McLaren considering 720 ‘LT’ Ferrari-beater

McLaren is pondering an even angrier, lighter and faster ‘long tail’ version of the 720S for a proper dust-up with the upcoming Ferrari 488 Speciale.

There’s rarely much delay between a supercar maker unveiling a new car and some wag demanding to know when there will be a more powerful version.

In the case of the McLaren 720S, officially introduced today at the Geneva motor show, it was about five minutes, and Wheels was doing the asking…

“The 675LT was a huge success,” said McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt, referring to the stripped-and-whipped version of the last-generation 650S.

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“I was delighted from a market perspective, but also internally because we love that car, we have a huge enthusiasm for it. We’ll certainly repeat Long Tail.

“Now the LT brand is established if we announce an LT derivative of a car then everyone will know what to expect – that it will be lighter, the chassis dynamics will be way sharper and it will have more power. We’ll definitely repeat that in models going forwards.”

Full credit to the McLaren boss for giving an answer when most supercar makers would have played the straightest of bats.

The news should make things very interesting for the forthcoming Ferrari 488 ‘Speciale’, especially given McLaren’s claim the bone stock 720S is very nearly as quick as the 675LT was on track.

Although Flewitt refused to be drawn on specifics it’s certain it will be significantly quicker than the regular car. Start speculating about numbers now: McLaren 760LT anyone?

Flewitt’s confirmation also raises the interesting question of whether other McLarens will get the LT treatment, with the smallest Sports Series an obvious potential recipient.

Again, Flewitt was happy to confirm that such a model is under active consideration, although if built it might not get to wear the full-brag LT branding.

“There’s great potential to do that,” Flewitt said, “I think that a lighter, faster Sports Series has appeal, although whether it would be an LT or not is another question. But, yes, I’m sure there would be the appetite for a lighter, quicker Sports Series.”

Bring it on.