Surprise! McLaren just unveiled its newest supercar, the 765LT. It's a even more extreme version of the already fantastic 720S, sporting new carbon fiber aero components, less weight, and 755 horsepower. The car was supposed to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, but that got canceled, so here it is.
The 765LT is the latest car from McLaren to wear the legendary "Long Tail" nameplate, which originated with the F1 GTR Long Tail of the Nineties. The 765LT replaces the 675LT as the newest limited-production track car in McLaren's Super Series range.
The 765LT is essentially a 720S turned up. Horsepower from the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine has been upped from 710 to 755, and torque is rated at 590 lb-ft—an increase of 22 lb-ft. That's thanks to new forged aluminum pistons, a three-layer head gasket from the Senna, an extra fuel pump, a new oil pump, and a quad-exit titanium exhaust that's 40 percent lighter than the 720S unit. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission has been upgraded with "Formula 1-grade" materials and gearing optimized for throttle response and quicker in-gear acceleration. The 0-60 mph sprint happens in 2.7 seconds, and 0-124 takes just 7.2 seconds.
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| © McLaren |
The drivetrain isn't the only thing that's been updated for the 765LT. A new aero package that includes a carbon fiber splitter, bumpers, diffuser, side skirts, and wing, helping generate 25 percent more downforce than the 720S. The front hood, fenders, and doors can also be optioned in carbon fiber to save more weight. Even the license plate bracket comes in carbon fiber. The windshield and side window glass have been made thinner to save weight, while the c-pillar and rear screen windows are made of polycarbonate.
All that carbon means a claimed DIN curb weight of just 2952 pounds, or about as heavy as a new Porsche 718 Boxster.
That hydraulically actuated wing adjusts based on speed when the driver presses a dedicated "Aero" button in the cabin, and fully deploys during heavy braking for stability and added stopping power. Up front, track width has been increased by 0.24 inches and ride height has decreased by 0.2 inches—the rear geometry remains unchanged. The springs have been replaced with new lightweight units and paired with helper springs to save weight and maintain load in the suspension during full rebound scenarios. This all adds up to a car McLaren claims can produce the quickest lap times of any Super Series model.
All that carbon means a claimed DIN curb weight of just 2952 pounds, or about as heavy as a new Porsche 718 Boxster.
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| © McLaren |
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| © McLaren |
There's an impressive list of included features included. Louvered carbon fiber front fenders, forged lightweight 10-spoke alloy wheels, a front-end lift system, Alcantara interior trim, carbon fiber interior trim, and parking sensors all come standard. A four-speaker sound system will come standard to save weight, though a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system cane be optioned at no additional cost.
If somehow these improvements aren't enough for your driving style, McLaren will offer a Clubsport pack for 765LT buyers that adds carbon fiber bucket seats from the Senna and a telemetry system with three cameras to record track sessions. It also includes carbon ceramic brake discs from the Senna, as well as bespoke pads made especially for the car. Buyers can go one step further with the Clubsport Pro package, which adds a titanium harness bar behind the seats and six-point harnesses, though we don't expect that to come to the U.S.
McLaren is building just 765 examples of the 765LT coupe, with deliveries starting in September 2020. MSRP comes in at $358,000. Considering the 720S was our 2018 Performance Car of the Year, we only expect good things from the Long Tail version. We can't wait to get our hands on it.
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| © McLaren |
See more at: Road & Track
