What is the McLaren 540C?
The 540C is a two-seat sports car with a mid-mounted engine and a coupé body. It was part of McLaren’s Sports Series, which brought the marque’s supercar approach to a more road-focused model. Its compact cabin and low, sculpted shape put the emphasis on the drive, with less room for passengers and luggage than in a larger car.
McLaren began with the racing team founded by Bruce McLaren in 1963. That motorsport heritage informs its road cars, including their use of lightweight carbon-fibre structures.
Generations and design
The 540C generation ran from 2015 to 2020. Introduced as a Sports Series model alongside the 570S, it used the series’ carbon-fibre MonoCell II structure and McLaren’s upward-opening dihedral doors. The doors were designed to ease entry and exit and to help direct airflow along the body.
Engines and power
The 540C has a 3.8-litre petrol engine. EU registration figures and the UK VCA list its output as 397 kW (540 PS).
How economical is the McLaren 540C?
The UK VCA lists consumption of 10.7 L/100 km on the NEDC test. The US EPA rates it at 19 MPG combined, or 12.4 L/100 km. These figures use different test procedures and should not be compared directly. EU registration figures cover 2016–2019, with 278 cars recorded. UK VCA listings span 2016–2023, while the US EPA listing is for 2018.
Questions and answers
What engine does the McLaren 540C have?
It has a 3.8-litre petrol engine, rated at 397 kW (540 PS) in EU and UK figures.
What is the 540C’s official fuel consumption?
The UK VCA lists 10.7 L/100 km on NEDC. The US EPA rating is 19 MPG combined, or 12.4 L/100 km.
When was the 540C generation sold?
The generation ran from 2015 to 2020. EU registration figures cover 2016–2019, UK VCA listings span 2016–2023 and the US EPA listing is for 2018.