Range extender McLaren 600LT is longer, quicker and lighter. McLaren’s ability to tease out new variations of the same architecture notches up another success with the new 600LT. It’s a more powerful, slightly-aft extended and trackday-focused development of everyone’s favourite real-world McLaren, the 570S. The new car is the fourth McLaren with an elongated rump, in this case a 74mm extension (less than 3in); it follows closed and open versions of the 675LT and the racing GTR version of the McLaren F1 – whose tail was properly long.
Compared with the 570S the 600LT has lost 96kg, thanks to carbonfibre construction for the rear wing and some lower body panels, plus lightweight interior fittings including carbonfibre race seats. Power rises too, as the name suggests, while ‘top-exit’ tail pipes make occupants more aware of their aural outpourings.
Extra downforce, firmer engine mounts and quicker responses from throttle, brakes and steering all sharpen the drive, while the brakes and the forged aluminium wishbones are from the 720S. The £185,000 price includes a track day with tuition. A Spider version will surely follow.
| HOW THE 600LT COMPARES | |||
| Car | PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS 991.2 | MCLAREN 600LT | PORSCHE 911 GT2 RS 991.2 |
| Engine | Flat-six, 3996cc | V8,3799cc, twin-turbo | Flat-six, 3800cc, twin-turbo |
| Power | 513bhp@ 8250rpm | 592bhp@7500rpm | 690bhp@7000rpm |
| Torque | 347lb ft @ 6000rpm | 457lb ft @ 5000-6500rpm | 553lb ft @ 2500-4500rpm |
| Weight | 1430kg | 1343kg (est, with fluids) | 1470kg |
| Power-to-weight | 364bhp/ton | 448bhp/ton (est) | 477bhp/ton |
| 0-62mph | 3.2sec | 2.9SGC | 2.8sec |
| Top speed | 193mph | 204mph | 211mph |
| Basic price | $171,346 | $195,000 | $240,666 |
| On sale in USA | NOW | October 2018 | NOW |
“We’re told the top-exit exhaust spits blue flames that illuminate the rear-view mirror”
