McLaren Launch The 570GT Luxury Sports Tourer
McLaren launched the brand new and exciting 570GT in Geneva today, but they gave a lucky few a sneak preview over a month ago at the Hurlingham club.
The 570GT is aimed at those who want a little more comfort and luxury in their gorgeously designed and incredibly powerful supercar. It is a version of the 570S Coupé but with a few amendments to create the perfect mechanical touring beast, with added extras to ease the long journeys while still turning heads in any country. The rear of the car is the biggest departure from the 570S with a more hefty backside that now includes a side opening glass hatch to store luggage in. I must admit the back is perhaps even more attractive than the 570S, but it will come down to your own preference in this, is big more beautiful?
The front bonnet still opens up to reveal the forward luggage storage with 150 litres of space, which when added to the rear 220 litres gives you just enough room for the weekend wardrobe. The cabin has also been further insulated to make it quieter and the car comes with Pirelli tyres that use new technology to reduce road noise. The 570GT also comes with McLaren 8 speaker Audio Plus sound system as standard with a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system available as an option.
The suspension and steering has been tuned and the car is fitted with these newly developed Pirelli tyres to suit longer journeys rather than tearing around a track. Though it does that brilliantly well too. As in all the sports series the doors have a lower sill and the swooping dihedral doors rise high for easier access. It also features a glass panoramic roof which really adds to the light and luxurious feeling in the plush leather upholstered interior. The craftsmanship throughout is flawless and it’s a wonder to experience. It combines both classic luxury and futuristic technology with breathtaking design. The overall effect is is that of a luxury space cruiser that Hans Solo might have piloted once he made his fortune selling little Chewbaccas as pets to Chelsea housewives. Jokes aside this is a another McLaren masterpiece, you really have to see it, sit in it and drive it to understand, but once you do, beware, as lust is sure to follow.
The 570GT has the same engine as the 570S Coupé, the McLaren-developed 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 M838TE engine with 570PS or 562bhp, which is powerful enough in any touring car, let alone one that weighs only 1,350kg, so it blasts from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, enough to get through even the worst rush hour at the Trocadero roundabout in Paris on your way down to the French Riviera. The seven speed seamless paddle shift transmission delivers all this power to the rear wheels in Normal, Sport or Track settings with bespoke gear calibrations technologies all available. The suspension can also be adjusted to suit all three conditions and are coupled to the front and rear roll bars.
It's the body of this car that makes it stand out from the crowd, the design is jaw droppingly beautiful and the sleek aerodynamic lines are further enhanced by an extended rear spoiler that is 10 mm taller than the 570S Coupé. The shape of the 570GT is immensely appealing, combining airflow dynamics for performance and carefully considered vanity design to make this the bedroom poster car for a new generation. It gets a full 10 out of 10 for head turning appeal, and is a serious contender for first place at the Cannes Tournament de Tètes competition in 2016. I am a keen fan of side air intakes, no pun intended.
McLaren may not have had their best year in Formula One but they are certainly producing the best road cars in the world and as a British company they are going from strength to strength. This new luxury sports model fills a niche for a glamorous, powerful weekend tourer that is an incredible pleasure to drive and be seen in. We are all eagerly awaiting the next launch in the Sport Series!
McLaren 570GT Technical Statistics
PERFORMANCE
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) : 3.4 seconds
0-200 km/h (0-124 mph) : 9.8 seconds
0-400m / ¼ mile : 11.1 seconds @ 213 km/h (132 mph)
Top speed : 328 km/h (204 mph)
Power-to-weight : 422PS per tonne
BRAKING
100-0 km/h (62 mph) : 33.0 m (108 ft)
200-0 km/h (124 mph) : 133 m (436 ft)
ENGINE & POWERTRAIN
Engine Configuration : V8 Twin Turbo / 3799cc
Power : 570PS (562 bhp) @ 7,500 rpm
Torque : 600Nm (443 lb ft) @ 5,000-6,500 rpm
Transmission : 7 Speed SSG
CO2 : 249 g/km
Fuel consumption : combined - 26.6 mpg (EU), 10.7 l/100 km
urban - 17.2 mpg (EU), 16.5 l/100 km
extra urban - 38.4 mpg (EU), 7.4 l/100 km
Engine lubricant : Mobil 1 New Life™ 0W-40
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Dry weight - lightest : 1,350kg (2,976lb)
Weight distribution : 42 / 58
Length : 4,530 mm
Width : 2,095 mm
Height : 1,201 mm
Wheelbase : 2,670 mm
Pricing starts at £154,000 in the UK
http://www.mclaren.com/
