Currently reading: McLaren 600LT first drive up Goodwood hill

We've got behind the wheel of the new 592bhp track-oriented McLaren 600LT. Here's what it was like

Is this more exciting than the Senna? I think, over all others, that’s the question.

On the one hand, a 789bhp hypercar built primarily for the track but apparently acceptable on the road. Speed, downforce, impressiveness.

On the other, the new 600LT. The third Longtail (fourth if you’re prepared to count the 675LT Spider as a different car to the coupe).

McLaren 600LT is faster than 488 GTB, plus exclusive pictures

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The 600LT has speed and downforce too, as a result of upping the 570S’s engine output by 30bhp and extending the front splitter, rear diffuser, fitting a new rear wing (hence the name) and getting an 8mm lower ride height. But as much it’s about feel, finesse, “the purest distillation of sheer driving pleasure”, according to McLaren boss Mike Flewitt.

Let’s see, to a point: there’s a limit to what you find out in 1.1 miles, especially if you’ve not driven a 570S for a while. But McLarens transmit messages sufficiently well that you can pick nuances between them: they all steer beautifully, but this one better than perhaps any other. A suede-rimmed wheel always helps.

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The weight (1247kg dry) is 100kg less than a 570S – which is a feat in itself – and the less a car weighs, the more pleasingly it steers, in my experience. So this is good as modern power-assisted units get.

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The brakes have brilliant feel, stability is great under braking – curing one of the 570S’s few issues – agility is first-class, body control is impeccable and yet there’s no tramlining, but it’s the crack of the engine and deck-exiting exhaust on downshifts from high revs that’s overwhelming to the ears. To the eyes, too, in the dark, apparently.

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“What sort of car does it feel like?” asked a mate who professionally drives McLarens, but hasn’t yet tried a 600LT, at the top of the hill.

Hmm. I think. A Porsche 911 GT3 RS, probably, I say. Light, revvy, agile, immediate. But it doesn’t quite feel like a GT3 RS. Truth is, it feels like an LT. Which probably makes it the most exciting McLaren of the moment.

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Matt Prior

Matt Prior
Title: Editor-at-large

Matt is Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, is the main face of Autocar’s YouTube channel, presents the My Week In Cars podcast and has written his weekly column, Tester’s Notes, since 2013.

Matt is an automotive engineer who has been writing and talking about cars since 1997. He joined Autocar in 2005 as deputy road test editor, prior to which he was road test editor and world rally editor for Channel 4’s automotive website, 4Car. 

Into all things engineering and automotive from any era, Matt is as comfortable regularly contributing to sibling titles Move Electric and Classic & Sports Car as he is writing for Autocar. He has a racing licence, and some malfunctioning classic cars and motorbikes. 

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