Up until now, McLaren's entire range has been launched with an unashamed focus on out-and-out performance. With a lack of luggage space and track-ready tire setups, the 570S, 650S and 675LT are great performance cars, but not necessarily the right choice for a cross-country jaunt. The 570GT should change all of that, thanks to some extra luggage space, a more luxurious interior and unique suspension tuning.
It's no surprise McLaren has chosen its Sport Series as a base for its long distance tourer. Compared to the smaller 650S and 675LT, the latest entry into the McLaren range has a lower and narrower sill on its MonoCell that makes getting into the cabin easy: even if you're wearing a slim-cut power suit or breezy sundress.
The GT takes that everyday-friendly design and adds a panoramic glass roof for a light, airy feeling inside. This extends to a new side-opening glass hatch which, when combined with the 150 L (40 US gal) of stowage in the front luggage area, adds up to a total of 370 L (98 US gal) of storage space for everything you might need on a weekend away.
Because of the redesigned glasshouse, the 570GT has lost the flying buttresses that provide the sportier 570S with high-speed downforce. To replicate the effect, McLaren has fitted a larger rear spoiler at the back of the car, although the distinctive front splitter has made the transition unchanged. It works in tandem with the creases running along the bonnet to direct air over the front fenders and into the air intakes running along the side of the car.
No one wants to be pummelled by stiff suspension or deafened by road noise on their long distance road trip, so McLaren has gone to great lengths to make sure the cabin is a refined place in the 570GT. There's high quality leather spread throughout, electrically adjustable seats and the steering column rises to make entry and egress easier.
There's extra noise cancelling, as well as specially developed Pirelli P Zero tires that cut up to three decibels from the in-cabin noise. If that doesn't work, buyers can opt for a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, made up of aluminum tweeters, Kevlar mid-range drive units and two carbon fiber subwoofers, driven through a 1280W amplifier.
In keeping with the GT's more relaxed feel, McLaren has reduced the spring rates at the front by 15 percent, as well as dialling back on the rear spring rates by 10 percent, although owners are still able to tweak the feel of the car by switching between normal, sport and track modes. Power is still pegged at a healthy 562 hp (419 kW), and peak torque from the 3.8-liter V8 twin-turbo is still 600 Nm (443 lb-ft).
So, how much will Gizmag's ideal road trip car cost? Pricing starts at £154,000 (US$214,480) in the UK, although that's likely to balloon as soon as you tick some boxes on the option list.
McLaren will launch the car at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, where we'll be sure to snap a few pics. Until then, you can check out McLaren's snaps in the gallery.
Source: McLaren
