McLaren 720S Novitec

This car starts as a 720S, already one of the most usable supercars ever made, then goes further. Novitec's Stage 2 conversion lifts the 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 to 806 horsepower and 878 Nm, enough for 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 346 km/h. The N-TRONIC units and the Novitec RACE exhaust give it a harder voice than any showroom example, and every bit of that output goes to the rear wheels through the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

From the driver's seat the 720S feels light and clear in a way most rivals struggle to manage. The dihedral doors lift, the glazed cockpit opens the view out, and Proactive Chassis Control II keeps the car settled as speed builds. On Sheikh Zayed Road it gathers pace without any drama. Give it room past Al Qudra or on the open run to Hatta and the Novitec engine and forged carbon aero show what the tune was built for.

In the city the lowered stance and MC1 forged wheels read as a serious car at every set of lights, so a crawl through Dubai Marina or along JBR comes with plenty of attention. Belize Blue catches the light differently through the day, and the warm tarmac gives the rear tyres the grip to deploy 806 horsepower cleanly. It belongs on the long, open roads this country has more of than almost anywhere.

Buying a tuned 720S means six figures and a careful garage. Renting gives you the same experience for a few days, with insurance and delivery included in the price you are quoted. We bring it to your door full of fuel and detailed, and collect it when you are done.