McLaren reveals "longtail" road-going 675LT

The McLaren 675LT, which will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week, with a clear focus on outright performance, weight reduction and ultimate levels of driver engagement – all key attributes of a 'Longtail' McLaren. Offered as a Coupe only, the 675LT will be the most track-focused, yet road legal, model in the McLaren Super Series, with a power to weight ratio that eclipses established rivals. The sprint from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) takes just 2.9 seconds, with controlled torque delivery ensuring optimized traction off the line. Acceleration continues at a relentless pace with the 124 mph (200 km/h) barrier broken in 7.9 seconds, on to a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).

The first images of the car show a darker side of the McLaren brand than has been seen before. Aggressive styling cues and performance enhancements include the extended carbon fiber front splitter, extended door blade with additional cooling intake, and circular twin titanium exhaust pipes, giving a hint to the performance available within the most powerful and lightweight model in the McLaren Super Series. The active 'Longtail' Airbrake is 50 percent bigger than the one fitted to the 650S yet, due to its carbon fiber structure, is actually lighter. This is just one of the enhancements that add up to a dry weight of just 2,711 lbs (1,230kg). With a modified V8 engine delivering, as the name suggests, a power output of 666 bhp (675PS), the 675LT delivers a mighty power-to-weight ratio of 4 lbs per bhp (549PS per ton).

The 675LT is as fully track-focused as it is road legal with a third of its parts modified to suit its purpose compared with the 650S Coupe and Spider that continue in production alongside it. Yet like its iconic predecessor, the McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail', from which the LT name is derived, this is a car that is as exciting to look at as it is to drive.

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Weight reduction has been a key focus throughout the development program for the 675LT, and the result is a savings of over 220 lbs (100kgs) beyond the other models in the Super Series – in line with the savings made by the 1997 McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail' over its hugely successful predecessors, despite the revised bodywork. This weight savings has been achieved through extensive use of carbon fiber for the body panels, along with lightweight engine, chassis and body structure parts.

Below a newly designed front bumper sits a prominent carbon fiber front splitter, which works the air harder, complimenting new front wing end plates to increase downforce levels over the front bodywork. The turbulent air from the front wheel arches is 'cleaned' as it flows towards the rear bodywork by sculpted carbon fiber side sills which run the full length of the lower bodywork. A subtle air intake is incorporated ahead of the leading edge of the rear wheel arch, below a more pronounced side intake behind the door, both of which feed clean cool air into the side-mounted radiators.

The aero balance is optimized by the active 'Longtail' Airbrake which, as with the McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail', is larger – 50 percent larger than on other Super Series models. The reprofiled design flows into the lines of the new carbon fiber rear wings. Two circular exhaust pipes, forged from titanium, exit centrally through exposed bodywork below the rear wing. Despite a more complex design, the bespoke crossover system is designed to optimize performance and reduce weight, saving 2.4 lbs (1.1kg). The rear deck and sections flanking the exhaust pipes remain exposed; designed to evacuate hot air from the engine bay as efficiently as possible, while a lightweight plexiglas rear screen features further louvers. A louvered carbon fiber rear bumper reduces air pressure over the rear wheels, while the rear design is completed with a dramatic integrated carbon fiber diffuser.

The 675LT is offered in five 'By McLaren' hero specifications, which includes four bespoke colors never previously offered: Silica White, Delta Red, Napier Green and Chicane Grey are all newly formulated paint hues for the 675LT. The famous heritage McLaren Orange completes the themes unique to the model.

Inside the 675LT, the purposeful driver-focused cabin gives even further indication of track potential. A pair of ultra lightweight carbon fiber-shelled bucket seats, upholstered in Alcantara as standard and modelled on those in the McLaren P1, provide comfort and support with no compromise on overall weight. Each of the five LT color themes is complimented within the stripped out interior, with carefully selected materials and colors.

McLAREN 675LT TECHNICAL STATISTICS

PERFORMANCE
0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) 2.9 seconds
0-124 mph (0-200 km/h) 7.9 seconds
Top speed 205 mph (330 km/h)
Power-to-weight 4 lbs per bhp (549PS per ton)

ENGINE & POWERTRAIN
Engine Configuration V8 Twin Turbo / 3799cc
Power 666 bhp (675PS) @ 7,100 rpm
Torque 516 lb ft (700Nm) @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
Transmission 7 Speed SSG
CO2 275g/km

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Dry weight 2,711 lbs (1,230kg)
Weight distribution 42.5 / 57.5
Length (mm) 4,546
Width (mm) 2,095
Height (mm) 1,188
Featured GalleryMcLaren 675LT

Source: McLaren