McLaren GT lands in Australia

Missed out on McLaren’s incredible – and incredibly limited – Speedtail? Good news, its descendant, the McLaren GT has launched in Australia with a more ‘affordable’ base asking price of $399,995.

From the outset McLaren says the GT features “DNA honed from the Speedtail” and is meant to provide owners with the space, comfort, and usability of a grand tourer in a mid-engined package. It might not be ‘Speedtail-lite’, but there is plenty to differentiate the GT from the rest of the pack.

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For starters, the GT is built on a new carbon fibre tub known as the MonoCell II-T, which features a new upper structure that allows engineers to carve out a 420-litre luggage area in the back.

According to McLaren, the GT’s rear luggage area is big enough to swallow a golf bag, or two pairs of skis, along with luggage. That is not inclusive of the additional 150 litres of boot space in the front.

Not only that, McLaren says the new carbon fibre structure doesn’t compromise on weight, with the GT’s kerb weight quoted at 1530kg. While heavier than any other McLaren on sale in Australia, it is nearly 100kg lighter than an Aston Martin Vantage or Ferrari 812 Superfast.

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Also specific to the GT is new sophisticated Proactive Damping Control suspension control software that was derived from the 720S’ Optimal Control Theory, tailored for occupant comfort rather than outright track performance.

Power comes from yet another derivative of McLaren’s twin-turbo V8, this time around it’s a 4.0-litre version tweaked to deliver 456kW and 630Nm. Coupled to a 7-speed dual-clutch, the GT is able to get from 0-100km/h in 3.2sec and 0-200km/h in 9sec.

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With its suspension, steering, and brakes optimised for grand touring duties, McLaren claims that the GT is a new entry to McLaren’s range of supercars, and complements the existing Sports, Super, and Ultimate Series.

It’s available to order now from Australian McLaren dealers.