McLaren launches 675LT Spider Carbon Series

McLaren has launched a new special edition based on its 675 LT.

Called the Carbon Series LT, just 25 of the 675LT-based Spiders will be made and all are said to come with another 40 per cent of their body made from the lightweight carbon-fibre material.

Created by McLaren Special Operations, the new parts include a front bumper, larger splitter, side skirts, intakes, rear deck and bumper, plus trademark LT airbrake all made of carbon.

Instead of regular carbon-fibre, the Carbon Series LT is said to boast a new weave that features a high-gloss finish.

The new carbon finish even extends to the retractable roof, tonneau and even the fuel filler cap, while the front wings gain aggressive GT3-inspired louvres.

All 25 Carbon Series LT special-editions come with the firm's track telemetry kit that includes three cameras to monitor your fast laps.

Under its mainly new skin, the Carbon Series LT is powered by the same 497kW/700Nm 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 that ensures the standard 675 LT, which rivals the Ferrari 488 GTB, accelerates to 100km/h in just 2.9 seconds before going on to a top speed of 326km/h.

It's not known how much of a premium the British supercar maker will charge over the $657,000 that McLaren asked for the 675LT coupe when it landed in Australia, but it doesn't matter. All 25 cars are said to have already been sold.

The regular 675LT Spider, meanwhile, should arrive Down Under later this month with prices expected to top $750,000.

An all-new replacement for the 650S Sport Series is expected to launch at the 2017 Geneva motor show in March next year.

The new car is set to come with an updated version of the same 3.8-litre V8 twin-turbo the 650S uses, with around 480kW. It’s also set to be based on the same Monocell carbon-fibre monocoque, but could be even lighter.

The new model, that could be called the 700S (for 700hp), will have yet more active aerodynamics and could be as much as 100kg lighter.

Later on in its life a hybrid could join the 700S model range, but in standard guise the regular 700S should sprint to 100km/h in less than three seconds and top out at around 335km/h.