RE: McLaren 600LT Spider: Driven

[f1ten]

244k with that spec ! Wow

[E65Ross]

MX6 said:

mikey k said:

Spend a bit of time looking and its not too hard
The model number relates to the engine power

Sports Series
540C (coupe only)
570 GT (hatch) S (coupe) Spider (convertible)
600LT light weight & more aero version of above (coupe & spider)
All look similar front and back and have the "kiwi" design on the door

Super Series
12C the original (coupe & spider)
650S (coupe & spider) front end differs to 12C rest is similar
657LT (coupe & spider)
720S replaces 650 and has very distinctive "eye sockets" for head lights and large integrated rear spoiler (coupe & spider)
7XXLT due next year

Ultimate Series
P1 most people recognise
Senna VERY distinctive look with massive rear spoiler
Speed Tail high aero version of 720S with 3 seats like F1

There are various "limited editions" which look like one of the above on top of these but that is pretty much it
Not that complicated for 8 years of making mass produced road cars

Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 20th February 17:08

I've just had a look through that lot on google, still a bit confused but I'm sure I will get more familar in time. From what I can make out they all have pretty much the same front end look, besides the original 12C, and the 720S and Senna with the "eye sockets". The 650S seems to have the same rear end as the 12C, but the 657LT has a different rear to the 650S... What do the GT, S and LT stand for?

The "front end" is their signature. Think a BMW 3 series looks similar to a 5. The 650S was new model to the 12C (albeit with a few similar parts) and they were still getting to grips with where they wanted to go with a design direction I think, hence the similar rear end but the "new" front end.

LT models are their more "hardcore" models of a derivative, it stands for longtail. Think LT means "competition pack" for BMW.
GT is the more "comfort" oriented model, not sure on the naming....grand touring, perhaps....think something like "SE" BMW spec
S is the naming for the coupe/convertibles whereas GT (as above) is the more comfort/practicality oriented version of that car.

I think you're getting confused between different models and different variants. For example, using the BMW analogy again, think 720S vs 570S as 3 vs 5 series, think 570S vs 600LT as 340i vs M3.

It really isn't that complex once you spend literally 2 minutes learning about it No different to any other manufacturer who uses names/numbers really. I mean, you have listed a few old and new cars there, it's no different to getting confused between Ferrari FF and GTC4 Lusso and F12, for example. Any person who knows Ferraris can tell you the difference, but not if you don't

[anonymous-user]

I’d very happily spec and drive one of these... but out of interest, what is 80% of the car made of if you don’t specify all of the carbon packs and carbon whatnots as was done on this car?

[Robert-nszl1]

I think the confusion is driven by the fact they are all mid engined V8TT two seaters. They look a bit different from each other, and no doubt some are a bit more track focused, but they all seem very similar to the uninitiated, and pretty similar even to those that are into cars!

[HighwayStar]

Robert-nszl1 said:

I think the confusion is driven by the fact they are all mid engined V8TT two seaters. They look a bit different from each other, and no doubt some are a bit more track focused, but they all seem very similar to the uninitiated, and pretty similar even to those that are into cars!

I’m a fan but totally agree... a front engine 2 seater and 2+2 coupe would be worthy additions IMO. That would give them more of a range.
Wouldn’t Mclaren owners like something difference to pair with their mid engined jobs...?

[Nelsons Club]

2 children for sale

[garystoybox]

HighwayStar said:

Robert-nszl1 said:

I think the confusion is driven by the fact they are all mid engined V8TT two seaters. They look a bit different from each other, and no doubt some are a bit more track focused, but they all seem very similar to the uninitiated, and pretty similar even to those that are into cars!

I’m a fan but totally agree... a front engine 2 seater and 2+2 coupe would be worthy additions IMO. That would give them more of a range.
Wouldn’t Mclaren owners like something difference to pair with their mid engined jobs...?

I agree. This year Mclaren will likely make more mid engined cars than Ferrari as they ramp up production for the (necessary) sale of the business. Just read this weeks Autocar interview with their CEO who talks about the need for Mclaren to move into new markets, admitting that they need a new GT car, all but saying the 570GT has flopped. I was thinking, wow this sounds interesting and about time, before he then states it will be mid engined, same carbon tub, etc but they’ll try and fit in a couple of +2 seats.
Taking nothing away from the fabulous cars, but I can’t help wonder if their business model is sustainable without a sale and injection of serious cash needed to develop real new models.

[Dr Gitlin]

Gameface said:

If it was launched with the 720S spider, where is the review of that?

Driving impressions are embargoed until next Tuesday.

You weren't supposed to be able to read about the 600LT for another three weeks but some British journalists on an early wave whinged to McLaren and got it moved forward to yesterday. If you were one of them and happen to be reading this, thanks a lot, jerk.

[TobyTR]

Friend of mine spent a few weeks with 'just' a 540C and declared that too fast for UK road use

God knows what this will be like

[mikey k]

TobyTR said:

Friend of mine spent a few weeks with 'just' a 540C and declared that too fast for UK road use

God knows what this will be like

My 675LT is fine on UK roads
You just need to think ahead and plan for the reactions of those around you a bit more

[mikey k]

garystoybox said:

I agree. This year Mclaren will likely make more mid engined cars than Ferrari as they ramp up production for the (necessary) sale of the business. Just read this weeks Autocar interview with their CEO who talks about the need for Mclaren to move into new markets, admitting that they need a new GT car, all but saying the 570GT has flopped. I was thinking, wow this sounds interesting and about time, before he then states it will be mid engined, same carbon tub, etc but they’ll try and fit in a couple of +2 seats.
Taking nothing away from the fabulous cars, but I can’t help wonder if their business model is sustainable without a sale and injection of serious cash needed to develop real new models.

