McLaren 675LT sold out

MCLAREN'S Super Series flagship 675LT has arrived on Australian soil priced from $657,000 driveaway, but don't rush out to your local dealership because the total global allocation of 500, including 15 for Australia, has already sold.

Potential owners of the British car-maker's fastest Super Series model were invited to “appointments” to discuss the strictly limited edition car, and McLaren says finding eager customers was not a problem.

Some customers in other global regions used the mighty P1 GTR track car as a bargaining chip to secure a 675LT for the road. On more than one occasion, well heeled McLaren fans agreed to buy the multimillion-dollar hybrid P1 as long as they were allowed to buy a 675LT as well.

At the core of the new model lies McLaren's trademark carbon-fibre MonoCell tub which, along with extensive weight-reduction revisions, has scrubbed 100kg from the weight of its 650S sibling. By itself the cell weighs just 75kg.

While there may be visual similarities to the less exclusive model, a third of the 675LT's components are different, resulting in a dry weight of just 1230kg.

Its body uses more carbon-fibre, its wheels measure 19 inches at the front, an inch bigger at the back and are the lightest fitted to any previous McLaren, and even the satin interior carbon-fibre finish saves weight over a gloss finish.

Air-conditioning can be added for no extra cost but its absence saves 11kg, carbon racing seats chop another 15kg, while its 3.8-litre turbocharged V8 shares only half of its components with the 650S to save more weight and boost power.

A brace of new turbochargers, titanium exhaust, new camshafts, con-rods, higher rate fuel pump, and redesigned cylinder heads have taken power up from 478kW to 497kW with 700Nm of torque.

Combined with the weight-reduction efforts, the new power output enables the 675LT to accelerate to 100km/h from zero in just 2.9 seconds, through the 200km/h barrier in 7.9-seconds and on to a top speed of 330km/h.

Where more commonplace turbochargers use cast compressors, the M838TL engine uses a more precise but painstaking machined type for higher efficiency air-flow and lower charge temperatures.

Dry sump lubrication allows the flat-plane crank engine to be mounted lower and circulates state of the art Mobil 1 New Life synthetic oil.

When changing gears, the Ignition Cut system interrupts the spark plug signal allowing a faster gear-shift and produces a racecar-like crack from the exhausts, which have been made more vocal for the new model.

On the back of the V8 sits a recalibrated version of the SSG seven-speed transmission found under the 650S. Inertia Push technology stores the kinetic energy produced by the engine during gearshifts and releases the energy that would have otherwise been wasted when one of the dual clutches reengages.

McLaren says the technology allows stronger acceleration when in engine speed ranges above 5000rpm.

While the extensively revised bodywork saves about 35kg over the 650S, the changes have also improved aerodynamics significantly. The 657LT's front splitter is 80 per cent larger, side intakes scoop more air for the V8's breathing and cooling, and the Airbrake spoiler has grown.

The bigger Longtail spoiler gives the model its LT name but is also a reference to the iconic 1997 long-tailed McLaren F1, which had a longer body for increased downforce and stability, allowing it to keep up with stiff competition on the racing circuit.

For the 675LT, rear downforce and high-speed braking is improved with the 50 per cent larger spoiler, but the carbon-fibre fin can also hide away at speed to reduce drag.

The 675LT's suspension set up is closely related to the McLaren P1 hyper hybrid and features modified front and rear subframes with double wishbones in each corner with a 20mm wider track and 20mm lower ride height at the front.

Brake Steer technology assists in high-speed cornering by applying one of the rear carbon ceramic disc brakes. The system was developed by the McLaren Formula 1 team but was banned in the Grand Prix series as an unfair competitive advantage.

The company's ProActive Chassis Control allows the adaptive dampeners to be set in three different modes – Normal, Sport and Track depending on the driver's preference.

Deceleration is handled by carbon ceramic discs measuring Occupants are treated to two racing seats and wall-to-wall Alcantara or premium Nappa leather as a no-cost option but adds 3.5kg. Sound deadening has been reduced to save weight but McLaren claims the cabin still offers good levels of comfort despite the more track-focused features.

The centrally-mounted IRIS touchscreen controls heating (and cooling when optioned) as well as DAB digital radio and navigation, and is oriented in portrait, which is more intuitive according to McLaren.

The company's Track Telemetry (MTT) allows the most enthusiastic drivers to monitor track information such as lap times, sector splits and comparisons with other drivers. Data can be downloaded after a circuit session for analysis.

In addition to the standard MTT, three optional cameras can be added to record video footage viewed from the front and rear bumpers as well as another shot from the rear of the cabin looking forward.

Other options include a Club Sport Pack which adds a titanium roll-over hoop, four-point harnesses. and fire extinguisher, or the Professional version for extra carbon-fibre details inside and out.

Cars equipped with the Club Sport Pack are identifiable by the McLaren Orange detailing of the brake callipers and interior. A luxury leather weekend holdall bag is also thrown in.

Electrically adjustable steering column, memory seats and a vehicle lift system for negotiating speed bumps and are also optional.