2023 McLaren GT
Overview
The McLaren GT is as close to a comfortable Grand Touring machine as the company has turned out to date. Which is to say, it’s not a comfortable Grand Touring car so much as a road-based rocket ship that’s a little less edgy and a little more practical than the other supercars in the McLaren portfolio. That’s because its DNA is nearly identical to that of the now discontinued 600LT track-focused model but with more emphasis on daily drivability over the quickest lap times. It may not be quite as mind-bendingly quick as McLarens like the 720S and the hybridized Artura—but it does offer a roomier cabin and more useable cargo space. As to the rocket-ship analogy, the GT we tested recorded sprints to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, and ripped through the quarter-mile in 10.7 seconds at 133 mph. Yep, this is the same company that builds the McLaren Formula 1 cars. So far, McLaren seems reluctant to follow other supercar makers that are surfing the SUV wave. If you want something with an exotic nameplate and multiple rows of seats, you’ll have to look elsewhere. The GT is about as practical as a McLaren gets,
What’s New for 2023?
For 2023, McLaren is rolling out a three-year service plan in addition to the already-established three-year limited and powertrain warranties—all three coverages have uncapped mileage. Aside from the included maintenance, the GT also sees the addition of a new Stealth Badge Package, a branded armrest option, and two new exterior hues: Storm Grey and Volcano Yellow.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
McLaren sells the GT in a single trim level decked out with enough amenities to please the typical buyer in this class. The car boasts a staggered wheel layout, with 20-inch rims in the front and 21-inch rims in the rear. All models are equipped with LED headlamps. The lights come with rain and light sensors as well as sequential LED indicators. In back, a fixed rear spoiler sits above slim LED taillights, a large rear diffuser, and sizable exhaust tailpipes. Within the cabin, you’ll find standard equipment such as leather upholstery and knurled-aluminum controls. Every GT coupe comes with tech features such as navigation as well as driver assists such as a backup camera. McLaren offers a long list of options for the GT, including an upgraded sound system and rear privacy glass.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
McLaren fits the GT with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that generates 612 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. As you’d expect from a vehicle wearing the McLaren nameplate, blazing acceleration is one of the GT’s many performance strengths. The company claims that the coupe sprints from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, but we haven’t had one to test to verify that claim. The car comes with launch control and features that work to optimize acceleration from a standing start. The car’s ride quality is comfortable enough to make it a pleasant choice for every-day driving, and the GT offers a selection of driving modes that allow you to customize the car’s handling to your desires.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to McLaren, the GT achieves mileage of 15/22 mpg city/highway. That puts it behind Aston’s DB11, a rival with fuel economy that comes in at as high as 18/24 mpg. For more information about the GT’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
This McLaren is accessed via dihedral doors, a feature that’s unusual among grand tourers. Relative to the other models in this class, the GT has a disadvantage when it comes to passenger capacity. While most models in this segment seat four or more passengers, this coupe accommodates just two. The cabin is more deluxe than that of the typical McLaren, with ample use of supple hide. Nappa leather upholstery is standard, and options such as cashmere and microfiber are offered. An optional panoramic glass roof lets natural light into the cabin. The glass roof is available with an electrochromatic feature that allows it to switch from opaque to varying levels of transparency at the touch of a button. Unfortunately, luxury features such as massaging and ventilated front seats—commonly offered by other picks in this class—aren’t available on this McLaren. The GT offers cargo capacity that’s generous for this class. In back, there’s a rear luggage bay that offers 15 cubic feet of stowage. There’s also a front trunk offering an additional 5 cubic feet, bringing total cargo capacity to 20 cubic feet. With a rival such as the DB11, you get only 9 cubic feet of room for your gear. Keep in mind, though, that due to the placement of the engine, the GT’s rear cargo area gets very hot. A laptop stored there was warm enough to cause concern after a drive.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
The GT’s lineup of tech features includes a 7.0-inch portrait-style touchscreen, and the automaker says its graphics were inspired by those used on private jets. SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation are standard as well as a four-speaker sound system. A 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system is optional.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Driver-assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning aren’t offered with the GT. For more information about the GT’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The GT’s limited and powertrain warranty coverage is similar to the protection offered by rivals from Aston Martin and Bentley, however, McLaren has added a three-year service plan to new-car purchases beginning with the 2023 model year.
Limited warranty covers three years or unlimited miles Powertrain warranty covers three years or unlimited miles Service plan coverage for three years or unlimited miles
Specifications
Specifications
2020 McLaren GT
VEHICLE TYPE
mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$256,125 (base price: $213,195)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement
244 in3, 3994 cm3
Power
612 hp @ 7500 rpm
Torque
465 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): control arms/control arms
Brakes (F/R): 14.4-in vented, cross-drilled disc/13.9-in vented, cross-drilled disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4, F: 225/30R-20 (90Y) MC R: 295/30R-21 (102Y) MC
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.3 in
Length: 184.4 in
Width: 80.5 in
Height: 47.8 in
Cargo volume (F/R): 5/15 ft3
Curb weight: 3464 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1 ft: 0.2 sec
60 mph: 2.8 sec
100 mph: 6.1 sec
130 mph: 10.1 sec
150 mph: 14.2 sec
170 mph: 21.0 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.8 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 2.7 sec
¼-mile: 10.7 sec @ 133 mph
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 203 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 151 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 300 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 1.01 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 18 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 17/15/21 mpg
More Features and Specs
