2017 McLaren 675LT Spider

The McLaren 675LT Spider was revealed at the end of 2015 as the latest chapter in the history of the iconic 'Longtail' name, and was the fifth new model debuted during a truly defining year for McLaren Automotive. Strictly limited to only 500 examples worldwide which sold out in just two weeks, it is only the second model to wear the LT badge. 

This latest model arrived less than a year since the first model in nearly 20 years resurrected the name, and was in response to significant customer demand. The 675LT Coupé focused on light weight, enhanced aerodynamics, increased power and track-focused dynamics, and this limited-run model quickly sold out before the first deliveries commenced. Sharing these key characteristics, McLaren Automotive has added the most focused, fastest and exhilarating open top model to ever wear a McLaren badge, further strenghtening the 'LT' brand.

The McLaren 675LT Spider, only the second McLaren in nearly two decades to wear the LT - or 'Longtail' - name, stays true to the spirit of its iconic predecessor with aerodynamically optimised, dramatically enhanced styling that results in 40 percent more downforce than the 650S Spider which it sits alongside in the McLaren Super Series.

'The Longtail is a famous name in the history of McLaren, first used on the fastest version of the iconic McLaren F1,' explains Mike Flewitt, McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer. 'The McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail' was the final highly successful iteration of the F1, and it is an appropriate name for the most exhilarating and driver-focused version of the Super Series. The 675LT is the purest distillation of what McLaren stands for - pure driving pleasure.' The main focus for the McLaren 675LT Spider is clear: to deliver maximum performance, engagement and excitement. To achieve this, weight has been reduced by 100kg through the increased usage of carbon fibre - the signature material of McLaren - and by lighter components throughout, including newly developed suspension geometry derived from the McLaren P1™, resulting in an increased track of 20mm. Under the skin sits the heavily-revised 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 powertrain from the Coupé sibling, ensuring performance figures are worthy of the LT badge. The power output and torque figures remain unchanged, with 675PS (666bhp) delivered at 7,100rpm and 700Nm (516lb ft) available between 5,000-6,500rpm. The changes to the powertrain saw more than 50 percent of the components replaced to ensure optimised levels of power, torque and drivability. These include new, more efficient turbos, detail design changes to the cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds, new camshaft and lightweight connecting rods, and a faster-flowing fuel pump and delivery system.

Acceleration from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes just 2.9 seconds, and 200 km/h (124 mph) is achieved in 8.1 seconds - giving away only 0.2 seconds to the more aerodynamically optimised and lighter Coupé. Controlled torque delivery in first gear manages torque to 600Nm (443lb ft) to ensure maximum acceleration, and minimising wheel slip. Top speed is 326 km/h (203 mph). Despite these blistering performance figures, the 675LT Spider returns 24.2mpg on the EU combined cycle, while CO2 emissions remain at 275g/km - the same as the Coupé. A three-piece retractable folding hardtop can be opened at speeds up to 40 km/h (25 mph) to allow for a new level of open-air exhilaration.

Staying true to the 'Longtail' ethos, established by the McLaren F1 in the late 1990s, the McLaren 675LT Spider has been developed with a focus on light weight and optimised aerodynamic performance. The special nature of the model is supported by the extensive use of carbon fibre for the bodywork. As with the 675LT Coupé, the front bumper with larger splitter and end plates, front under body, side skirts, side intakes, lower side intakes, rear bodyside lower, rear fenders, rear deck, rear bumper, diffuser and 'Longtail' Airbrake are all carbon fibre. Lightweight components are also found throughout the powertrain and chassis, all contributing to a dry weight of just 1,270kg. 

This weight is a full 100kg lighter than the already lightweight 650S Spider, and gives a power-to-weight figure of 532PS per tonne. Due to the inherent strength of the carbon fibre MonoCell chassis, no further strengthening - and associated weight increase - has been added through the removal of the roof, and the McLaren 675LT Spider is only 40kg heavier than the Coupé, all due to the retractable roof system.

The dramatic styling and purposeful stance of the 675LT is retained with the Spider variant, with the extended front splitter flanked by front wing end plates, each working the airflow harder and increasing downforce. Sculpted carbon fibre door sills run along the lower edge of the bodywork, flowing in to a smaller air intake ahead of the rear wheels. This sits below the more pronounced side intake, with both feeding clean, cool air into the side radiators which are more prominent to offer increased cooling. 

The retractable hard top stows below a colour-coded tonneau cover, and the engine remains visible through a lightweight vented polycarbonate engine cover. At the rear, the lightweight titanium crossover twin exhausts exit below the active 'Longtail' Airbrake which is 50 percent larger than other Super Series models. This is integrated in to the design of the flowing rear wings and despite the larger size, carbon fibre construction ensures weight is actually reduced. Exposed bodywork across the rear deck and below the rear wing aids engine cooling, while louvres in the flared rear bumper optimise pressure levels.

