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McLaren GT 2019: official images, specs, prices and UK release date
The covers come off the marque’s new grand tourer, here’s what you need to know
Previewed just two months ago at the Geneva Motor Show, the new car unveiled today aims to blend the driving experience of the company’s high-performance supercar range with the comfort and practically of a grand tourer - hence the GT name.
McLaren says the new GT doesn’t conform to its current hyper, super and sports categories. Instead, the vehicle will spawn a new grand tourer series and will be joined next year by the 250mph Speedtail.
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With the orders books now open, here’s everything you need to know about McLaren’s grand tourer:
Price and release
Buyers can place their order for a new GT from today, with deliveries due to get under way later this year.
Prices start at £163,000, but WhatCar? says it’s “worth noting that most customers at this end of the market will go far beyond that” once optional extras are added to the car’s price tag.
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Design
(Image credit: McLaren)
The new model has a sleeker, simpler design than the firm’s 570S and 720S supercars, and bears a striking resemblance to the Ferrari F430 supercar from 2005.
At the front, the GT has a thinner headlight style than the touring-focused 570GT, and the nose is noticeably higher than other models in the company’s range.
Moving further back, the GT sports Senna-esque intakes behind its doors to cool the mid-mounted engine, while a second air duct above the rear axle should help channel airflow towards the wing.
At the back is a twin-exit exhaust system that sits near the bottom of the car, just above the large diffuser. The multi-spoke wheels, meanwhile, are similar to those on the 570GT and 675LT Spider, albeit with a slight tweak to the design.
Finally, the roof is available in gloss black as standard, but buyers can spec a glass panoramic roof that lets more light into the cabin.
Interior
(Image credit: McLaren)
Interior design is key in a grand tourer, especially if drivers plan on using their GT for week-long road trips across Europe.
Therefore, the British marque has combined its “focused, minimalist approach with a raft of new luxury touches”, says Autocar. These include a pair of touring seats that are exclusive to the GT range and are tailored for “long-distance comfort”, along with an improved infotainment system that can be used to control both in-car media and climate settings.
Later this year, customers will be able to spec cashmere upholstery, which is a first for a production car, the motoring magazine says.
Despite the more luxurious approach, the cabin layout is almost identical to McLaren’s other supercars. The steering wheel, for instance, has been plucked from the 720S, while the centre console is derived from the firm’s sports series cars.
Practicality
(Image credit: McLaren)
Supercars aren’t traditionally known for their luggage space, but McLaren is looking to rewrite the rulebook with the GT.
The compartment above the mid-mounted engine has 420 litres worth of storage – “enough for a couple of suitcases at the very least”, says WhatCar?. There’s also a small 150-litre boot in front of the cockpit for smaller bags.
Add it all up and you get 570 litres, which the reviews site says is more than some family SUVs, including the Volvo XC40 and Nissan Qashqai.
Engine and performance
(Image credit: McLaren)
Early rumours suggested that the GT would adopt the same 3.8-litre V8 engine as the 570S and 600LT range.
However, the company has now confirmed it is equipped with the newer 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that powers the 720S and Senna hypercar, although in a slightly detuned form.
The engine produces 611bhp, 99bhp less than the 720S, and 465lb ft of torque, says Evo. Peak torque comes in between 5,500 and 6,500rpm, though 95% of it is available at just 3,000rpm, meaning the GT should have plenty of “shove” even when cruising in a high gear.
Power is channelled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox, helping the GT launch from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds before hitting a top speed of 203mph, the magazine adds.
