Carson's Car Pics: June 2024

Friday, June 21, 2024

2021 McLaren 765LT Coupe

Here we have my latest sighting of a McLaren 765LT, the most recent limited-edition, track-focused Long Tail McLaren supercar. The example pictured in this post is a 765LT Coupe, which was produced for only the 2021 model year and is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 755 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It goes from zero to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and tops out at 205 mph. The 765LT adds a more aggressive front splitter and rear diffuser, a bigger retractable rear wing, a quad exhaust setup, and an upgraded chassis over the base 720S. Unlike its Spider version, the fixed-roof 765LT features a roof scoop as a distinct standard design element. Its interior practically carries over from the 720S, except the 765LT's cabin has some minor alterations in place to conserve weight and improve performance.

McLaren built only 765 units of the 765LT Coupe for 2021, with pricing starting at roughly $360,000 when new. This particular 765LT was on display at the most recent car show I attended on Sunday. Seeing this specific example in the flesh felt different because Sunday marked my first time doing so, increasing the number of 765LTs that I've seen in person to seven. Not only was this 765LT the coolest and my favorite car on display at the Father's Day show I attended this year, it won the first place award at that show, earned every bit of that first place award, and looks amazing in its shade of blueish-gray. I also had the chance to speak to this 765LT's owner briefly about his car. Overall, the McLaren 765LT is a purely outstanding and incredible supercar and one of my favorite McLaren models ever made that is not named the P1, F1, or Speedtail.

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Saturday, June 15, 2024

McLaren 570GT (2017-19)

The 570GT was McLaren's previous entry-level model with a greater focus on comfort than other first-generation McLaren Sport Series models. It was added to the first-generation Sport Series lineup for the 2017 model year and is the second-ever McLaren Sport Series model after the base 570S. Powering the 570GT is a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 with 562 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 204 mph. The 570GT's biggest distinctions are its additional cargo space behind the seats, larger rear window that can be opened to access the cargo area, lack of flying buttresses, and exclusive wheel options. In addition, the 570GT utilizes more leather in its cabin than the 570S and can be equipped with a lift kit that can raise the vehicle's front suspension for increased ground clearance. Total cargo space is 13.1 cubic feet in the 570GT compared to the 570S' 5.3 cubic feet, making the former the most practical of the first-generation McLaren Sport Series.

Production for the 570GT concluded in 2019, with McLaren announcing the current comfort-focused GT as the 570GT's replacement for 2020. Pricing for the McLaren 570GT started at just over $200,000 when new but can be found for around $150,000 to $160,000 on the resale market today. I saw this particular 570GT wrapped in matte black and red accents at a car show I attended last Saturday, and it was easily the second most impressive car on display there besides the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica from two posts ago. Overall, the 570GT may not have the cool factor that most other McLaren models have, but it is a great sports car combining performance, comfort, and practicality.

Thursday, June 13, 2024

1974 Maserati Merak

The Merak is a rare and fascinating classic Maserati sports car from the 70s. Often confused with its Bora sibling, Maserati introduced the Merak for 1972 as a more practical and affordable alternative and engineered with the oil crisis in mind. The biggest distinctions the Merak has compared to the Bora are its engine, vehicle layout, and select design aspects. More specifically, the Merak is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 with 190 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. Its top speed is rated at over 150 mph. In addition, the Merak includes two small rear seats, a smaller-shaped grille than that of the Bora, and flying buttresses connecting the roof and tail end of the vehicle. Unlike the Bora, the Merak shares more of its components with Citroen, such as the dashboard, steering wheel, and hydraulic system.

Other versions of the Merak were introduced later in its production cycle, specifically the Merak SS in 1976 and the Merak 2000GT in 1980, and roughly 1,830 units of the Maserati Merak were built between 1972 and 1983. A typical Merak sells for around $50,000 to $60,000 on the resale market. This particular Merak showed up unexpectedly at a car show I attended two Sundays ago, at it was certainly one of the rarest and most interesting vehicles at that specific car show. In fact, I don't remember ever seeing a Maserati Merak up close before two Sundays ago. It may not be the coolest or greatest Maserati or Italian sports car, but the Merak is an attractive classic that isn't very common and not too many people are familiar with, all of which make it special in its own right.

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica

The Tecnica is a mid-level version of the Lamborghini Huracan that performs well on both the street and track. It was added to the Huracan portfolio for 2022 and initially slotted between the EVO and STO, but the Tecnica is now the entry-level Huracan for 2024 after Lamborghini dropped the EVO coupe from its lineup and made the EVO only a Spyder for its last model year. The Huracan's naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 produces 631 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque in the Tecnica, sending power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and tops out at around 200 mph. The Tecnica also adds restyled front and rear fascias along with restyled C-pillars and a new engine cover to distinguish it from other versions of the Huracan. These styling changes were all inspired by the design of the Huracan Super Trofeo Evo 2 race car. In addition, the Tecnica is the only version of the Huracan besides the STO to be offered in rear-wheel drive. Other standard components on the Huracan Tecnica include rear-wheel steering, the latest aerodynamic parts, a revamped exhaust system, an improved brake cooling system, and an 8.4-inch center touchscreen that controls a variety of different vehicle functions.

Pricing for the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica starts at just under $250,000. While I have seen my fair share of nearly all other versions of the Huracan, I have only seen two Huracan Tecnicas in person thus far, with the one pictured in this post being the only one that I have taken photos of. It appeared at the two most recent car shows I attended on Sunday and this morning, and I was mesmerized when I saw it at those shows. I briefly spoke to this Huracan Tecnica's owner, and he said that he has had the vehicle for about four weeks as of the time I am writing this post and plans to install a Gintani aftermarket exhaust system on it once its warranty expires in a few years. When I saw this one for the second time this morning, I noticed that he added a gold wrap on the vehicle's front splitter, side skirts, and the rear panel above the exhaust pipes on top of its matte black wrap. As for the other Huracan Tecnica example that I have seen in person, it was painted white and on the road heading the other way last month, but I was unable to capture any photos of it since I was behind the wheel when it occurred. Overall, the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica is an awesome and incredible supercar, and this particular example was the coolest and my favorite car on display at the two most recent car shows I attended on Sunday and this morning.