The McLaren 600LT may have been catapulted to our attention late last month, but at the time, McLaren offered very little in terms of technical, nitty-gritty details. However, since the car will be making its in-the-flesh debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed tomorrow, the company has finally blown the lid off the specifications of its latest model to wear the Longtail name.
“The new McLaren 600LT is our most extreme road-legal Sports Series model and possesses the optimised aerodynamics, increased power, reduced weight, track-focused dynamics and enhanced driver engagement that are the hallmarks of anyMcLaren LT. Only the fourth McLaren in more than two decades to be designated a ‘Longtail’, the 600LT redefines expectations of super-sportscar performance, delivering astonishing acceleration and outstanding track cornering speeds with a truly extraordinary dynamic connection between driver and car.” — Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive
The McLaren 600LT is the company’s most extreme expression of weight-saving and extreme performance. The 3.8-litre V8 has been given a recalibrated engine management system and an improved top-exit exhaust system, allowing it to produce a monstrous 441kW and 620Nm. As a result, the century sprint is completed in just 2.9-seconds, with 200km/h hit in just 8.2-seconds, before hitting maximum velocity at 328km/h.
The 600LT features carbon-fibre heavily throughout its construction, including its monocoque chassis that’s resulted in a 25% improvement in torsional rigidity. All-in-all, if the optional MSO-Defined carbon-fibre add-ons are added-on, the 600LT will tip the scales at 96kg less than a 570S, for a lithe grand-total of 1247kg.
Making full use of the weight-savings (and improving upon them) is the new suspension setup: The combination that the 600LT uses is lighter, and stiffer and has been taken from the 720S. It adopts things like the forged aluminium double-wishbone setup that helps to save some 10.2kg. As a result, ride height has also been reduced by 8mm over the standard car, and the the front track has been widened by 10mm. The dampers and anti-roll bars are of the continuously-variable variety, ensuring maximum connection between driver and road.
Inside, the 600LT’s track-focused nature means precious little was spared in the weight-shaving crusade. As standard, you’ll find carbon fibre seats from the McLaren P1 hypercar, though further weight savings can be achieved by optioning on the even-more-spartan pews from the McLaren Senna which can save as much as 21kg. You’ll find two-tone trim around the place and a stripe across the steering wheel too, though those options are more a matter of taste than weight. Further, things like carpets, air-conditioning, satellite navigation and audio have all been removed to save weight, though all but the carpeting is available optionally at no additional cost.
McLaren will begin production of the 600LT in October this year, and build them until October of next year. Availability will be “strictly limited” though it’s unclear limited to what, though it’s said that the carbon-fibre body panels and their labour-intensive production process are the main reason why production is being capped. Purchases of the McLaren 600LT (at £185,500, or roughly $330k) will include a ‘Pure McLaren Road Owner Track Day’ at a racing circuit, replete with a driving tutor, which is nice.
If you’re keen on spending even more, you can option on the MSO Clubsport or MSO Clubsport Pro packages, at £24,170 and £28,480 respectively (that’s $43k and $51k). For that extra dosh, you get things like the ultra-light racing seats, a Carbon Fibre interior upgrade (extended shift paddles, CFRP steering wheel spokes, and IRIS display surrounds), Carbon Fibre Roof & Cantrails, CFRB fender louvres, and titanium wheel bolts. Go for the Pro, and you’ll get an MSO Defined Harness Bar replete with a 6-point harness, which you can have in either black, blue, red, or McLaren Orange.
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