The 2018 Luxury & Supercar Showcase will not only entertain your inner car enthusiasts, but we can pretty much guarantee a satisfied palate on October 13th. For Stop #2, we are face-to-bread with some of DFW’s most savory grilled-cheeses.
Over the past few months, McLaren Houston has gone through a few notable updates, both of which will contribute to an elevated McLaren experience. First and foremost, McLaren Houston is an official member of the Park Place family of dealerships. Now you can expect the same high-performance experience, personal service, and lux amenities that make Park Place, Your Place in Houston, Texas. But that’s not all, McLaren Houston has been named an official McLaren Motorsport Dealer- one of only five in the country. This means that we have received the green light to sell McLaren track cars, including the 570S GT4. Below we discuss McLaren’s Robust Racing heritage and how its positively influenced McLaren GT and Motorsports- bringing high performance to our clients.
Racing Heritage Translates Into the Relentless Desire to Innovate
Like many performance-driven manufacturers, McLaren is a staple name in the world of motorsports, track cars, and racing. McLaren Racing is focused in the world of Formula 1, which, according to the company, demands excellence: “To design, build and operate a Formula 1 car at race-winning levels requires focus, ambition, imagination, dedication and microscopic attention to detail.”
Both McLaren Racing and Formula 1 have blossomed over past 5-10 years with growing racing calendars, multinational hosts, employees, and rosters. McLaren Racing’s successes are driven by a passionate desire to innovate- a heritage that translates into the whole of the McLaren Group, including McLaren Automotive. The F1 knowledge and expertise have been instrumental when developing and enhancing technology for client road cars and track cars among other things.
On the Track with McLaren GT
Established in 2011, McLaren GT’s purpose is to build and support all GT race activities. The team is housed in Surray at the former home of McLaren Racing and are responsible for the design, development, and production of 650S GT3, 570S GT4, and 650S and 57S Spring models.
McLaren Motorsports takes this wealth of racing knowledge and gives our clients the opportunity to experience McLaren track performance like never before.
Superior Track-Honed Performance Found at McLaren Houston
McLaren Houston currently has the 570S GT available for purchase. The McLaren 570S GT4, an exclusive offering of McLaren Motorsport dealers, sports an absolutely stunning carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis architecture to add strength while reducing unit weight. This model is the first time that the MonoCell II technology has been made available in the GT4.
It’s superior track-hone performance perfect for when you’re heading out to one of the Houston area’s many racetracks.
If you’re interested in ordering a 570S GT4 of your own or want to learn more about other McLaren Motorsport offerings at McLaren Houston- contact us at www.mclarenhouston.com.
The XC60 scored a decisive victory over the competition and was considered to be the best in terms of monetary value in one of the most competitive sectors of the automotive market.
This week saw a team of editors from Cars.com, a leading digital automotive marketplace, select the Volvo XC60 as the market’s best compact SUV. The XC60 scored a decisive victory over the competition and was considered to be the best in terms of monetary value in one of the most competitive sectors of the automotive market.
The evaluation pitted seven of the top compact SUVs from around the world against each other in a week-long test spanning cities, suburbs, and drag strips. Vehicles were evaluated in 13 categories: interior quality, front-seat comfort, backseat comfort, cargo storage, in-cabin storage, multimedia features, convenience features, handling, powertrain, ride quality, noise, visibility and monetary worth.
The XC60 stole the show, placing first in eight categories and tying for first in another. Judges praised the XC60’s technology, luxury quality, and considered it to showcase the best rear seat of the group in terms of headroom. Further compliments went to the stylish interior and attention to detail — such as the sleek wood trim dashboard, and the addition of metallic accents across the air vents.
Volvo also took home the highest scores in safety, keeping in line with its rich history of automotive safety innovations.
“Its winning combination of comprehensive technology, practicality, and quality, combined with safety features and value, are what propelled it to the top spot”, said Jenni Newman, Cars.com’s editor-in-chief.
