(December 4, 2015) McLaren Automotive has revealed the latest chapter in the history of the iconic "Longtail" name with confirmation of the 675LT Spider. Strictly limited to only 500 examples worldwide, it is only the second model to wear the LT badge. This latest model comes less than a year since the first model in nearly 20 years resurrected the name, and is in response to significant customer demand.
 

The 675LT Coupé focused on light weight, enhanced aerodynamics, increased power and track-focused dynamics, and this limited-run model quickly sold out before the first deliveries commenced. Sharing these key characteristics, McLaren Automotive now presents the most focused, fastest and exhilarating open top model to ever wear a McLaren badge.

The 675LT Spider, priced at £285,450 ($431,000), is the fifth new model debuted by McLaren Automotive in 2015 in what has become a defining year for the British brand. This latest model joins the McLaren P1 GTR, 570S Coupé and 540C Coupé, and the fixed-head 675LT Coupé as new to the line-up, and further strengthens the Super Series range.

Under the skin of the 675LT Spider sits the heavily revised 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 powertrain from the coupé sibling, ensuring performance figures are worthy of the LT — or Longtail — badge.

The power output and torque figures remain unchanged, with 675PS (666 horsepower) delivered at 7,100 rpm and 516 pound-feet of torque available between 5,000-6,500 rpm. The changes to the powertrain saw more than 50 percent of the components replaced to ensure optimized levels of power, torque and drivability. These include new, more efficient turbos, detail design changes to the cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds, new camshaft and lightweight connecting rods, and a faster-flowing fuel pump and delivery system.

Acceleration from 0-100 kmh (0-62mph) takes just 2.9 seconds, and 200 kmh (124mph) is achieved in 8.1 seconds — giving away only 0.2 seconds to the more aerodynamically optimized and lighter coupé.

Controlled torque delivery in first gear manages torque to 443 lb ft to ensure maximum acceleration, and minimizing wheel slip. Top speed is 203 mph. Despite these blistering performance figures, the 675LT Spider returns 24.2 mpg on the EU combined cycle, while CO2 emissions remain at 275g/km — the same as the coupé. A three-piece retractable folding hardtop can be opened at speeds up to 19 mph to allow for a new level of open-air exhilaration.

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 optimized aerodynamic performance. The special nature of the model is supported by the extensive use of carbon fibre for the bodywork.

As with the 675LT Coupé, 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 1,270 kg (2,799 pounds). This weight is a full 220 pounds lighter than the already lightweight 650S Spider.

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 88 pounds heavier than the Coupé, all due to the retractable roof system.

The dramatic styling and purposeful stance of the 675LT is retained with the Spider variant, with the extended front splitter flanked by front wing end plates, each working the airflow harder and increasing downforce. Sculpted carbon fibre door sills run along the lower edge of the bodywork, flowing in to a smaller air intake ahead of the rear wheels. This sits below the more pronounced side intake, with both feeding clean, cool air into the side radiators which are more prominent to offer increased cooling.

The retractable hard top stows below a color-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.  Exposed bodywork across the rear deck and below the rear wing aids engine cooling, while louvres in the flared rear bumper optimize pressure levels.

Another key characteristic of any Longtail is exclusivity, and the 675LT Spider is no exception. As with the Coupé, production of the 675LT Spider will be strictly limited to only 500 examples, with first deliveries in summer 2016.