McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has unveiled a new MSO Carbon Series LT.

Strictly limited to 25 units – all already sold – and based on the 675LT Spider, the Carbon Series LT has been produced by McLaren's bespoke division in response to requests from customers following the showing of a carbon fibre bodied McLaren P1, displayed recently at the Geneva Motor Show.

Staying true to the ‘Longtail’ ethos, established by McLaren F1 in the late 1990s, the MSO Carbon Series LT has been developed with a focus on light weight and optimised aerodynamic performance. Applying gloss carbon fibre to the entire body of the car brings a ‘brutal beauty’, says McLaren, to the existing 675LT Spider body.

As with the 675LT Spider, many parts including the ‘Longtail’ Airbrake are all carbon fibre with the gloss finish revealing the inherent weave of the material. In addition, the MSO Carbon Series LT is fitted with a gloss finished carbon fibre electrically retractable roof and tonneau, A-pillars, bonnet and rear deck, side blades, complete front and rear wings, and even fuel filler flap. The McLaren Track Telemetry pack, which includes three track cameras, is fitted as standard equipment. The front wings also feature GT3-inspired functional louvres.

In total, the new model features around 40 percent additional carbon fibre parts over the standard car, requiring significant additional development work by the team of MSO craftsmen. It is therefore not possible to retro-fit the gloss carbon fibre body to an already ordered 675LT Spider and the 25 units supplement the previously announced 500 editions of the standard car that sold out in weeks after it debuted.

Only the third model to wear the LT badge the first, it follows the 675LT Coupé which arrived in 2015 resurrecting the ‘Longtail’ name after nearly 20 years. Under the gloss carbon fibre skin of the latest LT model sits a heavily-revised 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 powertrain from its Coupé sibling. Ensuring performance figures are worthy of the LT badge, the power output and torque figures remain unchanged, with 675PS (666bhp) delivered at 7,100rpm and 700Nm (516lb ft) available between 5,000-6,500rpm. Acceleration from 0-62 mph takes just 2.9 seconds, and 124 mph is achieved in 8.1 seconds – giving away only 0.2 seconds to the more aerodynamically optimised and lighter Coupé. Controlled torque delivery in first gear manages the 600Nm of power to ensure maximum acceleration, and minimising wheel slip. Top speed is 203 mph.

Production of the MSO Carbon Series LT begins this autumn with first deliveries expected before the end of 2016.