Does Mclaren GT Deliver The Luxury Of Rivals From Aston And Bentley?

FIRST DRIVE Woking firm’s mid-engined Grand Tourer is here – but does it deliver the luxury of rivals from Aston and Bentley?

- Richard Ingram

The distinguished GT moniker isn’t new to McLaren. In 2016 the firm added the 570GT to its Sports Series range – offering a more comfortable and more practical take on its entry-level 570S supercar.

But now McLaren is attempting to force a little more separation between its Sports, Super and Ultimate Series cars by adding a fourth pillar to the range. Launching with the self-titled GT, bosses remain coy about where this will take the brand in the future.

The new car uses an updated design of McLaren’s carbon-fibre tub and a tweaked version of its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, while also sitting on bespoke suspension. The steering set-up, brakes and tyres are new, too.

Visually, the GT introduces a new look as well. While it’s still recognisable as one of Woking’s finest, the GT has a more restrained style, with a longer body and more elevation to the design. That raised stance is key to the GT’s appeal; McLaren claims it’ll match a Mercedes C-Class for ground clearance.

Around town you’d be hard pushed to disagree. Speed humps and potholes are no longer cause for concern – to the extent that we didn’t find the need to use the GT’s optional nose-lift system at all. The ride isn’t faultless, but it never crashes over lumps or sends shocks through to the cabin.