McLaren 625C
Specs, engines and history
Updated Published Sources (3) Report an error
By Felix Hartmann, Automotive Technology & EV Contributor Reviewed by Oleksandr Hnatiuk
- Built
- 2014–2015
- Top power
- 460 kW (625 PS)
Which McLaren 625C to buy
Our verdict · Felix Hartmann
Buy a 625C if you want a 650S for daily use and live where the car was sold. It rides more softly, its iron brakes are cheaper to maintain, and it gives up little performance. The Spider suits warm climates and adds only about 41 kg.
Skip it if you plan track days. A 650S with carbon-ceramic brakes, or the later McLaren 570S, is the better choice for circuits. Check the service history, the hydraulic suspension and any gearbox software updates before you buy.
The McLaren 625C is a comfort-tuned version of the McLaren 650S, launched in September 2014 for Asia-Pacific markets, starting with Hong Kong. Its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 makes 460 kW (625 PS) and 610 Nm, and it came as a coupé or Spider. The "C" in the name stands for Club.
In short
- Same body and carbon-fibre chassis as the 650S, but with 18 kW less power and softer suspension.
- 0–100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and about 333 km/h, the same top speed as the 650S.
- Cast-iron brake discs replaced the 650S's carbon-ceramic units.
- McLaren built it in response to demand in Asia, which accounted for 20 % of its sales in 2013.
Specs by version
Engines
Performance
Show all 1 versions
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8 460 kW (625 PS) Coupe | 3.1 s 0–62 mph | 332 km/h206 mph |
Dimensions and weight
Show all 1 versions
| Version | Kerb weight |
|---|---|
| 3.8 460 kW (625 PS) Coupe | 1,336 kg2,945 lb |
Verified Manufacturer and type-approval data from our catalog · Sources and methodology
McLaren 625C key specifications
| Parameter | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3,799 cc twin-turbo V8 (M838T), petrol | 232 cu in |
| Power | 460 kW (625 PS) at 7,250 rpm | 616 hp |
| Torque | 610 Nm at 3,000–7,000 rpm | 450 lb-ft |
| Gearbox / drive | 7-speed dual-clutch (SSG), rear-wheel drive | - |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.1 s (with optional Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres) | - |
| 0–200 km/h | 8.8 s coupé, 9.0 s Spider | - |
| Top speed | about 333 km/h | 207 mph |
| Length / width / height | 4,511 / 1,895 / 1,199 mm | 177.6 / 74.6 / 47.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 105.1 in |
| Kerb weight (650S basis) | 1,428 kg coupé, 1,469 kg Spider | 3,148 / 3,239 lb |
| CO₂ / combined economy | 275 g/km; 24.2 mpg (UK) | about 11.7 l/100 km |
Why McLaren built a 625C
In 2013, Asia contributed about 20 % of McLaren's global sales. After the brand entered China in September 2013, it expected that share to rise above a third in 2014. McLaren said it developed the new version for everyday usability and comfort, in response to customer demand in Asia.
The answer was not a new model but a retuned McLaren 650S, built alongside it at the factory in Woking, England. The company described the 625C as having the most refined ride of any car it had made. It went on sale first in Hong Kong, with other Asian markets to follow in the following months.
The output matches the later McLaren MP4-12C, whose engine rose to 460 kW (625 PS) in 2013. In effect, the 625C carried the outgoing 12C's power in the newer 650S body.
Engine, gearbox and performance
The 625C uses the M838T 3.8-litre V8 with two turbochargers, mounted behind the cabin. In the 650S, it produces 478 kW (650 PS) and 678 Nm. For the 625C, McLaren lowered peak power to 460 kW at 7,250 rpm and torque to 610 Nm. The torque plateau runs from 3,000 to 7,000 rpm, which suits relaxed driving at lower revs.
The 7-speed SSG gearbox is a dual-clutch unit built by Graziano. Performance stays close to the 650S. The 0–100 km/h sprint takes 3.1 seconds with optional Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, against 3.0 seconds for the 650S. The gap grows at higher speeds: the 625C needs 8.8 seconds to reach 200 km/h, while the 650S takes 8.4 seconds.
By our calculation, a 625C coupé carries about 3.1 kg per kW, against 3.0 kg per kW for the 650S. The difference is 4 %, which few drivers would notice on the road. Check the numbers for other cars with the 1cars power-to-weight calculator.
