The McLaren GT was Woking’s attempt to rethink the traditional grand tourer. Launched in 2019, it combined the lightness, carbon-fibre structure and mid-engined balance expected of a McLaren with more luggage space, a calmer ride and a cabin designed for long journeys.
It was not a conventional front-engined rival to an Aston Martin DB11 or Bentley Continental GT. Instead, McLaren kept the engine behind the occupants and used clever packaging to create a car that could cross countries at speed without abandoning supercar responses.
Why McLaren created the GT
The earlier 570GT had tested the idea by adding a side-hinged glass luggage hatch and softer settings to the Sports Series. The McLaren GT developed that thinking into a distinct model with unique bodywork, a longer tail and a more mature character.
Its carbon-fibre MonoCell II-T structure was derived from McLaren’s sports cars but adapted to create additional luggage space. The design retained dramatic dihedral doors while reducing the visual aggression of models such as the 600LT and 720S.
Engine and key specifications
A 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, coded M840TE, produced 620PS (612bhp) and 630Nm. Power went to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The performance comfortably justified the badge, yet delivery was tuned to feel progressive during everyday driving.
- Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 620PS / 612bhp
- Torque: 630Nm
- 0–62mph: 3.2 seconds
- Top speed: 204mph
- Dry weight: 1,466kg
- Luggage capacity: 150 litres front, 420 litres rear
The long rear luggage area sat above the engine and could accommodate golf clubs or skis. A smaller compartment in the nose added useful space. Heat management was crucial, and a glazed rear deck made the unusual arrangement visible.
Ride and long-distance character
McLaren’s Proactive Damping Control used sensors and software to anticipate surface changes and adjust the adaptive dampers. The ride was gentler than the company’s more focused supercars, while generous glass area and a well-positioned driving seat made the GT easy to place.
Electro-hydraulic steering preserved the detailed feedback for which modern McLarens became known. The GT did not disguise its mid-engined layout, but delivered its performance with less theatre and physical effort.
McLaren GT versus 570GT
The similar names can be confusing. The 570GT was a touring derivative of the 570S, while the later GT was a separate model with a 4.0-litre engine, more luggage capacity and a more luxurious brief. The newer car was faster, more spacious and visually distinct, though some enthusiasts prefer the smaller dimensions of the 570GT.
The GT was later succeeded by the GTS, which refined the same formula with more power and detail changes. That continuity shows that the original car was not an experiment but the start of a lasting strand in McLaren’s range.
Design and cabin
The interior offered optional soft-grain leather, cashmere and more restrained colour schemes than the track-led models. A portrait-format infotainment screen modernised the dashboard, while the door apertures were designed to ease entry in tighter spaces.
From outside, the long rear deck and slim pillars gave the GT a cleaner profile than most McLarens. It looked understated by supercar standards, which suited a car intended to cover distance rather than attract attention at every stop.
Ownership snapshot
A full service record and specialist inspection remain important. Check operation of the infotainment and electrical systems, condition of the glazed rear deck, suspension, tyres, brakes and paint protection. Our separate buying guide will examine running costs and common issues in greater depth.
Image via Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licence. Specifications referenced against McLaren’s official GT model information.
