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McLaren 765 LT Spider

Twenty-five years after the victory of a McLaren F1 GTR to 24 Hours of Le Mans, the British manufacturer continues to exploit the LT – Long Tail – vein with this 765 LT Spider, the most powerful convertible ever produced by the brand.

Seven hundred and sixty-five horses with their hair blowing in the wind. A great promise, around one of the chassis which offers one of the best man-machine connectivity, in the physical sense of the term. Since it launched into the production of (small) series cars in 2011, McLaren has always strived to offer decapped versions which sacrifice nothing to the line or rigidity of the chassis. This is made possible by the adoption of a carbon monocoque cell (called MonoCage II-S), and a unique design of the retractable roof, in a single piece. This Spider version was developed at the same time as the 765 LT coupe released last year, which allowed for some economies of scale. By validating parts common to both models, Woking engineers saved development time and avoided possible industrial hassles. Thus, the Spider benefits from a sufficiently rigid structure to avoid the addition of reinforcements, and therefore weight. The only real difference, apart from its discoverable nature: supports dedicated to protection in the event of a rollover have been integrated into the monocoque structure of the chassis. Thanks to these technical advantages, this new limited series is part of what has made McLaren successful throughout its short commercial history: contained weight, slick aerodynamics, top-notch performance and strong commitment from the driver to take full advantage of the capabilities of the machine.

A rather light sports car

To deserve its Long Tail name, the 765 Spider takes on the aesthetic and aerodynamic attributes of the coupe version. 4,60 m long, it stretches its rear by 6 cm compared to the 720 S Spider, which already requires skill, but which appears less extreme than the latest addition. Seven hundred and sixty-five examples of this “LT” will be manufactured on demand, a figure identical to the production of the coupe, which is now “sold out”.

Staying below the 1400 kg mark (1388 kg dry), the 765 LT Spider weighs 49 kg more than the coupe, but 80 kg less than the 720 S Spider. As a result, it displays great performance and even claims the title of the fastest McLaren of all time in its category. 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in 2”8, 0 to 200 km/h in 7”2, for a top speed estimated at 325 km/h (no official communication on this point). This convertible also boasts a spectacular power-to-weight ratio: barely 1,82 kg/hp. Enough to hope for exhilarating behavior, helped by the presence of a high-level aerodynamic package: carbon shields, skirts and diffuser, without forgetting an active rear wing with revised operation to match bodywork variations. Thus equipped, the 765 LT Spider boasts 25% more aero downforce than the 720 Spider (see Ah test n°2233). In terms of behavior, it can also count on specific suspension springs and shock absorbers, a widened front track, lower ground clearance at the front, and dedicated controlled suspension programs, which McLaren calls Proactive Chassis Control II. If we add to this an interior ambiance inspired by motorsport, with racing seats and a central tunnel in carbon fiber, an exposed floor also in carbon and Alcantara finishes, the score is close to perfection and the desire to get behind the wheel, very present. The Spider can remove its carbon roof in just 11 seconds, and at up to 50 km/h. Like all the brand's discoverables, it is equipped with an electric rear window which allows you to enjoy the vocals of its 4.0 liter biturbo, with its titanium exhausts (40% of the line, including the four outlets), as well as the roof whether open or not.

268 euros per kilo

It's much cheaper than many luxury products, except that here the minimum order is 1388 kg... You will therefore have to sign a basic check for 372 euros to get behind the wheel of this extreme roadster. An amount to which must be added a penalty of 500 euros, as well as customization elements from the long list of options. Note that air conditioning and car radio are optional, but at no extra cost. A joke from the marketing department which allows apprentice drivers to believe that they will, thanks to a few kilos less on their machine, incredibly improve their lap time by being warmer and without music. The same people who will complain that the way home is monotonous and uncomfortable after three laps of the circuit, while the car will spend 30% of its time on the open road. But McLaren customers, surely more exclusive or purist than those of Ferrari orAston Martin, want their own configuration, a unique object in their image, even if it means easily spending 50 or 000 euros more. During a previous edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, which takes place every August in California, we met the happy owner of a McLaren Senna painted a translucent green color which revealed the carbon of the bodywork. This green, created by the MSO department in collaboration with a specialized laboratory, is in fact the color of... the owner's shoe, which landed one fine morning on a dealership's desk. Amount of the operation: nearly $100. When we love…

Counting among its clients the richest collectors, but also some informed speculators, McLaren indicates that it has already sold the entire 2021 production of its new model. Information to be put into perspective, because we do not know the real production capacities of the British manufacturer. But it’s a safe bet that this extreme Spider will also soon be removed from the catalog after being a victim of its success. McLaren should release around fifteen more new products by 2025, and certainly other 100% thermal limited series. It will then be a matter of moving into the next automotive world, with the entry into the track of the electricity fairy.

