After months of rumours and countless spy shots, McLaren has finally taken the covers off its new 765LT. Like many cars we’ll se this week, the new track weapon was meant to be unveiled at the now cancelled 2020 Geneva Motor Show, so the company instead revealed the car at its headquarters in Woking.
Since the 675LT burst onto the scene in 2015, a new Long Tail (or LT) has been added to the British Marque’s portfolio almost annually. The 570S was the most recent model to get the LT treatment, with the superb 600LT and 600LT Spider arriving in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
The car’s March debut has long been rumoured. Until now, the 720S was McLaren’s only volume production car that didn’t have a Long Tail variant. What’s more, there had been several sightings of 720S development cars testing at the Nurburgring over the past six months, hinting that a track-focused variant is in the works.
What does it look like?
It may not boast the stretched rear end of the F1 GT ‘Long Tail’, but the 765LT’s rear wing is technically longer than the 720S’ – 9mm to be precise. In fact, the 765LT should be called the ‘Long Front’, because it’s 48mm longer at the nose compared to the standard car.
That’s thanks to a new front bumper that features an intricate splitter, which sits 5mm lower to the road to improve downforce. Two vertical flaps, similar to those on the 600LT, sit in the centre of the splitter, and there are two more carbon fibre fins located at the bottom of the front wings.
But it’s the back end that has changed the most over the 720S. The 765LT sports a slightly larger rear wing and a bit more bodywork below the new quad-exhaust system to warrant the LT name. Tucked below the bumper is a gigantic carbon fibre diffuser that serves as a nod to the 720S GT3 racer, which McLaren claims produces 25% more downforce than the standard 720S.
And what’s new on the inside?
At a glance, the 765LT’s cabin doesn’t look all that different to the 720S. You still get the same retractable digital instrument cluster, along with an eight-inch infotainment system in the centre console.
Pretty much every surface you can touch is covered in Alcantara or is exposed carbon fibre. McLaren’s optional ultra-lightweight Senna seats return, which are essentially carbon fibre tubs with bits of Alcantara padding glued on, and there’s a small opening behind the cabin that exposes the V8 engine below.
How much power does it produce?
As the name suggests, the new Long Tail produces 765PS (740bhp) and 800Nm of torque from the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that can be found in the bog-standard 720S and every other McLaren aside from those in the Sports Series.
Power is sent to the rear-axle via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which can rocket you from 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds and 0-124mph in 7.2 seconds. Top speed dips from 213mph to 205mph, which is still impressive feat considering the all the extra aerodynamic bits that improve grip but also add drag.
Weight has taken a tumble as well. McLaren has stripped out 80kg from the 720S for a kerb weight of 1,229kg. This was achieved by fitting new forged alloy wheels dressed in Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo R tyres, saving 22kg, along with new carbon fibre racing seats (18kg) and a titanium exhaust system (10.9kg). Lighter suspension and drivetrain components have also helped reduce weight.
How much will it cost?
There’s no word yet on pricing, but we expect the 765LT to cost considerably more than the £203,000 720S.
When will it go on sale?
The order books are open now, but deliveries won’t get underway until the second half of the year. You’ll need to act fast, though – only 765 examples will reach production.
Keyword: McLaren 765LT 2020: hypercar-baiting Long Tail breaks cover