Chassis, brakes and the ride
The structure is the carbon-fibre MonoCell. It weighs only 75 kg. The 625C kept the hydraulically linked ProActive Chassis Control system of the 650S, with Normal and Track modes. McLaren fitted new dampers and changed the set-up, with softer rear spring rates for a more compliant ride.
The brakes changed too. Cast-iron discs replaced the carbon-ceramic discs of the 650S. Iron discs are cheaper to replace than carbon-ceramic ones, although they give up some fade resistance on a race track.
| Feature | McLaren 650S | McLaren 625C |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 478 kW (650 PS) | 460 kW (625 PS) |
| Torque | 678 Nm | 610 Nm |
| 0–200 km/h (coupé) | 8.4 s | 8.8 s |
| Suspension | standard set-up | new dampers, softer rear springs |
| Brake discs | carbon-ceramic | cast iron |
| Markets | global | Asia-Pacific |
Cabin, bodies and everyday use
The 625C shares its styling and cabin with the 650S. Buyers could choose the fixed-roof coupé or the Spider with a folding hardtop, which takes 17 seconds to open on the 650S. The two-seat cockpit has a central touchscreen and carbon-fibre trim options.
Fuel use matches the 650S on paper: 275 g/km of CO₂ and 24.2 mpg in the UK combined cycle. By our conversion, that is about 11.7 l/100 km. The 1cars fuel cost calculator shows what that means over a year of driving.
No official price for the 625C appeared at launch. It was also never sold in Europe, so European buyers can only find one as an import.
Rivals and how it compares
| Model | Engine | Power | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLaren 625C | 3.8 V8 twin-turbo | 460 kW (625 PS) | Comfort-tuned, Asia only |
| McLaren 650S | 3.8 V8 twin-turbo | 478 kW (650 PS) | Global model, carbon-ceramic brakes |
| Ferrari 458 Italia | 4.5 V8 | 419 kW (570 PS) | Naturally aspirated, rear-drive |
| Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 | 5.2 V10 | 449 kW (610 PS) | All-wheel drive |
| Porsche 911 Turbo S (991) | 3.8 flat-six twin-turbo | 412 kW (560 PS) | Four seats, all-wheel drive |
Among its rivals, the 625C stood out for its low weight and its focus on ride comfort. The Ferrari 458 was the classic rival of the McLaren 12C, and our published comparison of the Ferrari 458 Italia and McLaren MP4-12C shows how close they were.
McLaren 625C in our rankings
- No. 5 of 31 · Fastest British cars (332 km/h)
- No. 6 of 24 · Quickest British cars, 0–100 (3.1 s)
- No. 19 of 418 · Power-to-weight: cars (344 kW/t · top 5%)
- No. 24 of 415 · Fastest cars (332 km/h · top 6%)
- No. 28 of 366 · Quickest cars, 0–100 (3.1 s · top 8%)
- No. 135 of 1081 · Most powerful cars (460 kW · top 13%)
Better power-to-weight than 95% of ranked cars in the 1CARS catalog (No. 19 of 418).
McLaren 625C photos 12
FAQ
What is the McLaren 625C?
The 625C is a version of the McLaren 650S tuned for comfort and sold in Asia-Pacific markets from September 2014. It has 460 kW (625 PS), softer suspension and cast-iron brakes.
How fast is the McLaren 625C?
On the optional track tyres, the coupé needs 3.1 seconds to 100 km/h and 8.8 seconds to 200 km/h. The top speed is about 333 km/h, the same as the 650S.
What does the C in McLaren 625C mean?
The C stands for Club, according to McLaren's launch information reported by the press. The name fits a car tuned for comfort and everyday driving rather than track performance.
Was the McLaren 625C sold in Europe?
No. McLaren launched it in Hong Kong in 2014 and planned other Asian markets next. In Europe and North America, it sold the more powerful 650S instead.
What is the difference between the McLaren 625C and 650S?
The 625C has 18 kW less power and 68 Nm less torque than the 650S. It also has new dampers, softer rear springs and cast-iron brake discs instead of carbon-ceramic ones.
Data sources
Data checked by an editor against the sources below.
- The text of this article (1cars archive)
- Wikipedia - McLaren 650S
- Paultan - Mclaren 625c
