Weighing just 1,230 kgs, the new McLaren 675 LT (Long Tail) is a direct rival to the all-new Ferrari 488 GTB, both of which will be making their world debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show next week.
Powered by a 3.8l V8 twin turbo engine, the McLaren 675 LT is engineered for the track. Though it is not a track only car (it is street legal), but the extent to which the designers have gone in making the 675 LT track-ready, is commendable. For eg, the 675 LT does not come with air-conditioner. Why? In order to save weight. But don’t worry, if you need the AC over track performance, the system will be fitted free of cost by McLaren.
The engine delivers 666 hp and 700 Nm torque, which is about 4 hp and 60 Nm less than what the 488 GTB produces. But even then, the McLaren 675 LT beats the 488 GTB in more ways than one. For starters, 0-100 kmph time of 488 is 3 seconds, 675 LT does it in 2.9 seconds. 0-200 kmph time for 675 LT is 7.9 seconds, an incredible 0.4 seconds faster than the 488! Top speed of both car is at 330 kmph.
So how was this made possible, that too with a less powerful engine as compared to rival? The answer lies in weight savings and aerodynamic of the car. McLaren says that though the 675 LT is 650 S’s cousin, they have made so many changes to the design, materials, and to the engine, that the engine code for 675 LT is different, and now reads M838TL.
Compared to the 650 S, the LT variant delivers 25 hp and 22 Nm more power and torque, but at the same time, the 675 LT is lighter by a mind boggling 140 kgs. This has been achieved by extensive use of carbon fibre in body panels, lightweight aluminium use in chassis, engine and body structure parts. All in all, the 675 LT is one marvellous piece of engineering. For further info, have a look at what McLaren has to say about the car.
