Geneva show: McLaren reveals amped-up 675LT

MCLAREN has thrown the covers off its lightweight 675LT – the most potent model in its Super Series range – ahead of its public debut in Geneva next to its track-only P1 GTR sibling.

Built on the 650S platform, the 675LT ups power to 497kW (or 675PS, hence the name) – an increase of 19kW from the donor car's 478kW – while also dropping 100kgs from its weight to clock the scales at 1230kg.

This is enough to shoot the new McLaren from zero to 100km/h in 2.9 seconds, and 0-200km/h in 7.9 seconds, while the electronically limited top speed is 330km/h.

Torque figures peak at 700Nm and power is sent from the 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

By comparison, the recently revealed Ferrari 488 GTB also uses a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, albeit displacing 3.9-litres, to produce 492kW/760Nm which pushes the Italian supercar from 0-100km/h in three seconds, to 200km/h in 8.3 seconds and on to a top speed in excess of 330km/h.

McLaren has squeezed even more performance out of the V8 donk by replacing more than 50 per cent of the engine components with all new parts.

According to the British supercar-maker, “upgrades 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”.

The reworked engine, coupled with carbon-fibre body panels, lightweight body and chassis components and the removal of air-conditioning equate to a saving of exactly 100kgs compared with the 650S coupe, however air-conditioning can be optioned as a no-cost extra.

McLaren has also fitted the 675LT with a large front splitter and reworked front aero to divert air into the large side vents behind the doors and new lower intakes along the side skirts, channelling cool air into the side-mounted radiators.

At the tail end, a large airbrake encompasses the rear – 50 per cent larger than the one found on the 650S – to aid traction at high speeds along with a large carbon-fibre rear diffuser and, to increase heat dissipation, an exposed carbon exhaust shroud surrounds the titanium finished mid-mounted tailpipes.

The cabin is sparse, featuring a pair of P1-inspired lightweight carbon-fibre bucket seats finished in Alcantara with 675LT logos adorned on the headrests and rev counter.

McLaren is promising a closer look at the 675LT next week at its public debut during the Geneva motor show.