The McLaren 570S is the first model in McLaren’s new entry-level Sport Series. Described by the British carmaker as a sports car, as opposed to a supercar, the $184,900 570S—which debuted at this year’s New York International Auto Show—becomes the most attainable McLaren available in North America. However, it offers performance numbers on par with those of many flagship supercars.

With a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8—which shares most of its components with the power plant used in the $240,000 McLaren 65…