Art Basel week used to focus on physical media and art exhibitions, but the last few years have ushered in a new era that automotive brands have tapped into. Most brands reveal a unique one-of-a-kind version of their latest vehicle, like the McLaren x Nat Bowen 750S project. But just slightly north of the glitz and glamor of South Beach, Miami, McLaren was taking advantage of a new landscape: the Miami International Autodrome at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Driving A McLaren At The Miami International Autodrome Is Quite An Experience
You’ve probably heard of the Miami International Autodrome and didn’t know it. It’s the track at the Hard Rock Stadium, where they hold the Miami Grand Prix every year, it’s also the home field for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL) and the Miami Hurricanes. This is one of the first McLaren Amplified events, and the brand went all out. Owners could bring their personal McLarens to drive on the track, but they also had the 750S, Artura, and GTS on hand for people to experience.
First up on the track was the McLaren 750S. We’ve driven the 750S before on the mean streets of Naples, but not on the track at all. You can really get to know the car’s capabilities on the track, rather than on your standard Florida highway. On track, the 750S feels like it’s sort of reading my mind. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 hits hard out of the corners that I barely have time to glance up before I’m already setting up for the next braking zone. My pro driver was on hand to help me brake at the appropriate times and remind me to keep my “eyes up” for the next section.
The steering is exactly what I want from a McLaren, light enough to take a tight corner but detailed enough that I always know what the front tires are doing. We learned that this track is a little tight, so all of these details are important. The chassis stays calm, which makes it really easy to trust the car and push a little more each lap. The brakes are strong and predictable, so I can brake late when necessary and get back on power without upsetting anything. It’s one of those cars that makes you feel like you’re driving better than you actually are, and I’m not complaining.
A Dynamic Handling Session In The Artura
The next part of the McLaren Amplified experience was a dynamic handling session in the Artura. There were more pro drivers on hand to explain the process and how we should attack. The Artura has a cool feature called Variable Drift Control (VDC), which lets you adjust how much traction control intervenes and how much slip/oversteer is allowed before stability systems step in. You can adjust the amount on the main infotainment screen and be on your way, as sideways as you’d like.
There are different drive modes you can be in, like Track or Sport mode, which also help shape the experience. This combination gives you better control of the hybrid Artura, regardless of your skill level. I didn’t have much time behind the wheel for this part of the day, but I did appreciate the customizable levels of control offered.
On The Streets Or The Track, McLaren Has Your Back (Forgive Me)
Having been able to drive the 750S and the Artura on the track and the streets, I can safely say these supercars handle both exceedingly well. You can cruise to the grocery store for your orange juice and muffins when the time calls for it, but you can also go ballistic on the track if that’s what your schedule calls for.
What stood out most about the McLaren Amplified experience was how thoughtfully it was put together. It was about understanding what these cars are capable of when you actually have the space to explore them. Having pro drivers there to walk through braking points, drive modes, and systems like Variable Drift Control made the learning curve feel approachable rather than intimidating. Whether it was pushing the 750S harder with each lap or dialing in the Artura’s balance just enough to feel the rear rotate (even if it was just in a lovely circle), the event did exactly what it was supposed to do: build confidence and connection with the cars.
Art Basel week might still be rooted in galleries and installations, but experiences like this show how much the landscape has shifted. Through McLaren Amplified, the brand turned Miami into a place to drive, learn, and actually engage with its cars at speed. Between the precision of the 750S, the adaptability of the Artura, and the setting of the Miami International Autodrome, this felt less like an automotive activation and more like the real highlight of the week.
