The History of the Longtail McLaren: Performance Without Compromise Read More 2025 McLaren W1: How does Woking’s new King compare to its game-changing predecessors? In 1995, McLaren’s F1 GTR dominated the FIA races it was entering, winning the 24 hours of LeMans. However, with competition increasing, McLaren decided to modify the F1 GTR with a rear-end that was 641mm longer than the regular GTR, a reduced weight of 100kg and an enlarged roof snorkel, all of which improved the car’s aerodynamics. These were called the “Longtails” and in 1997 they dominated the 24 hours of LeMans, with a 1-2 finish. To comply with the homologation regulations, McLaren produced two road-going versions of the Longtail called the F1 GT. After this, the Longtail name disappeared as McLaren put more focus on Formula 1 and later their automotive cars. Starting in 2015, McLaren began launching their alternatives to the Porsche’s GT RS, Lamborghini’s SV and V10 carbon-fibre monsters, and Ferrari’s track-hard, lightweight monsters. These were under the designation LT and between 2015 and 2020, McLaren launched three LT variants of their road-going current supercars. 675LT (2015): The Sublime Pioneer At the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, McLaren launched the 675LT, which despite the new model designation, was essentially a lightweight, hardcore variant of the 650S. Only with more carbon fibre, a re-routed twin exhaust, a front splitter that increased by 80% and a rear that was 33mm longer. The result of all these modifications was not only a more dramatic-looking supercar, but was 100kg lighter and gained 40% more downforce. In addition, the 3.8l twin-turbo V8 was modified to produce 675 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque. The results were 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. In addition, McLaren recalibrated the steering rack, so the 675LT cornered with more poise and precision than the best Ferraris. McLaren ended up building 500 675LTs and a year later, they ended up building 500 675LT Spiders, a car built so exquisitely, it only gained 20kg on the hardtop. Today the 675LT is considered one of, if not the most desirable car built by Woking’s Wonders. With its sublime handling, stupendous speed and phone-capturing flashes, the 675LT truly was McLaren’s peak (ignoring the P1 and F1) and as a result, set a high bar for the LTs that followed. 600LT (2018): The Ultimate Driver’s Thrill The same year that McLaren peaked with the 675LT, they brought out an all-new model range, dubbed the Sports Series. Kicking off this range was the 570S, a mid-engine dream supercar with the angles, size and basic proportions of a no-nonsense sports car. Yet it managed to be more thrilling than supercars costing twice as much. Read More 2024 McLaren GTS finally launches in the Middle East So you can only imagine the gem that was created under the LT guise. That car was the 600LT, possibly the most unique and fun supercar ever made. 23% of its parts were all new including its signature rear wing, extensive carbon fibre usage, its extended front splitter, new side sills and most notably, the redistributed, 918 style, rear exhausts that sat right behind the driver's ear. Like the 675LT, the 600LT is incredibly light, weighing in at 96kg less than the 570S. And like that car, its 3.8l Twin-Turbo V8 was modified to generate exactly 600 horsepower and 460lb-ft of torque. Which in a car with the same proportions, weight and tightness as a running trainer is frankly brilliant. Sure with 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 204mph, the 600LT is no slouch, but it’s nowhere near as blistering as the 675LT or other McLarens. Nope, where this car truly shines is down a backroad or a mountain pass. Because, look at what you’ve got, supercar performance with sports car chuckability and handling. As a result, it won the hearts of nearly every motoring journalist out there. In particular, UK motoring giants, EVO and Autocar stated it to be the best car of 2018. Because nothing truly was a raucous, untamed, no-nonsense driver thriller quite like the 600LT. And things only became more thrilling when a 600LT Spider was launched a year later. Now you could hear the roars and bangs from that twin exhaust even more clearly. McLaren never quoted how many 600LTs were