Test drive the comfortable, evolved super sports car “McLaren GTS” on winding roads

McLaren GTS

Ultimate performance and practicality

Among modern McLarens, which are known for their commitment to the idea that sports cars are a science, the GTS stands out as something of an anomaly. Its name, which means Grand Tourer, is a given, but its biggest feature is the luggage space under the rear glass hatch. Located directly above the mid-engine, the floor, or rather the cover, is not flat but uneven, and although it’s not particularly deep, it still has a capacity of 420L.

In fact, it can hold not only suitcases but also long items such as golf bags and skis. In addition, like other McLarens, there is a deep 150L luggage space under the front hood, although not large. The McLaren GTS, which attempted to combine the ultimate performance of a pure sports car with the practicality of comfortable high-speed long-distance travel, may be like the egg of Columbus.

Bruce’s Desire

Of course, there are some stoic sports car drivers who would object to the idea of ​​a golf bag. It’s understandable that a sports car must be light and fast, and that expecting practicality from a sports car is weak, but as long as it’s a road car, it’s unreasonable to insist that everything be stripped away. And McLaren even has a pure super sports car like that. For older car enthusiasts, McLaren probably means the McLaren-Honda F1, which was invincible with Senna and Prost, but if we go back even further, the company was originally founded as a racing car constructor in 1963 by New Zealand-born F1 driver Bruce McLaren and his friends.

Bruce, who died in an accident at a young age, was also planning to build a road-going car. The project, called the “McLaren M6GT,” was shelved after the death of its leader, but the racing team went on to enjoy a golden age. The production sports car, bearing the GT name, could be said to be the founder’s unfulfilled dream.

A super sports car with a smooth ride

The “GT”, which was announced in Japan in 2019, will evolve into the “GTS” in 2023. The front intake area has been reworked and new intakes have been added to the rear fenders, but the overall styling remains almost unchanged from the previous model, and the body dimensions are the same. Compared to the current flagship model, the “750S”, the overall length is about 110mm longer and the weight is 1520kg, 130kg heavier than the 750S, but the GTS, which uses a carbon bathtub monocoque called MonoCell II-T, is still light in absolute terms. It’s a minor point, but it’s typical of McLaren’s conscientiousness that the published DIN value specifications and the weight listed on the vehicle inspection certificate match.

Other than that, the basic mechanism remains largely unchanged from the previous model. The 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine has been increased in power by 15ps from before, producing 467kW (635PS) at 7500rpm and 630Nm at 5500-6500rpm (maximum torque remains unchanged), and it also drives the rear wheels via a 7-speed DCT that McLaren calls SSG (Seamless Shift Gearbox). The car height is said to be 110mm, 10mm higher than the Super Series, but in consideration of the practicality of the GTS, which has a long overhang, there is a lifter at the front that can raise the car by 20mm, and the operating speed has also been increased.

The suspension is McLaren’s proud proactive suspension, but it is said to have been designed with a greater emphasis on comfort. McLaren is a rare super sports car with a ride that can be described as supple, and is free from rough, exposed jolts. In comfort mode, the GTS is rather soft, and may show some pitching on gentle highways, but there is no need to worry as it becomes more stable as the speed increases.

Beware of overwhelming speed and comfort

The steering feel is also a bit unreliable at low speeds, typical of McLaren, but becomes much more precise and stable at higher speeds. The V8 twin-turbo (but easy to handle) spins smoothly and businesslike at low speeds, but changes dramatically from around 4000 rpm, and just like the 750S, it instantly revs up to over 8000 rpm in an explosive manner. Although it’s not as sharp as the 750S, it’s incomparable to other sports cars. No one will be dissatisfied with the performance, with 0-100 km/h acceleration in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 326 km/h (the same as the GT).

One thing to keep in mind is that fuel economy varies greatly depending on driving style. When driving normally on the highway, the in-car display shows a fuel economy of over 10km/L, but when driving comfortably on mountain roads, it drops sharply to the 3-4km/L range. The fuel tank is said to hold 72L, but this means that the cruising range can fluctuate by 100km in an instant. Don’t be fooled by the overwhelming speed and comfort.

PHOTO／Kenji ICHI

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 (rim width): Front 225/35R20, rear 295/30R21

Vehicle price: 29.7 million yen

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