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2018 McLaren 600LT Revealed

British supercar brand applies the Long Tail treatment to its Sports Series


McLaren doesn't know how to slow down.

Following in the wheel tracks of the sold-out, million-dollar Senna, the British brand has revealed details of its latest hard-core road racer, the 600LT.

Just the fourth vehicle in its history to receive the 'Long Tail' treatment, after the original F1 GTR and then the 675LT Coupe and Spider, the 600LT is the pinnacle of the company's entry-level Sports Series range.

Based on the 570S, the LT has more power, less weight, a laser-sharp focus on dynamics and a stripped-back cabin.

Key among the changes - and the reason for its name - the 600LT features unique carbon fibre bodywork that makes it 74mm than the 570S and increases downforce through a new front splitter, wider side sills, an extended rear diffuser and a fixed rear wing.

Under that wing, the 600LT's upgraded 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 has an exclusive titanium exhaust system with outlets that extend from the top of the bodywork.

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Beyond the exhaust, the engine itself features an uprated cooling system and internal tweaks to increase its maximum outputs to 441kW and 620Nm - up from 419kW and 600Nm in the 570S.

McLaren has yet to reveal performance figures for the 600LT, but, considering it weighs just 1247kg - 96kg less than the 570S - and runs on sticky Pirelli P Zero R tyres, it is likely to be shave a few tenths off the time it takes to clock 100km/h, with the 570S already capable of clipping the ton in 3.2 seconds.

More than just upping the power and reducing the car's overall weight, the 600LT picks-up the lightweight forged aluminium double-wishbone suspension from the 720S, a quicker steering rack, firmer engine mounts and sharper throttle response.

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The cabin has also been treated to a similar track-focused overhaul with lightweight carbon fibre racing seats from the P1 hybrid hypercar. Customers can take the weight-saving measures even further with the 'Super-Lightweight' buckets from the Senna, a carbon fibre roof and vented carbon fibre front fenders.

The 600LT will be built in strictly limited numbers when production begins at McLaren's British base in September, with final price, specification and local availability due to be confirmed in the coming months.

 

 

 

Andrew Maclean

As Editor in Chief of the Drive Network, Amac is one of Australia's most experienced automotive journalists with more than 25 years experience in newspapers, magazines, broadcasting and digital media.

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