What's the news?
McLaren has revealed its latest offering, as part of its 'entry-level' Sports Series. It's called the 600LT and it's lighter, more powerful, more focused on track driving and more limited in production than the McLaren 570S it's based on. Here are the full details ahead of the 600LT's dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK in a few weeks.
Exterior
Some 23 per cent of the 600LT's parts are new compared to the 570S, but the most important aspect of it, giving it its LT name ('Longtail' - iconic nomenclature from McLaren), is a 74mm increase in length, thanks to an extended front splitter, lengthened rear diffuser and fixed rear wing. Those form part of a significant upgrade to the aerodynamics in a bid to generate more downforce for high-speed track work. New carbon fibre body panels also contribute to this goal, while helping trim the weight by a considerable 96kg - in comparison to the 570S. The rather special exhaust also helps with that. The two outlets are positioned on the deck, just aft of the engine and just ahead of that rear spoiler. Bespoke Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres are also included.
Interior
Inside, there are carbon fibre racing seats as standard (as first seen on the McLaren P1) and lots of Alcantara trim. Buyers can upgrade to the 'Super-Lightweight' carbon seats from the McLaren Senna and, naturally, McLaren Special Operations will gladly add other carbon bits and pieces to suit a buyer's preferences.
Mechanicals
Behind the two-seat cabin is an updated version of McLaren's venerable twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 petrol engine. It features an uprated cooling system and that special exhaust (which reduces back pressure). Peak outputs are 600hp (hence the name) and 620Nm of torque. Performance figures have not yet been released, but that power figure means a power-to-weight number of 481hp/tonne when the 600LT is in its lightest form.
To give the 600LT its on-track prowess, it gets forged aluminium double-wishbone suspension and a lightweight braking system from the Super Series (i.e. the McLaren 720S), quicker steering, sharpened responses from the throttle and brake pedals and firmer engine mounts.
Anything else?
While McLaren isn't putting an absolute limit on the number of 600LTs that will be sold, production time is limited; it begins this October and will cease at the end of 2019. That sounds like ample time, but this car will be hand-assembled, so restricted build slots will ensure limited numbers. If demand for the McLaren 675LT is anything to go by, it won't be easy to get your hands on a new example of the 600LT...