Spy Shots
May 13, 2019 – 2020 McLaren GT Making Some Last Minute Test Runs
The debut of the long-awaited McLaren GT is imminent and yet our photographers managed to the sleek beast testing on the Nurburgring. We’re not sure if McLaren is actually trying to iron out some minor kinks of if the engineers just wanted one more go around, but it’s probably the latter as not a single thing has changed since McLaren teased is with that prototype a couple of weeks ago. Either way, the new McLaren GT is set to debut on May 15th, so we don’t have long to wait to see it in all its glory.
Exterior
The GT’s design remains a mystery until the vehicle breaks cover on May 15, but McLaren’s latest teaser unveils key details. A quick look is enough to notice that the GT retains McLaren’s current design language. It has a short nose, a long rear deck, and a sleek profile with a really low beltline.
The headlamps look similar to other McLaren supercars, but they stand out on their own. While they incorporate the LED daytime running lights, just like the 570S, they’re almost as sleek as the Speedtail’s. The shape is somewhat similar to the 720S’, but thinner. The LED pattern is also unique. Shaped like a golf club, it defines the headlamp’s outer edges. The nose is just as pointy as the Speedtail, but the bumper seems to be more aggressive.
The GT’s profile is deeply sculpted in the door area, but it becomes featureless toward the rear. The rear fenders are very muscular though. It’s here where we can notice a few more unique features. The deck lid is longer than other McLaren’s, a design feature that probably enhances luggage room, while the edge of the fascia features an integrated spoiler.
The taillights are just as thin as the 720S, but they sit lower in the fascia. Interestingly enough, the rear grille retains the shape of the 570S, but the taillights are placed right in the center instead of the upper section. They’re basically two thin red stripes that flank the center grille and “McLaren” emblem. The bumper is less aggressive than other McLarens, while the diffuser is notably smaller. While the vertical fins aren’t visible, the chrome exhaust pipes stand out in the shadowy teaser.
Interior
Sadly, the teaser doesn’t include photos of the interior, so we only have McLaren’s press details to run by. And it’s not a lot of info to digest. The Brits claim the GT’s interior “will feel spacious and uncluttered.” This doesn’t mean that it will offer legroom and shoulder room comparable to a Rolls-Royce, it’s just that will be a bit more comfortable than other McLaren supercars.
While models like the Senna and 720S are cool, they aren’t exactly comfortable when it comes to long trips. This is exactly what McLaren wants to change with the GT. For starters, the Brits will probably get rid of the race-inspired seats they usually put in all cars. Granted, they will continue to offer solid lateral support for spirited driving, but they will be much more comfortable. A massage function would be nice, but it’s probably not going to happen due to the extra weight it might add to the car.
But what about the GT being the “most usable mid-engined” supercar on the market? This is McLaren’s way of saying that it will have notably more room than its current models. The company’s most practical vehicle right now is the 570GT. It has a modified engine hood that leaves room for cargo and a bit of extra space behind the seats. The GT will probably have similar features. The engine hood is longer than other McLarens and probably hides a flat surface where it can carry a few bags. Sure, it won’t be as spacious as a hatchback, but it will be able to carry more than just a set of golf clubs.
Because it’s bigger than the 570GT, the new grand tourer should also offer more storage room behind the seats. My bet is that McLaren created a special storage compartment in there that’s just right for a thin suitcase or a couple of bags. Knowing McLaren, it probably developed a bespoke set of bags that fit behind the seats and on the engine hood while making the most of those storage compartments.
Finally, because it won’t have an electric motor and batteries, the GT will offer a bit more room under the front hood. The short hood indicates that there won’t be much luggage room in there, but it should be able to hold a sizeable bag. Overall, this grand tourer will offer more storage room than vehicles like the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera or the Ferrari 812 Superfast.
McLaren also says that the interior will feature “only high-quality materials.” This is far from surprising, as all McLarens are fitted with soft-touch leather and Alcantara, aluminum and carbon-fiber trim, and finished to the highest standards. You should have access to lots of upholstery color options, a carbon-fiber package, and two or three seating options.
