McLaren 600LT

McLaren 600LT – Overview

The McLaren 600LT and the “LT” in its name refers to the “Longtail” designation initially bestowed upon a lengthened version of the F1 GTR race car. While the 600LT doesn’t exactly have the stretched rear bodywork of the GTR, it still manages to be 74 mm longer than the McLaren 570S.

It lives and breathes the relentless spirit of its ‘Longtail’ predecessors united by the same singular focus to push performance and driving to the absolute edge. It was created in pursuit of performance-optimized aerodynamics and higher downforce with its elongated carbon fibre bodywork. The McLaren 600LT compete with its rivals Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Ferrari 488 Pista, Lamborghini Huracan and Mercedes AMG GTR Pro

McLaren 600LT – Exterior

The McLaren 600LT comes with an ultra-lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in custom Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres with a 19-inch rims in front and 20-inch in the rear, with a softer than usual sidewall structure to maintain the contact patch on less-than-ideal tarmac, plus a stiffer belt construction to improve cornering grip. Design elements such as the new fixed rear spoiler, which, together with the extended front splitter, massive rear diffuser and flat floor (all made from carbon fibre), generates 100 kg of downforce at 250 km/h.

Black side mouldings, rocker side-panel extensions and list of standard exterior amenities includes rear fog lights, LED taillights, rain-sensing windshield wipers and heated power-folding side mirrors give an appropriately intimidating vibe. The power-retractable hard top allows easily to lower the roof to enjoy the weather, and automatic LED headlights with an auto-levelling feature are on hand to illuminate the path when night falls. 

McLaren 600LT – Interior

The McLaren 600LT carbon fibre racing seats from the P1 hypercar, along with a manually adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering column. Keyless entry and ignition, as well as an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, heated front seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel faces the driver, and the centre stack is topped by a pair of circular air vents.

Soft-close doors allow you to raise the luxury quotient within the cabin. Weight saving in the Alcantara-trimmed interior, with no carpets (saves 5.7 kg), glovebox, door pockets (replaced with nets) and 150 litre of cargo space for storage. Amenities such as dual-zone air conditioning and a stereo are absent to reduce curb weight, but they can be added at no extra cost. 

McLaren 600LT - Features

The McLaren 600LT comes with a slim selection of driver-assistance features such as a blind-spot warning system aren't offered but key safety features include standard backup camera with standard front and rear parking sensors.

The brakes, which are carbon ceramic discs clamped by aluminium callipers with a new brake booster developed using learnings from the Senna, which is claimed to offer responsive and progressive pedal feel and a stopping distance from 200 km/h of just 117 m.

The McLaren 600LT equipped with Bluetooth phone connectivity and a pair of LCD monitors. The options list includes a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

McLaren 600LT - Powertrain

The McLaren 600LT features a revamped version of McLaren’s 3.8 litre twin turbocharged V8. Equipped with a retuned ECU and a distinctive top-exit exhaust system that reduces back pressure, it churns out 600 PS at 7,500 rpm and 620 Nm of torque from 5,500 to 6,500rpm, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 481 PS per tonne. It's paired with a seven-speed automatic dual clutch transmission.

The McLaren 600LT uses of all that carbon, including in McLaren’s trademark MonoCell II monocoque chassis, contributes to a dry weight of just 1,247 kg in the lightest specifications. The rest of the car has been designed to reduce weight and improve its handling characteristics.

Sitting on eight millimetres closer to the ground and riding on a 10 mm wider front track, the 600LT utilises forged aluminium double wishbones and uprights representing a 10.2 kg weight saving. The car’s independent, continuously variable adaptive dampers and anti-roll bars have also been reworked to suit. The engine generates a potent power and is transferred to the rear wheels.

McLaren 600LT - Fuel Consumption

McLaren 600LT - Driving Performance

McLaren 600LT - Ride Comfort

McLaren 600LT - Conclusion 

The McLaren 600LT is the most extreme expression and the purest distillation of the sheer driving pleasure embodied of a McLaren. Pushed to the edge, pushed as far as it will go in terms of performance and exhilaration. Each ‘Longtail’ is rare, and raw. 

Characterised by its optimised aerodynamics, reduced weight, track-focused dynamics, increased power and enhanced driver engagement, a McLaren ‘Longtail’ is built to be driven. With pioneering design and ground-breaking engineering, boundaries are broken in the pursuit of the extreme, to deliver the ultimate thrill.