McLaren is set to pay homage to the iconic 'Long Tail' F1 GTR with a special version of the 650S, which could be named 675 LT, at the upcoming Geneva motor show in March.

While so far only confirming that a "more powerful and track-focused" version of the supercar will be seen at the Geneva show, the markings on this prototype reveal the shape of the 1997 F1 GTR ‘Long Tail’, which raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance event.

The prototypes seen here share a similar shape to that of the 650S but are expected to feature subtle design differences around the front bumper. A new low-mounted side air intake can also be seen, while the car's elongated rear end appears to lend credence to rumours that the model will take the 675 LT name to production.





It is expected that the new model will keep the same 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the 650S, but with power increased beyond the 641bhp and 500lb ft of that car. Expect significant gains on the 650S's 3.0sec 0-62mph sprint time and a likely increase of its 207mph top speed.

With the 650S producing 650PS from its V8 engine, it's likely that if the 675 LT name is chosen the car will come with 675PS, or 666bhp. Current reports also suggest that the new model will be 100kg lighter than the 650S, which weighs 1330kg dry, and that just 250 examples will be made.

While the new model will be track-focused, it's also likely to remain road legal. Therefore a track-only version, built in the same vein as the 650S Sprint revealed last year, could also be on the cards.

Elements from the firm's 650S GT3 racer, which made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last summer, are also likely to be borrowed for the new model.

The new model will join the growing range of McLaren sports cars, which now encompasses the 625C, 650S and P1, as well as the P1 GTR, which will also make its debut in Geneva, and the new entry-level Sports Series, which will be seen for the first time at the New York motor show in April.

Rumours of a more powerful McLaren to bridge the gap between the 650S and P1 hypercar go as far back as January last year, when the firm's chief executive Mike Flewitt confirmed an early-stage 'P15' project was in development.

At the time, Flewitt confirmed that an asking price of around £400,000 had been set for the new car, meaning it would command a significant premium over the £195,000 asked for the current 650S coupé.

source: autocar

 

 

 

^^ looks scary good if u ask me.

 

McLAREN 675LT: POWER, A BEAUTIFUL THING

• 675LT re-establishes the McLaren ‘Longtail’ heritage, focusing on light weight, optimised aerodynamics, increased power, track-focused dynamics and driver engagement
• 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds; 0-200 km/h in 7.9 seconds
• 100kg weight saving makes the 675LT the lightest in its class, and gives a power-to-weight ratio of 549PS per tonne
• A third of parts changed compared to the 650S which it sits alongside in the McLaren Super Series
• Significantly enhanced M838TL engine in the 675LT features more than 50 percent new components
• Five unique ‘By McLaren’ hero specifications offered
• Global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015 on stand 1240, at 12.15 CET (11.15 GMT)

The McLaren 675LT will make its world debut at the 85th Geneva Motor Show, with a clear focus on performance, light weight and ultimate levels of driver engagement – all key attributes of a McLaren ‘Longtail’. Offered as a Coupé only, the 675LT will be the most track-focused, yet road legal, model in the McLaren Super Series, with a power to weight ratio that eclipses established rivals. The sprint from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes just 2.9 seconds, with controlled torque delivery ensuring optimised traction off the line. Acceleration continues at relentless pace with the 200 km/h barrier broken in 7.9 seconds, on to a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph).

The first images of the car demonstrate a more aggressive look for the McLaren brand than has been seen before. Styling cues run from the extended carbon fibre front splitter, through an extended door blade and additional cooling intake, to the circular twin titanium exhaust pipes, giving a hint to the performance available for the most powerful and lightest model in the McLaren Super Series. The active ‘Longtail’ Airbrake is 50 percent bigger than the one fitted to the 650S yet, due its carbon fibre structure, is actually lighter. This is just one of the enhancements that add up to a dry weight of just 1,230kg.

More than 50 percent of parts have been changed in the 3.8-litre V8 engine to deliver increased levels of power, torque and driveability. Upgrades include new, more efficient turbos, detail design changes to the cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds, new camshaft and lightweight connecting rods, and a faster-flowing fuel pump and delivery system. These changes are so significant, that the engine unit receives a new, unique code – M838TL. The low weight, low inertia power unit produces, as the name suggests, a power output of 675PS and a power-to-weight ratio of 549PS per tonne.

