600LT
Introduced in 2018, the McLaren 600LT is a highly track-focused development of the 570S. Its name combines an output figure of 600 metric horsepower with McLaren’s distinctive “Longtail” designation, previously reserved for more specialized models. The 600LT adds more aggressive aerodynamics, revised suspension tuning, weight-saving components, and top-exit exhausts while remaining road legal. The coupe established the model line within McLaren’s Sports Series, followed by the open-top 600LT Spider in 2019. In the ScanRacer model context, the car spans the 2018 and 2019 model years, with a Base version listed for 2018 and a Spider version for 2019. Its defining character is not simply extra power, but a more focused combination of lower weight, sharper chassis responses, stronger aerodynamic support, and a more immersive driving experience than the standard 570S.
Variants by year
2019
2018
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Introduced in 2018, the McLaren 600LT is a highly track-focused development of the 570S. Its name combines an output figure of 600 metric horsepower with McLaren’s distinctive “Longtail” designation, previously reserved for more specialized models. The 600LT adds more aggressive aerodynamics, revised suspension tuning, weight-saving components, and top-exit exhausts while remaining road legal. The coupe established the model line within McLaren’s Sports Series, followed by the open-top 600LT Spider in 2019. In the ScanRacer model context, the car spans the 2018 and 2019 model years, with a Base version listed for 2018 and a Spider version for 2019. Its defining character is not simply extra power, but a more focused combination of lower weight, sharper chassis responses, stronger aerodynamic support, and a more immersive driving experience than the standard 570S.
History
The McLaren 600LT belongs to the modern generation of cars carrying the Longtail name. After the 1997 F1 GTR Longtail and the 675LT Coupe and Spider, McLaren brought the concept to its Sports Series with a heavily reworked derivative of the 570S. Coupe production was scheduled to begin in October 2018 and run for approximately twelve months, according to launch information reported at the time. This was more than a power upgrade: contemporary road tests identified roughly 23 percent new parts, including changes to the chassis, brakes, wheels, tires, suspension, and aerodynamic package. The 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 received revised engine management and produced 592 bhp in British measurements, equivalent to approximately 600 metric horsepower. The 600LT Spider followed for the 2019 model year. It retained the carbon-fiber MonoCell II structure and broadly matched the coupe’s performance while adding a retractable hardtop. The Spider therefore extended the LT formula without changing its central purpose: reducing mass, increasing driver involvement, and giving the Sports Series a more purposeful track-oriented character.
Generations
The McLaren 600LT is not a model line divided into several clearly defined generations. Available evidence presents it as a single Sports Series model, developed from the 570S and sold over a relatively short period. The meaningful distinction is therefore between body styles rather than successive technical generations. The coupe represents the first phase of the model and appears in 2018. It uses a fixed roof and receives a dedicated aerodynamic package with a prominent front splitter, extended rear diffuser, fixed rear wing, and exhaust outlets positioned above the engine bay. The 600LT Spider follows in 2019. Its retractable hardtop folds beneath the tonneau cover, while McLaren states that the MonoCell II carbon-fiber structure requires no additional strengthening for the open-top body. Both versions consequently share the same underlying performance philosophy, with the Spider adding open-air driving rather than a separate mechanical concept. Within the ScanRacer structure, the 2018 and 2019 entries are best understood as a short model lifecycle: a Base version for 2018 and a Spider version for 2019, not as separate generations.
Key differences
The clearest distinction is between the 2018 coupe and the 2019 Spider. The coupe emphasizes lower mass and a closed structure, while the Spider adds a retractable hardtop and its operating hardware. McLaren nevertheless states that the carbon-fiber MonoCell II retains sufficient rigidity without additional structural reinforcement. Claimed performance is therefore broadly similar, although the Spider is heavier and marginally slower in some measurements. The “Base” label used by ScanRacer should be treated as a cataloging category for the 2018 closed-body version, not as an officially documented McLaren trim designation in the sources reviewed. Both body styles use the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8, the sharper LT chassis philosophy, dedicated aerodynamic components, and top-exit exhausts. Their main differences concern the roof, weight, sound experience, and intended use. The coupe offers the more direct and mechanically simple interpretation, while the Spider adds open-air driving without abandoning the model’s strong track focus.
Photo recognition
The 600LT is first identified by its more aggressive aerodynamic treatment compared with the 570S. It uses a prominent front splitter, model-specific side skirts and rear diffuser, and a fixed rear wing. The most distinctive visual clue is the pair of top-exit exhausts positioned in the engine cover behind the cabin. This feature is especially clear from the rear three-quarter view and is more useful than relying on an LT badge alone. Wheels, carbon-fiber parts, and bucket seats could vary with the options list, so they should not be treated as universal identification points. The coupe has a fixed roof and a continuous side profile, while the Spider has a retractable hardtop and a tonneau cover behind the seats. A 600LT designation may also appear on the exterior, although its placement and presentation can vary by specification. Reliable identification should therefore combine the roof type, the high-mounted exhaust outlets, and the dedicated aerodynamic package rather than depending on one isolated detail.
Important versions
Two entries are currently identified in the ScanRacer context. The Base version is associated with 2018 and represents the 600LT coupe, introduced before the open-top body style. It applies the LT formula through a fixed roof, reduced mass, and a chassis developed with strong track use in mind. The Spider version is associated with 2019. It retains the coupe’s architecture and principal performance features but adds a retractable hardtop. McLaren states that the MonoCell II structure does not require additional reinforcement for the conversion to an open body. The word “Base” should not be interpreted as a formally documented luxury or entry-level trim designation: in this context, it is a variant label. Equipment, seats, carbon-fiber components, and comfort features could vary according to the selected options, so individual cars may not share identical specifications.
References
- McLaren 600LT SpiderMcLaren Automotive
- McLaren 600LT ReviewTop Gear
- New McLaren 600LT 2018 reviewAuto Express
- McLaren 600LT Spider Will Do 196 MPH With the Top DownMotorTrend
- McLaren 600LT Price List - USAMcLaren Automotive
- https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/a23708393/mclaren-600lt-review/menshealth.com
- https://www.completecar.ie/car-reviews/article/McLaren/Sports_Series/600LT/1389/8549/2018-McLaren-600LT-review.htmlcompletecar.ie
- https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/mclaren-600lt-2018-review-international-114799/carsales.com.au
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the McLaren 600LT produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 2018 - 2019.
- How many McLaren 600LT examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 15 published scans from 12 members, with the latest photo added in August 2026.