Senna-Inspired McLaren 765LT Eyes The Ferrari 488 Pista
Following in the tread marks left by the 675LT and 600LT before it, the newly unveiled 765LT becomes the third ‘Longtail’ model to join McLaren’s supercar line-up.
Named in deference to the F1 GTR raced in the BPR Global GT Series from the mid-90s onwards, the ‘LT’ moniker refers to the more dynamically savage examples on McLaren’s product line-up, and with Woking claiming it to be “the most dynamically advanced and engaging LT model ever”, expect the 765LT to be no different.
Limited to just 765 examples (see, that’s how you do it Alfa…), the 765LT draws heavily from the McLaren Senna in terms of propulsion and aerodynamics. At the heart for example is McLaren’s established 4-litre twin-turbocharged ‘M840T’ V8, albeit one with Senna-infused forged pistons, three-layer head gasket and carbon-coated valve train. There’s also an extra fuel pump, a titanium exhaust and a recalibrated ECU, and such finagling means power is a meaty 765PS, or 755bhp, while torque is an equally substantial 800Nm (590lb ft).
Similar tinkering has also been done to the seven-speed SSG gearbox, with each of the seven ratios optimised to improve gear selection speeds by up to 15 per cent. McLaren’s even been brave enough to include a ‘limit downshift’ function, effectively allowing customers to bounce off the rev limiter.
All together, the drivetrain will shoot the new 765LT from standstill to 100kph in a dizzying 2.8 seconds and 0-200kph in just 7.2 seconds, more than enough to keep Ferrari’s 488 Pista and the new Porsche 911 Turbo S in Woking’s crosshairs.
With greater power though comes greater responsib…sorry, comes a reduced beltline, and McLaren has been atypically anal about this. A single piece carbon fibre floor lifts almost 15kg from the scales, lightweight wheels and sports seats from the Senna doing likewise. That titanium exhaust weighs just 10.9kg, and a further 6kg has been saved using lighter glass windows and polycarbonate for the engine cover. Even the specially developed Pirelli Zero Trofeo R tyres adorn new ultra-lightweight forged alloys that save 22kg. Altogether, at 1,339kg (1,229kg dry), the 765LT is 80kg lighter than the 720S on which it is based. And yes, there’s lashings of carbon fibre in the cabin too.
There’s also a new aero package to crow over, one that now features an extended front splitter, unique door blades, and a larger active rear wing that, combined, increased the 765LT’s downforce by a staggering 25 per cent over the hardly lackadaisical 720S. Interestingly, the rear wing, rear bumper and front floor were all engineered and manufactured by the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) in a first for a McLaren roadcar.
So far, no price has been confirmed for the limited edition 765LT, but given that the ‘base’ 720S costs at least £208K (around $266K), speculation suggests the new Longtail will set customers back someway north of £280K (around $359K).
*Images courtesy of McLaren Automotive