The accolade will be added to a growing list for the 2018 XC60. One that already includes: World Car of the Year (2018), North American Utility Vehicle of the Year (2018), Best of New York Auto Show (2017), SUV of Texas (2018), and Car Connection’s Best Crossover to Buy (2018).
The final rankings for each tested vehicle were as follows:
2018 Volvo XC60
2018 Audi Q5
2019 Infiniti QX50
2018 Cadillac XT5
2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
2018 BMW X3
2018 Lexus NX 300
For more information, including in-depth scoring details, videos and images from the 2018 Cars.com Luxury Compact SUV Challenge, visit www.cars.com/news.
Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth Mercedes-Benz E-300
helps local woman avoid catastrophe on US-75
“My car saved my life!” exclaimed Pamela Haney. “On the afternoon of Monday, July 9th, I was entering Central Expressway at Lovers Lane via the entrance ramp. The speed limit on US-75 is 70 mph, so I was accelerating when the car in front of me suddenly peels off, revealing a flatbed tow truck stranded on the entrance ramp.”
Ms. Haney’s 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-300 is equipped with automatic braking and evasive steering assist to avoid or mitigate a crash. This safety feature in Mercedes-Benz has been bundled with forward-collision warning for a while, but the newer E-class models initiate braking earlier when the system detects an evasive maneuver is not practical.
“I didn’t even have time to react,” continued Haney, owner of Productivity Solutions, a North Texas paralegal services company. “I instinctively braced for impact as I saw the flatbed was going to come right through my windshield. My E-300 stopped the car for me! It didn’t skid. It didn’t waver or shimmy. It just stopped on a dime! I sat there for a minute stunned with the steel bed just inches from my face. I looked up and the guys in the tow truck were looking back with their mouths open. I’m sure they thought I was a goner! In all seriousness, had I not been in this car, I probably would be dead.”
The Pre-Safe Protection System offers Supplemental Brake Assist Plus and Pre-Safe Brake with Pedestrian Recognition. A stereo camera and a series of long, medium and short-range radars monitors the area in front of the vehicle. The information is processed in a control unit to provide supplemental or autonomous braking to prevent collisions. Haney has been a Park Place client for more than 10 years. She raves about the consistent level of professionalism at the Fort Worth dealership. “I’ve never felt pressured,” she said. “I always feel safe and secure.”
“I am thankful Mercedes-Benz is an industry leader in safety features and our team of technicians are experts in keeping every vehicle in prime condition,” said Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth General Manager George Johnson. “I shared Pamela’s story with our whole team because they can be proud of the brand and dealership they represent.”
“You better believe I’m not ambivalent any more about the technology in my car,” gushed Haney. “I love, love, love my car! I’m a loyal Mercedes-Benz customer for life. And there’s no dissuading me from keeping my business at Park Place!”
Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth is located at 5601 Bryant Irvin Road, just south of I-20 and west of the Chisholm Trail Parkway.
Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. A new Porsche dealership will open in Grapevine this summer. For more info, visit parkplace.com.
“Tested to destruction” all over the planet, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan finally brings real luxury to the off-road experience and is primed to be one of many highlights of the Luxury & Supercar Showcase. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan will be featured at the 2018 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, bringing most attendees their first look at the automaker’s blend of luxury and off-road travel.
While it may not be the first luxury brand to include an SUV in its lineup, Rolls-Royce is determined to have the best one, and its name is Cullinan. This is Rolls-Royce as it’s never been seen before. When Sir Henry Royce said, “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it”, he may have had the Cullinan in mind.
Rolls-Royce has introduced an all-terrain, high-bodied car that makes the idea of authentic, luxury off-road travel a reality for the first time. Luxury travel is now effortless and everywhere.
Twelve Cylinders & a Whole Lot of Tech
Rolls-Royce has a history of genuine off-road credentials. In the early 20th century, Rolls-Royce vehicles quickly developed a reputation for reliability and durability in extreme conditions. Maharajas in India drove Rolls-Royces along rough and rugged dirt roads — as did wealthy sheep farmers through the Australian terrain. Lawrence of Arabia commanded a fleet of nine Rolls-Royces in the Sinai Desert during World War I, six of them bodied as armored cars. So an off-road SUV may have always been in the automaker’s natural progression.
