New McLaren GT Could Be The Daily Driver We Were Promised (Video)

The McLaren GT Superlight was finally revealed this morning after a teaser campaign that has endured since early April. From the jump McLaren offered up their new car as a model that would establish “new rules” of what a “GT” car could be. Why would McLaren think that new rules would be needed in the first place? Well, for a while now one of the main caveats with supercars has been the fact that they aren’t exactly all that comfortable when it comes to long drives. Sure, driving a McLaren Senna for an hour around town or a race track is fun but imagine sitting in those heavily bolstered seats in traffic or on a 4 hour road trip.

Yes, I know it is the ultimate first world problem but that doesn’t change the fact that its true. Because of this, the likes of Audi, Honda, Porsche, and McLaren have all been on a quest to create a supercar that can be comfortably daily driven. Before McLaren got into the game I would say that Audi probably got the closest with its R8 but some could argue its design strayed a little too far away from “supercar level” looks.

In McLaren’s new age, their cars haven’t been “uncomfortable” but they haven’t really reached that full “Grand Tourer” status either. The McLaren GT is set to change that according to the brand.

Addressing the looks first, the McLaren GT is certainly a striking car with elegant lines. Looking at it for more than a few moments will start to reveal some design elements and inspirations that come from their other models. The rear of the GT is certainly reminiscent of the Speedtail, while the taillights seem to be inspired by the 720S. The headlights look like elongated evolutions of the headlights found on the 570S. The more you look the more you’ll find touches like that throughout the exterior.

Alright the McLaren GT looks good but what makes it such a game changer when it comes to livability and comfort? McLaren specifically commissioned their spec-ops science ninjas to produce a suspension package that could simultaneously provide a comfortable ride experience during “urban drives” while having the ability to transform into a set up that is still sharp and responsive in more “spirited” driving situations. That’s not an easy task and is certainly not something I would personally be able to put to the test, but there it is.

The crown jewel of that special suspension package is the “Proactive Dampening Control” system within it. As the name suggests the system uses a combination of sensors and a software algorithm derived from the “Optimal Control Theory” algorithm in the 720S to “read” the road and “proactively” make dampening adjustments to provide a comfortable ride or a more rigid ride on the fly.  In fact McLaren claims that the Proactive Dampening Control system can make these calculations in as little as two milliseconds.

Furthermore, the ride height can be adjusted to make things like going up drive ways and over speed bumps infinitely less stressful.

To further augment the ride comfort, the steering and brakes also both have software enhancements that optimize their operation at low speeds. That way the driver doesn’t have to worry about heavy steering or neck snapping stops when crawling around a parking lot or gingerly cruising around a suburban neighborhood.

Inside, the McLaren GT is meant to be all luxury and comfort. Yes underneath it all is still the obligatory McLaren carbon fiber tub, but it has been adorned with high quality leather and a pair of what appear to be sporty but comfortable adjustable seats. Oh, speaking of the leather, I should also note that if McLaren GT buyers would prefer a softer material, cashmere (yes, cashmere) will be available as an interior upholstery option towards the end of the year. This is the first time that cashmere has been offered in a production vehicle as an upholstery material. So, there’s that.

Passengers can also expect high-end infotainment with a 12 speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system paired with it. Before moving on I have to mention that McLaren also set out to address one of the other major downsides of supercar ownership: cargo space. If you like to over-pack then a Senna or 720S definitely will not do well for a weekend trip.

The McLaren GT on the other hand kept this issue specifically in mind and boasts a total storage capacity of 20.1 cubic feet. Obviously by normal standards that isn’t much, but in the context of supercars 20.1 cubic feet is practically a cargo van’s worth of space. McLaren achieved this feat by mounting the engine and exhaust lower which improves the overall center of gravity but also optimizes storage space.

According to McLaren the GT can carry a full sized golf bag or two pairs of skis & boots, with room left over for luggage. I don’t golf or ski so those things mean nothing to me but I can still appreciate the significance of it.