Drivetrain
McLaren didn’t say much about the GT’s drivetrain, but it confirmed that it won’t be a hybrid. This means it will feature the award-winning gasoline V-8 that motivates all other McLarens. The twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 cranks out 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque in the 720S. This output would be more than enough for a high-performance grand tourer, but McLaren could opt to increase power. The Brits could also use the GT to introduce an upgraded version of the unit with even more power, likely around the 750-horsepower mark. With the Ferrari 812 Superfast good for 789 horsepower, I wouldn’t be surprised to see McLaren aim for the 800-horsepower mark though.
This engine will probably mate to a version of the company’s seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. But even though it could be more powerful than the 720S, the GT might not be as fast.
The grand tourer will probably weigh more than the 720S, which tips the scales at 2,828 pounds, so it should be a tad slower. While the 720S needs 2.7 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start, the GT could get there in almost three seconds. Its top speed should exceed the 200-mph mark comfortably.
The suspension system should retain McLaren’s iconic sporty setup, but extensive modifications will make it more usable on public roads. McLaren probably worked out a intricate system that includes a special mode for cruising. It won’t be as comfortable as a Bentley, but it won’t be rough on your body as a 720S or Senna. However, this comfortable GT will become a full-fledged sports car when driven in its sportier setup. McLaren might even include a special mode for track use.
Pricing
There’s no word as to how much the GT might cost, but it probably won’t be cheap. It won’t be as expensive as the Speedtail, which costs more than $2 million, but it won’t be as “affordable” as the 570S, which starts from $200,000, either. My best guess is that McLaren will ask around $350,000 for its upcoming grand tourer.
Competition
The grand tourer segment goes back a long way, having been created in the 1950s by carmakers like Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Lancia. A front-engined layout by tradition, the GT remained unchanged to this day. As a result, McLaren is creating a new niche with the GT’s midship configuration. With no mid-engined grand tourers on the market, we can only compared it to traditional GTs.
Ferrari 812 Superfast
A successor to the F12berlinetta, the 812 Superfast is one of the most powerful and luxurious GTs you can buy. A traditional GT with a long hood and short deck, it features a comfortable interior and provides decent luggage space in the rear. Powered by a 6.5-liter V-12, it hits the pavement with 789 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque, more than enough to fulfill the classic GT characteristic of coping “with cruise comfortability at the upper limits on all continental roads without drawbacks or loss of usable power.” The 812 Superfast is also… well… super fast. It needs only 2.8 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start, and it has a top speed of 211 mph. It has a rear-wheel steering system for enhanced precision and stability and race-spec dual-clutch transmission codeveloped with Getrag. Tipping the scales at 3,326 pounds, the 812 Superfast will be notably heavier than McLaren’s GT. Pricing should be similar though, as the Italian grand tourer retails from around $350,000.
Read our full story on the 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast
Lamborghini Aventador S
Granted, the Aventador S isn’t a full-fledged grand tourer, but at least it has a midship layout and the performance it needs to tackle McLaren. Unveiled for the 2018 model year, the upgraded Aventador now sports a more aggressive exterior design, a larger, motorsport-inspired diffuser, and generates 130-percent more downforce. It’s interior is up to the task as well, featuring fine materials and carbon-fiber, Lambo’s latest technology, and even a telemetry system to measure on-track performance. Under the hood, the Aventador S features a naturally aspirated, 6.5-liter V-12 engine, just like the 812 Superfast. The mill isn’t as powerful though. Rated at 730 horsepower and 508 pound-feet of torque, it falls behind the Ferrari’s by 59 horses and 22 pound-feet. Despite this, it’s just as quick based on Lambo’s official rating. The sprint to 60 mph takes 2.8 seconds, while top speed is higher at 217 mph. The Aventador S is also 110 pounds heavier than the 812 Superfast. It’s also a bit more expensive, coming in at $421,000 before options.
Read our full review of the 2018 Lamborghini Aventador S.
Final Thoughts
It’s way too early to draw a conclusion here, but based on McLaren’s current lineup, the upcoming grand tourer should be a blast. It remains to be seen where McLaren will actually deliver a practical mid-engined sports car, but I’m pretty sure it won’t lack the performance that make modern McLarens famous.
Further reading
Read our full review on the 2019 McLaren 600LT.
Read our full review on the 2019 McLaren 600LT Spider.
Read our full review on the 2019 McLaren 720S Spider
Read our full review on the 2018 McLaren 720S.
Read our full review on the 2019 McLaren Senna.