Under the Cullinan’s hood is a 6.75 liter, twin-turbo V12 pushing out 563 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. This is the same engine Rolls-Royce uses for its iconic Phantom, which also shares the SUV’s aluminum-intensive platform. The famous “magic air ride” feel that rendered the Phantom peerless has also been re-engineered by adding larger air struts with greater air volume, and by strengthening the drive and prop shafts to cushion blows from the toughest terrain.
Featuring all-new, all-wheel drive and an all-wheel steering system — the first in Rolls-Royce history — the Cullinan reaches a top speed of 155 miles per hour.
Inside, Rolls-Royce unveils a new, thicker steering wheel for the Cullinan, augmented with a high-resolution, heads-up display and all the expected technology from the luxury giant: night vision, including wildlife and pedestrian warning, a four-camera parking system with panoramic and helicopter view, active cruise control, myriad crash-avoidance systems, Wi-Fi, and the standard navigation and entertainment systems. The first “three-box” car in the SUV-sector, Cullinan’s rear partition wall separates passengers from the luggage compartment to create a unique comfort and luxury environment.
The Final Challenge
In a series of online videos, the Rolls-Royce teamed with National Geographic to debut the Cullinan’s capabilities. The episodes document the vehicle conquering three continents and 12,000 miles of the world’s toughest terrain — including deserts, mountains, and tundra — and navigating the roughest conditions with ease.
Breathtaking camera work showcases the vehicle’s unique Rolls-Royce aluminum space frame, rear-axle steering and all-wheel drive making smooth work of each “extreme” terrain. Check out more information on the final challenge here, or view the full episodes here.
Simply Put — It’s Pronounced
The imposing frame of the Cullinan stands six feet off the ground—four inches taller than its closest competitor — the Bentayga — and more than 500 pounds heavier. Contemporary and functional design ensures the Cullinan will gain iconic status in the face of increasingly bland SUV designs.
Approach the Cullinan and it lowers roughly 1.5 inches for easy entry, rising back to normal position upon startup. The air suspension has adaptive damping and was built specifically with a degree of off-road luxury in mind — but a Rolls-Royce kind of off-roading, with a spotlight on smooth transitions. A lone off-road button is all it takes to prep the vehicle for whatever terrain you can throw at it, and it will even ford over 21 inches of water if needed.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see the incredibly capable off-roader in person at the 2018 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase — tickets of all levels are available at LuxurySuperCarShowcase.com
50 years ago, Land Rover introduced the Range Rover- the first installment of what would become one of the most popular luxury segments. This year, Land Rover introduced another game-changer, bringing the 2-door aesthetic to the 4-door luxury world. The Range Rover SV Coupe was created by Land Rover Design and Special Vehicle Operations as an exemplar of Range Rover design, craftsmanship, and capability. And as if Land Rover couldn’t make this seductive design more desirable and exclusive, only 999 of the Range Rover SV Coupe will be hand-crafted by SVO for clients across the globe.
“The Range Rover SV Coupe is a celebration of the Range Rover Bloodline,” said Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover. “With a dramatic two-door silhouette, this breath-taking four-seat Coupe alludes to its unique heritage while being thoroughly modern and contemporary. Beautifully realized and superbly engineered, the Range Rover SV Coupe delivers the most distinguished, luxurious and exclusive Range Rover ever built.”
The exclusivity of this new Range Rover line brings the opportunity for individual expression to our most passionate Land Rover Range Rover Clients. In confidential commissioning sessions, the most passionate of Land Rover Range Rover owners can curate a vessel that will quite simply steal the show with new features including:
Carefully curated body color combinations, including a new Contour Graphic available in four duo-tone colorways.
Unique side vent and grille designs
23-inch wheel option
The signature floating roof, continuous waistline and tapering tail
Semi-Aniline leather front seats with a gradated diamond quilt design
The choice between four front-to-rear contrast interior colorways or single tone
Choice of three wood veneers like the Nautica veneer (fusion of walnut and sycamore together).
