If you’re slightly confused as to which McLaren model is which, I don’t blame you: the cars pretty much all look the same. They all look fast and aerodynamic and purpose-built, but they’re nearly identical for sure. So I will go ahead and make you this handy little post that you can reference at the next dinner party you throw so you’ll be extra cool.
For starters, McLaren delineated its cars into three “Series,” where the models are grouped based on price and performance. The most affordable and the lowest-powered tickets into the McLaren club are in the Sports Series, while the atmospherically powerful and expensive hypercar is found in the Ultimate Series.
Got it? Good.
Sports Series
570S
Engine: 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8
Power: 562 HP, 443 lb-ft of torque
Top Speed: 204 mph
This is the entry level McLaren coupe that has the Porsche 911 Turbo S and the Audi R8 V10 in its crosshairs. It’s McLaren’s first stab at a higher volume segment. And it’s pretty fun to take on a dirt track. Read our review!
Price: $184,900
570GT
Engine: 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8
Power: 562 HP, 443 lb-ft of torque
Top Speed: 204 mph
One of the biggest criticism that classless cretins level at supercars is their impracticality. I know. What heathens!
Word of this reached McLaren’s ear and it designed this “practical hatchback” version. The 570GT has an additional 7.8 cubic feet of cargo space and a handy side-hinged glass rear hatch. It also has a panoramic sunroof, soft-close doors, an electronic steering column and seat adjustment, a leather-covered parcel shelf with luggage hooks, extended interior trim into the hatchback and a 1,280-watt, 12-speaker Bower & Wilkins stereo system. Read our review.
It’s like a really fast Golf. I promise.
Price: $198,950
Special Mentions: McLaren 570GT by MSO Concept
Super Series
650S
Engine: 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8
Power: 641 HP, 500 lb-ft of torque
Top Speed: 207 mph
The 650S was the torquier and updated version of the ill-named MP4-12C (later shortened to just 12C). Certainly, the new face was an improvement over the 12C’s. In fact, McLaren was adamant that the 650S could be used as a daily driver. Read our review.
Price: $265,500
Special Mentions: 650S Le Mans, 650S Can-Am, the upcoming MSO HS
650S Spider
Engine: 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8
Power: Power: 641 HP, 500 lb-ft of torque
Top Speed: 204 mph
It’s a 650S, topless. Next.
Price: $280,225
675LT
Engine: 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8
Power: 666 HP, 516 lb-ft of torque
Top Speed: 205 mph
The 675LT is the 650S, but with different turbos, some extra carbon fiber bits, lighter components including new cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds, camshaft and connecting rods and a faster-flowing fuel pump and delivery system.
Needless to say, it’s more powerful. The “LT” in its name stands for “Longtail,” because McLaren added a slightly lengthened active airbrake. When I hear “Longtail,” I think of the vast wings on Le Mans racers, but what’s in a name anyways? We had one, once. We drove it around. It was fun.
Price: $349,500
Special Mentions: MSO Carbon Series LT
675LT Spider
Engine: 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8
Power: 666 HP, 516 lb-ft of torque
Top Speed: 203 mph
Wind in your hair, sun in your face, the jealous stares of your neighbors burning in your peripheral vision. What else would you want in your 675LT with the top chopped off?
Price: $372,600
Ultimate Series
P1
Engine: 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, plus electric motor
Power: 903 HP, 723 lb-ft of torque
Top Speed: 217 mph
The P1 is McLaren’s hybrid hypercar offering that makes up the holy trinity that also includes the Ferrari LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder. McLaren only made 375 of them, and they were all sold. It’s really an incredible machine.
Price: Around $1,150,000
Special Mentions: P1 GTR