New superlight McLaren GT debuts in South Africa

10 Feb 2020

  • McLaren GT makes its country debut at exclusive event in Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • New model delivers classic Grand Tourer attributes of competition levels of performance and continent-crossing capability, yet is lighter, faster, more engaging and more usable
  • Optimised for daily use with outstanding ride comfort, segment-leading cabin refinement and total stowage capacity of 570 litres including room for golf clubs
  • True supercar performance for the Grand Touring segment: 0-200km/h in 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 326km/h
  • The fourth model launched under the Track25 business plan

McLaren Automotive, the British creator of luxury, high-performance sportscars and supercars, has revealed the new McLaren GT at an exclusive event held in Johannesburg on Saturday, February 8, 2020.

The new McLaren GT, a fourth model launched under the company’s Track25 business plan, challenges the conventions of the Grand Tourer category with a compelling blend of beautiful design, high-quality innovative materials, true supercar performance and McLaren driving dynamics and engagement.

“We are extremely proud to unveil the new McLaren GT in Johannesburg. Our goal with the GT was to offer a McLaren alternative in the Grand Touring category and extend the appeal of our brand to a new audience. The result is a car with the best power-to-weight ratio in class but also enhanced luggage capacity and high levels of everyday usability. I am confident that this sophisticated vehicle will appeal to both our existing and new customers in the market.”
Brett Soso, Managing Director of Middle East, Africa & Latin America for McLaren Automotive.

Positioned alongside the established Sports, Super and Ultimate Series families, this is a new McLaren for a new audience and provides an alternative to existing products in an expanding market segment.

The new McLaren GT features a core carbon fibre structure that possesses exceptional strength and rigidity while enabling unparalleled driving dynamics and lightest-in-class kerb weight. 

At as little as 1,530kg (DIN), the McLaren GT is more than 130kg lighter than its heaviest competitor and with 620PS from its 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the power-to-weight ratio is a remarkable 405PS-per-tonne. Torque of 630Nm is produced between 5,500rpm and 6,500rpm, with more than 95% of this available from 3,000rpm to 7,250rpm. The new engine is mated to a 7-speed SSG transmission to deliver linear, seamless and relentless acceleration.

The performance statistics speak for themselves: with a launch control function optimising acceleration from a standing start, 0-100km/h is achieved in 3.2 seconds, 0-200km/h is dispatched in 9.0 seconds. The maximum speed of the McLaren GT is 326km/h.

The bespoke MonoCell II-T carbon fibre monocoque also incorporates a carbon fibre rear upper structure, which allows the creation of a 420-litre luggage area below the front-hinged, full-length glazed tailgate. The tailgate has a soft-close function as standard and can be optioned as electrically powered. The resulting storage capacity allows for a golf bag, as well as luggage to be carried with ease, while a further 150 litres of storage at the front means that the new McLaren GT can accommodate a total of 570 litres.

Technology and modern craftsmanship share equal prominence in the car, with the finest high-quality materials, complemented by the company’s most sophisticated infotainment system to date. It is among the fastest-operating in any car, and features real-time traffic information accessible through the seven-inch central touchscreen.

As it befits a Grand Tourer, ambient refinement was a priority for the new McLaren GT from the outset. Its 10-degree approach angle allows the car to cope with the most aggressive traffic calming measures and speedbumps. In combination with underbody clearance of 110mm (130mm) with vehicle lift, this ensures the vehicle is usable in all urban situations, not only is it competitive with all rivals, but in ‘lift’ mode it is the equal of mainstream sedans.

For more information on the award-winning range of McLaren sports and supercars, and full list of retail locations, please visit: http://cars.mclaren.com/.