The 675LT is as fully track-focused as it is road legal with around a third of parts modified to suit this purpose compared with the 650S Coupé and Spider that continue in production alongside it. Yet, like its iconic predecessor, the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’, from which the LT name is derived, this is a car that is as exciting to look at as it is to drive. It also embodies the key attributes of the ‘Longtail’ ethos targeting light weight, optimised aerodynamics, increased power, track-focused dynamics and driver engagement.

THE KEY TO THE ‘LONGTAIL’ SUCCESS: LIGHT WEIGHT AND AERODYNAMIC

Despite the revised, longer bodywork, the 1997 McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’ was over 100kg lighter than its hugely successful predecessors. As it was nearly 20 years ago, weight reduction has been a key focus throughout the development programme for the 675LT and, in a subtle nod to its bigger brother, the result is a saving of over 100kgs over the other models in the Super Series. This savings have been achieved through the extensive use of carbon fibre for the body panels, along with lightweight engine, chassis and body structure parts. In the pursuit of minimal weight, and to suit its purposeful intent, even air conditioning has been removed, but can specified as a no cost option.

Below a newly designed front bumper sits a prominent carbon fibre front splitter, which works the air harder, complementing new front wing end plates to increase downforce levels over the front bodywork. The turbulent air from the front wheel arches is ‘cleaned’ as it flows towards the rear bodywork by sculpted carbon fibre side sills which run the full length of the lower bodywork. A subtle air intake is incorporated ahead of the leading edge of the rear wheel arch, below a more pronounced side intake behind the door, both of which feed clean cool air into the side-mounted radiators.

The aero balance is optimised by the active ‘Longtail’ Airbrake which, as with the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’, is larger – 50 percent larger than on other Super Series models. The reprofiled design flows into the lines of the new carbon fibre rear wings. Two circular exhaust pipes, forged from titanium, exit centrally through exposed bodywork below the rear wing. Despite a more complex design, the bespoke crossover system is designed to optimise performance and reduce weight, saving 1.1kg. The rear deck and sections flanking the exhaust pipes remain exposed; designed to evacuate hot air from the engine bay as efficiently as possible, while a lightweight polycarbonate rear screen features further louvres. A louvred carbon fibre rear bumper reduces air pressure over the rear wheels, while the rear design is completed with a dramatic integrated carbon fibre diffuser.

FIVE UNIQUE ‘BY McLAREN’ 675LT THEMES

The 675LT is offered in five ‘By McLaren’ hero specifications, which includes four bespoke colours never previously offered: Silica White, Delta Red, Napier Green and Chicane Grey are all newly formulated paint hues for the 675LT. The famous heritage McLaren Orange completes the themes unique to the model. Each of the five ‘By McLaren’ specifications is complemented within the stripped out interior with carefully selected materials and colours.

The purposeful driver-focused cabin of the 675LT gives even further indication of track potential. A pair of ultra lightweight carbon fibre-shelled bucket seats, upholstered in Alcantara® as standard and modelled on those in the McLaren P1™, provide comfort and support with no compromise on overall weight. A subtle 675LT logo features on the headrest of each seat, and is also present on the rev counter. In a change to the other models in the Super Series, the air conditioning controls are now incorporated within the intuitive touchscreen infotainment system.

The McLaren 675LT will make its global debut at the 85th Geneva Motor Show at 12.15 CET (11.15 GMT) on Tuesday 3 March 2015.

Source [McLaren]

McLAREN 675LT TECHNICAL STATISTICS

PERFORMANCE

1. 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) 2.9 seconds
2. 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph) 7.9 seconds
3. Top speed 330 km/h (205 mph)
4. Power-to-weight 549PS per ton

ENGINE & POWERTRAIN

• Engine Configuration V8 Twin Turbo / 3799cc
• Power 675PS (666 bhp) @ 7,100 rpm
• Torque 700Nm (516 lb ft) @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
• Transmission 7 Speed SSG
• CO2 275g/km

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

• Dry weight 1,230kg
• Weight distribution 42.5 / 57.5
• Length 4,546 mm
• Width 2,095 mm
• Height 1,188 mm

 

Thanks, added Press release!

 

Rear is now a lot nicer than 650S.

 

Well, that's pure carporn!

 

Angelic beauty with an inner dark powerful soul.

 

Photo credit: Karsten