McLaren GTS
Understated design is trending
After the boom in “rich” cars, a “light” era always comes. The more aerodynamic monsters hypercars become, the more practical and well-designed supercars become. In that sense, it could be said that the times have finally caught up with the McLaren GT.
The McLaren GT, a light-tasting car that epitomizes the supercar world, debuted in 2019. With its understated looks reminiscent of the MP4-12C, its raised horizontal nose, luggage space above the engine, and above all, its driving feel that makes it a perfect everyday car, it was close to the Audi R8 V10, a practical supercar for connoisseurs. In fact, its exceptional grand touring performance surpassed even the R8, and its circuit performance also rivaled that of other McLaren road cars. Despite its light flavor, it still had a rich, full-bodied flavor.
However, it was still a time when flashy cars were welcomed, and it seems that there were still few people who properly appreciated and understood the refined practicality of the GT. However, five years have passed, and the situation is changing. There has been an increase in supercars with understated designs, such as the Ferrari 296 and Lamborghini Temerario, and it seems that there is also an increasing number of users who prefer designs that do not stand out.
A highly flexible supercar
And this year, the McLaren GT itself underwent a minor change to become the “GTS.” The main changes were a slight cosmetic makeover of the exterior, an increase in engine power, and changes to the interior and exterior colors, but there were also practical changes typical of the GT, such as improvements to the front lifter. Since it was a highly refined model to begin with, the changes were not particularly major.
Therefore, even when I actually drove it, I couldn’t immediately feel the evolution from the GT, at least not on public roads. The ride was still light and nimble, the mid-range acceleration was surprisingly smooth and powerful, and the handling was comparable to other sports models. None of the GT’s strengths had changed.
This time, I decided to drive around the tourist spots of Kyoto and Nara, and even though it was a time and place where I normally wouldn’t want to go in a supercar, I was impressed by how flexible this supercar is, as it made me think, “Let’s go.” The feeling that I can manage once I get going is something I never get with a normal supercar.
The feeling of being in control
The greatest appeal of the GTS, and in fact of all McLaren supercars, in everyday driving is that even at slow speeds, the distance between your arms and the front wheels feels very close. In fact, your entire body is close to the front axle, and the sense of unity right up to the nose is incomparable to other mid-engine cars. What’s more, thanks to the carbon monocoque body, the engine response is so direct that it feels like you’re actually riding it, meaning the distance between the front and rear of the driver is extremely compact. So even on narrow city streets where passing other cars can be a bit of a hassle, with the GTS you can barrel through without hesitation, and passing other cars isn’t even a big deal. In short, it’s very easy to handle.
No other supercar offers such a sense of freedom of control as a McLaren. It’s already like this even at low speeds in the city, and the closer you get to suburban roads, winding roads, and highways and higher speeds, the more concentrated the sense of unity becomes, transforming into a feeling of closeness. Driving along a winding road, the driving feel was so compact that it felt like you were simply driving a car with four wheels attached to a carbon monocoque body.
It’s definitely for connoisseurs
The front lifter’s faster response is also a plus. It can be used immediately even on small bumps. To be honest, the bottom of the nose is cut horizontally at a higher position than usual, so it’s not difficult to go over bumps. However, having the lifter makes it even more reassuring, and it also makes detours to the roadside easier.
A supercar is fun even when driven slowly. So, it would be nice to have a model that excels at driving slowly. Of course, when the time comes, its performance should be top-notch. The McLaren GTS is definitely that kind of supercar, and it’s definitely a connoisseur’s favorite.
PHOTO/McLaren Automotive Asia
SPECIFICATIONS
McLaren GTS
Body size: Length 4683, width 2045, height 1213mm
Wheelbase: 2675mm
Vehicle weight: 1466kg
Engine: V8 DOHC twin turbo
Total displacement: 3994cc
Maximum output: 586kW (635PS) / 7500rpm
Maximum torque: 630Nm (64.2kgm) / 6500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed DCT
Drive system: RWD
Suspension type: Front and rear double wishbone
Brakes: Front and rear ventilated disc (carbon ceramic)
Tire size: Front 225/35R20, rear 295/30R21
Vehicle price: 28.7 million yen
