Car comparison

McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8vsMcLaren 540C 3.8 V8

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

McLaren MP4-12C Coupe

3.8 V8

625 hp3799 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTwin-turboCoupe2011-2014
VS

McLaren 540C

3.8 V8

540 hp3799 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticTwin-turboCoupe2015-2021

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    3.3 s
  • Fastest top speed
    333 km/h
    207 mph
  • Most powerful
    625 hp
    466 kW
  • Highest torque
    600 Nm
    443 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    436 hp/t
    325 kW/t
    2.3 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    75/100
  • Best performance score
    92/100
  • Best practicality score
    39/100

McLaren 540C 3.8 V8

  • Lightest
    1,311 kg
    2,890 lb
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    10.7 L/100 km
    22.0 mpg US
    26.4 mpg UK
  • Lowest CO2 emissions
    249 g/km
  • Best economy score
    78/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelMcLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8McLaren540C3.8 V8
Power
625hp466kW
540hp403kW
Torque
600Nm443lb-ft
540Nm398lb-ft
Curb weight
1,434kg3,161lb
1,311kg2,890lb
Top speed
333 km/h
207 mph
Unrestricted
330 km/h205 mph
Restricted
320 km/h199 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
50.0s99% target: 330 km/h / 205 mph
Calculated
66.9s99% target: 327 km/h / 203 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
3.3s
3.5s
0-200 km/h
9.0s
10.5s
0-60 mph
3.2s
Calculated
3.3s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
11.7L/100 km20.1mpg US24.1mpg UK
10.7L/100 km22mpg US26.4mpg UK
Fuel consumption city-
16.5L/100 km14.3mpg US17.1mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway-
7.4L/100 km31.8mpg US38.2mpg UK
Quarter mile
10.8s
Calculated
11.3s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
436hp/t325kW/t198hp/1000 lb
Calculated
412hp/t307kW/t187hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
418Nm/t280lb-ft/ton
Calculated
412Nm/t276lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
615km382mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
3,799cc232cu in
3,799cc232cu in
Length
4,509mm178in
4,530mm178in
Width
1,908mm75in
2,095mm82in
Height
1,199mm47in
1,202mm47in
Wheelbase
2,670mm105in
-
Front track
1,656mm65in
-
Rear track
1,583mm62in
-
Ground clearance
120mm5in
-
Doors
2
2
Seats
2
2
Fuel tank
72L
-
CO2 emissions
279g/km
249g/km

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8McLaren 540C 3.8 V8PowerTorque
  • McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8: Power / Torque
  • McLaren 540C 3.8 V8: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V87,500 rpm3,000-7,000 rpm8,500 rpm
McLaren540C3.8 V87,500 rpm3,500-6,500 rpm7,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricMcLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8McLaren540C3.8 V8
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
3.2 s
3.3 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
3.3 s
3.5 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
9.0 s
10.5 s
0-200 mph
0-322 km/h
36.2 s
52.0 s
Top speed
333 km/h
207 mph
Unrestricted
330 km/h205 mph
Restricted
320 km/h199 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
1.9 s
1.9 s
330 ft
101 m
4.9 s
4.9 s
1/8 mile
201 m
7.2 s
7.4 s
1000 ft
305 m
9.2 s
9.5 s
1/4 mile
402 m
10.8 s
11.3 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
221 km/h
137 mph
207 km/h
129 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
625 hp
466 kW
McLaren540C3.8 V8
540 hp
403 kW

McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8 has 85 hp more than McLaren 540C 3.8 V8.

