What's all this about?

Remember the McLaren GT? The supposedly softer, more practical, more everyday McLaren? Well this is that, but with more power, some styling upgrades, and a new badge — GTS.

So what's new?

What about the inside?

You get a 10-inch driver’s digital display and a smaller seven-inch infotainment screen — the difference in size most likely indicative of how McLaren prioritises the driver. That touchscreen gets a faster 10-core processor though, as well as improved sat-nav and the option of a banging Bowers & Wilkins stereo with carbon-fibre speaker cones no less. There are Nappa leather seats as standard, and an optional Tech-Lux pack with Alcantara trim.

You mentioned something about more power?

Oh yes. Hardly short of grunt before, McLaren has upgraded the GT’s engine to GTS spec, so the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 now has 635hp, and 630Nm of torque. Driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed paddle-shift ‘SSG’ gearbox, that’s good enough for 3.2 seconds from 0-62mph, and a top speed of 203mph. Keeping it all under control are massive 390mm front carbon-ceramic brake discs, and a double-wishbone suspension system that uses trick Monroe adaptive dampers which can mix and match a soft ride with taut, precision handling. It no doubt helps that the car’s weight has been trimmed a little, bringing it to 1,520kg.

You also said something about it being practical…

Oh, again, yes. This McLaren GTS has more boot space than a new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. No, seriously. Behind the two-seat cabin there’s a 420-litre luggage space, and there’s another 150-litres in the ‘frunk’ in the nose. That practicality is combined with better visibility than you’d expect from a mid-engined two-seater, and a nose-lift system that raises up the front by 20mm for tackling speed bumps, and does so twice as fast (just four seconds) as the old GT could manage.

Anything else I should know?

Well, according to Michael Leiters, McLaren Automotive’s CEO: “The new McLaren GTS offers an unmatched blend of McLaren driving dynamics and performance, with refinement and practicality. When you want a true supercar driving experience, the GTS delivers that; when you want to relax on a longer journey or with luggage for a weekend away, the GTS is an ideal companion. This is a car that is true to McLaren’s racing DNA but with multiple layers of ability.”

When can I buy one?

Order books are open now for 2024 delivery, and it’ll be slightly more expensive than the £166,000 or so McLaren has been asking for the outgoing GT, although a final price hasn’t been issued yet.

Neil Briscoe - 19 Dec 2023