McLaren is bringing the Longtail moniker back for the new 600LT, a track-oriented supercar with more power, less weight and more tail.
On the Coattails of History
The all-new 2019 McLaren 600LT is the fourth McLaren in the Longtail lineage, which starts with the legendary (not to mention legendarily expensive) McLaren F1 GTR Longtail. When it first hit the racing scene, the McLaren F1 GTR was well-nigh unbeatable, but competitors soon caught up. In an effort to give the aging F1 GTR a bit more of an edge, the vehicle was lightened and the body was redesigned to improve aerodynamics and increase downforce. In the process, the GTR grew a not-insignificant 25 inches in length.
Over the years, two other "Longtail" McLarens were produced, although both focused more on improved performance than on added length.
The 2019 McLaren 600LT likewise falls well short of its grandpappy's growth-spurt benchmark, adding just 2.9 inches of overall length compared to other Sports Series McLarens. Of course, all McLarens boast impressive aerodynamic engineering, so it's probably for the best that they didn't add 2 feet of sheet metal carbon fiber just for looks. Otherwise, the formula is familiar: add power, remove weight, make it faster on the track.
A Tail of Two Turbos
Power is up 30 horsepower compared to the 570S, for a total of 592 hp from the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8. Weight is down 211 pounds from the 570S, although it's unclear whether you'll see that much in the way of weight savings on a base 2019 McLaren 600LT. There's quite a bit of extra carbon-fiber bodywork (such as a roof panel and fenders) that buyers can opt for. And the lowest claimed dry weight of 2,749.2 pounds requires some of those optional extras.
Part of McLaren's weight-saving process included cutting the exhaust system way down and routing the tailpipes out through the top of the rear deck, right behind the driver. That not only saved on metal, but is objectively awesome.
Inside, you'll find a track-oriented cabin complete with swaths of faux suede and the same lightweight carbon-fiber seats as in the P1. You can also opt for the ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber seats from the McLaren Senna to drop even more weight. This probably won't be much of a road-trip car, but the aggressive buckets should be right at home on a track.
Limited Re-Tail Availability
Even when they're not particularly long, McLaren's Longtail cars have been among its rarest and fastest-selling models. If what you're looking for is a track car with mind-boggling capabilities, a collectible supercar, or just a totally rad exhaust system, get your name down now for the 2019 McLaren 600LT. Official production details haven't been released, but there won't be many examples sold and McLaren is already taking orders.