Ends

Technical specification

Engine configurationM840TE engine, 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, 3,994cc
Drivetrain layoutLongitudinal mid-engined, RWD
Power PS (bhp/kW) @ rpm620 (612/456) @ 7,500rpm
Torque Nm (lb ft) @ rpm630 (465) @ 5,500-6,500rpm
Transmission7 Speed+reverse SSG. 
Comfort, Sport and Track modes
SteeringHydraulic; power-assisted
ChassisCarbon fibre MonoCell II-T monocoque, with carbon fibre rear upper structure and aluminium crash structures front and rear
SuspensionDouble aluminium wishbone; independent adaptive dampers with Proactive Damping Control.Comfort, Sport and Track modes
BrakesCast iron discs (367mm front; 354mm rear) and calipers (4-piston front & rear); Carbon ceramic discs with forged aluminium calipers optional
Wheels (inches)Front: 8J x 20; Rear: 10.5J x 21
TyresPirelli P ZERO™ Front: 225/35/R20; Rear: 295/30/R21
Length, mm (inches)4,683 (184.4)
Wheelbase, mm (inches)2,675 (105.3)
Height, mm (inches)1,213 (47.8)
Width, with mirrors, mm (inches)2,095 (82.5)
Width, mirrors folded, mm (inches)2,045 (80.5)
Track (to contact patch centre), mm (inches)Front: 1,671 (65.8); Rear: 1,663 (65.5)
Lightest dry weight, kg (lbs)1,466 (3,232)
DIN Kerb weight [fluids + 90% fuel], kg (lbs)1,530 (3,373)
US Curb weight [fluids + 100% fuel] lbs (kg)3,384 (1,535)
Weight distribution (% Front/Rear)42.5/57.5
Fuel tank capacity, litres (UK/USA gallons)72 (15.8/19)
Luggage capacity, litres570 (Front: 150; Rear: 420)
Performance data
0-97km/h (0-60mph)3.1 seconds
0-100km/h (0-62mph)3.2 seconds
0-200km/h (0-124mph)9.0 seconds
Maximum speed326km/h (203mph)
200-0km/h (124mph–0) braking, metres (ft)127.0 (417)
100–0km/h (62mph–0) braking, metres (ft) 32.0 (105)
Efficiency
CO2 emissions, g/km WLTP EU (combined)270
CO2 emissions, g/km NEDC EU (combined)245
Grand Touring range (at NEDC EU Combined)666km (414 miles)
Grand Touring range (at US EPA Highway)418 miles
Fuel consumption WLTP EU l/100km/UK MPG
Combined11.9 l/100km/23.7 mpg
Low22.2 l/100km /12.7 mpg
Medium11.9 l/100km /23.7 mpg
High9.3 l/100km /30.4 mpg
Extra-high10.2 l/100km /27.7 mpg
Fuel consumption NEDC EU l/100km/UK MPG
Urban14.6 l/100km/19.4 mpg
Extra Urban8.7 l/100km/32.5 mpg
Combined10.8 l/100km/26.2 mpg
Fuel consumption, US mpg
City15
Highway22
Combined18


Notes to editors
A selection of high resolution images accompanying this release is available to download from the McLaren Automotive media site – cars.mclaren.press

About McLaren Automotive:

McLaren Automotive is a creator of luxury, high-performance supercars.

Every vehicle is hand-assembled at the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, Surrey, England.

Launched in 2010, the company is now the largest part of the McLaren Group. 

The company’s product portfolio of GT, Supercar, Motorsport and Ultimate models are retailed through over 85 retailers in more than 32 markets around the world.

McLaren is a pioneer that continuously pushes the boundaries. In 1981, it introduced lightweight and strong carbon fibre chassis into Formula 1 with the McLaren MP4/1.

Then in 1993  it designed and built the McLaren F1 road car – the company has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis since. As part of the Ultimate Series, McLaren was the first to deliver a hybrid hypercar, the McLaren P1™.

Announced at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2018, the company’s Track25 business plan will see it invest £1.2billion in research and development to deliver 18 new cars or derivatives by the end of 2025.

In 2018, the company launched its new £50m McLaren Composites Technology Centre in the Sheffield region in the North of England that will see it produce the next generation of lightweight carbon fibre ‘tubs’ that are at the heart of all McLaren cars.

2019 saw McLaren launch the 600LT Spider as well as the new GT, the track-only Senna GTR and unveiled the 620R and the McLaren Elva.

To support the development, engineering and manufacture of its range of innovative sportscars and supercars, McLaren Automotive partners with world leading companies to provide specialist expertise, technology and solutions. These include AkzoNobel, Ashurst, Dell Technologies, OnePlus, Pirelli,  Richard Mille, and Tumi.

McLaren Group:
The McLaren Group is a global leader in luxury automotive and technology and comprises three businesses: Automotive, Racing and Applied.

Further information:

Adam Gron
Retail Marketing Manager, Middle East, Africa and Latin America McLaren Automotive Limited
Mobile: +973 (0) 66 398339 
Email: adam.gron@mclaren.com

Media website: cars.mclaren.press
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