PETALING JAYA: McLaren Kuala Lumpur today unveiled the limited edition 765LT supercar, marking its official entry into Malaysia.
Its base price starts from RM1.488mil (before tax). Only 10 units have been allocated so far for our market, with all spoken for. McLaren is only producring 765 units of this model globally.
McLaren Kuala Lumpur CEO Roland Chan said the company may bring in more later and those still keen to buy the track-focused car have been put on the wait list.
The arrival of the rear-wheel driven 765LT came on the heels of two other supercars that were launched in Malaysia today. They were the Porsche Taycan electric car and the Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid.
The 765LT on show today is a left-hand drive unit and is on a world tour after having arrived here from Singapore. It will leave for Hong Kong next week.
Air-conditioning and an audio system are deleted as standard to reduce weight, but can be specified at no additional cost. However, the customers for the 10 units for Malaysia have opted to have the two items included.
The new 765LT, based on the 720S coupé, is the most powerful and responsive road-legal McLaren LT to date.
The twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces 765PS (755hp) at 7,500rpm and 800Nm of torque at 5,500rpm, enabling the car to sprint from 0-100kph in 2.8s and 0-200kph in 7.2s with top speed capped at 330kph.
As fast as it can go, what's also important is the ability to stop quickly in the shortest possible distance. In this case, the braking distance from 100kph to 0 is 29.5 metres.
High speed braking fully deploys the active wing in less than half-a-second, increasing rear downforce by more than 60% to improve high-speed braking stability and reduce braking distances.
Such massive stopping power and high brake pedal feel is also credited to carbon-ceramic discs, calipers from the Senna and Formula 1-inspired, integrated caliper cooling ducts.
The powerplant features LT-specific forged aluminium pistons, a three-layer head gasket used in the Senna and ultra-efficient, carbon-coated followers in the valve train. An additional fuel pump and revised oil pump optimise flows and a recalibrated engine management system controls the increased power, with torque delivery and throttle response tuned for maximum driver engagement.
Transmission gearing in the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is optimised for acceleration, delivering almost instant response to throttle inputs and in-gear acceleration up to 15% quicker than the class-benchmark 720S.
The renowned McLaren Super Series chassis dynamics have been further enhanced in the 765LT, to provide the "communication and feel" that allow a driver to fully exploit the extreme performance of the car when appropriate, but also enjoy it at lower speeds.
The steering of the 765LT retains McLaren’s electro-hydraulic assistance but has been further honed with a quicker ratio and a stiffer torsion bar forpurer driver feedback.
The linked-hydraulic Proactive Chassis Control II suspension introduced with the 720S features updates to both software and hardware to meet the dynamic requirements of the 765LT; advances made during the development of the Senna and Speedtail have seen the suspension system algorithms revised to ensure even greater precision and control.
In comparison to the 720S, front ride height is reduced by 5mm (rear is unchanged) and front track is 6mm wider, changes that together improve both grip and balance. New lightweight main springs feature additional ‘helper’ springs to reduce unsprung mass and maintain load in the suspension on full rebound, while the use of two springs saves weight in comparison with one larger dual-rate spring. Roll stiffness is increased, further enhancing vehicle stability.
The emotional connection is further enhanced through the unique full-titanium, quad-exit exhaust. The "LT soundtrack" the 765LT exhaust creates is a high-pitched note that becomes sharper at higher engine revs.
In the LT tradition, lightweighting is the name of the game with this supercar. It is 80kg less than the 720S at 1,339kg and just 1,229kg at its lightest dry weight - more than 50kg below its closest competitor in comparable specification.
The 765LT sports high-performance, lightweight materials throughout with advanced carbon fibre technologies for body components. Even the licence plate holder is made of carbon fibre.
Specific weight-saving measures include titanium exhaust system, Formula 1-grade transmission materials, thinner glass and motorsport-style polycarbonate glazing. New LT aerodynamic package, all in carbon fibre: front splitter, front bumper, front floor, side skirts, rear bumper, rear diffuser and larger "Longtail" active rear wing.
The use of carbon fibre throughout the track-focused interior of the 765LT brings further weight-optimisation. The standard lightweight, carbon fibre-shelled racing seats are a combined 18kg lighter than the 720S sports seats. The bespoke lightweight central tunnel is of carbon composite material and has a panel thickness of just 0.8mm. Carbon fibre forms the window switch surrounds, steering wheel clasp and Active Dynamics Panel surround, limiting every possible gram.
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Carbon fibre isn’t the only light-weighting tactic deployed in the new LT. Lightweight Alcantara trim is used extensively inside the cockpit of the car and there is no carpet on horizontal floor areas. Door stowage nets replace hinged door pockets and reach and rake adjustment on the steering wheel is manual.
Ten-spoke ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels, titanium wheel bolts and bespoke Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres come as standard.
Contributing to further weight savings is the titanium exhaust that's also 40% lighter than a steel one.
Customers seeking to further reduce weight can specify even more carbon fibre options from the MSO Defined range developed by McLaren Special Operations.
