McLaren’s new GTS, a replacement for the GT, is a super-lightweight grand tourer engineered for drivers who demand “dynamic excellence and driving excitement” while also offering the ride comfort, refinement and luggage space required for grand tours. Its performance is complemented by an increased choice of exterior and interior specifications.
“The new McLaren GTS offers an unmatched blend of McLaren driving dynamics and performance, with refinement and practicality. When you want a true supercar driving experience, the GTS delivers that; when you want to relax on a longer journey with luggage for a weekend away, the GTS is an ideal companion. This is a car that is true to McLaren’s racing DNA but with multiple layers of ability,” says Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren Automotive.
The elegant exterior lines of the GT remain the basis of the GTS’ aerodynamics and profile, but new visual enhancements make it more assertive. At the front of the GTS, the ‘hammerhead’ signature styling has been updated with a new lower front bumper section. This area of the car features newly sculpted air intakes that are more pronounced, with wider intakes to channel more air into the car’s radiator system.
The front intake air blades can be optioned in gloss carbon fibre, giving the GTS a more aggressive look. On the rear fenders, new, taller air scoops – also available in gloss visual carbon fibre – are sited on the car’s shoulders. Like the redesigned front end, the enhancements on the rear fenders are functional, enabling greater airflow into the engine. The GTS also debuts an all-new large rear diffuser and dual exhausts.
As standard, the GTS comes with a gloss black finish on the exhaust finisher, mirror caps and window surrounds by default. The car’s badging, including new side badges, can be tinted with a black finish by selecting the Stealth Badge Pack option. Visual carbon fibre options include an underbody carbon pack, which encompasses the front splitter, side skirts and rear bumper lower and diffuser. Exterior details such as the front air intake blades, the rear fender air intakes and mirror caps can also be finished in carbon fibre.
New exterior paint options include Mantis Green, Tanzanite Blue and Ice White. Lava Grey is a new colour exclusive to the GTS. This metallic finish incorporates a shimmering red fleck that catches the light to create a distinctive effect that marks it out from other shades of grey.
The GTS is underpinned by the carbon fibre MonoCell II-T monocoque chassis, which boasts strong, ultra-lightweight construction and the rigidity demanded by a mid-engine sports car. The standard composite roof is made from recycled carbon fibre, one of many weight-saving solutions found in the GTS.
At just 1,520kg, the GTS is among the lightest cars in its class, as well as having one of the best power-to-weight ratios at 418PS per-tonne. The power of the V8 M840TE 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine delivers 635PS at 7,500rpm, of which, 15PS comes from increased crankshaft torque. The launch control, a standard function, enables the GTS to hit 0-100kmph in only 3.2 seconds and 0-200kmph in just 8.9 seconds. The maximum speed of the GTS is 326kmph.
The GTS has a seven-speed SSG transmission engineered to provide smooth, seamless and rapid shifts. The driver has a choice of three driving modes – Comfort, Sport and Track. The tuning of the electro-hydraulic steering system, the standard-fit suspension featuring adaptive damping with proactive damping control, and the powerful carbon ceramic braking system are all unique to the GTS. The latter is equipped with all carbon ceramic brake discs – 390mm at the front and 380mm at the rear – capable of bringing the car to a halt from 62mph in just 32 metres.
The standard wheel for the GTS is a 10-twin-spoke forged alloy wheel, also offered in Silver, Gloss Black or Gloss Black Diamond Cut, alongside an exclusive Tungsten option. Also, a new 10-spoke Turbine lightweight forged alloy wheel is available in Silver, Gloss Black, Gloss Black with Diamond Cut effect, and Orum.
The car’s lightweight, aluminium double-wishbone suspension features McLaren’s Proactive Damper Control, an adaptive damper technology that alters the suspension characteristics between the three Active Dynamics modes. This ranges from maximum compliance in Comfort for more relaxed driving to much more robust damper control in Track mode. The car’s underbody ground clearance of 110mm can be increased to 130mm using the vehicle lift function in only four seconds – more than twice as fast as before.
A carbon fibre rear upper structure within the monocoque chassis design allows for the creation of a large and versatile luggage space behind the passenger cell. With a capacity of 420 litres, this cargo area is accessed via a front-hinged, full-length glass tailgate that is electrically operated. The luggage space is complemented by 150 litres of storage within the nose of the car, which brings the total cargo space to 570 litres.
The interior of the GTS is a refined and luxurious space. It is comfortable for long-distance journeys while also providing a confidence-inducing platform when the car’s dynamic capabilities are at play. It offers excellent visibility in the front as well as the rear thanks to the large glass tailgate, glazed C-pillars and large rear quarter windows.
The cabin uses a mixture of high-quality materials. Machine-polished and knurled aluminium switches and controls are placed around the interior, including the steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles. Gloss black surrounds the infotainment screen, gear selector on the centre console, air vent housings and window switches. Optional visual carbon fibre packs include a satin carbon finish steering wheel clasp extended gearshift paddles, and interior surrounds, along with sill finishers with McLaren branding.
As standard, the Comfort seats of the GTS are upholstered with Nappa leather trim alongside a leather trimmed steering wheel. New Performance and TechLux interior schemes introduce a refreshed design. Performance trim is sporty, sharp and technical with seats upholstered in Softgrain Aniline leather and Alcantara in Jet Black or Barolo, with contrasting piping.
The 10.25-inch digital instrument panel – displaying the speed, gear selection and engine revs – integrates with the standard navigation system to provide turn-by-turn directions. The GTS also features a 7-inch central touchscreen infotainment system in portrait. Sharp and responsive thanks to its powerful 10-core processor, it’s easy to use, with its smartphone-style menu and input method. A Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system comprising 12 speakers, along with carbon fibre sub-bass woofers and Kevlar mid-range drive units is optionally available.
Interior illumination by way of hidden-until-lit six-colour ambient lighting is offered, while the natural light afforded by a glass panoramic roof is available with an electrochromic glazed panel, which replaces the standard carbon fibre composite gloss black roof. The panel allows a driver to select one of five light transmission levels at the touch of a button. In its darkest setting, the electrochromic roof provides a 0.6% light transmission level.
The McLaren GTS comes with a standard three-year vehicle warranty with unlimited mileage, as well as a three-year paint warranty and a ten-year anti-perforation warranty.
