This fake McLaren bought on Temu fools everyone… Except true enthusiasts!
The supercar craze knows no bounds, and some enthusiasts will go to great lengths to drive an exotic car without paying the full price. That’s exactly what YouTuber Chris Slix set out to do with an ambitious challenge: turning a McLaren 650S into a near-perfect replica of a 675LT, using parts purchased from Temu, a Chinese marketplace known for its ultra-low prices. But does the result live up to expectations? With the help of popular British YouTuber Shmee150, he compared his project to a real 675LT… and the differences were sometimes hard to ignore.
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A TEMU McLaren, what does it look like?
At first glance, Chris Slix admits that some elements of his fake 675LT are quite convincing. The front end, for example, closely resembles the real model, though the “cereal bowl hood” on his version is an immediate giveaway for enthusiasts. But upon closer inspection, the differences become obvious. One key detail pointed out by Shmee150 is the distinctive branding inside the headlights of the real 675LT—something completely missing from the replica.
The rear end, however, is where the illusion really falls apart. As Chris Slix himself admits, the back of the 650S still looks too much like the older MP4-12C, and the difference is immediately noticeable. “From behind, it’s night and day,” he says. The diffuser, taillight design, and overall shape are significantly different, making it impossible to fully replicate the original.
An interior that’s nowhere near the original
Inside, the differences are even more apparent. The climate controls, which are located on the doors of the 650S, were moved to the center console in the 675LT. Another obvious difference is the missing personalized identification plaque, which costs nearly $1,900 on the real model. As for the seats, the original 675LT features McLaren P1-inspired racing seats, which are noticeably absent in Slix’s version. Still, the YouTuber isn’t discouraged. He admits that there’s still work to do before his build is fully convincing. But considering that buying all the genuine McLaren parts would have cost him around $170,000, his decision to use Temu parts makes sense. The result isn’t perfect, but for a DIY supercar enthusiast, the cost-to-quality ratio is hard to ignore.
A budget-friendly alternative… Really?
Chris Slix is no stranger to ambitious restoration projects. He previously gained attention for buying “the worst McLaren on the market”, a car that had been in multiple accidents. He has also previously taken on the challenge of building a supercar using Temu by working on a Mercedes AMG GT few months ago. His latest transformation is just another challenge in his long list of mechanical experiments. However, using Temu parts raises concerns. While the low prices are tempting, quality remains questionable.
A copy will never replace the original
In a way, it’s not such a bad thing that you can’t just “build” a thousand-dollar supercar. There’s a reason why McLaren spends millions on research and development, brings its Formula 1 expertise into performance engineering, and uses high-end materials like carbon fiber. It’s all about creating the best cars possible, so there’s no way a simple marketplace could provide everything needed to make that happen!
This article explores Chris Slix’s bold attempt to transform a McLaren 650S into a 675LT using Temu parts. While some elements are surprisingly accurate, others expose the deception. His project is both impressive and controversial, proving that with patience and a knack for DIY, almost anything is possible… almost.
Source & images: Chris Slix on YouTube
Images: © McLaren Auto
