600 McLaren 2019LT unveiled: more power, less weight for hardcore Longtail

McLaren's mysterious new model has finally been revealed, and today the covers are ready for the 600LT "Longtail" track that has been teased for the past few weeks.

The Longtail name has traditionally been reserved for McLaren's most hardcore offerings: track-ready versions of the brand's road cars that have been bumped up to 11 aggressiveness.

The 600LT (the fourth McLaren to bear the Longtail name) is based on the 570S, only lighter, faster and more aerodynamic than its donor car, which is a pretty sure recipe for fun on the track. The 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine from the 570S coupe has been upped to a whopping 441kW and 620Nm, while overall weight has been reduced by 96kg (now 1247kg dry, assuming all possible reductions have been noted). weight). ).

McLaren has yet to release official performance data, but it's worth remembering that the 570S is no fool. The coupe squeezes 419 kW and 600 Nm of torque from its twin-turbo V8 and sprints from 100 to 3.2 km/h in just 600 seconds. With that in mind, I think we can comfortably assume that the XNUMXLT accelerates in less than three seconds, which should be fast enough.

The McLaren 600LT is only the fourth longtail McLaren in more than two decades. The McLaren F1 GTR “Longtail” that launched the line was one of the cleanest race cars in modern motorsport history… (and) the 675LT revived a revered name,” says McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt.

“Now we are further expanding our distinctive LT family, albeit in limited numbers, and once again showcase the ethos of optimized aerodynamics, increased power, reduced weight, track-focused dynamics and improved driver interaction that are hallmarks of the McLaren “Longtail.” ". '.

Engine tuning aside, his extreme diet is the secret to the 600LT's speed. The Longtail is actually (and correctly) 74mm longer than the 570S coupe, and while it has the same carbon fiber chassis, everything that could be removed or swapped to save weight has been removed.

Carbon fiber has been used in the bodywork (splitter, side sills, diffuser and fender) and for the front seats, the latter of which can be replaced with even thinner and stiffer benches at the buyer's request. And that vertical exhaust isn't just for show; McLaren believes it has managed to reduce its own weight by "significant" kilograms, as well as adding a V8 orchestra almost directly into the cabin.

Beneath the skin, the 600LT has the same suspension and lighter brakes as the 720S Super Series, as well as unique Pirelli P Zero tires. They say we should expect quicker steering and quicker throttle response than the 570S. Overall, about one in four parts of the 600LT is different from the 570S coupe.

It will be offered in limited quantities, with production starting this October and running for 12 months. In the UK, the price starts at £185,500 – about £35,000 more than the 570s. With that in mind, we expect the price of the sticker in Australia to be well over $400.