The 720S is the first all-new car to be introduced by McLaren as a part of its new plan to launch 15 new cars into the market by 2022.[8] The 720S according to McLaren is 91% new as compared to its predecessor.

Engine
Main article: McLaren M840T engine
The 720S features McLaren's new M840T engine which is an evolution of the M838T used in the 650S.[9] It is a 3,994 cc (4.0 L; 243.7 cu in) twin-turbocharged V8 engine.[10][11] The engine has a rated power output of 720 PS (530 kW; 710 hp) at 7,500 rpm, giving the car its name; the maximum torque is 568 lb⋅ft (770 N⋅m) at 5,500 rpm.[1

Suspension
The ProActive Chassis Control II active suspension system used in the 720S is an evolution of the system used in the 650S but is 16 kg (35 lb) lighter than the previous version. The new system features accelerometers on the top and pressure sensors at the bottom of the dampers to precisely communicate to the car's onboard computer the driving conditions in real-time for optimum suspension settings. The system uses findings from a PhD course at the University of Cambridge.