The McLaren 600LT was originally supposed to be the track-focused, hardcore version of the Sports Series – and it was. However, not long after it launched, McLaren decided to make another hardcore version of its entry-level mid-engined supercar, dubbed the 620R. While the car’s positioning in the McLaren line-up may be a little strange, it is a serious performer.
The 620R is essentially a street legal version of the 570S GT4 race car and as its name implies, the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 has been massaged to now deliver 620 PS (612 hp) and 457 lb-ft (620 Nm) of torque, providing the 620R with an extra dose of power over the 600LT. McLaren says it will do 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 2.9 seconds, 124 mph (200 km/h) in 8.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 200 mph (322 km/h).
Read More: 2020 McLaren 620R Debuts As The 570S GT4 You Can Drive On The Street
To see what the 620R is all about, Matt Farah and Zack Klapman headed out onto the canyon roads near Los Angeles and put it through its paces.
The example tested was fitted with the street-oriented suspension that’s not too dissimilar to the one on the 570S. However, customers who want something more hardcore can opt for two-way manually-adjustable coilovers that offer 32 clicks of adjustment.
One obvious change between the 620R and other Sports Series models is the fitment of a carbon fiber roof scoop that not only looks cool from the outside but also adds heaps of induction noise into the cabin, enhancing the overall driving experience.