Alright so all of this luxury is nice but the McLaren GT isn’t just about cushy interiors and smooth rides. This is still a McLaren so it has a fair amount of grunt. Out back the GT has a 612 horsepower 4 liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 465 ft-lbs of torque. The engine has been tuned to have a “broad, flat torque curve” to keep acceleration exciting and meaningful. Speaking of which, the McLaren GT can get from 0-60 in just 3.1 seconds so it is definitely no slouch off the line.

Everything seems really impressive as presented but what really grabbed my attention after pouring over the details is the fact that the starting MSRP of the McLaren GT starts at just $210,000. Yes, generally speaking that is a truck-load of cash but again in “supercar” context, that is a reasonable price for what you get. Obviously some of the options (like the cashmere interior) plus the dealer mark-ups will certainly drive that price up but regardless that is a great starting point.

If the McLaren GT seems like the super daily driver you’ve been waiting for, it is open for pre-orders now with deliveries expected by the end of this year.

If you want more details then check out the official press release below along with official launch video. There is a gallery with all the official pictures down there as well.

 

McLaren GT launch video

 

McLaren GT gallery

 

Press Release

• McLaren redefines the rules of Grand Touring with a unique new car for a new McLaren audience
• New McLaren GT delivers classic Grand Tourer attributes of competition levels of performance and continent-crossing capability, yet is lighter, faster, more engaging and more usable
• The first true McLaren Grand Tourer in the McLaren product family, alongside existing Sports, Super and Ultimate Series
• Shares McLaren Speedtail DNA, with beautiful lightweight body and innovative, luxurious, high quality materials throughout
• Outstanding ride comfort and segment-leading cabin refinement
• Total stowage capacity of 20.1cubic feet with rear luggage bay accessed via front-hinged, full-length glazed rear tailgate, available electrically powered; room for bags as well as golf clubs or skis
• New infotainment system is McLaren’s most sophisticated to date; features industry-standard HERE® navigation mapping and real-time traffic information
• New Proactive Damping Control suspension system provides remarkable levels of comfort; combines with hydraulic steering system to deliver renowned McLaren driving dynamics
• Braking and steering at lower speeds optimized for everyday ease of use; ride height and ground clearances engineered for urban usability
• Carbon fibre structure and aluminum body panels underpin 399bhp-per-ton power-to-weight ratio; new 612bhp 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 with 465lb ft of torque and broad, flat torque curve to ensure seamless, relentless acceleration
• True supercar performance for the Grand Touring segment: 124mph in 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 203mph
• The fourth new model introduced in the McLaren Track25 business plan announced last year
• Order now for delivery towards the end of 2019; priced from $210,000 (USD)

McLaren Automotive today reveals its unique interpretation of a modern Grand Tourer: the new McLaren GT. Sleek, elegant and muscular, the superlight new GT challenges the conventions of the Grand Tourer category with a compelling blend of beautiful design, high-quality innovative materials, true supercar performance and McLaren driving dynamics and engagement.

“The new McLaren GT combines competition levels of performance with continent-crossing capability, wrapped in a beautiful body and true to McLaren’s ethos of designing superlight cars with a clear weight advantage over rivals. Designed for distance, it provides the comfort and space expected of a Grand Tourer, but with a level of agility never experienced before in this segment. In short, this is a car that redefines the notion of a Grand Tourer in a way that only a McLaren could.”
Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive

Positioned alongside the established Sports, Super and Ultimate Series families, this is a new McLaren for a new audience and provides an alternative to existing products in an expanding market segment. In re-imagining the spirit of traditional Grand Touring – long distance driving in comfort, at higher speeds and with room for luggage – McLaren has also redefined the modern GT ownership experience with a car that is lighter, faster and more engaging than existing products in the segment, with greater space, comfort and usability.

