ITS FIRST FORAY INTO THE GRAND TOURING CLASS, MCLAREN’S NEW GT IS A STRIKING SYNERGY OF PERFORMANCE AND REFINEMENT

BY AMANDA McCOY

As the SUV market share continues to swell, more manufacturers of super exclusive, exotic sports cars are sliding into the segment (take Lamborghini’s Urus, for instance), but McLaren has made one thing abundantly clear the supercar manufacturer unequivocally will not be making an SUV.

“If we can’t make the world’s best SUV, why the hell would we?” said GT Global Product Manager Tom Taylor, squashing any potential chatter in that arena.

But the British automaker did recently expand its horizons, only in the way a hyper-focused creator of some of the world’s fastest sports cars is willing, of course. On May 15 of last year, the McLaren GT made its thundering online debut, flying into the Grand Touring class with speed and continent-crossing capability. The Formula One constructor and racing powerhouse has been vocal about its intent to shatter all former Grand Touring etiquettes; McLaren’s newest vehicle might be engineered for long distances, but it’s still very much a supercar.

In its lofty quest to rewrite conventions, engineers started at the core with a bespoke MonoCell II-T carbon fiber chassis that provides maximum strength and minimum weight. As a result, the acceleration is veritably eager, propelling from 0-60 in just over three seconds and rocketing to 124 in a mere nine seconds. Its powertrain is anchored by a mid-mounted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, outputting 612 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. A firm push on the gas pedal will bring the hungry tourer up to a top speed of 203 mph. The Proactive Damping Control suspension constantly analyzes road conditions and adapts accordingly, ensuring both ride comfort and precision handling.

The exterior styling, though much more subdued than its flashy brethren, takes a sweeping, sculpted approach that favors swift, wind-slicing aerodynamics. Supercar enthusiasts will still find visual delight in the oversized 20-inch front rims (21-inch in the rear), dihedral doors, dramatic side air intakes, and the svelte, sophisticated silhouette.

The interior cockpit harbors all the luxuries without added clutter. The floating center console creates an open, airy atmosphere. The infotainment system, developed specifically for the new GT and the manufacturer’s most sophisticated to date, features standard HERE® navigation and real-time traffic information and can be paired with an optional 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system, delivering a truly immersive in-car sound experience. A huge windscreen and C-pillars allow the sun’s rays to flood every inch of the cabin.

Starting MSRP is $210,000.
McLaren North Jersey
995 NJ-17, Ramsey / 201.639.7750 / mclarennorthjersey.com