The biggest power difference is between McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 and McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8: 85 hp (63 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
600 Nm
443 lb-ft
McLaren540C3.8 V8
540 Nm
398 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
1,434 kg
3,161 lb
McLaren540C3.8 V8
1,311 kg
2,890 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
333 km/h
207 mph
McLaren540C3.8 V8
Unrestricted
330 km/h205 mph
Restricted
320 km/h199 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V83.3 s
McLaren540C3.8 V83.5 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8 and McLaren 540C 3.8 V8: 0.2 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
11.7 L/100 km
20.1 mpg US
24.1 mpg UK
McLaren540C3.8 V8
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK

The biggest fuel consumption difference is between McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 and McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8: 1.0 L/100 km.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
436 hp/t
325 kW/t
2.3 kg/hp
McLaren540C3.8 V8
412 hp/t
307 kW/t
2.4 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
625 hp
466 kW
3.3 s
333 km/h
207 mph
McLaren540C3.8 V8
540 hp
403 kW
3.5 s
Unrestricted
330 km/h205 mph
Restricted
320 km/h199 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
Power
625 hp
466 kW
0-100 km/h3.3 s
Top speed
333 km/h
207 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,509 mm
177.5 in
Height
1,199 mm
47.2 in
McLaren540C3.8 V8
Power
540 hp
403 kW
0-100 km/h3.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
330 km/h205 mph
Restricted
320 km/h199 mph
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,530 mm
178.3 in
Height
1,202 mm
47.3 in

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
Power
625 hp
466 kW
0-100 km/h3.3 s
Top speed
333 km/h
207 mph
11.7 L/100 km
20.1 mpg US
24.1 mpg UK
McLaren540C3.8 V8
Power
540 hp
403 kW
0-100 km/h3.5 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
330 km/h205 mph
Restricted
320 km/h199 mph
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK

McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
11.7 L/100 km
20.1 mpg US
24.1 mpg UK
3.3 s
McLaren540C3.8 V8
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK
3.5 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
McLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8
436 hp/t
325 kW/t
2.3 kg/hp
11.7 L/100 km
20.1 mpg US
24.1 mpg UK
McLaren540C3.8 V8
412 hp/t
307 kW/t
2.4 kg/hp
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleMcLarenMP4-12C Coupe3.8 V8McLaren540C3.8 V8
Power
625 hp
466 kW
540 hp
403 kW
Torque
600 Nm
443 lb-ft
540 Nm
398 lb-ft
Acceleration
3.3 s
3.5 s
Top speed
333 km/h
207 mph
Unrestricted
330 km/h205 mph
Restricted
320 km/h199 mph
Lightness
1,434 kg
3,161 lb
1,311 kg
2,890 lb
Fuel consumption
11.7 L/100 km
20.1 mpg US
24.1 mpg UK
10.7 L/100 km
22.0 mpg US
26.4 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,509 mm
177.5 in
Height
1,199 mm
47.2 in
Doors/seats
2 doors
2 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,530 mm
178.3 in
Height
1,202 mm
47.3 in
Range score
615 km
382 mi
-
CO2 score
279 g/km
249 g/km
Power-to-weight score
436 hp/t
325 kW/t
2.3 kg/hp
412 hp/t
307 kW/t
2.4 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehicleMcLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8McLaren 540C 3.8 V8
Consumption11.7 L/100 km20.1 mpg US24.1 mpg UK10.7 L/100 km22 mpg US26.4 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km20.47 LC100 km18.72 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi32.95 LC100 mi30.13 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,755 L464 US gal386 UK gal1,605 L424 US gal353 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,071 LC/year2,809 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8

  • Has 85 hp more
  • Has 60 Nm more
  • Is 0.2 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 3 km/h (2 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 24 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Highest combined fuel consumption
  • Heaviest
  • Highest CO2 emissions

McLaren 540C 3.8 V8

  • Is 123 kg lighter
  • Uses 1.0 L/100 km less fuel
  • Emits 30 g/km less CO2

Pros

  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption

Cons

  • Slowest 0-100 km/h
  • Lowest power
  • Lowest top speed

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Model
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McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8
McLaren 540C 3.8 V8
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McLaren MP4-12C Coupe 3.8 V8 vs McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 - car comparison - FastVsFaster