GT BY NAME - MCLAREN BY NATURE (some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

The GT is a McLaren you might more easily be able to justify. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 30

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.

Backgroundword count: 164

Can a McLaren 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 Experienceword count: 287

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 750S 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. Over 95% of the V8's power is available from 3,000rpm, so 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. There's a little more refinement than with this Woking maker's other models too, but again (predictably), the improvement isn't really enough to make the car feel Aston-like in highway cruising. Mind you, the sound it makes is difficult to tire of. For town driving, ride height has been raised to the point where this McLaren can coast over speed humps as easily as any ordinary sports coupe or hot hatch.

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