McLaren’s 600LT is a low-production ‘entry-level’ supercar

McLaren pulled the covers off of its 600LT late June, a new limited-production version of its entry-level supercar with more horsepower, less weight but, contrary to its name, no long tail.

Yes, the carbon-fibre bodywork on the car does see it gain close to three inches in length over its Sports Series siblings.

But outside of an extended rear diffuser and fixed wing, this LT – the fourth-ever McLaren to wear the “Longtail” name – has a rear end that looks a lot like a 570S‘. And it’s not all that long.

However, like its namesake F1 GTR Longtail (and the newer 675LT), the 600LT is built to be an even better track-attacker than the 570S while still being road-happy. The performance ante is upped via the shedding of some 211 lbs (to a dry weight of 2,749 lbs); the addition of power, to the tune of 592 hp total; and the employment of bespoke track-focused Pirelli P Zero tires.

Nearly one-in-four parts on the 600LT are different than the 570S, and a number of them are exhaust system pieces: the 600LT sees the pipes exit the top of the car to help reduce weight. Also doing double-duty working the cool and functional angles are the carbon-fibre racing seats inside. The regular buckets are sourced from the P1 but optional are the seats from the Senna.

Read More

First Look: 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye

 Somebody call Sergio Marchionne. Somebody needs to urgently let the CEO of FCA know the people in charge of Dodge have gotten hold of the keys to the high-performance lockers and are running completely wild. How else to explain the newest Challenger, the 2019 SRT Hellcat Redye with an eye-popping 797 horsepower?

That is no typo. At 797 horsepower, the 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye becomes the most powerful mass produced V8 in the world now that the 840-horsepower atom splitter known as the Demon has finished its production run of 3,300 cars. With 707 lb.-ft. of torque, the new Redeye launches to 98 km/h in 3.4 seconds, eclipses the quarter mile 10.8 seconds and maxes out at 326 km/h. Perhaps NASA should be notified, too.

Regular Hellcats — if the car can be even called “regular” — also get a power boost to 717 from 707 horsepower. Torque inches up 656 lb.-ft. from 650. But all Hellcats now get a functional, dual-snorkel hood that pays homage to the 1970 Dart Swinger and 1971 Demon, an era that seemed like the pinnacle of horsepower, but now, in retrospect, seems like pre-school to today’s staggering power.

The Challenger R/T Scat Pack can now be optioned with the widebody formerly limited to Hellcat cars. The kit adds 8.8 centimetres to the overall width, which should help improve handling and braking to the naturally aspirated muscle car. At the track, larger six-piston Brembo front brakes, wider wheels and tires, and suspension upgrades featured on the Scat Pack 392 Widebody equate to 2 second faster lap times, or approximately 12 car lengths at a 3.3-kilometre road course, compared with the non-Widebody Challenger Scat Pack.

Read More

Fiat to focus on 500 and Panda family

FCA boss Sergio Marchionne has confirmed plans to realign the Fiat brand to focus on money makers like the fashionable 500 and practical Panda city cars. The news was revealed at the company’s five-year Capital Market Day presentation in Balocco, Italy. 

“Fiat in Europe is going to get redefined in a more exclusive area,” Marchionne said. “It is difficult for the mass markets to be profitable, and in our plan we have identified areas where Fiat works best.” 

• Best city cars to buy in 2018

As such, Mr Marchionne announced his plans to focus the Fiat brand around models that can “recoup the cost of electric development” – phasing out slow-sellers like the ageing Punto supermini. He highlighted a total revamp of the 500 model range, with an all-new 500e due in 2020. 

It comes as part of a €9bn investment in electrification over the next five years. Marchionne expects 60 per cent of European FCA sales to be of electrified models by 2022. 

Read More