A Brief Look at a Hanoi Car Enthusiast’s Modified McLaren 720S Valued at Over 1 Billion VND

On September 9, 2009, the media was surprised by the introduction of the McLaren 12C. This car marked a significant milestone for the British company as it was the first car developed and researched on its own without the involvement of Mercedes-Benz. McLaren Automotive was established in 2010 and is based at the McLaren Technology Center in Woking, England. The center is open to VIP customers, and Minh “Nhua” had the opportunity to visit and receive the McLaren Elva.

With the birth of McLaren Automotive, a relatively young supercar manufacturer emerged to compete with established names such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini. McLaren quickly captured the hearts of speed enthusiasts with its fast, powerful, and affordable cars like the 12C, 650S, and 720S. In Vietnam, there are nearly 45 McLaren cars, including 3 hypercars from the Ultimate Series and a majority of 720S models. The country is home to over 10 McLaren 720S cars, both in Coupe and Spider versions.

This article features a McLaren 720S supercar that has been in Vietnam for 5 years. Despite its age, the car still meets the criteria of low mileage, being in a new and beautiful condition, and having had only a few owners.

The history of the McLaren 720S with only 2 previous owners

In December 2018, a private import company in Hanoi completed the customs clearance procedures for a McLaren 720S supercar in McLaren Orange. At the time, it was the third McLaren 720S to arrive in the country. However, few people knew that the car already had an owner even before it arrived in Vietnam. The car was assigned the license plate 51G, which still belongs to the car today despite having gone through 2 previous owners.

The previous owners of the McLaren 720S share a passion for speed, especially the first owner who is an 8X businessman in the food industry. Although the first owner rarely drove the car around Ho Chi Minh City, he held a common interest on social media regarding automobiles. In 2021, the first owner sold the McLaren 720S to a luxury car showroom in Ho Chi Minh City, and later, it was bought by a car enthusiast in Hanoi.

A 1-billion Vietnamese dong makeover for the McLaren 720S

The McLaren 720S is often referred to as a “national supercar” due to its popularity among car enthusiasts who like to modify their cars. The owner of this McLaren 720S in Hanoi spent over 1 billion Vietnamese dong to give the car an exterior makeover.

The owner chose TopCar Design, a renowned car modification brand from Russia, to carry out the modifications on the McLaren 720S. TopCar Design is known for producing stunning modifications for supercars, including the McLaren 720S. The modifications made the overall appearance of the car more aggressive compared to the original version.

TopCar Design equipped the car with a carbon fiber front hood, giving it a more muscular look. The front spoiler, also made of carbon fiber, features additional front canards that enhance the fierce look of the car’s front face. The front spoiler extends to both sides of the car.

Side canards were added on the sides of the car, running along the doors. Large side skirts were also installed on the doors and rear wheel arches, all made of carbon fiber to enhance the beauty of the car without increasing its weight.

The owner also opted for a set of 20-inch Y-spoke wheels with symmetrical spokes manufactured by Mansory. The wheels are painted in a black color scheme that matches the brake calipers.

Lastly, a rear diffuser made of carbon fiber from TopCar Design was added to the car. This modification replaced the lightweight composite material of the original version, resulting in a more cohesive look for the car.

Specifications of the McLaren 720S

The interior of the car remains unchanged from the original version. The McLaren 720S TopCar Design is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbocharged engine producing a maximum power of 710 horsepower and a peak torque of 770 Nm. The engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch SSG transmission. This powertrain enables the McLaren 720S to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and decelerate from 100-0 km/h in 2.8 seconds. The top speed of the car is 341 km/h.

The exhaust tips of the McLaren 720S, made of Forged Carbon Fiber, not only improve the sound of the car but also add a highlight to the rear.

The McLaren 720S model has been discontinued, and the McLaren 750S will succeed it. One Vietnamese billionaire has already showcased his McLaren 750S Spider version.

Photos: Hue Minh