Sunday Star-Times

Beautiful McLaren outshines rivals

- DAVID LINKLATER

The McLaren 720S has been crowned the Most Beautiful Supercar of 2017 at the Festival Automobile Internatio­nal Awards – often referred to as ‘‘fashion week for cars’’.

The award was given by a jury of 17 members from a diverse range of industries, who named the 720S Most Beautiful at the Festival event in Paris over rivals such as the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Ferrari Portofino and Porsche Panamera.

As the second-generation McLaren Super Series, the 720S showcases a new interpreta­tion of McLaren’s design language, which is rooted in aerodynami­c principles and keeps body addenda to a minimum.

The company says it took inspiratio­n from the Great White Shark in its pursuit of form that follows function as closely as possible.

Despite its supercar status, much of the exterior design enhances the car’s practicali­ty.

The enormous ‘‘canopy’’ glass area and slim pillars of the teardrop-shaped cabin aid visibility, while the body also features McLaren’s signature dihedral doors, which are hinged near the top of the roof to allow easy access.

McLaren road cars are handbuilt in the United Kingdom.

The company is a direct descendent of the racing team set up by New Zealander Bruce McLaren in 1963.

 ?? SUPPLIED ?? New 720S dominated Festival Automobile Internatio­nal Awards.
SUPPLIED New 720S dominated Festival Automobile Internatio­nal Awards.

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