McLaren wasn’t made for the road. It was for racetracks. In 1963, a young New Zealander named Bruce McLaren set out not to build just ordinary cars, but to build cars that defies normal speed. He founded a Formula 1 team in England, with little more than raw passion and a deep love for racing. Five years later, that passion crossed the finish line first, with McLaren’s maiden Grand Prix victory in 1968. But Bruce wasn’t chasing just wins. He was chasing perfection, intelligence and innovation. The idea that a car could be more than metal and speed. That belief turned a small racing car into a global icon. With legends like Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna behind the wheel.
Then, in 1985, McLaren decided to build cars for the roads. The mission? Bring that same fearless engineering to everyday roads. It began with the McLaren F1 in 1992—a car so ahead of its time, it hit 380 km/h and placed the driver at its heart. A symbol of what happens when dreams meet precision.
By 2010, McLaren Automotive was born—a full-fledged car company, grounded in the same DNA: balance, control, and relentless pursuit of better. It wasn’t about building fast cars. It was about building belief. And in 2021, that belief reached India. McLaren cars in India arrived by opening its first dealership in Mumbai, giving Indian enthusiasts access to a brand that started with one man’s vision—and became a legacy of excellence, engineered from scratch.
Timeline: From RaceTracks to Indian Roads
| Year | Milestone |
| 1963 | McLaren Racing was founded by Bruce McLaren |
| 1968 | First Formula 1 victory |
| 1981 | Introduced carbon-fibre chassis in F1 |
| 1985 | The McLaren Cars division started |
| 1992 | Launched the McLaren F1 road car |
| 2010 | Formed McLaren Automotive |
| 2011 | Released MP4-12C road car |
| 2021 | McLaren officially enters the Indian market |
| 2023 | 750S launched in India |
McLaren Cars in India (2025)
As of now, there are three models present as the McLaren cars in India:
- McLaren GT
- McLaren 720S
- McLaren 750S
Each of these cars is built for a different purpose. Let’s explore what makes them unique.
1. McLaren GT
The GT is designed for long-distance comfort. It’s not a car meant just for tracks. It has more luggage space, a softer ride, and more ground clearance. If you want speed but also practicality, the GT does both without trying too hard.
| Feature | Specification |
| Engine | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 |
| Power | 620 PS (612 bhp) |
| Torque | 630 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 326 km/h |
| Drive Type | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | 7-Speed Dual-Clutch |
| Mileage | ~7 km/l |
2. McLaren 720S
The 720S takes inspiration for its shape from a shark, smooth and fast. It’s a car that performs well on the road and feels at home on a race track. The body channels air perfectly to keep the car stable and cool.
| Feature | Specification |
| Engine | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 |
| Power | 720 PS (710 bhp) |
| Torque | 770 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 2.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 341 km/h |
| Drive Type | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | 7-Speed Dual-Clutch |
| Mileage | ~8.2 km/l |
3. McLaren 750S
The 750S is an upgraded version of the 720S. It’s lighter, quicker, and even more responsive. Over 30% of its parts have been improved. It sounds better, too, with a redesigned exhaust system that adds drama every time you rev it.
| Feature | Specification |
| Engine | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 |
| Power | 750 PS (740 bhp) |
| Torque | 800 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 2.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 332 km/h |
| Drive Type | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | 7-Speed Dual-Clutch |
| Mileage | ~10.5 km/l |
McLaren Price in India & Rivals
| Model | Price (Ex-Showroom) | Rivals |
| McLaren GT | ₹3.72 Crore | Ferrari Roma, Maserati MC20 |
| McLaren 720S | ₹4.65 Crore | Ferrari F8 Tributo, Huracán EVO |
| McLaren 750S | ₹5.91 Crore | Ferrari 296 GTB, Lamborghini Revuelto |
Why are McLaren Cars in India so Pricey?
Let’s face it—you’re not just paying for the car. You’re paying for import duties, shipping costs, customisation charges, and luxury taxes that come with bringing a completely built unit (CBU) into India. While the base price abroad may seem lower, once the car enters Indian soil, taxes and fees can increase the price by over 100%. Add dealership margin, service network costs, and compliance with Indian regulations, and you get the price you see on paper.
Which of the McLaren Cars in India is Suitable for Indian Roads?
If comfort matters more to you, and you want a car that handles daily driving and longer trips, the GT is your best option. It has more space, better ride quality, and is easier to live with. If you want performance but don’t want to sacrifice everything else, the 720S offers a good balance. It’s sharp and still manageable on Indian roads if you stay careful. But if all you care about is speed, thrill, and having the best McLaren has to offer, go for the 750S. It’s the lightest and quickest, but also the least forgiving on bad roads.
To be honest, McLaren cars in India aren’t built for potholes or speed breakers. That’s not what they were made for. So while they can work in India, you have to pick your roads, plan your routes, and maybe lift the front end a few times.
Future of McLaren Cars in India
McLaren’s arrival in India might have started with a single dealership in Mumbai, but it doesn’t end there. The company has hinted at a deeper commitment to the Indian market in the coming years, starting with broader availability, new model launches, and possibly even more service touchpoints. One name that’s creating the most hype is the McLaren Artura. This isn’t just another supercar, it’s McLaren’s first hybrid car. The Artura blends a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor, making it quicker, cleaner, and smarter than what we’ve seen so far. With global momentum building around electrification, it’s only a matter of time before McLaren brings the Artura—and possibly more hybrids or EVS—into India.
But there’s more to it than just the cars. McLaren is also exploring the potential for expanding its dealership network beyond Mumbai. Cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad—with their growing base of HNWIs and car collectors—are on the radar. As more buyers seek ultra-luxury cars that go beyond status symbols, McLaren could slowly carve out a stronghold here. In short, while McLaren’s India chapter is still new, it’s already turning the page to something bigger: more models, more access, and more reasons for enthusiasts to consider the brand not just aspirational, but finally attainable.
Conclusion
McLaren cars in India are not for everyone. They’re rare, expensive, and built with precision. But if you’re someone who values how a car feels more than how it looks, someone who doesn’t mind a few bumps if it means experiencing a different level of driving, then a McLaren might be the right choice. Just know what you’re getting into, choose the right model for your needs, and enjoy the experience for what it is: engineering at its rawest, smartest.
FAQ’s
Q1 Can you drive a McLaren every day in India?
Yes, you can drive it daily but only if you’re really careful because the roads here aren’t made for low cars and you’ll have to slow down a lot over speed breakers and avoid potholes whenever you can otherwise the car might get damaged and that can be expensive.
Q2: Why is McLaren so costly in India?
It’s because the car is imported fully from outside and that means you pay a lot of tax, shipping charges, and other fees on top of the original price and once you add the dealer cost and service setup it becomes even higher and that’s why it feels so expensive here.
Q3: Which McLaren is the fastest one in India?
The 720S has the highest top speed but the 750S is quicker when it comes to acceleration so if you want speed numbers then go for 720S but if you want quick response and a better driving feel then the 750S is the one you should look at.