First McLaren GT 2020: I dream of the GT

McLaren is not one to follow the standards. That's the iconic supercar of the '90s F1 with its center-mounted driver's seat, the newer Senna and its raging glass doors, or the rear wing of the new Speedtail tower. , the British manufacturer regularly breaks convention.

The McLaren GT 2020 is no exception. The brand's self-proclaimed grand tourer, the $ 210,000 GT defies the status quo by giving up the traditional features of the class, such as a front-mounted engine and four-seater, for a mid-engine configuration and twice fewer seats.

Cell structure

The GT uses a modified variant of the McLaren Sports Series (570S, 570GT, 600LT) carbon fiber passenger cell. Dubbed MonoCell II-T, the new configuration adds a carbon fiber rear structure that allows the GT to incorporate a large cargo floor under its rear hatch. With 14.8 cubic feet of space, the GT luggage compartment surpasses the trunk of the 2.2 cubic Bentley Continental GT. The 5.3 cubic meter trunk of the McLaren (ie the front trunk) and the delta between the two British coupes is expanded to 7.5 cubic feet. However, do not judge the load space of the GT by its volume. Long, shallow and bumpy, the GT's cargo hold is less useful than the technically smaller chests of the big tourists competing. Nevertheless, McLaren says the GT can equip a set of golf clubs or two pairs of skis and six-foot shoes with enough space for luggage. Reducing all this, however, may require ingenuity similar to that of Tetris.

Under the loading floor of the GT, hides the latest bi-turbocharged V8 McLaren (called M840TE). The engine produces 612 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque that it sends to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. With launch control enabled, McLaren says the GT will reach 100 km / h in 3.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 203 km / h. Large, rather austere air vents at the rear of the doors channel the air into the engine compartment to keep things cool.

Thanks to the airflow introduced by these vents, as well as the heat absorption effects of the noise, vibrations and hard materials of the car, McLaren says that the floor cargo area never exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Impressive, since the exhaust system reaches almost 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, my backpack was pretty hot after a few hours in the back hatch of the GT. I would think twice before putting expensive electronics or things that could melt there.

breaking Bad

Even though the GT meets McLaren standards, it is not as appealing as classic touring tricks such as the Bentley Continental GT or the Aston Martin DB11. The feet of the McLaren are narrow, its 7.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system is wayward and sometimes confusing to use (it also disappears when you look at it with polarized sunglasses), and there's no only one advanced safety function on board.

That's right, if you want adaptive cruise control, automatic forward braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, etc., you are SOL. The same goes for ventilated or massaging seats. McLaren did not see fit to offer at least one of these kits as an option given the GT's intentions for mass tourism.

Fortunately, blind spots are limited thanks to the large windows of the car, while the interior includes high quality metals, sumptuous leather and switchgear that fits with the weight and accuracy of the car. Keys to an Olivetti typewriter. McLaren adds heated power-assisted seats, an electrically adjustable steering column, ambient interior lighting, and vivid colors and colors specific to each package. Both packages also include a SuperFabric-lined loading area, which has small protective plates woven into the fabric to prevent damage to the boot floor. In addition, a Premium Package of $ 5,500 includes a front-end elevator to negotiate steep alleys or large obstacles, folding exterior mirrors, a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, an electrically operated tailgate and a cache -bagages.

Dr. Feelgood

Nevertheless, the GT is presented as a better sports car than Grand Touring, while I speak of the winding roads that ply Castellane, France. The V8 engine that suffers from a lack of low-end torque and turbo shift charges around the city comes alive when its flat crank breaks the 3,000 rpm mark (where 95% of its torque is online ) and swallows his past and his past. Maximum power of 7,500 rpm. The dual-clutch gearbox, which in automatic mode slips and stumbles in gear changes like a pig in the mud, turns completely into manual mode, and each push or pull of the thick blade mounted on the steering wheel emits a satisfying sound and audible. click that precedes a fast and almost immediate cogwheel exchange.

Meanwhile, the damping, quite steep, even in Comfort mode, really finds its pace since it controls with ease the movements of the body without punishing its occupants (do not worry, there are modes Sport and Track for the most masochistic).

You must take into account the action of the brake pedal similar to that of a race car and the power assisted power steering directly connected to the Pirelli P-Zero offset and model-specific tires (20 inches to the front and 21 inches at the back). driver in a way that no traditional grand touring car sold today does.

Each push or pull of the thick paddle mounted on the steering wheel emits a satisfying and audible click.

Alas, no matter the occasion, the V8 and its associated exhaust are only a smidge too discreet for my taste. Even with a standard active exhaust that opens the hoses with heavy throttle inputs in Comfort mode (it stays open in Sport mode and Track mode), the GT's exhaust note is quite moderate, even among great tourism. It's worse from inside the cabin, where the turbochargers sound of the engine stifles the sound of the exhaust pot. A sport exhaust is available for $ 3,500 and this could solve this problem.

The McLaren GT 2020 continues the British manufacturer's crusade against the status quo. While other grand touring cars pamper the driver, the GT offers an immersive driving experience. We can say that it is a little too immersive for this segment. Whatever it is, no one will accuse McLaren of following the standard.