MCLAREN GT
THE FIRST OF A NEW BREED, IT’S ABOUT COMFORT AND SPACE AS WELL AS SPEED
It shares a similar turbocharged V8 engine and carbonfibre monocell construction to its sports-, super- and hypercar stablemates, but McLaren’s new GT, which was first revealed in the metal at Goodwood, is designed to reach a whole new demographic for the British brand. Yes, it’s sleek, elegantly sculpted and very fast (0-200 km/h in 9 seconds, 327 flat out), as well as properly agile, but the GT is also remarkably spacious and luxurious — and it does relaxed even better than its siblings.
The key to the GT is in its beautiful, teardrop-shape cabin, which is exquisitely upholstered in high-quality leathers and newly developed high-tech materials (cashmere options will also be available soon), as well as appropriately soundproofed for a car that’s designed to be driven for hundreds of kilometres on end. Attention to detail, such as the beautifully machined knobs and switches, is equally up to standard for a machine that must compete with posh grand tourers from the likes of Aston Martin and Bentley.
Behind the seats (and it’s strictly for two people) is a long storage area, which in spite of the steeply raked glass tailgate can still house a set of golf clubs, as well as a couple of flight bags and other luggage designed specifically for it; there’s also a sizeable boot in the front. The cabin is bathed in light, too, thanks partly to the electrochromic glass roof, and though entry — as with all McLarens — is via upward-swinging scissor doors, the low sills and wide opening mean it’s remarkably easy to get in and out of.
With 612bhp and 630Nm (almost all of the latter being available above 3,000rpm) under its shapely rear end, the GT is, as we’ve said, unusually rapid for a GT, but — thanks to its clever active hydraulic dampers and luggage space that’s claimed to be class leading — it’s also smooth and practical enough to attract buyers who might normally shy away from the company’s more extreme, track-focused offerings. It’s at once a proper McLaren and a step change for the British manufacturer — either way, we can’t wait to drive it.