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My penultimate drive of the day is the McLaren 720S. From the Dihedral doors to the sweeping lights front and back, it's fair to say I love the design of this car.
This car comes equipped with a 4 litre Twin Turbo V8 that has 710bhp and a top speed of 212mph. All this goes to the rear wheels and is controlled by a 7 speed Seamless Shift Gearbox.
My instructor for this trip around Castle Combe is Eduardo. I get in, get comfortable and pull the door down to close it. The interior of this car is quite conservative compared to some of the cars I have driven today but there is beauty in it's simplicity. There is a combination of leather, Carbon Fibre and Alcantara with some small yellow details around the cockpit.
To start the car, place the key in the designated space, press the start button. The electrical systems will start and beep. Once this finishes, put your foot on the break and press the start button again and the engine fires into life. Pull the right paddle towards you, take your foot of the brake, accelerate gently and we're off.
I have a clear track so it's foot down and up to third, fourth and fifth. The pit exit is at Folly Corner, making my way to Avon Rise before braking and back down to third to turn into Quarry corner, Once out of Quarry it was back on the power and up through fourth, fifth and sixth and down the farm straight towards the Esses, the 720S's V8 engine is roaring behind me. Break and change to third for the tight chicane is the Esses. Back on the power and up to fourth round the Old Paddock Band and Hammerdown before going back down to third for Tower Corner, Once through this tight corner, back on the power and then break for the next tight chicane Bobbies.
Once through this chicane back on the power up Westway then onto the Dean Straight before braking and changing down to third for Bybrook and then back on the power through Camp Corner and flat out towards the start finish straight heading towards Folly.
The 720S is an amazing car, it goes like a rocket, handles beautifully, feels planted in the corners and thanks you for driving it quickly. The gearbox is as smooth as silk and you get plenty of feedback from the steering and the rear wheels. You don't need to be a highly skilled driver to have this car make you smile. If that's not enough the exhaust notes from the engine are also pleasing.
I wanted more time in this car but sadly today was not that day. I pulled into the pits and sat for a couple of minutes to gather my thoughts about this car.
Some say always leave your audience wanting more, today the 720S did just that.
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