Performance Review: McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo - [2018]

Figures & Specs Summary:

McLaren 600LT Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2018. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2019 Pininfarina Battista 1900 and the 2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport 110 ans Bugatti.This particular McLaren 600LT has a 3799cc Bi-Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 600LT shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 600LT's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1247 kgs (2749 lbs) this makes the McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The McLaren 600LT shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp)

In terms of power the 3799cc 32V V8 engine produces 592 bhp (441 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp) or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp).

The Bi-Turbo V8 throws out 457 lb-ft (619.6 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the McLaren 600LT you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4 (499.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the McLaren 600LT.

The McLaren 600LT has a Power to weight ratio of 474.7 bhp per ton and 366.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2018 600LT competing with the 2016 Lamborghini Centenario LP 770-4 (499.3 bhp per ton) or the 2018 Lamborghini Aventador LP770-4 Superveloce Jota SVJ (497.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the McLaren 600LT generating around 366.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Dodge Viper GT 8.4 V10 (390.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Dodge Viper SRT 8.4 V10 (390.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 2.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 2.9 secs, this made the McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo as fast as the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs) the or the 2021 Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (2.80 secs). This McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (2.90 secs) the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (2.90 secs) the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (2.90 secs) the and the 2021 Maserati MC20 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (2.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 600LT and the 2004 MG SV R X Power

When talking about the performance of the McLaren 600LT on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.63 secs @ 128.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 MG SV R X Power (10.61 secs), the 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 327 V8 Turbo Fire 350hp (10.62 secs), and the 2012 Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet (10.62 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2018 version of the McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo has a maximum speed of 204mph.

Top Speed of the 2018 600LT equals the 2006 Ascari A10 5.0 V8 (215 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2018 McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo then how about the 2006 Ascari A10 5.0 V8 (215 mph), the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph), or the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (217 mph).

Related Links:

2018 600LT Rivals List.

A Brief History of McLaren

Car Comparison