In Woking England sits a tiny little car company that has been slowly trying to dominate the supercar world. It started back in the 90s with the introduction of the world’s fastest production car, the McLaren F1. A few decades have past, the F1 has been surpassed in speed, and McLaren has finally decided they want to start making more cars again. It started with the Mp-12C, then came the P1 hybrid supercar, and lastly the 650S.
Now when you are playing in Ferrari’s backyard, buyers demand more than just cars that are fast. They want racing cars, special editions and limited models that follow a heritage. In pursuit of that kind of money, McLaren has just unveiled the 675LT. The LT in the name is an homage to the bonkers Longtail McLaren F1 GTR from 1997.
Since it is named after one of the world’s fastest cars ever created, McLaren was sure to up the car’s performance credentials. Wight has been cut by more than 200 pounds, the horsepower emanating from the 3.8-liter turbocharged engine has been upped to 666, and the whole care features a wider track and stiffened suspension for greater handling and control. In a word, its the best McLaren you can buy short of the P1.
Of course, if you want one, you better get on the phone today. McLaren says that production of this new car will be strictly limited to just 500 units worldwide. If you want even more information about this crazy-fast, mid-engined beast you can check out McLaren’s full press release from Geneva below.
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LIMITED PRODUCTION CONFIRMED FOR McLAREN 675LT
675LT re-establishes the McLaren ‘Longtail’ heritage, focusing on light weight, optimised aerodynamics, increased power, track-focused dynamics and driver engagement
Priced at £259,500 and production strictly limited to 500 units globally
Chassis changes confirmed including wider track and stiffer rated springs front and rear
Optional Club Sport pack adds titanium roll hoop and harness
The McLaren 675LT was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. View the full press conference at: www.youtube.com/McLarenAutomotiveTV
The McLaren 675LT, which made its global debut today at the 85th International Geneva Motor Show, will be the lightest, most powerful and fastest model in the McLaren Super Series, and also the most exclusive: production will be strictly limited to just 500 examples worldwide.
The limited production model has a clear focus on light weight, optimised aerodynamics, increased power, track-focused dynamics and driver engagement. At its core is the lightweight carbon fibre MonoCell chassis, shared with each model in the Super Series, but the chassis set up and powertrain are bespoke, with a third of overall parts and components modified.
A more aggressive set up gives the 675LT a unique track-focused feel, while still retaining the adjustable ProActive Chassis Control to ensure drivability and comfort levels are maintained. One of the many updates featured on the 1997 McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’ was a wider track, front and rear. This approach is echoed in the 675LT, with the front and rear track widened by 20mm, ensuring optimised stability and handling performance. Lightweight springs front and rear have been stiffened – 27 percent at the front and 63 percent at the rear – to improve body control and allow for the 40 percent increase in downforce generated by the revised bodywork and active aerodynamics. Newly-developed suspension geometry includes lightweight uprights and wishbones based on the learnings from the McLaren P1™. This is coupled with a faster steering rack to give a more extreme driver-focused experience.
The obsession with weight saving sees the 675LT tip the scales at just 1,230kg (dry weight), making it the lightest model in the already lightweight Super Series, with a saving of more than 100kg. This has been achieved with the use of lighter weight components. For example, the changes to the car’s glazing alone save 4.5kg with a thinner windscreen and rear bulkhead glass, and replacing the engine cover with motorsport-style polycarbonate.
The 675LT uses the familiar seven-speed SSG transmission found in the other Super Series models, retaining the Normal, Sport or Track modes. These settings have been recalibrated to produce more eager performance, with optimised throttle response and gearshifts up to twice as fast as previously offered. The newly developed ‘Ignition Cut’ technology is a technique adopted from Formula 1™ which sees a momentary cut of the fuel spark on gearshift. This delivers the fastest change possible, and is accompanied by a dramatic aural ‘crack’ on both upshift and downshift. Also debuting on the 675LT is an all-new Electronic Stability Control (ESC) calibration, giving the driver an even greater level of control over the throttle and brake inputs.
The 675LT unveiled to world’s automotive media gathered in Geneva was finished in the newly launched Chicane Grey, showcasing the McLaren Club Sport pack. This option, priced at £5,090 for the UK market, is designed with an even greater focus on track driving, and includes titanium roll hoop with four point harnesses and a fire extinguisher.
The limited edition McLaren 675LT is available to order from all McLaren Retailers, priced from £259,500. Deliveries will commence from July 2015.
About McLaren Automotive:
McLaren Automotive is a British manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sports cars, located at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, Surrey.
Following the global launch of McLaren Automotive in 2010, the groundbreaking 12C was launched in 2011, the 12C Spider in 2012, and the limited-run McLaren P1™ went into production in 2013. In keeping with its plan to introduce a new model each year, the company unveiled the 650S, in coupe and Spider form in 2014, and has announced the Sports Series among the models to be introduced in 2015. The brand continues to expand, and McLaren posted a profit during 2013 – only the third year of vehicle production. This was followed in 2014, by a third consecutive year of growth in sales with a record 1,648 vehicles delivered via a dedicated global network of retailers in every major automotive market.
McLaren Automotive Partners
To support the development, engineering and manufacture of its range of innovative and highly acclaimed sports cars, McLaren Automotive has partnered with world leading companies to provide specialist expertise and technology including, AkzoNobel, ExxonMobil, Pirelli and SAP.
Designed for the track; Developed for the road
The connection between Formula 1 and road cars at McLaren is a natural process of experience, knowledge, principles and process transfer. Through the integration of 50 years of Formula 1™ racing expertise and knowledge, and over 20 years of heritage in producing landmark sports cars, McLaren Automotive designs, develops and builds a range of technologically advanced and groundbreaking high performance sports cars which are designed to be a no compromise drive on both road and track.
McLaren has pioneered the use of carbon fibre in vehicle production over the past 30 years, and since introducing a carbon chassis into racing and road cars with the 1981 McLaren MP4/1 and 1993 McLaren F1 respectively, McLaren has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis.
