1,000 miles in the new McLaren GT - European Road Test | Autocar

The McLaren GT is the firm’s first dedicated grand tourer, designed from the outset to be as easy and comfortable to live with as it is thrilling to drive. With bespoke bodywork, lots of luggage carrying ability, a luxuriously appointed interior and previously unheard or levels of refinement, for McLaren at least, the GT’s task is to both to shrink mammoth motorway journeys and monster mountain passes.
To find out whether McLaren has pulled off this delicate balancing act we subjected it to the ultimate GT test - driving from the very south of France back to the UK, taking in some of the best driving roads Europe has to offer. Here’s how we got on. Subscribe now: smarturl.it/autocar
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[@Toledotourbillion]

Thanks for the honest review. I hope McLaren is making notes.

[@GadgetyMV]

Great review, going for the long haul, bringing up the practical aspects, which are really important for a true GT.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Thanks for referring to the brakes correctly as made of cast iron. Most motoring journalists think they're made of steel.

[@SupercarsinGreece]

Awesome work from Mclaren!!!

[@robertl2856]

Great presentation thanks

[@alanthecat59]

very nice job , clear informative wisdom

[@jbuckley2546]

Great review. First time I've seen this presenter. Spot on. Knowledgeable but mellow with it. Thank you.

[@icecreamforever]

Best McLaren GT review I’ve seen...... thanks!

[@TheForresterOD]

Great review.

[@petercavellini3232]

It was a quick journey, and it came over as an enjoyable one too.😎

[@jameswaugh1134]

Great review fantastic car

[@saauuzza]

Come back when you put in 100 000 miles :)

[@jamieflanagan7946]

Ugh, The South of France! I just come back from Overbygd North Norway in my Skoda. 6000 mile round trip.

[@BLacknesmonstaz]

GT though, I get the handling and power but is it quiet and luxurious enough to travel across country with?

[@zk5802]

Um, put the the heat sensitive items in the front luggage compartment? Yeah, might be annoying to have to think about it, but often you have that kind of stuff separated anyway, and not that much of an inconvenience.

[@keithlivingstone2525]

If I wanted to travel across Europe only via mountains and only two up, then maybe....but I wouldn’t so I’d have a Bentley.

[@raedsakly2463]

or better yet.... An Aston Martin

[@thisBLUEsweater]

a bentley LOL

[@Bruno-cb5gk]

why wouldn't you want to travel across Europe only via mountains?

[@antonoat]

That's a nice car, a bit low though for a sightseeing journey. I'd suggest it would be more enjoyable in a Porsche Cayenne even if not quite so quick!

[@deans7395]

very good

[@urgetodrive]

Drink every time he says "softened off a little"

[@srinitaaigaura]

Mclaren should use water cooling and a 2nd AC in that luggage bay - or resort to actual refrigeration. Would have also liked it if it got the PACC hydraulic suspension instead.

[@aryapradhanad186]

water cooling would add more weight i guess but i agree on the ac on the luggage bay back there and the 720S' suspension

[@raymondsoler5245]

I think a Ferrari 599 would be an awesome GT CAR!

[@mickeykearney935]

I have a 720s now but I owned the gt for almost two years and trading it in was the worst decision I ever made. I miss the touring capabilities and comfort of the gt. Best car McLaren ever made for the every day driver.

[@tomw328]

Still think the only proper GT McLaren has been involved with was the SLR.

[@Nemoticon]

Nah, the SLR was a massive disappointment for McLaren. They made an incredible chassis and Merc ruined it, McLaren all but deny their involvement with that failed project, lol

[@tomw328]

@@Nemoticon that's debatable. They sold out, then sold out of the special editions. Plus it was the only car of its time that could hit 200mph over and over again without needing a trip to the factory after every run, hence just about every "200mph passenger ride" style company still swear by them today. In terms of build and running reliability they're second to none.

[@tomw328]

@@Nemoticon and as my comment was about it being the only McLaren that's a proper GT, which would you say did it better? Can't remember any other front engine/rear drive models.

[@Nemoticon]

@@tomw328 Go on their website.... the SLR isn't on McLaren's 'Legacy' section which shows all their past models. But remember, it wasn't only McLaren who wasn't happy with the SLR when it came out, Merc were less than impressed too.

