Watch - McLaren goes the distance with new 675 Longtail

The cynics amongst us will look at McLaren’s new 675 LT and think of it as nothing more than a derivative of a 650S, itself an evolution of the original 12C. That would, of course, be completely missing the point and ignoring the lengths McLaren has gone to in developing this ultimate model in its Super Sport Series.

Taking a 650S the McLaren team put the car back through what it calls the engineering loop where every component is analysed and improved upon where required. With the 675 LT it found there was lots of areas where the car’s performance could be enhanced and so begun a thorough engineering programme to create this new car. 

Externally everything from the b-pillar back is new and is now manufactured in carbon fibre, including the air-brake which is 50 per cent larger and generates 40 per cent more downforce than the item found on the 650S. The front splitter is 80 per cent bigger, too, and if you specific the optional Clubsport pack your 675 LT’s air intakes and front wing plates will also be manufactured from carbon; the front bumper is also carbon fibre as is the rear diffuser. 

Watch - onboard in the 675LT with Bruno Senna

Beneath the new 675 LT is P1 derived suspension, a 20 per cent wider front track, the spring rates have been increased by 27 per cent at the front, 63 per cent at the rear and the steering is 10 per cent quicker. Quicker than a P1’s in fact. The 3.8-ltre twin-turbo charged V8 is 50 per cent new, 30 per cent of which are components taken from the P1, and there are new turbos. Power climbs 15bhp and 16lb ft to 666bhp and 516lb ft. There is also a new titanium exhaust with tubular manifolds and a cross over silencer. McLaren have even increased the angle of the radiators by four-degrees to improve engine cooling with the front winglets on the splitter designed to direct the turbulent air off the front wheels into the side-mounted air intake. 

Inside the carpets have been removed leaving the carbon MonoCell exposed, alcantara has been spread across every surface and the P1 has donated it seats, which are 15kg lighter. 

Overall, McLaren has removed 100kg from the 675 LT over a 650S, meaning the car weighs 1230kg dry. For the record, Ferrari’s 458 Speciale weighed 1290kg. Combine it with the increased power and torque and the 675 LT will sprint to 62mph in a claimed 2.9secs and top 205mph. 

In all the 675 LT is McLaren’s interpretation of less is more… apart from the car’s length. It’s called the Longtail because it’s 1.5-inches longer than a 650S; hardly an F1 GTR Longtail extension, but longer never the less. 

We’ll have a full review of the 675 LT soon, but in the meantime the above video is a little taster of what to expect.