NEW YORK, NY (June 7, 2016) – McLaren Special Operations, the bespoke division of McLaren Automotive, has announced the creation of the MSO Carbon Series 675LT. Strictly limited to 25 units globally – all already sold – and based on the 675LT Spider, the Carbon Series LT has been produced in response to requests from McLaren customers captivated by the visual carbon fiber bodied McLaren P1™ displayed recently at the International Geneva Motor Show.
Staying true to the ‘Longtail’ ethos, established by the McLaren F1 in the late 1990s, the MSO Carbon Series LT has been developed with a focus on light weight and optimized aerodynamic performance. Applying gloss carbon fiber to the entire body of the car further extends its appeal to bring a brutal beauty to the existing 675LT Spider body, showcasing the skills of the McLaren bespoke division.
As with the 675LT Spider, the front bumper with larger splitter and end plates, front under body, side skirts, side intakes, lower side intakes, rear bodysidelower, rear fenders, rear deck, rear bumper, diffuser and ‘Longtail’ Airbrake are all carbon fiber but with a gloss finish revealing the inherent weave of the material. In addition, the MSO Carbon Series LT is fitted with a gloss finished carbon fiber electrically retractable roof and tonneau, A-pillars, bonnet and rear deck, side blades, complete front and rear fenders, and even fuel filler flap. The front fenders also feature GT3-inspired functional louvers. The McLaren Track Telemetry pack, which includes three track cameras, is fitted as standard equipment.
In total, the MSO Carbon Series LT features around 40 percent additional carbon fiber parts over the standard car, requiring significant additional development work by the team of MSO craftsmen. It is therefore not possible to retro-fit the gloss carbon fiber body to an already ordered 675LT Spider and the 25 units supplement the previously announced 500 editions of the standard car that sold out in weeks after the car’s debut on December 4, 2015.
The MSO Carbon Series LT is only the third model to wear the LT badge. The first, the 675LT Coupe, arrived last year resurrecting the ‘Longtail’ name after nearly 20 years. The 675LT Coupe 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 added the most focused, fastest and exhilarating open top model to ever wear a McLaren badge with the 675LT Spider, further strengthening the ‘LT’ brand.
Under the gloss carbon fiber skin of the MSO Carbon Series LT sits the heavily-revised 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 powertrain from its Coupe sibling, ensuring performance figures are worthy of the LT badge. The power output and torque figures remain unchanged, with 666 hp (675PS) delivered at 7,100 rpm and 516 lb ft (700Nm) available between 5,000-6,500 rpm. The changes to the powertrain saw more than 50 percent of the components replaced to ensure optimized levels of power, torque and drivability. These include new, more efficient turbos, detail design changes to the cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds, new camshafts and lightweight connecting rods, and a faster-flowing fuel pump and delivery system.
Acceleration from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) takes just 2.9 seconds, and 124 mph (200 km/h) is achieved in 8.1 seconds – giving away only 0.2 seconds to the more aerodynamically optimized and lighter Coupe. Controlled torque delivery in first gear manages torque to 443lb ft (600Nm) to ensure maximum acceleration, and minimizing wheel slip. Top speed is 203 mph (326 km/h).
Production of the MSO Carbon Series LT begins this autumn with first deliveries expected before the end of 2016.
McLaren has been doing their best Bugatti impression lately.