McLaren has released teaser images of its new
hardcore Sport Series supercar for the last few weeks and now we have official
pictures and technical specs. The two most important bits of the new McLaren are
revealed in its name, so you can understand why Woking held back on telling us
exactly what it’d be called. The 600 relates to 600 PS or 592 bhp, while the LT
refers the ‘longtail’ configuration of the car.
McLaren has always reserved the longtail name for
its most potent cars, with only 4 taking the LT moniker in the last two
decades. And ever since the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’, and then the following
675LT, the formula has been the same: Longer, lighter, and faster. Thanks to new elongated carbonfibre bodywork, the
600LT is 74 mm longer than any other Sports Series car McLaren makes – and it
all helps to produce more downforce than the standard 570S.
McLaren won’t yet reveal to us how much more
downforce the car makes, but an extended front-splitter, lengthened
rear-diffuser, side skirts and fixed rear-wing mean there should be a
substantial increase. 23% of the parts on the 600LT are different to the
car on which its based, and that equates to some serious weight savings.
Despite the extra length, the 600LT is 96 kg lighter than the standard, 570S
too, and tips the scales at just 1247 kg dry.
The McLaren 600LT gets the rest of its name from a
3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8, capable of putting out 600 PS or 592 bhp and
457 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph times aren’t released yet, but we’re told the 600LT
has a power to weight ratio of just 474 bhp per tonne. That should translate to
a sub-three-second 0-60 mph time, given the standard 570S gets there in 3.1. The new powerplant doesn’t wait to exit out the back of the
600LT, and instead vents exhaust gases pipes out of the the top of the car.
The dual top-exit exhausts mirror the sky-facing
triple pipes on the McLaren Senna – and that of older F1 cars – although CAR
understands they don’t blow onto the rear-wing like modern Formula One cars.
This shorter exhaust system comes with a trio of
benefits: A more efficient exhaust exit helps the engine, and also saves weight
compared to a longer, more conventional system. And most importantly, it also
puts the noise of the McLaren’s 3.8-litre power plant much closer behind the
driver’s shoulder.
The new engine is surrounded by firmer engine
mounts, and controlled sharpened brake and throttle controls. The 600LT also
shares the forged aluminium double-wishbone suspension from the second-gen
Super Series, too. Finally, to keep up with the increased capability, the
McLaren 600LT will run on Pirelli Trofeo R tyres.
In addition to a sparse, track-focused interior, the
600LT also features carbonfibre racing seats first seen on the McLaren P1
hypercar. However, super-lightweight seats are also available, and McLaren says
its bepsoke Special Operations unit (MSO) can add everything from a
carbon-fibre roof to vented carbonfibre front fenders. With every lightweight
option ticked, McLaren says the car could weigh just 1247 kg.
The 600LT will cost £ 185,500 which isn't cheap – but
at just £ 36,500 more than the standard 570S, you're getting a lot of power,
downforce and carbonfibre for your money.
We don't how many will be made – but we know there
won't and be many. Production will start in October this year continue for no
more than than 12 months, with each 600LT being hand-built at McLaren’s centre
in Woking.
McLaren will reveal more about the car next month.