McLaren reckons it’s met all the requirements necessary with the new McLaren GT.
V8 4.0-litre twin turbocharged dry sump
Maximum of 612bhp
Maximum of 630nM
3.2 seconds
326kph
There is enough space in the trunk of the McLaren GT to store a fully equipped golf bag and then some – which says a lot. The Woking-based manufacturer in Surrey, England, strongly believes “one can have it all” – a daily automotive beater that looks and drives like a supercar.
The first step the engineers took was to tweak the 4-litre V8 engine previously found in the 720S and made it smaller, which considerably upped the boot space. This doesn’t make the GT any less imposing though. It boasts an impressive century sprint timing of 3.2 seconds and can reach a top speed of 326kph, numbers befitting a supercar.
The second step was to significantly enhance the soundproofing in the engine and luggage bays to cut out unwanted frequencies. The difference is startling and one of the first things we noticed. Start the car and you’ll hear that the signature McLaren roar has become more of a grunt, a characteristic we are certain your neighbours will appreciate.
Once past the gate, the McLaren GT is a surprisingly comfortable drive for a supercar when you switch to the Comfort setting. Roads feel smoother and you barely experience the minor inconsistencies on the paved asphalt. The engine is also on its best behaviour on the lower revs although you can tell that it’s straining at the leash, raring to express itself as much as possible. Once you’ve reached beyond 3,000rpm, that’s when the V8 reveals its progressive, highly responsive character.
Looks-wise, the McLaren GT is a stunner and much of that can be attributed to the gorgeous wraparound glass canopy, which gives you excellent visibility and lets everyone at the traffic stop peek into the cabin, so no nose-picking, please. The leather seats are a pleasure to sink into and the interior befits a premium car. The infotainment system, while nothing to shout about, does its job with minimum fuss. The only downside is that it’s hard to look out the back while parking, which means you’re heavily reliant on the reverse camera. Also, the dihedral doors are not very car park-friendly, especially in Singapore, so you will need to drive around and look for single or corner lots.
The million-dollar question is whether we would call this an everyday supercar. Well, it depends on what your every day looks like. If you make regular grocery runs or pick up your kids from school, then the two-seater McLaren GT will not even appear on your radar. Yes, it might have ample boot space (a whopping combined 570 litres), but we don’t condone putting your children in the trunk.
