MORE PICS: McLaren 540C, plus 570S GT4 on the cards

McLaren has released more pics of the 540C coupe it revealed yesterday at the Shanghai motor show.

Despite being labelled as an ‘entry-level’ supercar, the 540C claims a 3.5-second 0-100km/h from the lower powered 397kW/540Nm version of the firm’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8.

Joining the 570S, the new Sport Series McLaren 540C is named after its 540PS power output. Like the 570S, the power is driven through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to the rear wheels, the engine consumes fuel at the rate of 11.1L/100km.

Built around a carbon-fibre tub the 540C weighs just 1311kg - 150kg lighter than its Porsche 911 rival, McLaren claims.

At 1.2 metres tall and 2.1 metres wide, the 540C is lower and wider than the Porsche.

The 540C can be distinguished from the 570S by a different aerodynamics package and design for the 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) alloy wheels, which are shod with Pirelli P Zero tyres.

As standard equipment, the 540C comes with the manufacturer's Brake Steer system, which applies braking pressure to the inside rear wheel – allowing later braking into corners, and earlier application of power.

McLaren offers adaptive dampers on the 540C with three settings – instead of the 570S’ passive system, making the entry-level supercar more comfortable over long distances.

Features anticipated to be offered as standard in global markets for the 540C include digital radio, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming, voice control and media player.

McLaren has announced a price of £126,000 (AUD $242,000) for the 540C in its home market, the UK. Global deliveries are due to commence from early next year.

As well as the new 540C, a senior source at McLaren has confirmed it’s looking at creating a 570S-based racing car to compete in the GT4 category racing class around the world.

"We are looking at it," said a senior source at McLaren speaking to British magazine, Autocar, "and working out where it fits in our race strategy from F1 downwards. We would need to be confident of being able to do it at a price that made sense both to us and our customers."

Any 570S GT4 racer will almost certainly spin off a more hardcore 570S road car that’s expected to be called the 570LT (Long Tail.)

According to the magazine, McLaren also hasn’t ruled out a return to Le Mans, but not in the short term.