McLaren 650S

650S Spider (2014–2016)

Mclaren 650S Spider

First announced in February 2014, the 650S Spider is a convertible version of the 650S. It weighs 40 kilograms (88 lb) more than the coupe, but it offers nearly identical performance. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3 seconds and has a top speed of 204 mph (328 km/h).^[8] Up to 25 percent of the parts are new compared to the McLaren 12C Spider.

MSO 650S (2014–2017)

An MSO (McLaren Special Operations) version of the 650S is offered in a limited production run of 50 vehicles. Offered with matte carbon, exclusive MSO colours, Papaya Spark, Agrigan Black and Sarigan Quartz. It features unique and lightweight alloy wheels. These are 4 kg lighter than the standard alloys, helped by the fact that titanium wheel bolts are used.

625C (2015–2016)

In September 2014, McLaren launched an additional model to the range, the McLaren 625C, available in both coupe and roadster versions initially aimed at specific markets in the South Asia Pacific region.^[9]

Powered by the same 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, but with a reduced power output of 616 bhp (459 kW; 625 PS). The 625C is fitted with new dampers and a revised suspension setup, including softer spring rates. Braking is by cast-iron discs instead of the carbon fibre-ceramic units fitted to the 650S. Top speed remains the same as the 650S but acceleration 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) is slightly slower at 3.1 seconds.^[10]

650S Le Mans (2015–2016)

A McLaren 650S Le Mans was revealed in early 2015 to commemorate McLaren’s inaugural win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. This edition marks McLaren’s 20th anniversary since this important win - it was also their first entry ever at Le Mans where five McLaren F1 GTRs finished 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 13th.

Developed by McLaren Special Operations, the McLaren 650S Le Mans is limited to 50 units all in coupe variants. It is inspired by the No.59 McLaren F1 GTR that won the 1995 Le Mans. Hence the 650S Le Mans is finished in a metallic Sarthe Grey exterior colour and fitted with ‘Le Mans Edition’ lightweight wheels. Other distinct features from the entry 650S model include a functional roof-mounted engine induction ‘snorkel’ and subtle louvres on the front wings.^[11]

650S Can-Am (2015–2016)

A version of the 650S based on the Can-Am series is offered in a limited production run of 50 vehicles.^[12]

Chassis

As with the 650S, the 675LT makes use of single-piece carbon fibre monocell weighing 75 kg (165 lb), and carbon fibre use in the vehicle is increased in order to further minimise weight and increase rigidity. The 675LT is supplied with new carbon ceramic brake discs to increase braking performance over the 650S. Disc sizes are 394 mm at the front and 380 mm at the rear. Six-piston calipers grip the front discs with four-piston caliper used for the rears. Braking performance is also aided by the air brake ability of the new rear wing.^[15]

The 675LT makes use of a new 10-spoke wheel design, each weighing 800 g less than the alloy wheels on the McLaren P1, supplied in a 19-inch front and 20-inch rear fitment.^[15]

The new wheels are shod in Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo R track-focused, street-legal tyres which increase grip by up to 6% over the P-Zero Corsa sold with the 650S.^[15]

Body and cabin

Mclaren 675LT at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

The 675LT utilises a new rear wing/air brake assembly 50% larger than that used in the 650S, along with a new carbon fibre diffuser and an 80% larger front splitter with sizeable endplates that together increase total downforce by 40%.^[16]

New carbon fibre pieces include both the front and rear bumpers as well as front undertray, rear fenders, side intakes and decklid that contribute to the significant weight savings over the 650S.^[16] Alcantara is used throughout the interior where carpeting is removed and removal of the air conditioning unit and new carbon fibre race seats together save 26.5 kg (58 lb). 1 millimetre thinner window glass further reduces weight by 3 kg (7 lb). This extreme focus in weight saving results in a dry weight of 1,230 kg (2,712 lb), some 100 kg (220 lb) less than the 650S.^[16]

Drivetrain

The car is powered by a variation of the M838T 3.8 L; 231.8 cu in (3,799 cc) twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, producing 675 PS (496 kW; 666 hp) at 7100 rpm and 700 N⋅m (516 lbf⋅ft) at 5500 rpm. This is achieved through the addition of new lightweight connecting rods, bespoke camshaft, an electronic recirculation valve and a lightweight titanium exhaust. Also used in the engine are revised turbocharger compressor wheels and an optimised fuel pump.^[15]

