McLaren says no to affordable Porsche Cayman rival

McLaren has ruled out making a more affordable model to rival the likes of the Porsche Cayman with the intention of  chasing volume sales. While the British sportscar brand is looking to attract a larger audience with its new entry-level models, it wants to retain an element of high-end appeal.

“[A Cayman rival] is a step too far. That is not exclusive enough for us,” said McLaren’s chief designer, Robert Melville. “You look at Ferrari. They are coming from very high end. This [the 570S] is stretching us down to R8s and 911s and is as low as we’d want to come.”

Melville added that the 570S was designed to cater to customers who wanted a sportscar that could be used every day.

McLaren’s previous cars, such as the P1 and the 650S, were bought by wealthy owners with multiple cars to perform different functions. However, according to insiders, the 570S opens up McLaren to a different type of customer group. The carmaker reckons that the useability of the 570S means that it could be bought by more cautious owners looking to use it more often and potentially as an only car.

The more considered and rational approach of this type of buyer, and the quality of rivals such as the 911 and Audi R8, were key in the development of the 570S. A convertible version of the 570S and a third model, which will come with a grand tourer-style bodywork, are both planned. While the 570S GT version will be different, the Spider is set to retain much of the fixed-head model’s looks.

The GT model is set to be revealed early next year, while the 570S Spider is expected to be launched in 2017. A Spider variant of the 675 LT will also be launched towards the end of 2016.