What is McLaren's take on the "GT"? – Confirmed with a test drive of the McLaren GT | McLaren Automotive
McLaren GT | McLaren GT
Test Drive of the McLaren GT
McLaren Automotive has introduced the McLaren GT, the first model in a fourth category, "GT," following "Ultimate," "Super," and "Sports." What kind of car is this GT, the first ever released by a company that has exclusively focused on circuit-based super sports? Automotive journalist Tatsuya Kushima took it for a spin.
Text by Tatsuya Kushima | Photographs by McLaren Automotive
A Supercar That Can Carry Golf Bags
It's difficult to convey the essence of McLaren. Of course, for those who immediately think of figures like Bruce McLaren or cars like the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, it's not so hard, but for others, it's a challenge.
It hasn't been that long since they started producing their own commercial models, nor are they selling inexpensive mass-market cars. What they offer the world are supercars brimming with a racing spirit. Their lineup does not include four-door models or SUVs like their competitors.
There's a solid reason for this. While McLaren Automotive produces the road cars, their foundation lies in the group company, McLaren Racing. In other words, their road car development is fundamentally based on feedback from technological advancements in the racing field.
It goes without saying that Ferrari, the 'prancing horse' of Italy, has maintained a similar approach to car manufacturing. I've asked board members at Ferrari's Maranello headquarters several times in the past, "Are you developing diesel engines?" or "Are there plans for a four-door saloon?" The answer was always "No." However, since going public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2015, it feels as though those boundaries have been gradually blurring.
While McLaren is even more uncompromising than its rivals, they do, in fact, subdivide their categories. These are "Ultimate," "Super," and "Sports." Ultimate is, quite literally, the ultimate machine, housing models like the "Senna," "Speedtail," and the earlier "P1." Super includes the "765LT" and "720S," among others, while Sports features the "600LT" and "570S," and so on.
So, which category does the new McLaren "GT," the focus of our attention here, fall into? You might wonder, but surprisingly, a new category has been added. Its name is, quite simply, "GT." It's as if this category was created specifically for this car.
There are several reasons why the McLaren GT is a GT, the first being its cargo space. It's not that a cavernous space capable of holding large cardboard boxes has been created, but rather the floor of the rear glass hatch is slightly recessed. Surprisingly, this space is quite usable, reportedly accommodating golf bags and, if not too long, even skis.
Certainly, it's possible to place a golf bag on the passenger seat of this type of car, but there's no other place to store it. Typically, the passenger seat becomes crammed with both a golf bag and a bag for changing clothes. But that doesn't look very stylish. It's much sleeker to load the golf bag in the rear. Moreover, this glass hatch is power-operated.
In terms of driving, unless you press the "ACTIVE" switch, you can enjoy a calm ride without a significant adrenaline rush. The responsiveness of the controls, including the accelerator, isn't overly sensitive, making it perfect for the drive back from the golf course. You can have a relaxed drive, reflecting on your game that day.
So, when do you press the "ACTIVE" switch? Early in the morning on your way to the golf course. The crisp driving dynamics should awaken both your mind and body. Then, once you leave residential areas and get onto the highway, I recommend switching the drive mode to "T" (Track). The exhaust flap opens, and a roaring racing sound fills the air. It's incredible. You'll be fully awake.
The engine is a 4-liter V8 twin-turbo, producing 620 horsepower. With a top speed of 326 km/h, it's truly desirable. The 600LT in the Sports category has 600 horsepower, and the 720S in the Super category has 720 horsepower, so this seems to fall somewhere in between. The sensation of being pressed into the seat by the acceleration G-force is irresistible.
This is the new McLaren GT. Have you come to understand its character? While it's difficult to convey the appeal of McLaren in a brief review of a single model, their approach is to stick to a two-seater mid-ship design, rather than creating an SUV by saying, "We can fit golf bags!" This straightforward, almost rugged, quality is what makes McLaren so appealing.