The 675LT uses the 7-speed automatic dual-clutch gearbox used in the 650S, with improved software reducing the shift time.^[15]

Performance

The 675LT can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.9 seconds, 0.1 seconds faster than the 650S. 0–200 km/h (124 mph) in 7.9 seconds, 0–300 km/h (186 mph) in 25.9 seconds, 0–322 km/h (200 mph) in 31.2 seconds, and do the 0-402m sprint (1/4-mile) in 10.3 seconds at 227.1 km/h (141.1 mph),^[17] continuing on to a claimed top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). On episode 2 of season 23 of Top Gear, the 675LT became the fastest production car on the Top Gear test track with a time of 1:13.7, beating the Pagani Huayra's time of 1:13.8.^[18] although the Ultima gtr 720 did an unofficial lap time of 1:09.9, beating the McLaren by nearly 4 seconds.

McLaren 675LT has a power to weight ratio of 1.97 kg (4.34 lb) per horsepower.

Nomenclature

The '675' in the 675LT model name refers to the power output of 675 PS, following the naming scheme started by the McLaren 650S. The LT in the model name is a reference to the "Long Tail" 1997 McLaren F1 GT which was the final incarnation of the F1 road car built to comply with FIA homologation regulations for the 1997 F1 GTR. The F1 GT featured extended front and rear overhangs that produced similar downforce to the previous homologation special, the F1 LM, without the use of a drag-inducing fixed rear wing.

675LT Spider (2016–2017)

675LT Spider at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show

A convertible variant of the 675LT was revealed online in December 2015. It shares the same 675 PS (496 kW; 666 bhp), 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the coupé, but has a folding hardtop roof as seen on the 650S Spider. The 675LT Spider can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.9 seconds and 0–200 km/h (0-124 mph) in 8.1 seconds. The top speed is reduced slightly, to 327 km/h (203 mph).^[19]

MSO HS (2016–2017)

The McLaren MSO HS is a limited version of the outgoing 650S model and is based on the 675LT variant, inspired by the McLaren P1 GTR. It was revealed online in late 2015. The car is lighter and more powerful than the 675LT, the upgraded engine now produces 688 PS (679 hp) and 516 lb⋅ft (700 N⋅m) of torque at 7000rpm. The car is approximately 19 kg (42 lb) lighter than the 675LT thanks to the use of an alcantara interior and carbon fibre racing seats with racing harnesses similar to those found in the P1 GTR, although, Nappa leather interior is optional. Exterior changes include a new bumper with front splitters, roof mounted air scoop, full length side skirts and an adjustable fixed rear wing, inspired by the P1 GTR. The wing can be adjusted electronically via the settings programmed in the car's computer. Overall exterior modifications of the car help generate 220 kg (485 lb) of downforce at 150 mph (241 km/h). Only 25 were made with each car fully customisable by the customer. Performance figures of the car remain unknown but the car is likely to have improvements in acceleration, handling and top speed.^[20]

GT3

McLaren 650S GT3 at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2016

The winning McLaren 650S GT3 at the 2016 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour

In June 2014, McLaren announced that they would produce a GT3 version of the 650S, either as a new car or as an upgrade for the existing 12C GT3 – which will contest GT3 championships from 2015 onwards.^[21]

Changes to the car from the road car includes a new 6-speed sequential motorsport gearbox; 380 mm ventilated brake discs with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston units at the rear; a 52 mm wider track; revised suspension geometry and upgraded components. It is distinguished from the road car by larger air intakes and front splitter, and carbon fibre air intakes and a new rear wing.

The 3.8-litre McLaren V8 twin-turbo engine, also used in the 12C-GT3, produces 493 bhp (368 kW; 500 PS), and includes a new ECU to improve turbo boost and gearshifts. The power output is lower than the road going 650S’s due to homologation.

Andrew Kirkaldy, whose CRS Racing team developed the GT3 version of the McLaren MP4-12C, said that they were aiming to develop a version that conforms to the LM GTE regulations at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, but the plan never worked and didn't appear at the endurance race event.^[22]

The 650S achieved its biggest success when it won the 2016 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour race in Australia at the hands of Álvaro Parente, Shane van Gisbergen and Jonathon Webb. Van Gisbergen set a new outright lap record with a time of 2:01.567 on 7 February 2016.^[23]