[@tomw328]

@@Nemoticon think that might have a lot to do with the fact they're now competing in the same space and want don't want to appear involved with the other

[@jameswingrove7421]

In my eyes it is certainly one of the better looking McLaren models. But a GT for me needs to be able to cruise in refined comfort for hour after hour, and I think at that price point, I’d either go DB11 AMR, or maybe a GTC4 Lusso?

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

I think I would rather wait for the Porsche 992 Turbo S due out very soon. More power (?640 BHP), more sonorous and more character. I bet it would prove to be more reliable as well, from my past 996 and 997 Turbo ownership as well. You can also fit two grandchildren in the back.

[@paulfinch5417]

They call it a GT, however the reviewer refers to it as a sports car, and that’s what it is ... for a GT an FF or Bentley are surely the machines of choice ... probably turn out to be the most useable McLaren and at least it does look a bit different from the rest of the range ... as I can afford none of the above I’ll stick to my NSX ... :)

[@jamiep61]

On the best McLaren Supercars

[@Tj930]

Quite a handsome thing.

[@t5jerry]

the windscreen and bonnet are so reminiscent of the ORIGINAL F1 !!!!!!

[@filipborin555]

That heating problem with the back lugage compartment is a hudge dissapointment for me.

[@ld9387]

Me too. Very impractical

[@simonward5833]

My wife’s luggage requirements would certainly disqualify a McLaren GT for me (sigh).

[@po.russki]

Simon Ward you’d actually buy one otherwise?

[@seanm.collins9888]

Get rid of wife and install a newer version.

[@Nemoticon]

Sounds like you wife is the one wearing the trousers! The rule is, if it doesn't fit in the car, its not coming, end of conversation.

[@chiemekaa]

I'm just wondering which supercars left all the black drift marks at the corners? And why do both paddles move without regards to which one is pulled?

[@adriak1]

McLaren paddle shifters can each do both downshifts and upshifts, for example you pull the left paddle to downshift or push it to upshift, you pull the right paddle to upshift and push it to downshift.

[@chiemekaa]

@@adriak1 Still doesn't explain why the other paddle moves simultaneously in the same direction.

[@gladdy6412]

@@chiemekaa because both paddles are essentially a one part, not two. It's not a fault that's just how they work in McLaren's.

[@vika0194]

GLADIUS AR11 nobody said it was a fault. We say it’s a stupid thing

[@gladdy6412]

@@vika0194 no one said its stupid either. It's not stupid, that way its much more practical, and because it's one piece it also saves weight.

[@vdynmx]

Not sure why they didnt make this GT into a 4 seater like the FF or Lusso

[@MarksChannel52]

They don't have a chassis for a 2+2. McLaren to design a front engine traditional GT wouldn't be cost effective. They would have to design whole new chassis, instead of modifying a 720s carbon tub. The Lusso is just an updated FF they share the same aluminum chassis.

[@ftyiogtyre7769]

"4 seater"

[@Robert-Cinque777]

@@MarksChannel52 imagine a longer SLR

[@MarksChannel52]

@@Robert-Cinque777 Yeah, a shooting brake SLR. Need a render of that, please.

[@zLartix]

vdynmx what’s the ff

[@TheBluedragon27]

I wonder why they didn’t mention the fact that this car doesn’t even have the option to fit radar cruise control or any long distance driver aids.

[@CarChrisMC]

Presses auto close trunk button... forces it down... aaaaa

[@danny355]

They should have let the luggage space get a little warmer, 15 degrees hotter and you could sous vide yourself something nice to eat when you reach your desination.

[@lintybeast2714]

It might noise but most people play music

[@Tracertme]

I would take an ICE vanquish.

[@Thomas_Glavelis]

If you want a gt you want a gt!! I d still get the Bentley...

[@GunsNBudder]

Not me. I'd say I want this, but English cars are still proving to be unreliable. Until I see a few thousand 150,000-mile McLarens out there, I'd have to go with a Porsche or a like a C63 or something like that.

[@Wallygjs]

I wish McLaren would sort their engine sound, it reminds me of my Dad's old Mk 1 Cortina being revved!!

[@cutsomeone]

I hate that they don't talk more about MPG'S in supercars. They act like just because you have an expensive habit means you love investing in petrol. the cost might not be a major affect, but NOBODY wants to have to stop every 100 miles to spend 60-100 just to drive another 100 miles to spend another. It makes mountain drives and long canyon/desert drives completely impractical. either way though, thx for being different. You're awesome

[@thefowlyetti2]

he talks about the MPG

[@CarPediaShow]

What is the size of the gas tank and cruising range at highway speedsis a good question for all grand tourers.

