McLaren has revealed the latest chapter in the history of the 'Longtail' name with the 675LT Spider.
The new Spider is only the second model to wear the LT badge and is 'in response to significant customer demand' according to McLaren. The preceding 675LT Coupe focused on light weight, enhanced aerodynamics, increased power and track-focused dynamics, and now McLaren has revealed the 'most focused, fastest and exhilarating open top model to ever wear a McLaren badge'.
The 675LT Spider is powered by a 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 powertrain from the Coupe sibling, with 675PS (666bhp) delivered at 7,100rpm and 700Nm (516lb ft) available between 5,000-6,500rpm. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes just 2.9 seconds, and 124mph is achieved in 8.1 seconds - giving away only 0.2 seconds to the more aerodynamically optimised and lighter Coupe - top speed is 203mph.
Staying true to the 'Longtail' ethos, established by the McLaren F1 in the late 1990s, the 675LT Spider has been developed with a focus on light weight and optimised aerodynamic performance. The special nature of the model is supported by the extensive use of carbon fibre for the bodywork. As with the 675LT Coupe, the front bumper with larger splitter and end plates, front under body, side skirts, side intakes, lower side intakes, rear bodyside lower, rear fenders, rear deck, rear bumper, diffuser and 'Longtail' Airbrake are all carbon fibre.
Lightweight components are also found throughout the powertrain and chassis, all contributing to a dry weight of just 1,270kg. This weight is a full 100kg lighter than the already lightweight 650S Spider, and gives a power-to-weight figure of 532PS per tonne. Due to the inherent strength of the carbon fibre MonoCell chassis, no further strengthening - and associated weight increase - has been added through the removal of the roof, and the 675LT Spider is only 40kg heavier than the Coupe, all due to the retractable roof system.
The retractable hard top stows below a colour-coded tonneau cover, and the engine remains visible through a lightweight vented polycarbonate engine cover. At the rear, the lightweight titanium crossover twin exhausts exit below the active 'Longtail' Airbrake which is 50 percent larger than other Super Series models. This is integrated in to the design of the flowing rear wings and despite the larger size, carbon fibre construction ensures weight is actually reduced.
The 675LT Spider is priced at £285,450 OTR and strictly limited to only 500 examples, with first deliveries in summer 2016.