Simply Abu Dhabi XXII

3 0 4 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I The LT still provides three modes of damping stiffness and powertrain anger just like the 650S, so you can turn up the noise yet leave the suspension relatively supple. The steering rack is faster, and its suspension spring rates are 27 percent stiffer at the front and 60 per cent firmer in the rear. All of this makes it more agile, responsive and rewarding than the 650, to the point where it felt more like thrashing a tiny Lotus than the mid-mounted, twin- turbo V8 supercar it is. It’s an immensely rewarding car to drive and with that extra few centimetres over the rear comes a 50 percent larger rear wing that also acts as an air brake for when you jump on the brakes with both feet. Slam on the anchors and the wing rises a near 90 degrees to act as a parachute to arrest the car, wiping off speed at an indecent rate. It’s been a trait of all modern McLarens going back to the Mercedes-based SLR, but never as dramatic as this. Which is probably the best word to sum up this car. Everywhere you look it is dramatic in its poise, acceleration, grip, braking and overall manners. Like buying prime real estate or gold bullion, the 675LT is an investment that will keep paying off decade after decade and will be looked uponmany years down the track as an outrageous car for its time. SPEC BOX: McLaren 675LT 3.8-litre, V8 twin turbo Transmission: 7-speed automatic Power: 666bhp @ 7100rpm Torque: 700Nm@ 5500rpm 0-100kmh: 2.9 seconds Top speed: 330kmh Price: AED1,350,000