McLaren teases faster 440kW 570LT

McLaren has released a video via its social media channels that previews its forthcoming 570LT – a faster, more powerful, hardcore version of the 570S.

Set to become the fourth member of the 'Sport Series' McLaren line-up, the 570LT will be more suited to track work than the 570S, as this single image shows.

Look closer and you'll notice the new carbon-fibre side plates bolted to the corners of the rear bumper.

Perhaps more impressive is the complete absence of the standard car's exhaust outlets, allowing for a larger diffuser.

It's thought that McLaren has re-engineered the 570S to feature a top-exit exhaust -- something that has previously only appeared on the 'Ultimate Series' P1 hypercar.

Such a move is thought to slash weight, boost power and provide for a far better soundtrack.

Likely to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2018, the 570LT is set to follow in the tyre tracks of the of the Super Series 675LT.

If so, expect the 'Long Tail' 570S to come with an extended body and enhanced aero for track work.

The 570LT is also tipped to produce more power.

It's not known if McLaren will shoehorn in the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 from the 720S or if the baby Macca will get a boosted version of its existing 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8.

Whatever the case, the 570LT is tipped to produce around 440kW – a sizeable jump over the 419kW of the 570S.

That means that against the clock, the LT should hit 100km/h in less than three seconds and 200km/h in less than nine.

Weight-saving will also prove another area in which the small British car-maker is thought to have boosted performance, with the 570S set to lose many of its concessions to luxury, including carpets and even air-conditioning.

Super-light wheels, seats, Perspex glass and carbon-fibre body panels are all expected to be used to extract mass and improve performance.

Finally, expect the 570LT to adopt stiffer springs and dampers plus bigger brakes more suited to track work, while the engine will get an optimised cooling system.

Once launched, a 570LT Spider is almost certain to follow, some time in 2019.

Despite that, the fastest 570LT, like the 675LT, should still be useable on the road, although it still leaves the door open for an even faster road-legal version of the 570 to arrive later.

Like the 675LT, production is set to be limited, although we expect McLaren to make more than the 500 LT Coupes and 500 Spiders it made last time on account of a significantly lower price tag.

That said, the 570LT could still weigh in at a considerable $450,000 – a healthy premium over the standard coupe that's priced in Australia at $379,000 (plus on-road costs).

McLaren is expected to continue to tease the junior LT until its public unveiling in a month or so.