For a truly curated experience, the Jaguar Land Rover Design team selected bespoke badges, exterior paint, and interior materials to provide the choice of seven design packs to clients sporting various themes including Modernist and Heritage.
It’s the fastest-ever full-size Ranger Rover, reaching top speeds of 165 mph and powered by a 557 hp, 5.0-liter supercharged V8 powertrain. It’s the most powerful engine offered by on the full-size Range Rover, so the new SV Coupe can accelerate 0-60 in 5.0 seconds.
For more information on the exclusive SV Coupe click here.
Calling All Car Clubs – New Opportunity for Oct. 13
Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase at Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas
Deadline extended to Sept. 15 to submit cars for Collectors’ Concours
Park Place Dealerships’ Selection Committee has extended the deadline to September 15 to register a vehicle for the Collectors’ Concours at the second annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, to be held Saturday October 13, 2018 at the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas. In addition, Car Clubs are invited to enter the best of their club in a new Car Club Showcase area.
“We have already received some spectacular cars for consideration in the Collectors’ Concours,” said Brian Ratcliff, co-chair of the Judging Committee for the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase. “From vintage and classic to contemporary and supercars, we’re looking for those rare and exclusive cars that you don’t often see at area car shows. We’re also reaching out to DFW car clubs to invite them to showcase some of their best vehicles in our Car Club Showcase. The clubs will be grouped together across from the VIP Area in the Porsche Pavilion.”
Trophies designed by Dallas sculptor Brad Oldham, best known for his Traveling Man installation in Deep Ellum, will be awarded for Best of Show, Chairman’s Choice and Salesmanship Club winners in the Collectors Concours. Awards from Bachendorf’s will also be given to Best In Class winners in each of the 10 classes, and First and Second Place winners in each class. In addition, there will be a People’s Choice Award for the Best in the Car Club Showcase.
To submit a vehicle for consideration, visit www.luxurysupercarshowcase.com and click on Register Vehicle. The show is limited to 150 selected cars that register and are approved by the Selection Committee. Once accepted there will be a $75 entry fee per vehicle, which includes two VIP All-Access Passes ($200 Value), car signage and show credentials, among other benefits. Entries for the Car Club Showcase can also sign up online. Just click on the “Car Club” tab. For more information, email info.showcase@10.2.54.33.
The luxury lifestyle event benefits the Momentous Institute, owned and operated by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920, which is committed to building and repairing social and emotional health for children. Each year, the organization serves more than 6,000 children and family members through its nationally acclaimed Momentous School and innovative Therapeutic Services.
Last year’s inaugural event featured more than 100 cars from private collectors in the Collector’s Showcase, including Best In Show – 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost; Chairman’s Choice Award – 1938 Bugatti 57C Atalante; Salesmanship Club Choice Award – 1952 MG Roadster; Best In Class – VINTAGE – 1933 MG Magna L-Type Racer; Best In Class – CLASSIC – 1996 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo; Best In Class – CONTEMPORARY- 2009 Aston Martin DBS; and Best In Class – EXOTIC/SUPERCAR – 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR.
The 2018 event will feature a fashion show by Highland Park Village, live entertainment, specialty boutiques, and a Kid’s Area presented by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, featuring the North Texas Diecast Collectors Club’s interactive Hot Wheels track, freshly popped popcorn, a soda pop truck and games. Many of Dallas’ favorite food trucks will also be on scene providing a vast array of delicious options.
The 2017 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase sold out. Tickets to this year’s event range from $25 – $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, including the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages. Tickets are at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com.
Park Place represents some of the most coveted manufacturers in the world, including Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Lotus, all of which will be prominently featured at the event.
Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. A new Porsche dealership will open in Grapevine this summer. For more info, visit parkplace.com.
