Best of the best: McLaren marks a decade of LT performance

Best of the best is obviously subjective. There’s an argument to be had whether the emotion of something like a Ferrari is ‘better’ than the clinical engineering precision of a McLaren, but no sane person would deny that McLaren knows how to build incredible cars.

McLaren unveiled the first of its LT supercars in 2015, a designation embodying the levels of performance and excellence that McLaren is capable of, with an added dose of exclusivity.

Ten years, and six iconic cars later, McLaren is marking the occasion with the ‘Celebrate LT’ programme of owner engagement and retailer activities, to run throughout 2025.

The McLaren LT lineage began with the 675LT unveiled in March 2015 at the Geneva International Motor Show. The limited-volume coupe was based on McLaren’s 650S supercar, with the inspiration coming from the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’ created to sharpen the racing edge of the McLaren F1 GTR – the car that won its class in the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 1997 - a race the company has just announced it will return to.

Limited to just 500 cars, the 675LT delivered levels of driver engagement and performance that exceeded even McLaren’s other series-production models, quickly establishing what is now the McLaren LT philosophy; driver engagement, track-focused dynamics, minimised weight, optimised aerodynamics and increased power, all wrapped up in a car produced in restricted numbers.

Heralded as the most track-focused McLaren model since the 12C road car of 2011, more than 50 per cent of the components in the 675LT’s 3.8-litre turbocharged V8 engine were changed to deliver the increased power of 670bhp. The 675LT also utilised more complex aerodynamic features than the 650S it was based on, as well as a very significant 100kg weight reduction.

A further five McLaren LT models have followed, with the 675LT, 600LT and 765LT all produced in coupe and convertible Spider form.

The 675LT Spider with retractable hard top was announced for delivery in 2016, introducing truly epic racetrack-bred performance to the convertible supercar segment. Underpinned by the ultra-stiff and lightweight carbon fibre MonoCell tub, the 675LT weighed in at only 40kg heavier than its coupe counterpart, a difference entirely accounted for by the mechanics of the retractable roof.

When McLaren announced the replacement of the 650S with the new 570S, the task of developing an LT based on the new car began again. That task was completed in 2018 with the arrival of the McLaren 600LT.

Offering a new level of engagement with the 600LT

The development of the McLaren 600LT delivered a car with aggression and an intense connection to the road like no other. A lightweight, top-exit exhaust system – 12.6kg lighter than the standard 570S exhaust - and aerodynamic package including a large, fixed rear wing heightened the drama of the LT experience. Inside, the optional Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats from the McLaren Senna demonstrated the 600LT’s race-focused inspiration and uncompromising approach to performance.

And like the 675LT, an open-topped variant of this lightweight track-bred supercar was also introduced in January 2019. The McLaren 600LT Spider delivered the same 600bhp from its 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, scintillating driving dynamics, optimised aerodynamics, and dramatic flair. And again, its lightweight carbon fibre construction offset much of the added weight of the roof mechanism, preserving as much of the feel and performance of the coupe as possible.

McLaren’s most recent LT models, the 765LT and 765LT Spider, took the LT designation to a new level of performance once again. Based on the multiple-award-winning McLaren 720S, it provided the platform for McLaren to create the most hardcore LT to date.

The 720S was already a supremely lightweight supercar so creating an LT version required meticulous attention to detail. From the signature quad-exit exhaust to the application of thinner glass, titanium wheel nuts, and the replacement of door stowage with elastic nets, McLaren engineers were ruthless in their efforts to reduce weight. In total, a remarkable 80kg was removed from the standard car to create the 765LT.

The most recent model to join the LT family was the 765LT Spider that arrived in 2021.

Brutally fast with a striking aerodynamic design and an unrelenting focus on driver connection, the 765LT pushed McLaren’s engineering to the edge. The 765LT Spider stands out for being the most powerful convertible supercar McLaren has ever produced, its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre engine benefiting from lighter pistons to develop an incredible 760bhp.

Every LT model is recognised for its elevated levels of performance and pure expression of supercar excellence rooted in McLaren’s racing pedigree, as well as the enhanced desirability that befits their limited availability.

“For a decade, LT has embodied the pure, uncompromising performance that defines the very essence of McLaren. Relentlessly focused on delivering true driver engagement, every LT pushes the boundaries of weight reduction, aerodynamics, and power, to create an experience that is as thrilling as it is visceral. Loved by the most passionate McLaren drivers, LT is more than just a name - it’s a statement of intent for those who demand the purest expression of performance.”

Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, Chief Commercial Officer, McLaren Automotive

More information about Celebrate LT and the LT models themselves can be found at https://cars.mclaren.com/en/lt-10-year-celebration.

And if you want to lease a more affordable car, then Gateway2Lease has a range of cars - especially those on our offers page - that provide exceptional value for money. But maybe not as quick or as exclusive as a McLaren LT.