The 2021 McLaren 765LT Is Precise, Engaging and Extreme

When the McLaren 720S was launched in 2017, it was difficult to imagine an improved and more radical version. Three years later, the 720S is still one of the quickest and most track-capable supercars in its class. However, McLaren can always find a way to improve on their already outrageous high-performance cars and that is exactly what they did with the new 765LT. The British supercar is essentially the Longtail (LT) version of the 720S. A car for the enthusiast, the track-oriented 765LT is lighter, stronger, quicker and ultimately more potent than the already potent 720S.

The track is where this car can really demonstrate its extreme capability and advantage over its heavier and less powerful sibling, as its performance enhancements translate into precise steering and lighting fast acceleration. At the core of the 765LT is the super strong and light MonoCage II, the new McLaren Super Series world-class chassis. Weight reduction improvements over the 720S include P1-inspired carbon fiber racing seats, which saved 39.7 pounds, and a custom center tunnel that removed another 3.1 pounds. A set of even lighter Senna-based seats is available for an added cost. McLaren also decided to remove the air-conditioning and audio system to save additional weight, but made that equipment available as a no-cost option. Lightweight Alcantara is utilized throughout the cabin and the carpet has been removed, exposing the beautiful carbon fiber floor.

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On the outside, the front splitter, front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper, rear diffuser and rear wing are all made from carbon fiber, giving the car substantial weight savings. For an even lighter supercar, McLaren offers an optional carbon fiber package for the hood, front fenders, doors and rear fenders. A lightweight titanium quad-exit exhaust system saved 8.4 pounds.  New alloy wheels reduced unsprung weight by 48.5 pounds and come wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires. Another 6.6 pounds was eliminated by using a lightweight lithium-ion battery. Suspension updates contributed to a modest 3.3 pound savings. Even the glass was targeted for the slim down, as it is now thinner and, for the rear screen, made with polycarbonate glazing, which gave up 13.2 pounds. McLaren’s obsessive attention to detail and effort in shedding weight resulted in a 765LT that is 176 pounds lighter than the 720S.

In an effort to improve grip and stability, aerodynamic changes were made to help increase downforce by 25% over the 720S. The larger active rear wing sits 2.4 inches higher and extends towards the rear by an extra 0.36 inches, giving it a 20% increase in surface area over the setup for the 720S. The wing can be set to its Drag Reduction, Driver Downforce or High-Speed Braking position, allowing the driver to choose between optimum straight-line acceleration and speed, maximum grip around corners or supreme high-speed braking ability.

The dimensions of the car have also changed, as the front bumper along with the front splitter have extended outward, adding 1.9 inches to the front of the car. The front track is 0.24 inches wider and the upgraded suspension reduced the ride height at the front of the car by 0.2 inches, which increased the rake. These front end improvements ultimately provide more downforce that will translate into additional grip and balance. For maximum stopping power, McLaren gave the Longtail standard carbon-ceramic discs and calipers from the Senna. An optional $18,030 brake package that includes upgraded carbon-ceramic discs and custom LT brake pads offers quadruple the thermal conductivity of the standard hardware.

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For its rocket-like thrust, the McLaren 765LT uses the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 found in the 720S, but with a few changes. The Longtail’s version of the powerplant gets forged aluminum pistons, a three-layer head gasket borrowed from the McLaren Senna, an extra fuel pump, a more efficient oil pump and a retuned engine management system to bring it all together and maximize its output. Those additions result in 755 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 590 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission has been optimized for better throttle response and acceleration.

McLaren claims that the car’s in-gear acceleration has improved by 15%. The car is certainly quicker, particularly at higher speeds. The 0-60 mph time of 2.7 seconds, is just a tenth of a second quicker than the recorded time for the 720S. However, the 0-124 mph dash is completed in 7.0 seconds, which is 8 tenths of a second quicker than its heavier sibling. With the gearing optimized for acceleration, rather than top-speed, the 765LT maxes out at 205 mph, 6 mph less than the 211 mph that the 720S can achieve.

McLaren plans on building 765 examples of this savage Longtail at a starting price of around $358,000.

2021 McLaren 765LT

SPECIFICATIONS