reserve.

MODEL HISTORY

Sometimes, with a car as impressive as the McLaren 720S, it’s important to take a step back and take in the whole picture. It wasn’t that long ago that McLaren was re-entering the production car market after a long absence. Their only previous independently produced road car was the breathtaking benchmark called the F1, designed by Gordon Murray as the ultimate analog sports car, with a total production run of just 106 examples made starting in 1992 and ending in 2000. Though they had a successful partnership with Mercedes in producing the SLR, McLaren did not produce another car until 2011 with the MP4-12C. 

That first foray had some success, as the 12C was fast and competitive, but it was also notable for its incredibly compliant suspension that managed to provide a supple ride even at speed. The lessons learned with Formula 1 racing gave the company an advantage in how to manage traction at extreme speed. The styling, too, was certainly aerodynamically smooth and efficient, but perhaps lacked the visual drama of the cars it competed against.

It was the 720 S that solved that. Debuting in 2017, it not only looked more dramatic with its larger headlight opening and aggressive front fascia, the 720S name hinted at the insanity beneath the skin—720 hp in a car weighing barely 3,200 pounds at most meant serious speed. But for all the huge leaps in outright speed, it was again the supple suspension, with the left and right dampers connected through hydraulics and computer control, that manages to impress the most—technology applied through decades of accumulated race experience at the highest level giving them insight into how to keep a car in proper balance at all times. WIth massive grip and stability on even the rougher roads that would completely upset most sports cars, the 720S is never jarring the occupants, or sacrificing their comfort for pace.

Most contemporary reviews were not only universal in their praise of the 720 S, and shared the opinion that the 720hp rating of the engine was, if anything, too low given the breathtaking speed it would achieve. So in the space of 6 years from the introduction of the MP4-12C, McLaren managed to muscle its way to the front. Maybe there’s something to the old saying that racing improves the breed beyond image after all.

THIS 2018 MCLAREN 720S FURY EDITION

This 2018 McLaren 720S Fury Edition is a GCC-spec, one-owner example that has never been on track. All maintenance is up to date, and the previous PPF paint wrap has been removed, meaning the supercar has been retruned to its factory color specification.

This Fury Edition McLaren has previously featured in videos with Alex on supercarblondie.com, often seen in its full PPF wrap in Fluorescent Yellow. When purchased, Alex had TopCar Design install their Fury Edition body kit at a cost in excess of $70,000. TopCar’s package for the 720S comprises 50 separate components. Key parts of the kit include:

• Front skirt insert
• Mount for the combined spotlight/air scoop
• Multi-piece spoiler lip
• New front panel with gills to either side.
• Rising beltline side skirt
• Rear diffuser
• Custom engine cover trim
• Rear wing with two striking fins 

SUMMARY

The kit lends the 720S a more dramatic profile and helps set it apart, while the already potent engine on Alex’s 720S is stock. With the low mileage Alex's McLaren accumulated, this is an excellent opportunity to grab a unique supercar at no reserve.