► McLaren is developing a 675 LT Spider
► Due with customers in 2016
► Another limited-series Macca
McLaren is developing a new 675 LT Spider – a soft-top version of its brilliant ‘Longtail’ edition which bridges the gap between regular 650S and the cherished F1 race special.
Sadly, these spy photographs are not of that car, however. We got quite excited when we saw traces of the the rear bumper vents hiding under camouflage, but this test hack is missing the extended air brake, dramatic front splitter and other tweaks that make the 675 LT so special.
What to expect on the 675 LT Spider
Word is, McLaren will lop the top off the Longtail to create a limited-edition roadster to pep up interest in its Super Series range. Like Ferrari and Lamborghini, Woking knows it has to innovate with regular additions to the range to maintain sales spikes; some super-rich buyers get itchy feet, see?
McLaren is building just 500 coupes, which sold out in a heart-beat. We expect the soft-top to use the same weight-saving measures (saving 100kg on the coupe), aero tweaks (40% more downforce) and amazing performance (the tin-top demolished 0-62mph in 2.9sec). That’s what you get when you combine carbonfibre expertise with a boosted 666bhp 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8…
So what is this McLaren prototype if not an LT?
We hear it’s just a generic test hack on reliability tests for new software. Unlike bigger companies, McLaren can’t afford to make new prototypes for every new product action. This car was caught testing in Germany – we suspect with a major supplier such as Bosch or Continental.