Like all McLarens, the new GT has a carbon fibre structure that possesses exceptional strength and rigidity, while enabling unparalleled driving dynamics and lightest-in-class kerbweight. At 3,232lbs (DIN), the McLaren GT is more than 286lbs lighter than its closest core competitor and literally hundreds of pounds less than other cars in the segment. With 612bhp from its 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the power-to-weight ratio of the superlight new McLaren GT is a remarkable 399bhp-per-ton.

The bespoke MonoCell II-T monocoque – the T denoting ‘Touring’ – incorporates a carbon fibre rear upper structure that adds minimal weight but allows the creation of a 14.8 cubic feet luggage area below the front-hinged, full-length glazed tailgate. The tailgate has a soft-close function as standard and can be optioned as electrically powered.

The low height of the engine and positioning of the exhaust system has allowed the volume, shape and usability of the luggage bay to be optimized. A golf bag or two pairs of 185cm skis and boots as well as luggage can be carried with ease, while a further 5.3 cubic feet of storage at the front means the new McLaren GT can accommodate a total of 20.1 cubic feet.

The strength of the carbon fibre core structure means that glazed C-pillars and rear-quarter windows can be incorporated into the design, enhancing rearward vision and bringing still more light into an inherently spacious and uncluttered cabin. Dihedral doors that swing upwards to expose a wide opening and low sill.

The interior is a cosseting space designed to delight on longer journeys, but with all the essentials for focused, high performance driving; the seating position, location of controls and forward visibility are as important here as they are in any McLaren. The streamlined, electrically adjusted and heated seats, which are unique to the McLaren GT, have been engineered to meet the requirements of Grand Touring, being optimized for long-distance comfort, with the perfect amount of padding and shoulder and back support in combination with superb lateral control.

Technology and modern craftsmanship share equal prominence the new McLaren GT, with the finest high-quality materials complemented by features such as the most sophisticated McLaren infotainment system to date; hidden-until-lit ambient lighting and the option of an electrochromic glazed panel in lieu of the standard carbon fibre composite gloss black roof, darkening or lightening at the touch of a button. Machined and knurled aluminum switches and controls – including the steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles – contrast with gloss black surrounds for the infotainment screen, window switches, gear-selection console and air vent housings. A 12-speaker, Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system featuring carbon fibre sub-bass woofers and Kevlar mid-range drive units, is available.

The Nappa leather trim that features as standard can be upgraded to softgrain luxury leather or Alcantara®, depending on which vehicle specification is chosen. Cashmere will become available as an additional choice towards the end of 2019 – the first time that this exclusive material has been used in a production vehicle. SuperFabric® trim for the rear luggage bay is another option, the innovative woven fabric that is infused with a layer of tiny armored guard plates providing increased resistance to stains, cuts, nicks and abrasions, as well as being breathable, easy to clean and quick to dry.

The infotainment system developed for the new McLaren GT is the company’s most sophisticated to date. Among the fastest-operating in any car, it also features industry-standard HERE® navigation mapping and real-time traffic information. The driver interface operates in a similar way to a smartphone and the seven-inch central touchscreen is used to select from vehicle functions such as satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephony, media streaming and voice activation. DAB digital radio (or Sirius satellite radio in North America) is standard. Heating and ventilation controls are also incorporated into the touchscreen, ensuring ease of use and reducing the overall number of switches and controls. Dual-zone climate control and air conditioning are standard, with the system allowing fully automatic and independent settings for both the driver and passenger.

Ahead of the driver and providing key vehicle information is a 12.3” TFT screen. The instrument graphics are like those seen on aircraft, the aeronautical influences delivering clear, crisp displays that are easy to read. In addition to vehicle speed, gear selection and engine revs, the instrument cluster can also display turn-by-turn navigation, phone calls, chosen audio output and tire temperatures and pressures. When a reversing camera has been specified, the image behind the vehicle is displayed when reverse gear is selected, which keeps the driver’s eyeline as high as possible.

