Photo: Autogespot
Now that McLaren's current generation of supercars is starting to "age", we can say Woking's engineers and designers have barely done their stretching, which means the furious workout has just begun.
Case in point with the 688HS. Developed as a limited edition by the automaker's McLaren Special Operations (MSO) division, this is ready to one-up the 675LT on every possible front.
Sure, power may only be up 13 PS (hence the 688 in the designation of the car), but let's keep in mind the Ricardo-developed twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 this speed demon uses gets extremely close to the 737 PS output it offers when mounted in the middle of the P1. And speaking of the Brits' retired gas-electric demon, it's safe to expect hypercar, not supercar, performance from the 688HS.
While these images, which come from Autogespot, aren't accompanied by official info, the 688 High Sport is expected to be noticeably lighter than the already featherweight 675LT.
The two will also be differentiated by aerodynamics - a trained eye can tell the 688HS will deliver serious extra downforce just by looking at all the carefully penned elements all over the vehicle. From the winglets on the side of the front fascia to the generously-sized fixed rear wing, the High Sport looks like somebody strapped number plates to a racecar (road-legal McLaren P1, anybody?)
In terms of exclusivity, MSO will only deliver 25 units of the 688HS and if you didn't know this already, it means you won't be able to buy one. While we expected the beast to be sold out before its release (this has become the norm nowadays), we're not sure about future developments linked to it.
You see, McLaren risked short-term safety for long-term benefits when it also released a Spider incarnation of the 675LT - owners of the 500 Coupes were upset about the extra 500 Spiders affecting the exclusivity factor of their rides. The question is: will the 688 High Sport follow the same path?
Sure, power may only be up 13 PS (hence the 688 in the designation of the car), but let's keep in mind the Ricardo-developed twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 this speed demon uses gets extremely close to the 737 PS output it offers when mounted in the middle of the P1. And speaking of the Brits' retired gas-electric demon, it's safe to expect hypercar, not supercar, performance from the 688HS.
While these images, which come from Autogespot, aren't accompanied by official info, the 688 High Sport is expected to be noticeably lighter than the already featherweight 675LT.
The two will also be differentiated by aerodynamics - a trained eye can tell the 688HS will deliver serious extra downforce just by looking at all the carefully penned elements all over the vehicle. From the winglets on the side of the front fascia to the generously-sized fixed rear wing, the High Sport looks like somebody strapped number plates to a racecar (road-legal McLaren P1, anybody?)
In terms of exclusivity, MSO will only deliver 25 units of the 688HS and if you didn't know this already, it means you won't be able to buy one. While we expected the beast to be sold out before its release (this has become the norm nowadays), we're not sure about future developments linked to it.
You see, McLaren risked short-term safety for long-term benefits when it also released a Spider incarnation of the 675LT - owners of the 500 Coupes were upset about the extra 500 Spiders affecting the exclusivity factor of their rides. The question is: will the 688 High Sport follow the same path?
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