More power. Less weight. Say hello to the McLaren 675LT

Justin Kaehler

February 25, 2015 at 11:00 AM

It’s no secret that anything with a McLaren badge is a favorite around these parts, so it should come as no surprise that we’re incredibly giddy about the company’s newest ride, the 675LT. It’s a supercar that gives you more by giving you less, and it makes the almighty 650S seem tame.

Let’s start with the power and how there’s more of it. McLaren revised the 650S-sourced twin-turbo V8 by increasing the unit’s power to an incredibly evil-sounding 666 bhp. In a slightly more civilized form of measurement, that’s 675PS (this is how this McLaren got its name).

McLaren also tore a page out of the Lotus book of engineering and put the 675LT on a serious diet, with this car weighing in a full 220 lbs lighter than a standard 650S. Revised bodywork improves aerodynamic performance—adding downforce up front and cleaning up the airflow at the rear. We’re sure that there’s a ton of airflow computational data set to get all the engineering nerds excited, but for the rest of us, we can geek out on features like the massive carbon fiber front splitter, vented Plexiglas rear window, and oversized “longtail” airbrake.

All this tech helps make this McLaren 675LT faster than the pedestrian 650S. It takes just 2.9 seconds for it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h; the 200 km/h barrier is broken in just 7.9 seconds. Top speed is a terrifyingly fast 330 km/h—205 mph for those of us who have yet to adopt the metric system.

Other cool features include new twin titanium exhaust tips, which we really wish were equipped to our own 650S testers; lightweight carbon fiber seats wrapped in Alcantara; and five hero colors, four of which are exclusive to the 675LT.

As of this writing, McLaren has yet to release the price for this ultimate street bruiser, but as the saying goes, “if you have to ask…” We’re also awaiting a concrete street date so that we can schedule some one-on-one time with this very special machine.

In the meantime—for a few more details wrapped in a ton of marketing speak—check out the full press release below.

TECHNOLOGY AT ITS FINEST

• 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds; 0-124 mph in 7.9 seconds
• 220 lbs weight savings makes the 675LT the lightest in its class, and gives a power-to-weight ratio of 4 lbs per bhp (549PS per ton)
• 33 percent of parts are different from the 650S, which it sits alongside in the McLaren Super Series
• Five unique ‘By McLaren’ hero specifications to be offered
• Global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015 on stand 1240 at 12.15 CET (11.15 GMT / 6:15AM EST)

The McLaren 675LT will make its world debut at the 85th Geneva Motor Show, 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 that 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.

‘LONGTAIL’ SUCCESS: LIGHT WEIGHT AND AERODYNAMIC

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, and 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 that 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.

FIVE UNIQUE ‘BY McLAREN’ 675LT THEMES

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.

The McLaren 675LT will make its global debut at the 85th Geneva Motor Show at 12.15 CET (11.15 GMT / 6:15AM EST) on Tuesday, March 3, 2015.
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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

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