2016 McLaren 675LT: First Test (Hint: Astonishing!)

[TXSTYLE]

http://www.motortrend.com/news/2016-...4B8D88096A07C2

What an absolutely magnificent automobile. As Supercars go, this one may just be the best 'overall' for under that half a mill you've been saving up...

With only 500 coupes and 500 spiders to be made, the 675LT is the closest one can get to McLaren P1 performance without having to drop seven figures on a hypercar. Based on the already impressive 650S and built using lessons learned from McLaren’s GT3 racing program, the 675LT is a leaner, longer, and more powerful track-focused animal. Named for its metric horsepower rating and after the legendary McLaren F1 GTR Long Tail, the 675LT is powered by an overhauled 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V-8. Sporting faster-spinning turbos, new camshafts, revamped ECU tuning, and a myriad of other modifications, the McLaren’s mid-mounted V-8 makes a devilish 666 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The eight-pot is mated to a revamped seven-speed twin-clutch automatic, which McLaren says can shift gears in as little as 40 milliseconds.

The 650S was already a light car, but McLaren took things further with the 675LT. Carbon-fiber bumpers and fenders, a titanium exhaust system, lightweight wheels, and a fixed polycarbonate engine cover join the carbon-fiber MonoCell tub. All that combines to help the flyweight 675LT sneak in under the 3,000-pound mark, tipping our scales at 2,993 pounds.

At our dragstrip, the McLaren 675LT proved itself to be a rather charming Brit. It’s reserved compared to a Lamborghini, but it’s perfectly capable of the theater (excuse me, theatre) you’d expect from a 666-hp, carbon-tubbed supercar. Take launch control, for instance. In a car such as a Porsche 911 Turbo S, you simply put the car in Sport Plus, hit the brake, nail the gas, dump the brake, and you’re off. Easy. In the 675LT, it’s apparent that this car comes from the country that gave us Shakespeare. First you hit the Active switch on the center console to turn Active mode on. Next you twist the left-hand Handling mode knob to the left to Normal, the softest suspension setting, which allows the McLaren to squat and put its power down better on launch. Then you twist the right-hand Powertrain knob all the way right for Track mode, the most aggressive setting. Finally, press the Launch button to enable launch control. A message on the leftmost screen on the instrument cluster pops up to tell you to depress the brake hard with your left foot and floor the gas with your right. As the engine surges behind you, that same display tells you “Boost Is Building,” then “Boost Ready,” and then to let go of the brake. Off you go. A 675 launch is like little else; the little V-8 quickly revs up to its 8,500 rpm redline, and the transmission rattles off shifts so fast, you’re hardly conscious they’re happening. With the computer working hard to manage power and grip, the 675LT rockets from 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds. Stay buried in the throttle, and the quarter mile comes in 10.5 seconds at a staggering 139.7 mph—low weight and slippery body work help out just as much as the 675LT’s power output here.

2016 McLaren 675LT interior
41 Photos

Thankfully, the McLaren is just as capable at stopping as it is going. With its big carbon-ceramic brake rotors and a rear spoiler that can function as an airbrake, the 675LT aces our 60-0 tests, needing only 94 feet to stop. The 675LT’s acceleration and braking potential really shine on the figure eight. Thanks in large part to McLaren’s ProActive hydraulic suspension system tying everything together, the 675LT is one of the quickest cars to ever lap our figure eight, needing 22.4 seconds and averaging 0.98 g. That time is just a tenth of a second behind a Dodge Viper ACR with a track setup, and it easily beats fellow European iron such as the Porsche 911 GT3, Lamborghini Huracán, and Mercedes-AMG GT S.

With all that performance potential, we were quite eager to see what Randy Pobst could manage around Willow Springs Raceway. The McLaren, simply put, was staggeringly fast. Its 1:24.29 lap was the second fastest we’ve ever posted around Big Willow, just behind the mighty Porsche 918 Spyder’s 1:23.54 record. “I think we can get in the 23s easy,” Pobst said after his lap. He was fond of the 675LT’s firm chassis, accurate steering, and, of course, its 4.5 pounds per horsepower weight-to-power ratio. “The power really makes it a thrilling ride. It reminds me of the P1 a lot—you can tell it’s the same personality. It doesn’t even feel that much slower. It hauls the mail! It just rocks!”

[Chez]

holy carpet, batman!

Gorgeous car though

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by Chez

holy carpet, batman!

Gorgeous car though

Alcantara or suede?

Car is definitely a dreamer. Makes my M4 look like a prius.

[TXSTYLE]

Over 350 views and only 2 likes/comments...?

Tuff crowd.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Over 350 views and only 2 likes/comments...?

Tuff crowd.

Well of course we like it. Who's gonna dislike besides some super rich douche?

[FL335]

Sweet...lime green. If you own this car, it's a fact you suck.

[pikkagtr]

Wow
Life goals

[AW335TT]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Over 350 views and only 2 likes/comments...?

Tuff crowd.

Most probably clicked to watch a video and left when they realized they have to read.

Car is a beast! I love the rear end, not a fan of the front tho..

Lap time is really impressive.. Trofeo Rs would probably take it into the 22s.

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by AW335TT

Most probably clicked to watch a video and left when they realized they have to read.

Car is a beast! I love the rear end, not a fan of the front tho..

Lap time is really impressive.. Trofeo Rs would probably take it into the 22s.

[swanson]

Whats not to like? I would take this over the comparable Ferrari anyday.

[Topspeed]

Originally Posted by swanson

Whats not to like? I would take this over the comparable Ferrari anyday.

Have to agree with you. I would choose it over any Ferrari or Porsche.

[wdb]

Dumb name, weird lines, bathrobe interior, hideous color.

[Chief Kronos]

Although there are some significant changes to the 570s suspension, McLauren has done a pretty amazing job at keeping the formula similar to its big brother and for a great price.

[8k4]

FYI ACR 1:21.24 @ Willow Springs, that's 3 seconds faster at only 150k with tax

[kprocivic]

Originally Posted by 8k4

FYI ACR 1:21.24 @ Willow Springs, that's 3 seconds faster at only 150k with tax

I'd still rather have a giant penis in my pants vs that long dildo that only makes appearances during Mr nasty time.

Nonetheless the acr is awesome in its own way.

[Em135eye]

Love these; compact (huge supercars don't do it for me), light, brain crushingly fast and BRITISH MADE; hurrah!!

[KingOfJericho]

I hope it's made better than my Lotus was...

(I kid... but seriously)