LUXURIOUS AND PRACTICAL, GT BY NAME MCLAREN BY NATURE

Ten Second Review

The McLaren GT is a crucial model for the Woking maker, but it's far more of a McLaren than a GT. If you want one, you'll be fine with that.

Background

Can a McLaren be ever be a proper GT - you know, like a Bentley Continental GT, an Aston Martin DB11 or a Ferrari Roma? Well this McLaren GT is probably about as close to being a Grand Tourer as any pure sports car model from the Working brand is likely to get. It's aimed at customers who liked the company's old 570GT but wanted something slightly more practical and luxurious - and maybe even a bit faster.

The McLaren GT was launched in 2019, then updated three years on to create the car we look at here. The recent changes are minor - a little extra refinement, lighter dihedral doors and some rationalised trim options. The GT is a model that's become a little forgotten in the McLaren line-up amidst all the hype surrounding much pricier designs from the brand like the 765 LT and the V6 hybrid Artura. But it's arguably more significant than either of those two cars for Woking's bottom line.

Driving Experience

With over 60% of its parts being completely new, the GT is very much a stand-alone model in the McLaren range. Think of it as a more accessible take on the company's 720S and you'll be pretty close to the mark. The 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 is basically the same as used in that car, but is de-tuned to 611bhp here (at 7,500rpm) and gets fitted with smaller turbochargers and high compression pistons. There's a 7-speed dual clutch paddle shift gearbox and the 62mph sprint is dispatched in just 3.1s, with 124mph flashing by in 9.0s en route to a top speed rated at 203mph. Mid-range acceleration is frantically quick.

Two rotary switches allow you to adjust the powertrain and handling settings through 'Comfort', 'Sport' or 'Track' modes. Through the turns, you'll notice the fact that this McLaren is lighter and more agile than most of its rivals. That's aided by the Proactive Chassis Control suspension system, which features sensors that proactively prime the dampers for tarmac irregularities. There's also a grippy set of bespoke Pirelli P Zero tyres. Body control is slightly softer than in other McLaren sports cars, but not by enough to make this a GT in the proper sense of the word.

Design and Build

You'd know this GT as McLaren at first glance - but perhaps a slightly less aggressive-looking one that in this case is only available as a coupe. It's based around a stretched version of the brand's usual 'Sport Series Monocell' chassis that delivers a 140mm body length increase over the 720S in order to provide for this GT model's required extra boot space. There's 570-litres of it, which is pretty impressive for a McLaren, accessed by a power-operated rear tailgate.

The marque's usual dihedral doors are retained, giving an exotic feel, and as part of the updates made to this car, they've been lightened to make entry and exit easier. And as usual with this maker's sports cars, there are only two seats. Those front chairs are, thankfully, much better than the rather uncomfortable ones fitted to the 720S, power-operated and trimmed in soft grain aniline leather. Interior quality is a big step forward from that old 570 model too, helped by lashings of aluminium trim.

Market and Model

The McLaren GT might not cost quite as much as you expect: think around £165,000, which isn't much more than less exotic rivals like the Audi R8 Performance or the Porsche 911 Turbo S. For exterior trim, GT buyers choose between the 'Black Pack', a 'bright Pack, or a 'Gloss Carbon Fibre Pack'. The roof can be gloss black-painted - and can feature a panoramic privacy tinted glass. You get a choice of either a standard or a sports exhaust. And there are various wheel designs with different coloured brake callipers.

There's a choice of three interior trim levels; 'Standard' (with Nappa leather), 'Pioneer' (with an Alcantara/Aniline leather mix) and 'Luxe' (Aniline leather). Two options packs are available: the 'Practicality Pack, which gives you a vehicle lift system (to more easily crest speed humps), a rear view camera, all-round parking sensors, power-folding mirrors and a luggage bay privacy cover. There's also a 'Premium Pack, which adds a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, a power-opening tailgate with soft-close function, cabin air purification with pollen filtration and full-LED headlamps. Other options include a volumetric alarm upgrade, a vehicle tracking system and a car cover.

Cost of Ownership

It's probably fair to say that residual values for the old 570GT were a bit softer than McLaren had hoped for, with some customers cycling through their ownership periods quite rapidly, some grumbling about things like the car's infotainment system and lack of aural fireworks. Those issues have both been fixed now and over-supply isn't going to be too much of an issue. In case you're interested, expect a combined cycle fuel economy figure of 23.7mpg, while emissions are rated at 270g/km.

You'll have to pick up the tab yourself for routine maintenance, which will be required every 12,400 miles or 12 months, depending on which comes round sooner. Every second year the car will need a full oil change too. With expensive consumables and high labour rates, you'll certainly need to know what you're letting yourself in for. What else? Well the paint surface is warranted for three years, visible cosmetic corrosion for five years and perforation corrosion of the vehicle body is covered for ten years.

Summary

If you've been waiting for a McLaren practical enough not to be merely a high days and holidays indulgence, then this isn't it. You'll need either the brand's forthcoming SUV or the future rumoured 2+2 model for that. But the GT certainly has its place in the range, usefully building on the rather compromised day-to-day usability of the old 570GT and bringing the 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 powerplant from the 720S in at a slightly more accessible price point. It is a true McLaren. And that's what really matters.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: McLaren GT

PRICE: £165,230

INSURANCE GROUP: 50

CO2 EMISSIONS: 270g/km

PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 2.8s / top speed 212mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 23.7mpg

BOOT CAPACITY: [litres] 570

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4683/2045/1213 mm