2016 Mclaren 570 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Top Gear drag races VW Golf R against McLaren 675LT and Porsche 911

Top Gear's latest quarter-mile drag race in the collects three very different performance vehicles: the 296-horsepower Volkswagen Golf R, 424-hp Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, and 666-hp McLaren 675LT. While each of these cars sit near the top of their segment, they each come from totally different rungs of the sports car price ladder. Spoiler alert, the Golf R doesn't win. But the final results illustrate the diminishing returns of price and performance. For example, the McLaren is only about a second quicker than the Porsche to 60 miles per hour, but the 675LT costs over 2.5 times more that the GTS. Related Video:

McLaren teases roaring new 675LT ahead of Geneva debut

McLaren is set to reveal the new 675LT at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, but before it does, the F1 team turned exotic automaker has been peppering us with teasers of the new track-focused supercar. The 675LT promises a raft of enhancements over the 650S on which it's based, starting with the engine: McLaren's ubiquitous 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 has been fitted with lightweight components and new turbo spools to drive output up to 666 horsepower (675 in metric terms, hence the first part of the nameplate) and 516 pound-feet of torque. It also gets revised bodywork with a longer tail (hence the LT) that helps produce 40 percent more downforce, and a dual-tip titanium exhaust. We'll have more on the new McLaren 675LT as its debut approaches less than a month from now, when it will form part of the brand's newly aligned Super Series (alongside the 650S and Asian-market 625C) above the upcoming entry-level Sports Series. But in the meantime, you can hear that upgraded engine roar through the new exhaust in the video clip above. AERODYNAMICALLY OPTIMISED, THE McLAREN 675LT STAYS TRUE TO THE ICON - Active 'Longtail' Airbrake contributes to a 40 percent increase in overall downforce - 700 Nm (516 lb ft) produced by a heavily revised 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 featuring lightweight components and new turbos - Bespoke titanium crossover exhaust ensures optimised performance. See, and hear, it at: http://youtu.be/tOl7gZ8bQdY The 675LT, the first McLaren in nearly two decades to wear the LT – or 'Longtail' – name, will stay true to the spirit of its iconic predecessor with aerodynamically optimised, dramatically enhanced styling that results in 40 percent more downforce than the 650S which it will sit alongside in the McLaren Super Series. A total power output of 675PS (666bhp), and torque figure of 700 Nm (516 lb ft) plus a focus on weight saving will ensure an electrifying, engaging and visceral driving experience. These output figures are produced by a heavily revised 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 featuring lightweight components and new turbos. A controlled torque delivery of 600Nm (443 lb ft) ensures optimised acceleration and traction from a standing start in first gear, rising to the full 700Nm available from 5,500-6,500 rpm, through each of the other gears. A redesigned crossover exhaust system, bespoke to the 675LT, is formed from lightweight titanium. Two circular titanium exhaust pipes exit centrally through exposed bodywork below the rear 'Longtail' Airbrake.

What McLaren's new boss has to say about the F1 team he just took over

You might have read recently that American Zak Brown will take over the reins of McLaren from Ron Dennis. That means Brown, a former pro racer with long-time ties to Formula 1, will also run the road-car business. But while that's important, his passion and more immediate focus is the F1 team, which has had some trouble taking on Mercedes-AMG Petronas recently. If you follow F1 and are keen to know what Brown plans to do to take the fight to Mercedes, you're in luck. Our friend and veteran motorsport journalist Marshall Pruett got Brown for a one-on-one interview, and it's insightful if you're a big McLaren fan, perhaps inspirational. Take a listen below, and if you like what you hear you can find more of Pruett's podcasts right here. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Related Video: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Motorsports McLaren Racing Vehicles