As befits a Grand Tourer, ambient refinement was a priority for the new McLaren GT from the outset. Unique engine mounts that are half the stiffness of those in the track-focused McLaren 600LT help to minimize structure-borne noise, while low-frequency sounds emitting from the carbon fibre structure are reduced rather than amplified into the cabin in the way that they are in the McLaren Senna; in Comfort mode, the new McLaren GT is the most refined McLaren ever.

Creating a new type of McLaren – and the first true Grand Tourer from the brand – saw the McLaren design team embracing the visual history of Grand Touring cars while remaining true to the philosophies that underpin all McLaren design. The long, elegant exterior lines that are widely recognized as Grand Tourer design cues are executed in the new McLaren GT according to the aerodynamic principles that define every McLaren. The muscular rear fenders – another design trait commonplace in Grand Touring history – are an example of the form of every McLaren being true to its function, incorporating here the air intakes for the high-temperature radiators that cool the engine.

At over 15 feet, the new McLaren is longer than any of the cars in the McLaren Sports or Super Series. The front and rear overhangs extend further than is traditional for McLaren, but the 10-degree approach angle at the front (13-degree with vehicle lift engaged) means the new McLaren GT can cope with the most aggressive traffic calming measures. In combination with underbody clearance of 4.3in (5.1in with vehicle lift) this ensures the car is eminently usable in all urban situations; not only is it competitive with all rivals, but in ‘lift’ mode it is the equal of mainstream sedans.

“The new McLaren GT combines McLaren’s design philosophies with classic Grand Tourer visual cues. Bold, elegant volumes flow seamlessly from nose to tail, encapsulating the beautifully crafted cabin. The sophisticated, sculpted body expresses both the power of the car and its ability to cosset occupants during long-distance driving. The teardrop shape of the cabin, which stretches back to encompass the rear luggage area, follows the aerodynamic principles inherent in all McLarens, while the muscular rear fenders that form the side intakes for the high-temperature radiators are an example of how we merge both beauty and functionality to create breath-taking authentic designs. The new McLaren GT clearly stands out both as a new type of McLaren and a cutting-edge interpretation of a Grand Tourer for a new era.”
Rob Melville, Design Director, McLaren Automotive

The width and stance of the new McLaren GT are emphasized at the front by the signature ‘hammerhead line’ that runs horizontally across the nose and draws the eye out to the sides of the vehicle. At the rear, an integrated fixed rear wing, large diffuser and substantial exhaust tailpipes are reminders that this is a Grand Tourer with supercar performance.
The source of that performance is a new, 612bhp PS 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged engine, designated M840TE. Further expanding the family of McLaren V8 engines, it is bespoke to the new McLaren GT and has the immense power and torque and superior exhaust sound quality that are the hallmarks of a true Grand Tourer. Torque of 465lb ft is produced between 5,500rpm and 6,500rpm, with more than 95% of this available from 3,000rpm to 7,250rpm. The new engine is mated to a 7-speed SSG transmission to deliver linear, seamless and relentless acceleration.
The performance statistics* speak for themselves: with a launch control function optimizing acceleration from a standing start, 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds, 0-124mph is dispatched in 9.0 seconds. The maximum speed of the McLaren GT is 203mph.

Another defining element of the new McLaren GT – and arguably what will cement its position as the new segment leader – is its dynamic prowess. The suspension, steering and brakes are all bespoke to the car and optimized to provide an outstanding Grand Touring driving experience, with inherent balance, responsiveness and precision, yet better ride comfort, than any other McLaren.

The suspension is a lightweight aluminum, double wishbone design, paired in the new McLaren GT with hydraulic dampers to deliver Proactive Damping Control. Governed by the most sophisticated iteration yet of the pioneering Optimal Control Theory software algorithm developed for the 720S, the suspension uses inputs from sensors to ‘read’ the road, interpreting what will likely happen next and reacting predictively in just two milliseconds. Overall, body movement is tailored for occupant comfort and vertical load and contact patch variation are optimized to enhance grip levels, but each of the three active dynamics handling modes – Comfort, Sport and Track – has its own distinct set of parameters to reflect the selected preference, for example, a particularly compliant ride in Comfort mode.

