McLaren marks a golden decade of Longtail
The 675LT debuted on this day ten years ago - McLarens would never be the same again...
The impact of the 675 Longtail, shown to the world at the Geneva show on March 3rd, 2015, should never be underestimated. The story of McLaren Automotive can very much be considered split between the years prior to the 675’s introduction and then those following it. Before Longtail and After Longtail, basically, and you’ll never think of BLT the same way again…
In the years before 2015, the new wave of McLaren supercars - as has now been widely discussed - were formidably capable and incredibly advanced… they just weren’t always as exciting as they should have been. The P1 was out of this world, of course, though not enough of that exhilaration filtered down to really make the series production 12Cs and the like truly recommendable over a Ferrari or Lamborghini. The 650S certainly showed some promise, a step in the right direction, though it still wasn’t quite thrilling enough to rank as one of the all-time greats.
That changed with the 675LT. Not just because of the obvious stuff like more power, less weight, and faster laptimes, either. Here was a McLaren supercar that finally looked the part, giving plenty of P1 energy while also unmistakably its own thing; it brought a voice to the twin-turbo V8; and it drove with the feel and fizz of the very best lightweight British sports cars. Only it’d do 200mph. From then all McLarens have had a bit of Longtail about them, from Atrura to 750S, that intangible spark and excitement that marks out top-tier supercars - and wasn’t quite there to begin with.
So McLaren is understandably extremely keen to mark the occasion. As well as a full YouTube history lesson of the Longtail's 10 years, down to project codenames and replacing door bins with netting, it is running a series of 'Celebrate LT' events throughout 2025. The initiative, which will involve exclusive content, meet-ups and drive events, will be exclusive to Longtail owners, those folk that are 'among the most committed advocates of the McLaren supercar ethos'. All the more reason, then, to grab one (or more) of the six Longtail McLarens made to make the most of this very special year. To the classifieds...
McLaren 675LT Spider, 2017, 15k, £219,950
In sharp contrast to the 650S on which it is based (a car available for significantly less than £100k in the classifieds) you’ll need more than double that to put a 675LT in your climate-controlled garage. Granted, it was limited edition, but its reputation as the first McLaren masterpiece stuck pretty much from day one. Not for nothing either, but it’s also probably the best-looking Longtail. Here’s one in Napier Green with modest miles and a very long spec list.
McLaren 600 LT Spider, 2019, 8k, £140,000
Unlike its predecessor, the 600LT represents the other side of the used McLaren coin: it is very good value. Again, it is much pricier than the 570S it shares a great deal with, but you can get a used coupe for less than £130k - which, when you consider what you’re getting (one of the best supercars built in the previous decade, in special edition format) is something of a steal. We’ve gone for a Spider again, because for only £10k more and with just 8k under it, why wouldn’t you?
McLaren 765LT, 2021, 5k, £289,900
At the top of the tree, predictably, the last version McLaren launched and a monster by any criteria. Granted, the subsequent 750S has eaten slightly into its appeal by being newer and fabulously good in its own right - not to mention effectively a run-out model - but nevertheless, the 765LT is both rarer and more powerful. There are only two currently for sale on PH; we’ve gone for the cheaper coupe because it looks a picture in Curacao Blue. One for the ages.
But the 675LT, great car as it is, is really just a 650s with a big spoiler.
So should be called 675BS
There's only ever been ONE Long Tail. And its the BEST
I suppose the 675 Big Flap doesn't sound as good.
But the 675LT, great car as it is, is really just a 650s with a big spoiler.
So should be called 675BS
Just cant get excited, especially after hearing all the stories about quality control and support from the manufacturer.
In the same way that a car that breaks down faster than that isn't "appropriately engineered", it's "crap".
In the same way that a car that breaks down faster than that isn't "appropriately engineered", it's "crap".
I would like to believe a car designed to drive for sustained periods at up to 200mph, on a track, would have had been subject to more stringent engineering tolerances than a car designed to potter round town. I'm sure you will find something to dismiss in what I say, as you are obviously not a fan. My experiences, and the experiences of my friends, are evidence enough for me that the 675LT is a very well designed, engineered and executed car.
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