McLaren is prominent enough for making swift supercars driven by the spirit of enthusiasm. It has made its presence felt in the UAE too with models such as the 570 and 720S. Just recently, the British brand conceived its most powerful sportscar, the Senna. While all these models were produced to deliver extraordinary power and a firm ride, the brand now realizes the new verve of developing hot cars which do not only provide overwhelming acceleration, but also comfort. For that reason, we now have the McLaren GT officially launched in the UAE.
EXTERIOR
Aesthetically, you would be forgiven for saying that the GT doesn’t look radically different from its siblings. This car also wears its family’s signature styling but to distinguish it from the entire fleet, the headlamps have been tweaked and are elongated towards the front. The front end sports a brawny diffuser and massive air intakes which are of paramount significance for a GT. In an attempt to stand true to its heritage, there are no pretentious design elements on the front but a rather clean outline.
The differences are noticeable only when viewed from the side. Meant to be a GT, it carries a fastback stance which gives one the perception of a longer car than its actual length. On the side too, there are enormous air vents. A neat little touch is a button in place of the conventional door handles nicely integrated into the design.
The rear is characterized by a sloping profile that incorporates a large glass area and two small strips of LEDs serving as the taillights. Stubby exhausts, a large diffuser and flared wheel arches lend it the appeal of a hooligan.
INTERIOR
On the inside, it’s hard to spot the changes. Its interior too, carries the same design theme of its family. A large instrument cluster sits atop the dashboard and one gets to see the 4 spoke crisp steering wheel.
The center console houses rotund AC vents below which a sizeable infotainment screen shows controls for AC, seat ventilation, climate control and the stereo to name a few. There are several knobs for the engine start/stop, ESC, launch control, navigation and to enable the 360-degree camera. The doors and seats like its competitors, come wrapped in leather to increase opulence within the cabin. To increase practicality, there are some storage spaces serving as cup holders. The car also comes with a sunroof.
However, the car comes in a 2-seater configuration and the absence of the second row of seats is felt considering its rivals having it. The car also includes a commodious boot of 420 liters. Owing to clever positioning of the engine and the exhaust system, the car further opens up 150 liters of storage under the hood.
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
Under the hood, sits a robust 4 liter naturally aspirated V8 pumping a thrilling 620 hp and 630 Nm of torque. What further invigorates the brute is its weight of 1530 Kg making it extremely light and agile around corners. A seven speed SSG transmission is wired to the motor which channels power to all 4 wheels.
VERDICT
The GT is an appreciable attempt of McLaren that combines comfort and raw power. The tweaks made to its cabin promise a hush experience behind the wheel and differentiate its character from the rest of the brand’s portfolio. However, its closest competitors are the Aston Martin DB11 and the Bentley Continental GT which have all of the comfort-oriented substance and also incorporate an additional row of seats. These also come with a luxurious cabin and offer more tech for the money.
