It was announced in February 2014 as a new model, but based on the existing MP4-12C with 25% new parts,[3] and was formally unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

[4] The 650S shares the MP4-12C's carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer chassis, and is powered by the same 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged McLaren M838T V8 engine, but is now rated at 650 PS (478 kW; 641 hp) and 500 lb⋅ft (678 N⋅m) of torque.

[5] Power is transmitted to the wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch Seamless-Shift gearbox (SSG) provided by Graziano Trasmissioni.

[8] The 650 in the car's name refers to the engine's power output in Pferdestärke, the European standard for horsepower while the S stands for Sport.

The monocoque weighs 75 kg (165 lb) and is manufactured by Carbo Tech, an aerospace contractor based in Austria.

The wide and deep hollow box sections on each side of the carbon fibre tub are designed for easy entry and exit from the car.

The powertrain of the 650S is largely carried over from the 12C but involves new pistons, better-flowing cylinder heads, new exhaust valves, and recalibrated camshaft timing.

The 650S comes with new aluminium forged wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres having wider contact patch than the previous versions for improved grip.

The air brake which is carried over from the 12C is now controlled by an onboard computer which uses the data gathered from accelerometers in the car in order to counteract lift.

[10] The 650S featured a revised front end, resembling the flagship P1 in order to update the styling of the car and to give it a more aggressive appearance than its predecessor.

The interior focus on a symmetrical design language which McLaren claims reduces the shift time required by the owner to learn about the car's functions.

[8] the Spider features a three-piece retractable hard-top carbon fibre roof which takes 17 seconds for operation.

Introduced in 2014, the car was offered in three matte carbon, exclusive MSO colours, Papaya Spark, Agrigan Black and Sarigan Quartz.

[14] In September 2014, McLaren launched an additional model to the range, the 625C, available in both coupé and roadster bodystyles and aimed at specific markets in the South Asia Pacific region.

Top speed remains the same as the 650S but acceleration from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) is slightly slower at 3.1 seconds (when equipped with optional Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres).

Other distinct features from the entry 650S model include a functional roof-mounted engine induction ‘snorkel’ and subtle louvres on the front wings.

[18] The Can-Am is a limited edition of the 650S Spider developed by McLaren Special Operations and features cosmetic upgrades over the standard model.

Differences from the standard 650S Spider include a carbon-fibre hood, roof, airbrake, door blades and front splitter.

The LT in the model name is a reference to the "Long Tail" 1997 McLaren F1 GT which was the final incarnation of the F1 road car built to comply with FIA homologation regulations for the 1997 F1 GTR.

It shares the same 675 PS (496 kW; 666 bhp), 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the coupé, but has a folding hardtop roof as seen on the 650S Spider taking 16 seconds for operation.

[31] The car is lighter and more powerful than the 675LT, the upgraded engine now rated at 688 PS (506 kW; 679 hp) and 516 lb⋅ft (700 N⋅m) of torque at 7,000 rpm.

Exterior changes include a new bumper with front splitters, roof mounted air scoop, full length side skirts and an adjustable fixed rear wing, inspired by the P1 GTR.

[33]In June 2014, McLaren announced that they would produce a GT3 version of the 650S, either as a new car or as an upgrade for the existing 12C GT3 – which will contest GT3 championships from 2015 onwards.

The 3.8-litre McLaren twin-turbocharged V8 engine, also used in the 12C-GT3, produces 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp), and includes a new ECU to improve turbo boost and gearshifts.

[35] The 650S achieved its biggest success when it won the 2016 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour race in Australia at the hands of Álvaro Parente, Shane van Gisbergen and Jonathon Webb.