McLaren's Fourth Series: Equipped for Transcontinental Journeys

Upon arriving at McLaren's Technology Centre, a McLaren facility on the outskirts of London, we were asked to surrender our smartphones and cameras at the entrance.

This was because we were about to come face-to-face with the new model, the "McLaren GT," prior to its official unveiling. The roughly 20 journalists gathered from around the world were doing the same.

Product Management Head Ian Digman lost no time in explaining:

"The car we are about to show you represents McLaren's fourth series."

While McLaren currently offers three categories—Ultimate, Super, and Sports—the McLaren GT marks a new series.



Although there is a model called the "540GT" in the Sports Series, this is not a successor. He emphasized that a new series is being added.

"It slots in between the Super and Sports series, but it's positioned closer to road use than either. It possesses competition-level performance while simultaneously offering the practicality for transcontinental journeys."

In other words, it is positioned slightly off the linear progression of the three series—Ultimate, Super, and Sports—ordered by performance, shifting towards road usability.

Whereas the previous three categories were built with power performance as the primary focus, the GT also emphasizes practicality and comfort. The "ability for transcontinental journeys" refers to this.

Total Trunk Capacity Reaches 570 Liters

However, the fundamental mechanical configuration has not changed significantly. The GT also features a carbon fiber chassis, the "Monocell II-T," combined with light-alloy suspension, and a 620ps 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine mounted mid-ship.

A notable update is the interconnected hydraulic damping system, "PDC." PDC is standard on the Super Series but unavailable as an option on the Sports Series.

I had previously experienced the significant benefits of the PDC. Recalling my coverage of the "Silk Road Tour," a customer event hosted by McLaren China, I remembered being impressed and thoroughly enjoying the high-level balance of extreme performance and comfort during a 2,500km journey on roads ranging from highways to regular streets in the then-current Super Series "650S."



Indeed, if that system has been updated, then "transcontinental journeys" will be a breeze. I am eager to drive the McLaren GT, as this is expected to be its most significant feature.

"We have achieved an excellent ride quality. The ride height is adjustable, and we've made the approach angle practical," said Digman.

Furthermore, luggage capacity, crucial for "transcontinental journeys," has been increased. With 150 liters in the front and 420 liters in the rear, the total trunk capacity of 570 liters confidently surpasses that of its rivals.

Bringing the Joy of a High-Performance Sports Car Lifestyle

Moving to a secret presentation room, we came face-to-face with the actual car. The GT does not resemble any of the existing three series. It is calm and very elegant. I found its flowing rear three-quarter view particularly captivating. Opting for the available glass roof, which allows for adjustable tinting, would likely enhance its luxurious ambiance.


Opening the tailgate revealed the effort put into increasing the luggage capacity. A long, vertical trunk space extends from the back of the seats to the rear end.

"You can even load golf bags and skis," Digman stated.

While it might not be impossible to load them, it's perhaps not entirely practical. This demonstrates a certain tenacity, a strong will. In reality, for those embarking on a journey with this car, packing multiple suitcases or bags shaped to fit this vertical trunk space would allow for the most luggage.



Knowing McLaren's meticulous nature, they might be planning a collaboration with a manufacturer to offer perfectly fitting bags as an option. A brand like the revived Connolly would certainly match the aesthetic and be a fitting choice.

Additionally, the use of cashmere for the seat upholstery, a world-first, is intriguing, and improvements to usability have been made through updates to the infotainment system.

The GT is poised to carve out new territory for McLaren. It will fulfill the role of bringing the enjoyment and pleasure of a high-performance sports car lifestyle to a brand sometimes perceived as solely focused on performance. Simultaneously, it will broaden the scope of McLaren as a luxury sports car manufacturer, elevating it to a new stage.