McLaren 600LT performance revealed

McLaren has announced its new hard-core Sport Series performance flagship -- the McLaren 600LT -- is capable of sprinting to 100km/h in 2.9 seconds and to 200km/h in 6.2sec before topping out at 328km/h.

That means the wild baby Longtail Macca, which is powered by an uprated 440kW/620Nm 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, matches the latest Ferrari 488 Pista to 100km/h, but is 0.6 seconds slower to the double tonne, with a top speed 2km/h down on the Pista's 330km/h max.

That's impressive, considering in Europe the 600LT, which is claimed to be 'a margin faster' than the Super Series 675LT, is priced at £185,500 ($A332,000) – significantly less than the Ferrari 488 Pista that sells for £251,590 ($A450,000).

However, the Italian supercar fights back with pure muscle, as the track-focused 488 produces 530kW and 770Nm of torque.

Set to also go head-to-head with Porsche's 911 GT2 RS and Lamborghini Huracan Performante, the 600LT is expected to cost around $A470,000 when it lands in Australia.

That means it will undercut all of its closest rivals while matching or beating their performance both on paper and on track – at least that's what McLaren claims.

Recently revealed at a VIP event in London, the McLaren 600LT's extra performance over the already rapid 570S comes from boosting the twin-turbo V8, shaving around 96-100kg from the kerb weight and gifting it an aerodynamic package worthy of the famous 'Longtail' name.

Beginning with the body, the 570S does indeed sport a tail lengthened by 470mm, while upfront the splitter is some 27mm longer. Combined with a huge rear diffuser, the 600LT generates 100kg of downforce at 250km/h – 40kg over the nose and the rest over the rear part of the body.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the 600LT is the extreme weight-saving program that includes the introduction of its top-exit exhaust, which not only reduces back-pressure for improved power but saves 12.6kg.

More kilos were culled by using the ultra-lightweight seats from the Senna, carving another 21kg of mass off the 600LT.

Then there's a carbon-fibre roof (-3.6kg), lighter suspension (-10.2kg) and the deletion of such luxuries as the standard car's air-con (-12.6kg), front axle lift (-10kg) carpets and glovebox.

In total, the stripped-out 600LT tips the scales at just 1247kg (dry) — 33kg lighter than the 488 Pista.

Capitalising on its lower weight and higher power, McLaren gave the 600LT a thorough retune of the already accomplished chassis, lowering the suspension (-8mm) and widening the track to focus on increasing grip and raising corner speeds.

Tyre-partner Pirelli also lent a hand developing a bespoke version of its P Zero tyre. The result is a car that is “quite a margin” faster than the 675LT on most circuits you care to name.

Reigning in all that power is a braking system developed on the 720S.

As well as making it faster on track, engineers have worked to improve feel and feedback from the 600LT.

Other changes include doubling the stiffness of the engine mounts, which is claimed to enhance the connection between man and machine.

Then there’s the exhaust that is far more audible in the cabin, in part thanks to thinner glass.

Perversely, McLaren claims that, on track, the top pipes are actually quieter than conventional rear-exit exhausts as there’s no road to amplify the sound.

A quick demo reveals a savage, hard-edge bark in keeping with the aggressive look of the 600LT.

On sale in Europe in October 2018, deliveries of the 600LT are expected Down Under in early 2019.

McLaren still hasn't confirmed how many 600LTs it plans to build but it's expected to make far more than the 500 675LT coupes and 500 675LT Spiders it produced.

Speaking of which, joining the track-focused coupe later on in 2019 will be an equally hard-core 600LT Spider.

From launch, owners buying the 600LT will be offered two option packages – Clubsport and Clubsport Pro – developed by McLaren Special Operations (MSO).

The £24,170 ($A44,000) Clubsport pack adds an upgraded carbon-fibre interior, extended gearshift paddles, a lighter steering wheel, a carbon-fibre roof, visual carbon-fibre fender louvres and titanium wheel bolts.

Finally, for £28,480 ($A51,000), the MSO Clubsport Pro Pack adds an MSO harness bar and six-point harness for track use.