Park Place Dealerships opened its 17th dealership, Park Place Porsche, today in Grapevine, Texas. The two-story, 68,000-square-foot Porsche dealership is situated on five acres and is located off Texan Trail and SH 114 near Park Place Motorcars, Park Place Lexus and Park Place Jaguar Land Rover.
With a thirst for the product coupled with the brand’s reputation for providing a great driving experience, Porsche enthusiasts will appreciate Park Place Porsche Grapevine’s new showrooms which can accommodate up to 21 different vehicles. Visitors will see the full range of models, such as the 911, Cayman, Boxster, Panamera, Macan, and Cayenne.
“This is one of the largest Porsche dealerships in the country and we designed the space to bring the brand to life so clients can explore the iconic brand making the experience their own,” said Ken Schnitzer, chairman of Park Place Dealerships. “Porsche has a long and renowned history with a loyal customer base that continues to grow. With the new Macan and 911 coming out in the next year, Northeast Tarrant County is a prime location for this brand.”
Porsche Cars North America recently announced retail sales in June were up 8.3 percent compared to year-over-year sales, recording the sixth consecutive monthly record since January. The United States is the largest single market for Porsche, with U.S. buyers accounting for 28 percent of 911 purchases worldwide.
“The expansion of Porsche into Northeast Tarrant County allows us to introduce the brand to potential new owners and to better meet the needs of current clients,” said Schnitzer. “With a facility of this size, we have lots of room for clients to experience every Porsche model in a comfortable setting year-round and to service their vehicle in our state-of-the-art service center.”
The multi-million-dollar project features a shop with 28 service bays, a comfortable client lounge, boutique, and a large service drive for the optimum client experience. Park Place Porsche Grapevine will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified based on the building’s focus on energy savings, water, resources, and generating less waste. Good, Fulton & Farrell was the architectural firm for the project with Hill & Wilkinson handling the general contractor duties.
This is the second Porsche dealership for the company and the fourth dealership in Grapevine which opened Park Place Lexus in 2000, followed by Park Place Motorcars relocating from Bedford in 2011, and Park Place Land Rover Jaguar opening last July. Park Place continues to lead the automotive industry with innovative offerings such as a subscription service. Launched earlier this year, Park Place Select is the first subscription service offered in Texas by a dealership group and offers subscribers three tiers of vehicles to align with a client’s lifestyle and budget.
Park Place also opened an auction house this year in Plano for registered dealers and wholesalers. Park Place Auto Auction offers hundreds of vehicles each week from its dealerships across North Texas.
Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people at 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar, Lotus, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more information about Park Place Dealerships, visit parkplace.com.
Receiving an oil change at a manufacturer certified service center has key advantages to maintaining your high-performance vehicle. While cost and service time are increased, we provide first-class quality, expertise, and additional services that clearly distinguish our premier level service experiences from a typical “oil change” job at a quick lube establishment. At Park Place Porsche, we employ certified technicians who perform the routine services, such as your oil change, to ensure the entire process is completed to meet both manufacturer and Park Place standards of quality. For more info read a similar blog on things to know before Your Park Place oil change experience.
Here are three things our highly trained team of Porsche experts want you to know before booking your Porsche’s next oil change:
At Park Place Porsche, we use the same oil as the Manufacturer does in the factory.
Mobil One Synthetic (factory filled oil) is the same oil the Porsche factory uses from day one. New Porsche models only require changing once a year or every 10,000 miles (older models require a change every 7.500 miles) so a quality oil is a must. Bottom line, this is the best oil for your Porsche.
2. A Porsche “Oil Change” service can take about 90 minutes to complete before the wash or any additional administrative time for the advisor.
Porsche’s have a large oil capacity- up to 10 quarts on some engines. The old oil must be completely drained from the vehicle. To do this, our technicians must heat the engine up to operating temperature to thin out the oil and allow it to then drain for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Additionally, your vehicle’s fluid levels and fault memory are read out and the team performs a 27 point inspection. The next 20 minutes are spent filling the engine with oil to capacity. To do this the engine is brought up to operating temperature and filled with new room temperature oil. Our technicians check the oil levels with a computer because the majority of new Porsche models do not have dipsticks (older may have a dipstick present)- a process that takes three minutes and is repeated until the engine registers full.
