News Source: topspeed.com

At the 2015 Geneva Motor Show,  McLaren  launched the 675LT,  a modified version of the 650S  that paid homage to the F1 "Longtail."  Slightly longer than the 650S, revised aerodynamically, and equipped with a more powerful engine, the 675LT was limited to only 500 units and became a hit, selling out in just two months after its official debut. Although the original "Longtail" wasn’t offered in a drop-top configuration, McLaren went ahead and chopped the roof off the 675LT in order to give enthusiasts a more powerful and exclusive option to the already exhilarating 650S Spider.

Set to go on sale next year, the 675LT Spider will find its way to customers starting summer 2016, most likely as a 2017 model in the U.S.. Production will commence as soon as McLaren builds all 500 675LTs. The 675LT Spider is the seventh member of the Super Series family, which already includes the 650S,  625C,  650S Le Mans,  and the track-only 650S GT3. 

As expected, the convertible shares most of its exterior design with the coupe, while the drivetrain is identical. Although heavier than the coupe, the 675LT Spider is just as fast, being quicker than the newly-launched Ferrari 488 GTB. Keep reading for the full specs.

Updated 12/21/2015: McLaren dropped a new video for its 675LT Spider in which Bruno Senna shares his thoughts on the sports car. Hit play to find out why he considers the 675LT Spider its a true driver’s car.

Design-wise, the 675LT Spider is identical to its coupe sibling except for the roof and the engine hood. As a result, it benefits from all the cool features that make the 675LT special, including the extended door sills, a smaller air intake just under the main engine air intake, and the active Longtail airbrake, which is 50 percent larger than the one on the 650S Spider.

Other changes made to the rear end compared to the 650S include twin circular exhaust pipes made from titanium, an open rear fascia for better heat extraction, air intakes on the outer edges of the rear bumper, and a new carbon-fiber rear diffuser.

The 675LT also features additional louvers on the polycarbonate rear window, but these didn’t find their way on the Spider, as the drop-top configuration comes with a new engine lid. Unlike the coupe, which has a large window between the roof and the deck, the Spider features a smaller window through which the engine is only partly visible. You’ll know it’s all in there though, especially without the roof.

The convertible also received revised C-pillars, which were moved forward compared to the coupe and had their quarter windows removed. The modification also provided a slightly shorter roofline with the top up. Speaking of the hard-top, the panel stows below a color-coded tonneau cover, leaving a pair of gorgeous flying buttresses on display.

As standard, the sports car rides on ten-spoke lightweight alloy wheels that measure 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear. The rollers are wrapped in P Zero Trofeo R tires specifically developed for the 675LT. These are the lightest wheel and tire set ever offered by McLaren. Optionally, customers can have the Super-Lightweight wheels in a new 20-spoke design, in either Liquid Metal or Diamond Cut finishes. The latter are also available in the the five-spoke design that debuted on the coupe model.

Note: McLaren 675LT Coupe pictured here

The interior of the 675LT Spider should be familiar to those already accustomed to the coupe. Save for the button that activates the top and the modified rear windscreen, everything else should be identical to the 675LT Coupe, which in turn is based on the 650S. Look for the same racing seats wrapped in Alcantara and leather, a slim, race-inspired center stack, and flat-bottomed steering wheel with carbon-fiber spokes. As usual, Mclaren will offer a wide array of customizing options that will include two-tone upholstery designs, contrast stitching, and extra carbon-fiber.

The Coupe’s drivetrain was carried over unchanged in the Spider, but that’s far from upsetting given the 675LT boasts significantly more power than the 650S. Thanks to redesigned or upgraded engine components such as the turbochargers, cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, camshafts, and fuel pump, the award-winning 3.8-liter V-8 pumps out 675 PS (666 horsepower) and 700 Nm (516 pound-feet) of torque, which amount to a 25 PS (25-horsepower) and 22 Nm (16-pound-feet) increase over the 650S.

Add in the fact that the 675LT Spider is 220 pounds (100 kg) lighter than the 650S Spider at 2,800 pounds (1,270 kg) and you get an impressive power-to-weight ratio that sits at 532 PS (525 horsepower) per tonne.

Routed to the rear wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox, the oomph pushes the 675LT Spider from 0 to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds and from 0 to 124 mph in 7.9 seconds, identical to the coupe, despite the fact that the drop-top is 88 pounds (40 kg) heavier. Top speed is the only performance spec that changed, decreasing slightly from 205 to 203 mph. As of this writing, McLaren has only announced pricing for the British market, where it will cost £285,450 before options. Given that’s a 10-percent premium over the coupe, which retails from $349,500 in the U.S., the Spider will probabil start from around $384,450 on this side of the Atlantic. As with the Coupe, production will be limited to 500 units globally. If you want one of these in your garage, you’d better hurry as the coupe sold out in just a couple of months.