Driving precision and enjoyment is further enhanced in new McLaren GT by hydraulic steering, which uses a single software ‘map’ across Comfort, Sport and Track modes to deliver optimal feel and response. Reflecting the requirements of the new McLaren GT, it also provides increased assistance at low speeds to aid urban driving and parking, without loss of rewarding feedback at higher speeds.

Just as the steering response more than meets expectations across the wide range of Grand Touring driving styles, so too do the tires and brakes. McLaren and its technical partner, Pirelli, have developed a bespoke P ZERO™ tire for the new McLaren GT that meets the demands of high-performance driving and comfort and refinement in equal measure. The 21-inch alloy rear wheels, which are the largest ever fitted to a McLaren, are paired with 20-inch at the front and available in 7- or 15-spoke designs.
The high-performance braking system has also been designed to deliver across the full range of requirements, from precise pedal feel and hard deceleration when driving at higher speeds to usability and comfort at lower speeds or when holding the vehicle in traffic, where less pedal effort is preferable.

“The new McLaren GT delivers the dynamic performance and driving exhilaration expected of a McLaren but is also an exceptionally refined vehicle. We’re particularly proud of the Proactive Damping Control suspension, which utilizes the next generation of our pioneering Optimal Control Theory to deliver levels of ride comfort that better all previous McLarens. Overall, the breadth of ability demonstrated by the new McLaren GT – especially its everyday usability – is truly remarkable.”
Darren Goddard, McLaren GT Vehicle Line Director, McLaren Automotive

The new McLaren GT is available to order now with a starting MSRP of $210,000 (USD) from McLaren retailers worldwide, with customer deliveries commencing towards the end of 2019.
Further information about the new McLaren GT, including detail of the different levels of specification,
the range of colors and interior trim choices and the options available – including components developed by McLaren Special Operations – can be found here: cars.mclaren.com/new-mclaren-gt.

The new McLaren GT technical specification

Engine configuration
M840TE engine, 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, 3,994cc

Drivetrain layout
Longitudinal mid-engined, RWD

Power bhp/kW @ rpm
612/456 @ 7,500rpm
Torque lb ft @ rpm
465 @ 5,500-6,500rpm

Transmission
7 Speed+reverse SSG. Comfort, Sport and Track modes

Steering
Electro-hydraulic; power-assisted

Chassis
Carbon fibre MonoCell II-T monocoque, with carbon fibre rear upper structure and aluminum crash structures front and rear

Suspension
Double aluminum wishbone; independent adaptive dampers with Proactive Damping Control.
Comfort, Sport and Track modes

Brakes
Cast iron discs (367mm front; 354mm rear) and calipers (4-piston front & rear); Carbon ceramic discs with forged aluminum calipers optional

Wheels (inches)
Front: 8J x 20; Rear: 10.5J x 21

Tires
Pirelli P ZERO™ Front: 225/35/R20; Rear: 295/30/R21

Length, inches
184.4

Wheelbase, inches
105.3

Height, mm inches
47.8

Width, with mirrors, inches
82.5

Width, mirrors folded, inches
80.5

Track (to contact patch center), inches
Front: 65.8; Rear: 65.5

Lightest dry weight, lbs
3,232

DIN Kerb weight [fluids + 90% fuel], lbs
3,373

US Curb weight [fluids + 100% fuel] lbs
3,384

Weight distribution (% Front/Rear)
42.5/57.5

Fuel tank capacity, USA gallons
19

Luggage capacity, cubic feet
20.1 (Front: 5.3; Rear: 14.8)

Performance data
0-60mph
3.1 seconds

0-62mph
3.2 seconds

0-124mph
9.0 seconds

Maximum speed
203mph

124mph–0 braking, ft
417

62mph–0 braking, ft
105

Efficiency
Grand Touring range (US EPA)
399 miles*

Fuel consumption, US mpg*
City
15*
Highway
21*
Combined
17*
*subject to confirmation