McLaren 688HS


Rainer271

Kraftwagen König
First 2017 McLaren 688HS photos show how MSO is ready to One-Up the 675LT

d8b5ca85288eab8e40559bd25d9275fe.webp


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?

image.webp


First 2017 McLaren 688HS Photos Show How MSO Is Ready to One-Up the 675LT
 
That's how you maximize profit, marketing, buzz from a small(er) car manufacturer. Special edition hoorah. And they make sense unlike some others...Veyron.
Bravo McLaren! You're doing a superb job. Many small(er) manufacturers could learn from this...AM, Maserati,...
 
I think McLaren have really elevated themselves into the big game now and are worthy rival of any Ferrari, Porsche and Lambo. Their updating of models every 2 to 3 years will always mean they have the ability to sell more cars as people want new engines and technology and McLaren will have the chance to be ahead of its rivals with unrivaled engine performance and driving tech.
 
I think McLaren have really elevated themselves into the big game now and are worthy rival of any Ferrari, Porsche and Lambo. Their updating of models every 2 to 3 years will always mean they have the ability to sell more cars as people want new engines and technology and McLaren will have the chance to be ahead of its rivals with unrivaled engine performance and driving tech.
At the expense of the buyers in terms of poor resale value
 
This is edging closer and closer to P1 territory, not sure how current LT or P1 owners will feel about this car or about the cars they have already.
 
That's how you maximize profit, marketing, buzz from a small(er) car manufacturer. Special edition hoorah. And they make sense unlike some others...Veyron.
Bravo McLaren! You're doing a superb job. Many small(er) manufacturers could learn from this...AM, Maserati,...

Are you shitting me, Aston Martin are the masters of making small batches of highly desirable models.

Just off the top of mky head, in the past couple of years they have launched the following:

Vantage GT12
Vulcan
DB9 Carbon Edition
Vantage GT3 Special Edition
DB10
Lagonda Taraf
One77
V12 Zagato Coupe
DB9 Spyder Zagato Centenial
 
At the expense of the buyers in terms of poor resale value

Yeah, poor McLaren buyers :rolleyes:

People who buy a McLaren don't care about the resale value. I'm sure the good people over at McLaren know what they're doing, and this resale nonsense is nothing but internet talk.

Every time I do an oil change on my car, Mclaren releases a new model.

It's called being up to date. Seriously baffles me how everyone here thinks this is a negative. And it's hardly a new model. The model already exists and they're producing a whopping 25 units of this special edition, so it's not making your 675 LT any less exclusive or rare. People will manage, I'm sure.

This is edging closer and closer to P1 territory, not sure how current LT or P1 owners will feel about this car or about the cars they have already.

Doesn't matter in the slightest. If they don't feel good about it, then so be it. Others will take their place. And I am sure some P1 and 675LT owners were nicely asked if they wanted one.
 
Hey, K, I don't think anyone here feels bad for people who are in the market for a McLaren (unless you did not get your IRIS changed for free).
 
Yeah, poor McLaren buyers :rolleyes:
Doesn't matter in the slightest. If they don't feel good about it, then so be it. Others will take their place. And I am sure some P1 and 675LT owners were nicely asked if they wanted one.
I have ever only hear from two Mclaren owners, Alejandro and Shmee, especially with Alejandro who has been particularly vocal about Mclaren's product strategy. They aren't an accurate representation of the Mcleran owner community but at least we get some insight into what some of them are thinking.
 
Well dam...so is this a custom one off or is Mclaren going to produce a limited number of the already limited edition cars? I am sure this is as close to the P1 as Mclaren want to go before the P1 owners start to complain.
 
Based on previous HS, 5 cars. The car is basically a P1 without the electric stuff.
 
Another Fast n' Furious treatment to yet another MP4-12C byproduct...I think McLaren haven't sorted their marketing strategy out, releasing too many models in a short amount of time
 

McLaren

McLaren Automotive is a British luxury automotive manufacturer founded in 1985 as McLaren Cars and later re-introduced as McLaren Automotive in 2010. Based at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England, the company's main products are sports cars, which are produced in-house in designated production facilities. In July 2017, McLaren Automotive became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the wider McLaren Group.
Official website: McLaren Automotive

Trending content


Back
Top