In a class of its own

list including satnav, Bluetooth, DAB digital radio, audio streaming and voice control as standard. There’s even a rear parking camera.

Swathed in lightweight Alcantara – full leather trim is available – the cockpit is surprisingly roomy and comfortable.

For extra refinement, McLaren’s engineers worked on minimising noise, vibration and harshness with revised damper mounts ensuring class-leading ride comfort.

The impact of potholes through the rigid carbon fibre chassis are reduced by revisions to the top bushes.

While the front bumper gives the 650S a dramatic, dynamic appearance the integrated front splitter contributes to increased levels of downforce. This offers greater levels of steering feeling and confidence to the driver on turn-in, while also adding to the agility and handling balance.

As well as the carbon fibre chassis, McLaren has used other clever-clever stuff from its rich F1 heritage to produce such a powerful pussycat including full wishbone suspension, Brake Steer and active aerodynamics.

McLaren’s pioneering ProActive Chassis Control suspension system has been improved for the 650S. This enables the driver to adjust the ride and handling modes – Normal, Sport and track – in isolation from the drivetrain, giving complete freedom in terms of ride and handling.

Brake Steer aids cornering by bringing the vehicle’s nose into the apex by applying braking force to the inside rear wheel, enabling the driver to brake later and get on the power earlier.

By using the same hardware as the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, it also reduces understeer.

All this makes the 650S one of the finest supercars you can buy – a wolf in wolf’s clothing but, with the flick of a switch, a gentle purring pussycat.

Nothing else comes close. £218,250 641bhp, 3,799cc, V8 twin turbo driving rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic gearbox 204mph 3.0 seconds 24.2 50 275g/km 37% 3yrs/unlimited