After the entire oil change process is completed, the Porsche technician usually spends 90 minutes with the car during the actual service. Reference the video below to understand exactly all that goes into an oil change from our Dallas Service Manager, Mark.
3. You receive more than an “oil change” when choosing to service with the certified dealership.
The term oil change has been used frequently in conjunction with quick lube establishments promising quick service and low cost. The dealership provides more value to the client’s experience by including car washes, loan cars, resetting computers, Porsche trained technicians, warranty repairs, a beautiful facility, and a client lounge for those who wish to wait for their service to be completed. Therefore, a Porsche dealership experience cannot be compared with a quick service only facility with the factors of time or money.
For a once a year service, the cost and time related to an “oil change” experience at Park Place Porsche is more than worth it. If it’s your dream to own a Porsche, then protecting your investment is too important to our team to simply offer a quick drain and fill service. Have any questions or would like to start your next service booking? Visit us at ParkPlace.com/Service-Appointments
The quickest, most powerful and most track-focused – yet road legal – Sports Series McLaren made its debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The arrival of the new 600LT, which is built to excel on roads and race circuits alike, marks both the beginning of the next chapter in the McLaren ‘Longtail’ (LT) story and the setting of a new benchmark for super-sportscar performance.
“The new McLaren 600LT is our most extreme road-legal Sports Series model and possesses the optimised aerodynamics, increased power, reduced weight, track-focused dynamics and enhanced driver engagement that are the hallmarks of any McLaren ‘’LT’. Only the fourth McLaren in more than two decades to be designated a ‘Longtail’, the 600LT redefines expectations of super-sportscar performance, delivering astonishing acceleration and outstanding track cornering speeds with a truly extraordinary dynamic connection between driver and car.”- Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive
The new McLaren 600LT epitomizes the McLaren philosophy of producing lightweight super-sportscars that deliver extreme performance and are exceptionally rewarding to drive. With the engine management system of the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 recalibrated and less back pressure from a top-exit exhaust system that is even shorter and more extreme than that of the McLaren Senna allowing the engine to breathe more freely, the 600LT can call on peak power of 592bhp at 7,500rpm and a maximum torque output of 457lb ft at 5,500-6,500 rpm. These outputs deliver astonishing levels of performance: 0-62mph takes just 2.9 seconds, matching the acceleration of the revered McLaren 675LT Super Series model (0-60mph in just 2.8 seconds). 0-124mph is achieved in a remarkable 8.2 seconds and the 600LT can continue gathering speed to a top speed of 204mph.
Inspired by the renowned McLaren 675LT models and their iconic ‘Longtail’ McLaren F1 GTR racing predecessor, the new addition to the LT family has all the physical hallmarks of a true McLaren ‘Longtail’, including an extended front splitter, lengthened rear diffuser, fixed rear wing and elongated silhouette – in this case by 2.9in compared to a McLaren 570S Coupé. The unique bodywork optimizes aerodynamic performance, working in conjunction with the flat carbon fiber floor of the 600LT to produce the 220.5lbs of downforce at 155mph that generates more grip and greater high-speed stability and is a significant contributor to the car’s excellence on a track.
Extensive use of carbon fiber – including for the monocoque chassis that is some 25 percent stiffer than a comparable aluminum chassis and for the new aerodynamic features– together with lightweight materials throughout the track-focused cockpit, helps the McLaren 600LT to achieve a lightest dry weight of 2,749lbs and an equivalent power-to-weight ratio of 474bhp/ton. With the optional Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats developed for the McLaren Senna fitted, the 600LT weighs 220.5lbs less than a 570S Coupé – a remarkable reduction that delivers tangible benefits in every aspect of the car’s performance.
