RE: New McLaren 570S spied

RE: New McLaren 570S spied

Tuesday 24th November 2015

New McLaren 570S spied

We've got the coupe, we know there will be a Spider ... so what's this one then?



There's an apocryphal story in the car industry about a PR guy being summoned to the boardroom by senior management. He arrives to find all the directors looking grim and saying they want to talk to him about the company's new model, a closely guarded secret that is being tested on public roads as a disguised prototype. He assures his assembled bosses that nobody has run any shots of it, or even knows what it is. The MD turns purple. "I know," he shouts, "and that's why you're fired!"

Reckon we could squeeze two in the back?
Reckon we could squeeze two in the back?
While we're not suggesting test mules are ever released into the real world exclusively to garner publicity, it's certainly true there's a keen awareness among manufacturers that anything they do away from the sort of ultra top secret test locations guarded by razor wire is likely to be photographed and recorded and analysed in stories like this one. Or, in other words, to receive heaps of the sort of free publicity that tells potential buyers to expect a new model ahead of your first pound of marketing spend.

While the Sports Series is practically out on general release, there's something a bit special about this disguised version, obvious in the full length rear 'hatch' rather than buttressed rear window. In the absence of any hard facts from Woking this is where the speculation, and the fun, begins.

McLaren is already on record as saying there will be three versions of the Sports Series; we've driven the Coupe and a Spider is an obvious and nailed-on addition to the model plan, and one insiders have told us will be the last version launched. Leading us to conclude that this is the other one.

570LT? Or just an added luggage compartment?
570LT? Or just an added luggage compartment?
But what is it? A performance LT variant as the Sports Series equivalent to the 675LT is the obvious conclusion, with a redesigned-for-aero back end. Our spy photographer also reckons it might be a two-plus-two, which is possible but seems unlikely when you consider how close the rear of the Sports Series's MonoCell II tub is to the front seats; finding that much extra space would require more structural engineering than one of those Chelsea underground extensions.

But the raised bump at the bottom of the rear 'screen' is the interesting bit, suggesting an all-new panel that stops some way short of the back of the car. Leading us to believe that this is the more practical Sports Series word has it will be the third pillar of the range, one that we've been told will feature a luggage compartment behind the engine. And which may, or may not, also carry LT badging.

Or, of course, it could be an elaborate practical joke by McLaren's prototype department. "Let's put this one out and see what people say." Because the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.





Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Author
Discussion

PorscheGT4

21,146 posts

264 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
LT at a guess

LT is like Porsche RS models.

Impasse

15,099 posts

240 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
PorscheGT4 said:
LT at a guess

LT is like Porsche RS models.
But better.

Tuvra

7,920 posts

224 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
2+2? boxedin

Raudus42

163 posts

132 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
I know what it is...it's the black and white one.



Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

245 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Tuvra said:
2+2?
Only if they don't want to sell any.

PhantomPH

4,043 posts

224 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
I prefer the lines of the 'mule. Makes the car look more aerodynamic and 'together' as a package.

SykesAJ

75 posts

138 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
2+2 has always been a big appeal of the 911, so wouldn't be a shock - that's why Evora has a 2+2 option after all.

There's something of a "mini-Veyron" about the shape with that rounded canopy.

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
No room to make it a 2+2 without a new tub though, which is a big commitment for one model in the range.

PhantomPH

4,043 posts

224 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
I'm fairly convinced this is not a 2+2 because of the required tub changes, but it seems like a big deal to run tests etc on simply a body change...which actually makes me think this could be the LT version - perhaps with the emphasis on homologation for a race series somewhere.

mattwilko

70 posts

121 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
A while back they were talking of doing the sports series in three models, a coupe, a convertible, and another coupe that's more focussed towards long distance cruising - more comfy, maybe a bigger boot... I'm guessing it's that.

redroadster

1,729 posts

231 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
If they want to make it more practical a 2 plus 2 would be a good move instead of the sausage machine just turning out similar models separated but .2 of a second to 60.

treetops

1,177 posts

157 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Its not been "spied" its a set up photography to look like its been spied.

Utter tosh I really hate this sort of thing.

suffolk009

5,344 posts

164 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Just a test mule for the 330. (4 cylinder, single turbo). I wish.

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

245 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Probably an electric shopping car or something horrid like that.

propaganda

407 posts

246 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
That is the forthcoming GT model.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
propaganda said:
That is the forthcoming GT model.
Exactly this.

It's a model with more interior luggage capacity for long distance touring. The buttress and upright rear window will be replaced with a long glass canopy that opens.

Like this artists impression

AyBee

10,522 posts

201 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
How do you access that extra space behind the seats? Through the cabin?

bubney72

1,097 posts

152 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Well, it looks identical to all the other models....and I'm guessing it has the very same dull V8 as in all the other models too.

Rawwr

22,722 posts

233 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
bubney72 said:
I'm guessing it has the very same dull V8 as in all the other models too.
Oh get in the f*cking sea.

Goofnik

216 posts

139 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
mattwilko said:
A while back they were talking of doing the sports series in three models, a coupe, a convertible, and another coupe that's more focussed towards long distance cruising - more comfy, maybe a bigger boot... I'm guessing it's that.
In essence, a McLaren Cayman. On the added practicality alone, it'd probably sell rather well, as it'd be a McLaren you could use for over 99% of your trips.