2017 Car of the Year runner-up: The McLaren 720S might be the best supercar in the world

According to McLaren, the 720S can hit 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and will reach a top speed of 212 mph. However, McLaren is known to underreport its performance data, so expect the 720S to be even quicker in reality.

At the heart of the 720S is a new 710-horsepower, 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It features brand new turbochargers, intercoolers, cylinder heads, crankshaft, and pistons. The new engine is not only significantly more powerful than the previous unit, it also produces fewer harmful emissions. Unfortunately, you can't open the hatch to see the motor, but McLaren did decide to bathe the engine compartment in mood lighting.

The 720 is also equipped with assistance features like 360-degree cameras and variable drift control, a system that allows drivers to perfect the art of drifting by giving them manual controls to adjust the traction control based on skill level and track conditions.

The 720S also gets a new 8-inch touchscreen running McLaren's new infotainment system with crisper graphics and updated menu layouts. The new architecture developed with JVCKENWOOD represents a significant improvement over the company's previous generation IRIS system that was clunky and confusing to use.

Speaking of buttons, McLaren made it a point to work on the tactile feel of its interior. What looks like carbon fiber is carbon fiber, metallic switches are machined out of aluminum, and leather accents come from only the finest cows.

Ignition and gear lever duties have been given to buttons.

The McLaren's massive windshield offers the driver superb visibility of the road.

In front of the driver is McLaren's new digital instrument cluster. Its display format changes based on the driving mode. In track mode, the display retracts into the dash revealing a small readout on top of the cluster.

Here's the luxury spec interior I sampled while in Italy.

While the seats change based on the specification of the car, the McLaren's ride quality doesn't. Much of this can be attributed to its new Proactive Chassis Control II system. In short, McLaren eschews anti-roll bars and traditional dampers for a system of interconnected hydraulic dampers.

The "proactive" bit comes from the advanced algorithms developed in conjunction with Cambridge University that adjusts chassis settings every two milliseconds based on input from a dozen sensors around the car. This gives drivers the impression the car can almost predict the future.

In addition, PCC II helps McLaren deliver the smoothest riding supercar in the world. Bumps that could shake a filling loose in a normal supercar come off as a minor disruption in the McLaren.

In fact, if Rolls-Royce ever lost its mind and decided to sink a few hundred million dollars into a hardcore supercar, it would be hard-pressed to make it ride better than the 720S.

This is also why the driver-focused interior looks pretty spartan.

Since our test car was originally brought to the US for car magazines to conduct performance testing, it came equipped with lightweight sport seats. While they offer better support in high G force situations, they do make it more difficult to get into the car.

The 720S is built around McLaren's new Monocage II carbon fiber passenger cell. It's lighter, stronger, and easier to get in and out of than its predecessor.

Open up the dihedral doors and step inside.

As a result, the stunning body by McLaren design chief Rob Melville is as much about the art of aerodynamics as it is about pure bedroom-poster-wow-factor.

Overall the McLaren cuts a futuristic silhouette through the air as it drives down the street. In fact, every surface is designed to efficiently channel air around the car.

Out back, the 720S' exhaust sits above the bumper and diffuser. Just under the deployable rear spoiler that doubles as an air brake.

Open up the front hatch and you'll discover a front trunk or frunk. For a supercar, the 720S is surprisingly practical. You can fit a week's worth of groceries in there. And whatever doesn't fit can be stowed on the parcel shelf behind the driver.

The first thing people notice are its controversial eye sockets. They are actually air intakes for the car's low-temperature radiators.

But first, a tour of the 720S.

However, we almost immediately relocated to the car to wilds of New Jersey where the beast would have more room to roam.

But we couldn't help but wonder how well it could handle less hospitable conditions? Like New York City and New Jersey.

....around Vallelunga Circuit just north of the Italian capital.

Earlier this year, I got the chance to the drive the McLaren 720S around the streets of Rome and...