[@samrit123in]

You could just google it in 2 seconds rather than typing an essay

[@paddydowney6269]

17:00

[@ChocolateFrog]

Really? It'll be about 5mpg on track and 30mpg on the motorway.

[@Dan4096]

Is it just me or does it sound a bit like an 86 from the outside?

[@Nismoleb89]

Can't even see the engine? Oh boy talk about too little too late when this thing catches fire lol.

[@DonFather]

I think the style just feels wrong with it sitting so high off the ground.

[@demonkiller1104]

Then get a 720 or 765...this is a daily use super car...

[@t5jerry]

who`s the old fella????

[@georgeholloway3981]

This deserved to sell much better.

[@markitoxi]

For the same price of a Bentley Conti GT?? Forget it, off to the Bentley dealership

[@raymondnewbill5294]

Same here!!! Or a used F12!!!

[@zimzipzoop3848]

@@raymondnewbill5294 not even an f12 an ff would be better

[@raymondnewbill5294]

@@zimzipzoop3848 any of the 3 would be a hell of an experience!!! Much better than Mclaren, i really just dont like their interior lay out AT ALL. Not to mention they are HORRIBLY unreliable.

[@zimzipzoop3848]

@@raymondnewbill5294 I agree ,they are much better at super/hypercars.

[@zk5802]

​@@raymondnewbill5294 How many issues did you have in yours?

[@tfrowland]

This really doesn’t look like a true GT car, it’s clearly just a softened supercar. A real GT car has to accommodate you and your beautiful woman for weeks around Europe, she will not be pleased with her washbag contents being melted by the rads in the front or the engine in the back. But fundamentally you want to be able to forget the car is there for those long drives along late-night autostrade, and I just don’t get that this car would let you do that. It looks just too tight and noisy (being a sports car rather than a GT), and without the ground up GT approach taken by Aston or Bentley.

[@tfrowland]

@Joe Cool People doing grand tours. I've done many tours around Europe, mostly France, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy. If you are touring for three weeks, you spend the day driving to a beautiful place, a legendary restaurant, a certain special road etc or just exploring, and you frequently end up doing the last stretch to your destination / hotel / villa after your day trip at night. It may be in a luxury car, but it's still travel. You need to take your vehicle on alpine trains and Spanish ferries, you have to queue in Sicilian sunshine, and French mountain border tunnels. It's quite simple: a rear / mid engine car is not a grand tourer.

[@YoungDen]

Well, there's a first

[@keithprinn6900]

put your washing in the boot area to dry Hate the colour sorry

[@theutgardianchannel1952]

the double carriage compartments are dumb, if you are going to travel you don't carry two or four minibags, you will carry a big one or two

[@sooperman12]

Looks like a Corvette if the Corvette had a coherent exterior design.

[@BobbyDazzler888]

seriously?

[@Drifty325i]

I’m not going to lie i’ve seen allot of the Corvette in it as well

[@BobbyDazzler888]

Drifty325i this mclaren does look amazing but a corvette looks no better than a samurai-ed turd

[@simons4474]

Looks great in other colours but that gold is awful.

[@slashusr]

rather have a 'vette

[@kanwarjotgill5294]

Engine system fault.....suspension fault.....parking bake fault.....air brake fault....Life of a Mclaren Owner in a nut shell.

[@zk5802]

Heh, in nearly two years I've only had a couple of errors, none of which have actually been an issue. I've had way more issues in my M3 and Porsche.

[@dragan796]

cast iron discs? ...seriously?

[@clobbyhops]

Watch many videos on this Mclaren and no one has shown the engine, show us the dam engine

[@ld9387]

I don't think you can access it

[@triedproven9908]

As long as theres enough room for me to foldup in the frunk who needs a house? Take my money.

[@triedproven9908]

Yes... I'd live in it.

[@raymondnewbill5294]

You can sleep in a car, cant race in a housee......

[@markgeudens2450]

In 3years you would have it for 60% of the price or less. Look at the 570gt

[@vika0194]

This car should be priced at 150K pounds not 200K

[@Brookspirit]

I'm old fashioned. If i want a GT, i want the engine in the front.

[@Brookspirit]

@Joe Cool Except that has nothing at all to do with roadgoing GT cars, the vast majority of which still have the engine in the front. Nobody thinks putting the engine at the front of an Indy car or F1 car is a good idea, you use an entirely different type of car for an entirely different purpose as an example!? This car is competing with the Aston Martin Vantage, Mercedes AMG and Ferrari 812 e.t.c.