built in total, but most believe it to be around 1500. But regardless the 600LT maximises McLaren’s thrills to the max. In 2018, a year full of fabulous new supercars, this little fire-spitting thriller was definitely the best. 765LT (2020): An Insane Monster After two solid LT outings, it was impossible to see how McLaren could do any better. But alas, in 2020, they gave us the 765LT. The more hardcore, lightweight, track-focused variant of the 720S, McLaren’s replacement for the 650S, as their third super-series model. Yet the 765LT is far removed from the 720S in almost every regard. The 720S is arguably the most complete car McLaren have ever built. Undoubtedly their most beautiful car, but with no huge air vents and thin pillars, also their most cleverly engineered. Undeniably with 720 horsepower and a top speed of 212mph, one of their fastest, yet its delivery is manageable and easy to exploit. The 765LT though is none of those things. McLaren redesigned its body with a larger front splitter, more gaping air vents, a quad exhaust, reduced sound deadening and as with the previous cars, a longer rear tail. The result of all these changes is that this car produces 25% more downforce than a regular 720S. In addition, the 4.0l twin-turbo V8 was tweaked to produce 765 horsepower and 590lb-ft of torque. The result is 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds but due to the advanced aerodynamics, its top speed is capped at 205mph, making it actually slower than the 720S. But the biggest difference is what happens when the 765LT enters a corner. Where the regular 720S is as tame and easy to manage as a Siamese Cat, the 765LT is a pure raging tiger. Put your foot down and it spins its wheels even in seventh gear. Turn in too hard, and it understeers wide, correct that and it spins out and kills you. It is unforgiving, hardcore, brutal and beyond words exciting. Most McLarens work with you to make you a better driver. The 765LT demands you be the best driver you can be, or else you’re finished. And that’s what makes it wonderful. It’s a car not for the faint of mind, but for the absolute best of drivers out there. And you can bet the 765 lucky people who bought one, had to be on their A-game. And even more so when just a year later, McLaren launched another 765-built 765LT Spiders. No with the wind rushing through your hair, one had to be even more on their A-game. The 765LT is McLaren’s most extreme car, not just in its setup but in its delivery and rawness. It is dangerous and scary, and you wouldn’t have it any other way. Celebrating the LT: What will come next? To mark 10 years of LT nomenclature, McLaren is launching the “Celebrate LT” program. A program dedicated to lucky owners of LTs, with specialised events, like track days and meetups at McLaren retailers worldwide. In addition, they will showcase the specialised LT products owned by McLaren themselves. And more importantly, to celebrate this milestone, McLaren will probably unveil their fourth LT. The most likely candidate to receive this treatment will be the Artura, as the 750S seems more a tribute than a genuine new supercar, and the GTS, sits in a confused space at the moment. So fingers crossed, later this year hopefully, McLaren will give us the Artura LT. Until then though, let us all Marvel at these three incredible cars that carry the LT name and the different drives they all offer. A Sublime all-rounder through the 675LT, a fire-cracking Little Thriller in the 600LT and the Insane yet Exciting Monster that is the 765LT. Insane, Sublime Thrillers, overall though seems like an appropriate sum-up for McLaren’s legendary LT range. Long may this continue. F1rstMotors: McLaren “LT” comparisonModel675LT600LT765LTYear of Release201520182020Engine3.8l Twin–Turbo V83.8l Twin–Turbo V84.0l Twin–Turbo V8Horsepower675hp600hp765hpTorque520 lb–ft460 lb–ft590 lb–ft0–62mph (100km/h)2.9 seconds3.1 seconds2.7 secondsTop Speed205mph (330 km/h)203 mph (326 km/h)205mph (330 km/h)Weight1,358kg (1.4 tonnes)1,247 kg (1.2 tonnes)1,339 kg (1.3 tonnes)Power to Weight497 hp per tonne481 hp per tonne571 hp per tonneGearbox7-speed Dual Clutch7-speed Dual Clutch7-speed Dual ClutchDriven WheelsRear Wheel DriveRear Wheel DriveRear Wheel DriveAmount Built500750 (approx)765Price (when new)$345,000$243,000$383,000 Source: McLaren
