New McLaren GT Unveiled With 612 HP And $210,000 Price Tag

McLaren has just unveiled the all-new GT, the fourth new model introduced under its Track25 business plan. Orders can be placed effective immediately, with deliveries set to commence towards the end of 2019.

Pricing in the U.S. starts from $210,000, while UK buyers are expected to pay upwards of £163,000, including taxes. In return for their money, they receive a 4.0-liter twin turbo V8, producing a hefty 612 HP (620 PS) and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) of torque.

“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,” said the company’s CEO, Mike Flewitt.

The McLaren design team chose to give the new GT long and elegant exterior lines and muscular rear fenders, so as to express that this is more of a long journey supercar than the usual track-focused weaponry we’ve come to expect from the British brand. The GT measures almost 4.7 meters in length (over 15 feet), which means that it’s longer than any of the other models in the McLaren Sports or Super Series.

Its front and rear overhangs extend further than what we’re used to seeing on other McLarens, while the 10-degree approach angle at the front (13-degree with lift engaged) helps the car cope with “the most aggressive traffic calming measures.” Furthermore, its underbody clearance of 4.3 inches / 110 mm (5.1 inches / 130 mm with lift engaged), makes the GT usable in all urban traffic situations. The automaker even claims that in lift mode, this supercar’s ground clearance is equal to that of mainstream sedans.

In terms of its construction, the GT features a bespoke MonoCell II-T monocoque, with a carbon fiber rear upper structure that allows for a 14.8 cu.ft luggage area below the tailgate, which has a soft-close function as standard and can even be operated electrically. According to McLaren, you can fit a golf bag or two pairs of 185 cm skis and boots, as well as luggage. You also get a further 5.3 cu.ft (150 liters) of storage at the front, meaning that the car can accommodate a total of 20.1 cu.ft (570 liters).

The new McLaren GT features a well-rounded interior, focused on high performance driving, but also longer journeys. Its unique electrically adjusted and heated seats have been engineered for comfort, while the high-quality materials complement features such as the automaker’s most sophisticated infotainment system to date, aluminum switches and controls, gloss black surrounds for the screen, window switches, gear-selection console and air vents. There’s also a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system with carbon fiber sub-bass woofers and Kevlar mid-range drive units.

Nappa leather trim is featured as standard, although buyers can also opt for softgrain luxury leather or Alcantara, depending on which spec they choose – Cashmere will become available as an additional choice towards the end of the year (the first time this material has been used in a production vehicle).

As for the previously-mentioned 7-inch infotainment system, it comes with HERE navigation mapping and real time traffic information. DAB digital radio (or Sirius satellite radio in North America) is standard, as is the dual-zone climate control system, which allows for fully automatic and independent settings for the driver and passenger. Meanwhile, the driver is provided with key vehicle information through a 12.3-inch TFT screen, whose graphics resemble those seen on aircraft.

“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,” said McLaren design boss, Rob Melville.

The McLaren GT’s new twin turbo V8 engine produces 612 HP (620 PS) and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) of torque with the help of a 7-speed SSG transmission. With the Launch Control function engaged, the GT can accelerate from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.1 seconds, while 0-124 mph (0-200 km/h) takes 9 seconds flat. Max it out and you’ll be doing 203 mph (326 km/h).

With a weight of just 1,530 kg (3,373 lbs), the GT is said to be more than 130 kg (286 lbs) lighter than its “closest core competitor”. It also has a 399 HP per ton power-to-weight ratio, which is pretty remarkable.

Also impressive is the fact that its suspension, steering and brakes are all bespoke and optimized to provide the best possible Grand Touring driving experience, while also delivering responsiveness and precision, plus superior ride comfort to any other McLaren. Thanks to its hydraulic dampers (Proactive Damping Control), the GT can offer a particularly compliant ride in Comfort Mode (also available are Sport and Track modes).

The P ZERO tires are also bespoke, developed by Pirelli to fit the GT’s 21-inch alloy rear wheels, which are actually the largest ever wheels fitted to a McLaren – front wheels measure 20-inches in diameter.

“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,” added McLaren GT vehicle line director, Darren Goddard.

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