[@L77yma]

Where’s Steve Sutcliffe ?

[@robertjones-eb4xo]

Never seen anyone Platt their arms when cornering like you Sir ! Failed your driving teat Im sure .

[@Malc180s]

This isn't a GT. I don't really understand why anyone would suggest it is. It's a sports car, like sports cars of old. Fast, attractive, usable. Best looking car they make by a distance.. Hate the noise though. Hate all cars that make that stupid upshift thump.

[@grahamfalcon4825]

I'll say it again. This guy ain't Matt.

[@ducedevlstear2471]

You ain't Matt, I ain't Matt... He is actually very good, I have no problem with him being featured in the future.

[@grahamfalcon4825]

@@ducedevlstear2471 nah I disagree.

[@grahamfalcon4825]

Would sooner have super Mario do a full review b

[@banestock]

McLaren could do much better.. This is a bit of a disappointment. Neither here nor there. Probably should wait for the next improved iteration of this car.

[@hermanjohnson9180]

This is possibly the best handling Mclaren and you're disappointed ?

[@mistigan]

458 italia

[@alech8336]

What a dull engine sound. A proper GT should have a V12. This sounds like a couple of rough 4 cylinders.

[@filipborin555]

Nope V12 is soo italish so technicaly outdated like Italy itself.

[@gentnextdoor]

Filip Borin rubbish! A true GT has a big engine at the front. This is a usable supercar to call it a GT is just marketing.

[@daveb5211]

It just looks a bit crap. Maybe it's the wheels. Reminds me of the old Allegro van den plas....

[@einarbb68]

McLaren for the road to my eyes appears being it's brief - rear luggage compartment evidently only for luggage that is heat tolerant irrespective of McLaren claims - no foods, lubes or liquids - put any of that up front. Overall luggage space acceptable for short trips. Car acceptably refined for those as well as well as evidently being comfortable enough. Yet having handling of sport car for the road as well as quite enough performance. Fuel consumption seems also acceptable when loitering at a cruise. Looks seem OK. So if a person likes it, why not. As clearly indicated by comments it's similar priced to a Bentley, yet it seems clearly more agile on a bendy road - the question then seems being being, whether person prefers more sportiness and agility ahead of greater refinement and comfort. Or the other way around.

[@vika0194]

The front doesn’t look good. Weird light placement, weird air intakes.

[@prabanjanraja8108]

1000km thalaa what happened to Europe 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@alberttanner408]

Your not allowed to drive faster than 70 mph so whats the point. If your allowed to drove at 200mph then its worth it.

[@farishanafiah8461]

Not all places have speed limit.

[@Nemoticon]

Don't talk stats with a GT.... its irrelvant.

[@bfcfan2739]

Not practical enough for a gt

[@bispal]

Too much exhaust drone for a touring car! Prefer 12C / 650S. Very big too, for small European villages. Probably the least visually pleasing McLaren ever. Be interesting to see if it sells especially without discounts.

[@strawman3059]

What's the point in you lot moaning about it? Yer never gonna buy one!

[@blarkdexture8899]

Just stupid for a GT

[@allensaunders449]

First McLaren with an interior that actually looks comfortable to be in

[@JohnSmith-tj6vz]

Jhheeeeeez

[@jhrodriguez08]

All good until it breaks as a good british product

[@jbuckley2546]

Fuckwit

[@shubhromu]

What's with those mouth farts??

[@drdoolittle5724]

At least an illegal would be snug in the boot!

[@rajchoudhury5130]

this guy was def bullied at school

[@Dayumhesgood]

Boring. Looks the same as every mclaren but probably costs and breaks down more.

[@machidaman]

More?!? It would literally never leave the workshop if that were true.

[@vika0194]

Ni it doesn’t look the same, it looks worse

[@elanjacobs1]

Such a beautiful car spoiled by this guy's repetitive, stilted rambling.

[@TheMeghasandesh]

Sincerely, please stop with the tongue flopping sound. It's quite disgusting

[@huwprice881]

Why bother? Appalling reliability, no Apple or Google play, only two seats, Kenwood Chef engine noise. Why buy the new money mans Vauxhall? Just buy a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso and enjoy!

[@nevarran]

That ought to be the most bland sports car I've seen in my life, and it has the color to match.