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By Jonathan Crouch

The McLaren 765 LT claims to be the ultimate road and track-usable supercar. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 43

The McLaren 765 LT is extremely rare, extremely fast and, well, extreme. In the way it looks and the way it drives. It may not be the ultimate McLaren but you could make a case for it being the ultimate McLaren driver's car.

Backgroundword count: 136

The 765 LT is the third model in McLaren's 'Long Tail' series, succeeding the 600 LT and the 675 LT. It sits right near the top of the company's supercar range, somewhere between the 750S and the ultimate Senna model - and borrows elements of both. Both Coupe and Spider versions are available and McLaren is only building 765 examples of each. The priority here is to create the ultimate track car that can also reward and be enjoyed on the road. And it's the Woking brand's most committed attempt yet at the special series supercar. There was an enormous challenge here - in taking weight out of and adding handling sharpness to the already very focused McLaren 750S, a car that's already enormously fast and track-focused. The result promises to be rare, engaging and desirable.

Driving Experienceword count: 190

As usual with McLaren, there's a 4.0-litre V8 out back. Here, as expected, it develops a little more power than a 750S - 755 bhp - the performance gain emphasised by the fact that the car can be up to 80kg lighter and there's 25% more downforce. The 62mph sprint flashes by in just 2.8s and you'll hit 124mph in 7 seconds. These figures are aided by shorter ratios for the 7-speed twin clutch auto gearbox, which must deal with 590 lb ft of torque. The over-riding priority here though, was handling rather than ultimate speed. The Proactive Chassis Control 2 set-up is recognisable from the 750S, but McLaren has lowered the front by 5mm, widened the front track (by 6mm) and recalibrated the dampers (20% stiffer), as well as fitting sticky bespoke Pirelli Trofeo R tyres from the Senna. Lightweight engine pistons and conrods are borrowed from the Senna too. The super-sharp steering isn't really appropriate for a public road, but it would be glorious on a track. And you're going to want to pay extra for the hand-made carbon brake discs and special calipers that are also Senna-sourced.

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