McLaren 600LT buyers wanting to go to another level of weight-saving can specify the MSO Clubsport or MSO Clubsport Pro packs from McLaren Special Operations. The MSO Clubsport Pack, which adds $29,370 to the price of a new 600LT, features the Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats; a Carbon Fibre Interior Upgrade that includes extended gearshift paddles and steering wheel spokes and switch and IRIS display surrounds in the lightweight material; Carbon Fibre Roof and Cantrails, Visual Carbon Fibre Fender Louvres in gloss finish; and titanium wheel bolts. The MSO Clubsport Pro Pack, which adds an MSO Defined Harness Bar and 6-Point harness for track use, in either black, blue, red or McLaren Orange, is priced at $34,600. The Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats are available as a stand-alone option, costing $6,060.
The remit of any McLaren ‘Longtail’ model is to engage and excite to the absolute maximum, encouraging – and enabling – drivers to fully exploit the dynamic performance inherent in the car. The ethos underpinning every aspect of the development of the McLaren 600LT was therefore a determination to deliver the purest possible connection between car and driver. To this end, the McLaren 600LT has lighter and stiffer suspension components from the McLaren 720S, the adoption of the forged aluminium double wishbones and uprights not only improving dynamic capabilities, but also reducing weight by 22.5lbs. Ride height is reduced by 8mm over other Sports Series models and front track is increased by 10mm, to deliver a more precise driving experience. The independent, continuously variable adaptive dampers and front and rear anti-roll bars featuring on all McLaren Sports Series models have been retained but are significantly re-engineered to work with the new suspension geometry and create the track-focused performance demanded of the new 600LT.
The adoption of the braking system from the McLaren Super Series, which features lightweight aluminium calipers and stiffer carbon ceramic discs, reduces weight by 8.8lbs, working in conjunction with an all-new brake booster developed using learnings from the McLaren Senna, the result is incredibly responsive and progressive pedal feel during braking and a 124mph to standstill distance of 383.9ft – just 3.3ft more than a McLaren P1™.
Two new designs of ultra-lightweight aluminium alloy wheels – 10-spoke as standard and a 5-spoke alternative as a $4,950 option – are the lightest wheels ever fitted to a Sports Series, the reduction in unsprung weight bringing a noticeable benefit to the dynamic qualities of the car.
Bespoke P Zero™ Trofeo R tires – developed with McLaren Technical Partner, Pirelli – feature for the first time on a Sports Series model and this unique track-focused tire is a crucial element in the enhanced dynamic abilities of the McLaren 600LT. Tuned to deliver the immediacy and steering feel for which McLaren is renowned, as well as excellent rear axle stability, the ultra-high-performance tire features a softer sidewall structure than is usual to improve compliance and so grip levels by ensuring the contact patch with the ground is maintained, even on less-than-perfect surfaces. By contrast, the belt construction of the Trofeo R tire is stiffer than on any previous Sports Series, to enhance lateral acceleration and improve cornering ability.
The cockpit of the McLaren 600LT exemplifies both weight reduction and a driver-focused environment. Lightweight Alcantara ® trim material is used extensively throughout and the absence of carpet in the driver and passenger footwells and beneath the seats saves 12.6lbs, while also exposing the carbon fiber beauty of the MonoCell II chassis construction. The glovebox has been removed and the door pockets replaced with lightweight nets, while air-conditioning, satellite navigation, and an audio system are all available as no-cost options, not being fitted as standard. Carbon fiber Racing Seats, first seen on the McLaren P1™ and subsequently used in the McLaren 675LT, are standard-fit and save a remarkable 46.3lbs.
Production of the 600LT Coupé will begin in October 2018 and last for around 12 months, with build slots scheduled around existing Sports and Super Series models, as well as the sold-out Senna, Senna GTR and BP23. Availability will be strictly limited, the specialist carbon fiber body panels that require specialist tooling just one of the reasons that the new ‘Longtail’ will be rarer than its Sports Series brethren.
Available to order now from McLaren Dallas and McLaren Houston – subject to availability – the 600LT Coupé is priced from $240,000 (US), which includes** a Pure McLaren Road Owner Track Day at a race circuit, with expert driving tuition.
