Near the end of 2015, McLaren showcased what was then the latest model to wear the Longtail name - the 675 LT Spider. Only 500 units were ever built which were all sold out within two weeks. The LT Spider was the second McLaren model to come with the LT badge, the other being the 675LT Coupe. A defining feature of both these cars was a carbon fiber super lightweight body, increased aerodynamics, and more power from the V8 motor. The spider became the fastest open top in their line. I mean the very design of the vehicle saw an increase in downforce by a staggering 40 percent more than the 650S Spider. But you are probably wondering where the name “Longtail” came from. It was the name of their quickest F1 McLaren which the company saw fitting for the 675LT Spider. Thus, The LT Spider aimed to uphold the Longtail legacy with a lightweight body construction and aerodynamics. Let’s dive into the world of McLaren’s sportscars to discover more in this McLaren 675LT Spider review.
McLaren set out to create the 675LT Spider with a clear focus on something that offered driving excitement, top performance, and maximum power. One of the ways they achieved this was through weight reduction by up to 220 lbs, thanks to more carbon fiber in the frame. And the team at McLaren didn’t stop there. They proceeded to add even more lightweight materials throughout the vehicle. Consequently, there’s plenty of use of carbon fiber. Heck, even the steering wheel and the gear shifters are made from carbon fiber. As for the fuel figures, the 2016 McLaren 675LT Spider has a combined fuel consumption of 24 miles to the gallon. Not bad. The car looks a lot similar to the hardtop 675LT McLaren with similar engine specs. And while the 675LT Spider may weigh more on the hardtop, it is still 220 lbs. lighter than a 650S Spider from which McLaren draws a lot of design inspiration. The McLaren 675LT Spider prices didn’t deter customers from placing their older early and wiping out all 500 units within just two weeks. And it’s not a surprise when you consider the 675LT McLaren specs. For one there are up to 33 different and new components in the car over the 650S Spider. More on that later on. But if there are features that stand out above the rest, it’s got to be the perfectly weighted steering which also feels more robust than that you’ll get on a Ferrari. The steering is also super responsive and will get the nose changing at the slightest turn with impressive accuracy. The second feature that stands out with the McLaren 675LT Spider is the engine. During its design, McLaren opted to limit the toque to allow the engine even more surge. They seemed to have hit the right balance as even while on a highway you can rely on the torque to get you ahead of the vehicle in front of you even at high speeds. As for how much it will cost you, The McLaren 675LT Spider prices start at $372,600. And if you have a car that you’d like to sell, Exotic Car Trader is your partner throughout your car-selling journey.
McLaren has one of the most popular stories in the car industry mostly centered around the GTR. After they had a good number of wins in 1995 and 1996 the company decided they wanted to push their limits and beat the competition. This saw them build the McLaren GTR longtail as a version of the iconic McLaren F1 completely from scratch. This car had a more downward force design, more lightweight with a track-focused design. In 1997, this model had a successful run on the race tracks and almost got the world title... almost. That said, it did win the Silverstone 4 Hours, the Spa 4 Hours, the Hockenheim 4 Hours, and a series of other notable wins. McLaren outdid themselves with the 675LT and the 675LT Spider branding the LT as their ultra-high-performance line which invariably brought back the longtail heritage.
The open-top design allows the driver to soak in the noise from that powerful mid-mounted engine. One thing’s for sure, McLaren knows how to keep breaking the limits of their design capabilities and keep producing cars that are better than the previous model year. You’d think that the lack of a roof would affect performance, but again McLaren proves they know a thing or two about making open tops that still offer the same level of driving quality as their hard-top counterparts. At the press of a button, you can get the hardtop to retract behind a tonneau cover keeping the engine exposed behind the polycarbonate cover. The Spider shares plenty of design features with the coupe version 675LT McLaren such as the front splitter and the wing end plates which serve to increase downward airflow. There are also carbon fiber sills that run under the doors which then send the flow to an air intake situated close to the rear wheels. The side air intakes are larger and more pronounced and send the cool air to the radiators keeping the engine running at the right temperature. The McLaren 675LT Spider has an overall length of 179 inches, 82.5 inches of width, and weighs 2927 pounds. The car rides on some 20-inch alloy wheels with performance R20 Pirelli tires. Note that you can get the Spider with three different alloy wheel designs. The Pirelli tires are built specifically for the 2016 McLaren 675LT Spider. If there’s something you’ve probably noted through this post is how many times we’ll mention lightweight and the standard wheels are indeed lightweight. They are the lightest wheels that McLaren has ever given their cars. At the rear, the 675LT boasts sleek lightweight titanium twin exhausts further extenuating its eye-catching design.
McLaren designed the interior of the 2016 McLaren 675LT Spider to be a comfortable sitting space for the driver. The lack of too much tech and clutter results in fewer distractions. That said, you still get a decent number of standard equipment. The good thing is that it does come with a few driver-assist features such as stability control, traction control, and anti-theft alarm as standard. On the inside are two racing seats made from carbon fiber which also help reduce weight. You get a leather or suede microfiber interior with split seats as standard. The IRIS screen mounted at the center of the dash allows you to control not just the infotainment and entertainment but also features such as the HVAC system. The sound from the 4 speakers powered by a 240-watt stereo is smooth and clean. Speaking off, you also get the Meridian premium brand stereo system and satellite radio as standard. There is also cruise control which you can activate via buttons on the steering wheel though you won’t get the adaptive variety. As for the transmission, you only get the 7-speed automated manual which you can set to auto when you want a relaxing long drive. Drivers can choose between different modes from normal to sport to track for the powertrain as well as the chassis. Simply put the engine behaves differently with different driving modes. The normal mode is so invigorating leaving one to wonder what would happen in sport mode. Of course, you can find out for yourself.
But let’s talk about the motor. It is a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine capable of delivering 666 hp and 516 lb.-ft of torque. But how fast is the 675 LT Spider? Well, pretty fast! The McLaren 675LT Spider 0-60mph is only 2.9 seconds. Only the 675LT Coupe could do better by 2 seconds. Both cars have a top speed of 203 mph. Such performance figures would go with the wind without a chassis designed just right. McLaren wanted one that was not too light nor too stiff. As for the suspension, it is similar to the coupe version with the front wheels supported by much stiffer springs which McLaren says has increased stiffness by 27% in the front allowing for an increase in downward force by up to 40%. Those at the rear are even stiffer with a 63% increase It works amazingly well on rough roads and absorbs bumps mighty well for such a low-hung car. While the engine is the same as what you’ll find in the coupe, there are some upgrades such as improved efficiency turbos, a different design on the cylinder head, a new exhaust manifold, extra light connecting rods, and reduced weight camshafts. The fuel pump was made to be extra fast to feed the McLaren 675LT Spider 0-60 in under 3 seconds. All This results in a highly efficient and lightweight engine. The McLaren 675LT spider is part of the Super series and like others in the line comes with air brakes in the rear. These work to further increase downforce which improves braking.
Final Thoughts
The 675LT Spider should get your heart racing especially when you understand what LT stands for. The awesome exterior looks, simplistic yet stylish interior, and packing a heavy punch, is enough to get one spending the $372,600 they’ve got lying around. And where better to help you get your car than Exotic Car Trader?
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