Road test:

manufacturer of cars that include models valued well in excess of £1 million.

Now, just seven years after the inception of McLaren Automotive, the Woking-based brand is entering a new era as it replaces a model line for the first time, and with it raises the stakes in the supercar arena.

Its latest arrival, the McLaren 720S, is the new flagship of the company’s Super Series – the supercar family at the heart of the brand.

As reflected in its name, the newcomer delivers a volcanic 720bhp - capable of blasting the supercar to 62mph in just 2.9 seconds, to 124mph in 7.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 212mph.

Braking is equally impressive, the lightweight 720S coming to a halt from 124mph in just 4.6 seconds, in the space of 117 metres.

It all comes courtesy of a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine which has 41 per cent new parts compared to the 3.8litre unit that continues to feature in the McLaren Sports Series.

A design feature in the new model is the