French madness

Renault 5 Turbo 3

Unlike Renault, la petite équipe franco-américaine de Légende Automobiles refuse de renoncer aux citadines sportives. Cette jeune société qui s’inspire de Singer, éminent spécialiste du « restomod » sur la base d’anciennes Porsche 911, présente une petite sportive à la fiche technique complètement folle. Même si ses proportions suivent étroitement celles de la mythique Renault 5 Turbo de 1980, elle se base sur un châssis de Renault 5 « tout court ». Mais ce châssis profite d’une préparation particulièrement poussée. Dotée d’une technologie ultramoderne, d’un quatre cylindres turbo développant 400 chevaux, de panneaux de carrosserie en fibre de carbone et d’une boîte manuelle, la « Turbo 3 » promet des performances ébouriffantes et une tarification élitiste. Et quelle gueule ! Sur le papier, il y a de quoi terrasser une Audi RS 3 ou une Mercedes-AMG A45 S.

The real electric revolution?

Mercedes EQXX

Like most car manufacturers, Mercedes currently has a fairly extensive range of electric vehicles. The brand new EQS limousine also boasts the best range on the market (785 km), thanks to batteries with a record capacity of 107,8 kWh. But the brand with the star wants to do much better than that without resorting to even larger batteries. On the contrary, it is preparing a sedan to attack the Tesla Model S with a philosophy focused on absolute efficiency. Announced by the EQXX concept car whose presentation will take place in 2022, this future sedan will be able to travel more than 1000 km in real conditions according to the big boss of the German group. All with much smaller batteries, synonymous with extremely low consumption. For this, Mercedes would rely in particular on the expertise of the engineers of its Formula 1 team. Let's wait and see.

Because too much is never enough

Ferrari SF90 Novitec

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is positioned at the very top of the sporting range of the prancing horse brand. With its twin-turbo V8 assisted by three electric motors, it develops 1000 horsepower, jumps from 0 to 100 km/h as quickly as a Bugatti Chiron and breaks time records on the circuit. But for the Germans from Novitec, who have traditionally attacked all Ferraris since 2004, there is always a way to add power. By equipping it with an Inconel exhaust line, the power of the 8-liter twin-turbo V4.0 increases to 813 hp instead of 780. The total power therefore now reaches 1033 hp. Novitec also offers rims designed in collaboration with Vossen and special shock absorbers reducing ground clearance by 30 millimeters at the front and 25 at the rear. And Novitec is currently working on a carbon fiber body kit to go even further…

European change

volkswagen taigo

People love SUVs. And these same customers also really appreciate models whose profile vaguely evokes the sporting world of coupes. This rather counterintuitive concept, popularized by the success of the BMW X6 at the end of the 2000s, is now found on many new products on the market. From Audi (Q3/Q5 Sportback and Q8) to Porsche (Cayenne Coupé) via Lamborghini (Urus), Mercedes (GLC/GLE Coupé) or even Renault (Arkana), this strange type of bodywork continues to develop. This time it arrives at Volkswagen with the little Taigo, whose dimensions and technology bring it closer to the T-Cross with a more conventional silhouette. Equipped with three gasoline engines developing a choice of 95, 110 and 150 hp, it will cost around 20 euros at first price.

Farewell

Bugatti Divo

At Bugatti, there are “normal” models and special series. Even if it may seem difficult to consider the Chiron at more than three million euros as a mass-produced model, there is still much more exclusive from the Alsatian manufacturer. The Divo, for example, is limited to 40 units and costs no less than five million euros... excluding taxes. It uses the carbon fiber chassis of the “base” Chiron, as well as its colossal 16 horsepower quad-turbo W1500. But it has a different style, aerodynamics and focus. The very last example of this small series has just left the Molsheim factory to be delivered to its customer. From now on, Bugatti will take care of the manufacture of the even more elite Centodieci (10 examples and 8 million euros excluding taxes!).