- 6,900 Miles
- Rare Roof Scoop Option
- Carbon Fiber Exterior Package
- 3.8L Twin-Turbo V-8
- 666 HP / 512 TQ
- Volcano Orange Exterior / Black Alcantara Interior
On a McLaren, the now-iconic LT (“long tail”) moniker immediately signals something very important about the intent of a car which bears it. Long tail refers to a lengthened tail that reduces drag, and is appropriately optimized, increases aerodynamic stability and downforce as well. But there is much more to an LT McLaren than just the long tail. Perhaps the closest parallel is the letters RS from Porsche. A wholesale set of changes result in a car which must have more directness and immediacy, a communicative car for the driving enthusiast seeking feedback rather than a perfectly well-rounded all-weather car to use for nearly every purpose.
The modern LT franchise began with this car, the 675LT. The first modern McLaren, the MP4-12C, was sometimes derided for being composed to the point of being dull, and the 675LT handily disposes of that notion. Weighing a svelte (by modern standards) 2,700 pounds dry and producing an appropriately sinister 666 hp, the rear-wheel-drive, hydraulically-steered 675LT is a firecracker, not just by the numbers, but also how it goes down the road. Compared to the 650S from which is derived, the 675LT has performance upgrades to every meaningful system: faster steering, revised suspension, 40% more downforce thanks to a new rear diffuser and an enlarged front splitter and rear wing, and some 220 pounds of weight reduction thanks to a host of changes ranging from more extensive use of carbon fiber to thinner glass and lighter wheels and lug nuts. As promised by the name, the tail is 1.3 inches longer than the standard car’s, and the rear end is restyled as a result. The 8,500 RPM engine gains 25hp thanks to revised turbochargers, a new crankshaft, a titanium exhaust system, lighter connecting rods, and camshafts, the latter of which also improve responsiveness. The net result is a thrilling and edgy car with a hardcore track-oriented personality that makes any memory of the civilized McLarens which preceded it disappear very quickly. And with only 500 examples built, the already tasty details of the 675LT become even more intriguing.
This particular car is a two-owner example that has always lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. Originally supplied by McLaren of San Francisco on 16 January 2016, this car was used very sparingly by its first owner, who covered just 500 miles before selling it to its second owner in 2019. Finished in Volcano Orange (a $5,680 option), this car also has the MSO gloss carbon fiber package including roof scoop, exterior carbon trim, and engine panels, a $51,414 option. Other options include the carbon fiber exterior upgrade pack ($10,690), carbon fiber side intakes and mirror casings, Meridian sound system, suspension lifter, electric steering column, lightweight forged wheels, parking cameras, and car cover. The original MSRP was $444,854, an increase of more than $95,000 over the $349,500 base price.
The car has been fastidiously maintained, receiving extensive service work including a replacement engine installed by McLaren of San Francisco due to a broken valve spring. More routine maintenance has included scheduled servicing, new tires, a brake fluid flush, and an airbag recall. All work has been performed by the McLaren dealer that sold the car new. The car comes with books, records, a car cover, a battery charger, a window sticker, and both keys.
One of just 500 675LTs built, of which fewer than 200 came to the United States, this car is a rare find, one which is further distinguished by the extremely rare roof scoop option owing to its high cost. In addition to looking cool, the roof scoop supplies cold air to the engine via a pair of carbon fiber ducts in the C pillars, which pass directly behind the occupants’ heads. The auditory experience of listening to the turbochargers through these adds tremendously to the driving experience of the car, giving a sense of occasion to driving at any speed. Additionally, this car is incredibly well-optioned, extremely complete, and well-documented.