# Credit Crunch Coupes McLaren's 540C Coupe is a Relatively Inexpensive Sports Car By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-04-21 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/540c-coupe References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/mclaren-v8-entry-level-540c-coupe/37093/) & [media.mclarenautomotive](https://media.mclarenautomotive.com/release/311/) The 540C Coupe is British automaker [McLaren's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artura-spider) attempt at making its vehicles attainable to the reasonably monied (as opposed to filthy rich) auto enthusiast. At $187, 657, this vehicle is a relative steal given its features and specs. This car is capable of pumping out 533 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter [V8](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bmw-concept-skytop) motor, allowing it to zoom from stationary to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds and zero to 200 km/h in only 10.5 seconds. It can attain a top speed of 320 km/h. Aluminum body panels and a [lightweight MonoCell](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mclaren-monocell-edition) make for an exceedingly lightweight ride, and a dry weight of only 2,890 pounds. The chassis is designed for easy entry and exit, making this car appealing towards everyday use. With its blend of turbocharged power and relatively affordable price, the McLaren 540C Coupe is a small step towards making the luxury sports car more accessible. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 58% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Affordable Luxury:** The McLaren 540C Coupe is an example of an affordable luxury sports car, showcasing the trend of making high-end vehicles accessible to a wider audience. - **Turbocharged Power:** The use of turbocharged engines in sports cars, like in the McLaren 540C Coupe, is a trend that offers enhanced performance while being more fuel efficient. - **Lightweight Performance:** The emphasis on lightweight materials and construction in cars, as seen in the McLaren 540C Coupe, is a trend that aims to improve speed, handling, and fuel economy. ### Who This Affects Most - **Automotive:** The automotive industry can embrace the trend of creating affordable luxury sports cars, providing options for consumers who seek high performance without the exorbitant price tag. - **Sports Cars:** The sports car industry can capitalize on the trend of turbocharged power, offering faster and more efficient vehicles that appeal to performance enthusiasts. - **Materials and Manufacturing:** The materials and manufacturing industry can explore the trend of lightweight construction, developing innovative materials and techniques to reduce weight in various products and applications. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hybrid Convertible Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artura-spider.md) - [Affordable British Supercars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noble-m500.md) - [Sleek Racing-Inspired Super Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maserati-mc20.md) - [Luxury Game-Inspired Hypercars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solus-gt.md) - [Industry-Leading Hybrid Supercars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mclaren-w1.md) - [Luxury British E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/extreme-600.md) - [Audaciously Powerful Hypercars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/powerful-hypercars.md) - [Carbon-Loaded Luxury Sports Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2027-bentley-continental-gt-supersports.md) - [Turbocharged British Sports Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourcylinder-car.md)