570GT was actually very popular with its owners, they just didn't market it very well.
McLaren is locked in to mid engine CF tub cars with the new Sheffield tub factory and the new deal with Ricardo for engines.
So any new models will be based around those two things.
Same as Aston are locked in on production cars to VH aluminium tubs and Merc engines/electronics
I'm not convinced on Mclarens need for a sale or massive investment.
They've done both in the not too distant past, Ron Dennis has left and the current management team are still developing.
They do however need to learn from Porsche & Ferrari on deprecation.
That will be a tough challenge though, those two have much deeper pockets due to their massive parent companies.

[anonymous-user]

mikey k said:

Gameface said:

mikey k said:

TBF most people don't
I've had mine described as a Lamborghini

Wow, that's some compliment!

in some circles
In others not so much

Lambo innit bruv

[FN2TypeR]

Number9 said:

Yes please

I'll have mine in red, please!

[mikey k]

Brooking10 said:

mikey k said:

Gameface said:

mikey k said:

TBF most people don't
I've had mine described as a Lamborghini

Wow, that's some compliment!

in some circles
In others not so much

Lambo innit bruv

I can get you Danny Lambos number if you wish

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2898781/I...

[Burnham]

mikey k said:

Quoted Model breakdown

Thanks for this

[Robert-nszl1]

mikey k said:

570GT was actually very popular with its owners, they just didn't market it very well.
McLaren is locked in to mid engine CF tub cars with the new Sheffield tub factory and the new deal with Ricardo for engines.
So any new models will be based around those two things.
Same as Aston are locked in on production cars to VH aluminium tubs and Merc engines/electronics
I'm not convinced on Mclarens need for a sale or massive investment.
They've done both in the not too distant past, Ron Dennis has left and the current management team are still developing.
They do however need to learn from Porsche & Ferrari on deprecation.
That will be a tough challenge though, those two have much deeper pockets due to their massive parent companies.

I get that, but it would be good if they could create a 4C/ Alpine rival (recognising a carbon tub is an expensive piece of engineering) Alternatively pair up with a company with different chassis technology, alongside the Ricardo engine, and maybe under the Mclaren umbrella something more mass market would be possible.

[mikey k]

Robert-nszl1 said:

mikey k said:

570GT was actually very popular with its owners, they just didn't market it very well.
McLaren is locked in to mid engine CF tub cars with the new Sheffield tub factory and the new deal with Ricardo for engines.
So any new models will be based around those two things.
Same as Aston are locked in on production cars to VH aluminium tubs and Merc engines/electronics
I'm not convinced on Mclarens need for a sale or massive investment.
They've done both in the not too distant past, Ron Dennis has left and the current management team are still developing.
They do however need to learn from Porsche & Ferrari on deprecation.
That will be a tough challenge though, those two have much deeper pockets due to their massive parent companies.

I get that, but it would be good if they could create a 4C/ Alpine rival (recognising a carbon tub is an expensive piece of engineering) Alternatively pair up with a company with different chassis technology, alongside the Ricardo engine, and maybe under the Mclaren umbrella something more mass market would be possible.

Closest you will get is the 540C, I don't think McLaren see themselves at that end of the market though or indeed mass market.

[neil1jnr]

Stunning car, love the colour, easily near the top of my want list if my numbers came in.

However, I can't believe I am saying this, but McLaren are starting to bore me with their never ending line up of similar capacity turbo V8 cars. Why can't they differentiate just a bit, a front engine RWD car? A V12 flagship or turbo V6 for it's baby model? I know they are selling well and this probably keeps costs at a minimum, but when you are two hyper cars in and they have a similar capacity turbo V8 engines like every other model it does get a bit un-interesting, for me anyway.

Porsche - Turbo flat 6 & NA flat 6 (among various other engines in their line up)
Ferrari - V12, V8.
Lamborghini - V12, V10

Is it just laziness to maximise profits?

[E65Ross]

neil1jnr said:

Porsche - Turbo flat 6 & NA flat 6 (among various other engines in their line up)

I wouldn't be too sure on this for very long!

[Wammer]

neil1jnr said:

Stunning car, love the colour, easily near the top of my want list if my numbers came in.

However, I can't believe I am saying this, but McLaren are starting to bore me with their never ending line up of similar capacity turbo V8 cars. Why can't they differentiate just a bit, a front engine RWD car? A V12 flagship or turbo V6 for it's baby model? I know they are selling well and this probably keeps costs at a minimum, but when you are two hyper cars in and they have a similar capacity turbo V8 engines like every other model it does get a bit un-interesting, for me anyway.

Porsche - Turbo flat 6 & NA flat 6 (among various other engines in their line up)
Ferrari - V12, V8.
Lamborghini - V12, V10

Is it just laziness to maximise profits?

Or it could be that they have been producing road cars for only 8 years. Ferraris V12 engine is older than that.

Ferrari took 21 years to bring out a road car other than a front engine V12 when they brought out the Dino with a V6
Porsche took 15 years to bring out a road car other than a rear engine flat 6 and then took a further 13 years to produce a different engine.

Lamborghini only took 2 years to produce a different layout when they brought out the Muira and only a further 7 years to produce a different engine.

McLaren in there 8 years have by far produced the most models so I wouldn't say they have exactly been lazy.