The 675LT Spider shares the suspension set up and geometry of the Coupé, with the front end sitting on stiffer springs and a wider track - increased by 20mm. Spring rates are the most track-focused of the Super Series models, with stiffness increased 27 percent at the front and 63 percent at the rear, providing a more rearward balance and allowing for a 40 percent increase in downforce over the 650S Spider.

As standard, the 675LT Spider is fitted with 10-spoke Ultra-Lightweight forged alloy wheels - 19-inch at the front, 20-inch at the rear - and P Zero™ Trofeo R tyres, developed for the 675LT models in collaboration with technical partner Pirelli. These are the lightest wheel and tyre set ever offered by McLaren. Two Super-Lightweight wheel options are optionally available; a new 20-spoke design, offered in liquid metal or diamond cut finishes, and the five-spoke Super-Lightweight design which debuted on the 675LT Coupé.

The lightweight theme continues throughout the interior with Alcantara® and bare carbon fibre used extensively. A pair of lightweight carbon fibre-shelled racing seats, modelled on those fitted to the McLaren P1™, save a combined 15kg, and feature '675LT' embossed leather to provide enhanced levels of support and grip. As seen in the McLaren P1™ and 675LT, heating and ventilation controls are located within the portrait-orientated, centrally-mounted touchscreen, which also operates the four-speaker Meridian audio system, while air conditioning has been removed. The 16kg system can be specified as a no-cost-option.

McLAREN 675LT SPIDER: THE DETAILS

As with its namesake which debuted in the 1997 GT season, the McLaren 675LT Spider - alongside the 675LT Coupé - is the most track-focused model in the McLaren Super Series, with a power to weight ratio that eclipses established rivals. Embodying the ethos of the McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail' it focuses on five key characteristics synonymous with the LT badge: lightweight, optimised aerodynamics, increased power, track-focused dynamics and driver engagement.

LIGHTWEIGHT

Weight reduction has been a key focus throughout the development programme for the 675LT and, in a subtle nod to its bigger brother, the result is a saving of 100kg over the other models in the Super Series - in line with the savings made by the 1997 McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail' over its hugely successful predecessors, despite the revised bodywork. The weight savings on the 675LT Spider have been achieved through the extensive use of carbon fibre for the body panels, along with lightweight engine, chassis and body structure parts.

In addition to the use of carbon fibre, weight saving has been achieved through the application of lightweight engine, chassis and body structure parts. Key weight saving features include:

·         Body panels - 35 percent

·         Chassis - 30 percent

·         Powertrain - 10 percent

·         Interior - 20 percent

·         Electrical - 5 percent

DESIGN

Like all McLaren models, the 675LT Spider is an engineering-led design. Everything is designed for a reason, form always following function. The design goal with the McLaren 675LT Spider, as originally with the 675LT Coupé, was to boost aerodynamic performance - most importantly, downforce and the extra cooling requirements of the more powerful engine.

'Of course we wanted to deliver a stunningly beautiful car,' says Dan Parry-Williams, Head of Vehicle Design and Engineering. 'But the beauty is the result of the very demanding technical targets we set. You could call the 675LT technical sculpture.'

The signature material of McLaren is carbon fibre, having introduced the material to Formula 1 with the MP4/1 of 1981, and then launching the McLaren F1 as the first all carbon fibre road car in 1992. The 675LT Spider has a higher level of carbon than any other car in this sector, built around the groundbreaking MonoCell chassis. As with the McLaren P1™, the carbon fibre panels have optimised lamination to maximise strength and reduce weight.

The new 675LT Spider uses carbon fibre extensively for body panels, which are lighter than aluminium or composites and much stronger. Designed for lightweight and aerodynamic optimisation, the 675LT Spider features the following new panels over other Super Series models, all produced in carbon fibre saving a combined 35kg over an aluminium or composite equivalent:

·         Front bumper including larger front splitter and Formula 1™-style end-plates

·         Front under body

·         Side skirts

·         Side air intakes

·         Rear bodyside lower panel

·         Rear fenders

·         Rear deck

·         Rear bumper

·         Rear diffuser

·         'Longtail' Airbrake

As with the 650S Spider which sits alongside it in the Super Series, the McLaren 675LT Spider boasts exceptional forward visibility, with a very low cowl and the highest points of the front wings are directly above the centre point of the wheels. This simple design feature ensures optimal positioning of the car on track. While using the same basic design for the glasshouse as the other Super Series models, the windscreen is 1mm thinner, saving 3kg, while the louvred rear engine cover is made of polycarbonate saving a further 3kg.

Many of the new body panels are finished in lacquered carbon fibre as standard - including the bigger front splitter and side skirts. Other panels can be ordered in carbon finish as an option, including the rear bumper, the end-plates, side mirror caps and side intakes.