LEITERS TWO WAYS

Luckily, Michael Leiters has more than enough brilliance to go around

- Ben Barry

The 750S costs £243,500 (Rs 2.56 crore) before options (£343.260 Rs 3.60 crore as tested) and hits similar metrics of 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and 332 km/h all told. It is just that it gets there by tossing extra fuel on the fire and cranking up the bellows. Yes, it looks near identical to a 720S, but 30 per cent of its parts are new or altered and this time it is easy to relate when Leiters describes having 'to examine every detail and really push hard for improvements to raise the bar again'. The 720S already was exceptional.

There are Long Tail pistons and a 30-hp boost to 750 hp for the 4.0-litre V8, the seven-speed dual-clutch 'box is perked up with a fresh calibration, there is a little more downforce and 30 kilograms shaved off (including new wheels that drop 13.8 kilos). The chassis is also gently finessed-front springs are three per cent softer, the rears four per cent stiffer, the front track is six millimetres wider and McLaren's trick Proactive Chassis Control with its hydraulically interlinked dampers benefits from a wagyu beef-like massage.

Power might fall 80 hp short of the Ferrari's 830 hp, but, thanks to carbon-fibre construction and the lack of lithium-ion, it is 193 kg lighter at 1,277 kg (dry). The McLaren noses ahead on power-toweight and has more torque, too (800 Nm trumps 740 Nm).

It is a vicious thing, this 750S, the ferocity already barely contained in the 720S now compressed and amplified by a 15 per cent shorter final drive, not to mention the extra power and lower weight.

You still chew through some low-down lag, but when it boosts, boy, do those turbos come on with a savage kick-the aggressive Pirelli Corsa tyres on the test car struggle to deal with it until they are warmed through, often biting and then flaring into wheelspin as the torque takes hold. It is more 765LT than 720S when it comes to power delivery.