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The determination to minimize weight while improving component performance is evident throughout the vehicle. The front floor, for example, is a one-piece carbon plate that is both lighter and more stable and, in addition to the aerodynamic advantages that result from the revised underbody design, also reduces the vehicle's momentum. The drive wheel and the ring gear in the final drive gearbox are made of 20NiCh, a high-performance nickel chromium, which is used more often in Formula 1 than in road vehicles, but offers the ideal balance between weight and specifications for use in the gearbox of the 765LT. Even the next generation lithium-ion battery is light and saves 3,0 kg compared to the battery built into the 720S.
The use of carbon fiber in the entire race track-optimized interior of the 765LT brings further weight optimization. The standard lightweight racing seats with carbon fiber shell are 18 kg lighter than the sports seats of the 720S. The custom-made lightweight center tunnel is made of carbon fiber composite and has a plate thickness of only 0,8 mm. The carbon fiber forms the border of the window switches, the steering wheel clip and the border of the Active Dynamics Panel, which limits every possible gram. Customers looking to further reduce weight can choose even more carbon fiber options from the MSL Defined range developed by McLaren Special Operations.
Carbon fiber is not the only lightweight tactic used in the new LT. The light Alcantara® cladding is used extensively in the cockpit of the vehicle and there is no carpet on the horizontal floor surfaces. Door stowage nets replace the folding door pockets, and the range and inclination on the steering wheel are adjusted manually. Air conditioning and an audio system are not standard, although both are optionally available at no additional cost.
The thickness of the side window glass was reduced for the first time in a modern McLaren LT. The windshield is also thinner, and the glazed C-pillars and rear window are made of lightweight, motorsport-like polycarbonate. The upper sections of the dihedral doors are covered with light carbon fiber panels. The 765LT also has a full titanium exhaust system, which is only 10,9 kg 40% lighter than a comparable steel system, 3,8 kg less than the exhaust of a 720S and even more weight-efficient than an Inconel exhaust.
If you use every available weight-saving measure when specifying a 765LT, the lightest dry weight is only 1.229 kg. To reach this level, customers have to select options such as the super light carbon fiber racing seats. The carbon-fiber seats developed for the McLaren Senna are constructed using innovative double-shell technology that reduces weight by a third compared to the same shell that is manufactured using conventional carbon fiber processes. Each seat shell weighs only 3,35 kg.
Aerodynamically shaped from carbon fiber
"A McLaren LT is defined by its rebellious spirit, and striking, eye-catching looks are an important part of that appeal, but the dynamic characteristics of a 'longtail' also require their own physical changes. The elongated silhouette, which improves aerodynamic performance, and the polished body, which improves downforce and cooling - especially on the racetrack - make the new 765LT immediately recognizable as a vehicle that delivers on the promise of the purest driving experience. ” Rob Melville, Design Director, McLaren Automotive.
The new 765LT is not only the most powerful McLaren LT of all time, but also the most extreme physically. The front splitter sits closer to the ground because the front ride height has been reduced by 5 mm, which increases the vehicle incline to generate more downforce. The nose of the vehicle has been extended by 48 mm, with both the front bumper and the front splitter moving further forward. The new 'Longtail' active rear wing extends to the rear by a further 9 mm, whereby the two changes together add 57 mm to the overall length of the vehicle.
The design of the rear of the 765LT is also focused. A little longer, as is the case with an LT, the body has a smaller physical volume, which increases heat dissipation from the engine compartment and reduces the air pressure in the wheel arches. The pressure reduction is achieved by bringing the rear bumper even closer to the technical components, which exposes the rear tires.
Compared to a 720S wing - and with a 20% larger surface area - the 765LT rear wing sits proudly on the tail, curving up towards the center rather than sloping down to match the rear body. The new, increased static position increases the downforce even when the wing is not extended, and since the new design has minimal drag impact, aero efficiency - the ratio of downforce to drag - also increases by 20% compared to the 720S. A cutout in the middle part of the wing provides a rear view and ensures that high temperatures from the exhaust do not damage the wing when the vehicle is parked on the racetrack after a long journey. (Article goes over several pages - page selection below)
