MCLAREN GT
This comfortable supercar isn’t for poseurs, but is brilliant for real-world drivers
The history of the mid-engined GT isnʼt an extensive one. The Maserati Merak and Bora did it, and you could argue that the Audi R8 and Honda NSX made pretty good GT cars, but thatʼs about it, and from a British perspective thatʼs odd. Sure, mid-engined supercars are the pinnacle of driving dynamics, but most people on these islands are unlikely to have any roads nearby that really suit them. It makes sense, then, for your supercar ambitions to extend beyond posing outside Harrods to a car that works on back-roads and is capable of trips to some truly special routes further afield.
The Mclaren GT does that first by adding extra luggage space, in the form of a strangely shaped ʻbootʼ that stretches over the engine before dipping down towards the back of the cabin. Thereʼs the ʻfrunkʼ, too, which is a similar size to that found on other Mclaren models. Combined, itʼs enough for two people to take a whole week away, rather than just a weekend.
The biggest change, though, is in the GTʼS chassis. Itʼs softer and has a higher ride height than more focused Mclarens – with the nose lift enabled, itʼs as lofty as a Mercedes-benz C-class. Thatʼs all relative, though: this is still a low car with extremely high levels of grip, but it is also supple, well-insulated and usable, and potholes and speed bumps arenʼt the existential threat they are to many supercars. The GT can be hustled down a bumpy back-road with confidence, yet itʼs also a brilliant motorway car, so long drives arenʼt remotely intimidating. Itʼs quiet enough, too, with comfortable heated seats, and it can return fuel economy in the low 30s when cruising along in top gear.
The Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato and Porsche 911 Dakar caused a rush of admiration for softer-sprung supercars last year, with buyers quickly realising that, off-road talents aside, they made for nicer cars on most public roads. If the Woking firm has made an error with the GT, it might be that the styling is just a bit too subtle. It isnʼt special-looking enough to grab hearts in the showroom, even if it is much better suited to most ownership cases than the lairy-looking 750S. Mclaren is in the process of launching the updated GTS to boost sales, with a slight bump in power and a subtle facelift.
This isnʼt going to be a hallowed hypercar like the F1, P1 or Senna, which cross auction blocks for huge sums only to move from one air-conditioned garage to another. But for those who want a Mclaren to drive on public roads – something the enthusiast market generally values much more than those buying the cars brand-new – it is a real highlight. The few examples that have been made will be sought out by those in the know for years to come.