McLaren GT revealed: meet the 456 kW continent-crosser

By: CAR magazine

Only yesterday, McLaren Automotive celebrated its 20 000th build, with a 600LT Spider rolling off the firm’s Woking-based plant’s assembly line. Today, the British marque has introduced a new model to its line-up, lifting the wraps off the McLaren GT.

Positioned alongside the firm’s Sports, Super and Ultimate Series ranges, McLaren says its mid-engined grand tourer is aimed at an audience seeking a less hard-edged alternative to the automaker’s current offerings.

According to McLaren Automotive, the GT shares (some) of its DNA with the automaker’s “ultimate road car”, the McLaren Speedtail, which was unveiled in 2018.

The continent-crosser is equipped with the company’s new 4,0-litre V8 engine, codenamed M840TE. The twin-turbocharged petrol mill produces 456 kW (7 500 r/min) and 630 N.m torque (5 500 – 6 500 r/min), which is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed selective-shift automatic transmission.

McLaren says its 1 530 kg grand tourer will reach 100 km/h from standstill in 3,2 seconds. Keep your right foot planted and the speedo will indicate 200 km/h 5,8 seconds later. Top speed is a claimed 326 km/h.

The 20-inch front alloys and the 21-inch items at the rear are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber, sizes 225/35 and 295/30, respectively. Cast iron brake discs (367 mm front and 354 mm rear) bring the “superlight” grand tourer to a halt. Carbon ceramic discs are optional.

Measuring 4 683 mm long and 2 095 mm wide, McLaren claims the GT’s total luggage capacity of 570 litres provides enough room for skis or golf clubs.

The 12,3-inch instrument panel features aircraft-like graphics, while the infotainment system is, according to McLaren, the most sophisticated unit to feature in one of its cars to date.

“The breadth of ability demonstrated by the new McLaren GT – especially its everyday usability – is truly remarkable,” Darren Goddard, McLaren GT Vehicle Line Director, says.

As of yet, local pricing has not been confirmed. However, in the UK, you can expect to pay £163 000. Doing a quick Pound-to-Rand conversion and, at the current exchange rate, that amounts to nearly R3 million.

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