McLaren has replaced the poorly selling GT with the new GTS. Promising a better blend of practicality, comfort and driving experience, the GTS features design changes inside and out as well as a lower weight. Paired with an increased power output of 626 horsepower, the GTS is no slouch with a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds.
An Updated Exterior Design
The sharp lines that prominently featured on the GT remain, but McLaren has accentuated the GTS’ sporty appearance with changes at the front and rear. At the front, the GTS gets more prominent air intakes, which can specified in gloss carbon fibre for a more aggressive look. At the rear, taller air scoops feature which direct more air into the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. The GTS also benefits from a large rear diffuser and dual exhausts.
Stealth Mode Activated
The GTS comes standard with a black finish around the exhaust and on the mirror caps and window surrounds to give it a more aggressive appearance. GTS badges can also be specified in black as part of the Stealth Badge Pack, an optional extra. Carbon fibre parts can also be chosen in abundance, with the front splitter, side skirts and rear bumper and diffuser being optionally available in the lightweight material. Alongside the underbody carbon pack, exterior details such as the front air intake blades, the rear fender air intakes and mirror caps can also be finished in carbon fibre.
An Updated Interior
Supercars usually prioritise speed over luxury but the GTS is different. Whilst still incredibly fast, the interior is focused on comfort and refinement. Designed for long journeys, it uses high-quality materials like aluminium for the gearshift paddles as well as gloss black surrounds for the infotainment screen, gear selector and air vents. Carbon fibre is also optional inside with the paddles and steering wheel having optional carbon finishes.
The GTS comes standard with Nappa leather Comfort seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. The Performance interior scheme has Softgrain Aniline leather with Alcantara on electrically adjustable heated seats, whilst the TechLux interior scheme has Softgrain Aniline Leather with colour highlights and a double-piped pattern on the seats.
Practical Technology
The GTS has a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, showing key information like speed, gear selection and engine revs as well as navigation. The McLaren also features a responsive 7-inch portrait touchscreen alongside a Bowers & Wilkins audio system using 12 speakers and carbon fibre sub-bass woofers. Ambient lighting is standard whilst McLaren’s well-known electrochromic roof is available instead of the standard gloss black carbon fibre roof.
A Practical Supercar
The GTS is designed to blend speed and usability and McLaren has done this by creating large rear storage space in the carbon fibre monocoque chassis. A total of 570 litres of storage means it is the most practical supercar available and the 420-litre boot is seriously impressive. Paired with a 150-litre space at the front, the GTS is more than practical enough for a long weekend away for two. The GTS also has visibility better than any other car in its class, with the use of glass at the rear helping. It should also be able to traverse speedbumps, with the vehicle lifting system taking just four seconds to raise the nose 20mm.
A Lightweight GT
With a kerb weight of just 1520 kg, the GTS is the lightest in its high-performance GT sector. With a power-to-weight ratio of 418 PS per tonne, the vast amounts of carbon fibre serve more than just an aesthetic purpose. The MonoCell II-T chassis keeps the core of the McLaren rigid and alongside the double-wishbone suspension and hydraulic steering system means the GTS is one of the best handling daily drivers on the market.
A High-Performance Daily
With 626 horsepower being sent to the rear wheels, the GTS is not your usual daily driver. The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine that powers the GTS has an extra 15 PS when compared to its use in the GT due to more aggressive combustion phasing and revised ignition timing. This McLaren however is not aimed at going fast all the time, as demonstrated by the seven-speed SSG gearbox which starts up in Comfort by default. Two more aggressive driving modes, Sport and Track, are available but the GTS is a car designed to be as suited to low-speed driving as it is to flat-out racing.
The hydraulic dampers from Monroe offer the same settings. The brakes on the GTS are less tailored to everyday driving, with carbon ceramic discs being used. Typically used for track driving, their use on the GTS is a clear reminder that the McLaren is not just a grand tourer.
A Plethora of Options
Alongside the aforementioned carbon fibre and interior options, the GTS brings more exterior options than was previously seen on the GT. New colours such as Mantis Green, Tanzanite Blue and Ice White are available as well as the launch Lava Grey, which is exclusive to McLaren’s most practical model. The new 10-spoke Turbine lightweight forged alloy wheel is available on the GTS in four different finishes, as are the standard forged alloys.
Extra Piece of Mind
The GTS comes standard with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as a three-year paint and ten-year anti-perforation warranty. GTS customers can also extend their warranty up to 12 years and if they choose the McLaren Service Plan, get three years of vehicle servicing at a McLaren main dealer.
More information about the new McLaren GTS is available at https://cars.mclaren.com/en/gts.
