McLaren, the iconic British supercar manufacturer, introduces the highly anticipated McLaren GTS, designed to take its place in the McLaren lineup as a replacement for the GT model.
Exterior Enhancements:
At the forefront of the GTS’s aesthetic evolution is the updated ‘hammerhead’ signature styling at the front. A redesigned lower front bumper section houses more pronounced air intakes, featuring wider openings to optimise airflow to the car’s radiator system. The front intake air blades, available in gloss visual carbon fibre, not only reflect McLaren’s racing heritage but also contribute to the GTS’s more aggressive and dynamic appearance.
On the rear fenders, new and taller air scoops, also offered in gloss visual carbon fibre, sit prominently, facilitating increased airflow into the heart of the GTS – the formidable 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
The GTS’s muscular visuals include a large rear diffuser and dual exhausts, enhancing the car’s overall aerodynamics. The optional Sports Exhaust system delivers an exhilarating supercar soundtrack, allowing drivers to revel in the raw power at their command.
For a stealthy appearance by default, the GTS comes standard with a gloss black finish on the exhaust finisher, mirror caps, and window surrounds. The vehicle’s badging, including new side badges, can be further customized with a black finish by opting for the Stealth Badge Pack. Visual carbon fiber options abound, from underbody carbon packs to specific exterior details such as front air intake blades, rear fender air intakes, and mirror caps.
Lightweight Construction and Performance Prowess:
Underpinning the GTS is the robust carbon fibre MonoCell II-T monocoque chassis, renowned for its strength and ultra-lightweight construction. The chassis features a standard composite roof made from recycled carbon fiber, exemplifying McLaren’s commitment to sustainability without compromising performance.
Weighing a mere 1,520kg (DIN), the GTS claims the title of the lightest car in its class. The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, denoted as the V8 M840TE, now produces an impressive 635PS at 7,500rpm. The engine enhancements include a boost in crankshaft torque through more aggressive combustion phasing and revised ignition timing.
Equipped with a launch-control function, the GTS accelerates from 0-100km/h in a blistering 3.2 seconds and achieves 0-200km/h in just 8.9 seconds, showcasing its formidable performance capabilities. The GTS boasts a maximum speed of 326km/h.
The seven-speed SSG transmission ensures smooth, seamless, and rapid shifts in Comfort mode, the default-from-start-up setting. Drivers can further tailor their experience with Sport and Track modes, accessed through the Active Dynamics Panel. Sport mode introduces heightened drama and urgency, with momentary ignition-spark-cut technology for faster and more aggressive gearshifts. Track mode maximizes gearbox performance with minimal torque loss between shifts. Manual gearshift control is possible using the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters across all driving modes.
Optimised Driving Experience:
The GTS’s electro-hydraulic steering system, the standard-fit suspension with adaptive damping featuring proactive damping control, and the potent carbon ceramic braking system are all meticulously tuned to deliver an authentic and exhilarating supercar driving experience. Balance and agility are prioritised without compromising comfort and ride quality.
The steering system offers unparalleled feedback and precision, automatically increasing assistance at low speeds for ease-of-use during low-speed maneuvers. The GTS is equipped with 390mm brake discs at the front and 380mm discs at the rear, all made of carbon ceramic, providing immense feel and performance.
Continuously variable twin-valve hydraulic dampers from Monroe, McLaren’s Official Intelligent Suspension Supplier, form an integral part of the lightweight aluminum double-wishbone suspension. Proactive Damper Control, McLaren’s adaptive damper technology, ensures suspension characteristics adapt seamlessly to the three Active Dynamics modes – Comfort, Sport, and Track.
Thriving in urban environments, the GTS offers excellent front visibility, a large glass tailgate, glazed C-pillars, and spacious rear quarter windows for optimal rearward vision. The vehicle lift function allows the underbody ground clearance to be adjusted from 110mm to 130mm. The enhanced GTS vehicle lift can now raise or lower the nose in only four seconds – more than twice as fast as its predecessor.
Practical and Luxurious Interior:
The GTS defies expectations by featuring a carbon fibre rear upper structure within the monocoque chassis. This design choice creates a large and versatile luggage space behind the passenger cell, boasting a capacious 420 litres. Accessible through a front-hinged, full-length glass tailgate with an electrically operated and soft-close function, the cargo space is further complemented by a 150-litre storage in the nose, resulting in a total cargo space of 570 litre. The McLaren GTS stands as the most practical new supercar available.
The interior of the GTS seamlessly combines performance with refinement, providing a comfortable cabin for long-distance journeys and serving as a platform for drivers to exploit the car’s dynamic capabilities. The high-quality cabin incorporates a mix of materials chosen to create an ambience of performance and luxury.
Machine-polished and knurled aluminium switches and controls are strategically placed around the interior, including the steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles. Gloss black surrounds accentuate the infotainment screen, gear selector on the centre console, air vent housings, and window switches. Optional visual carbon fibre packs are available, featuring a satin carbon finish steering wheel clasp, extended gearshift paddles, interior surrounds, and sill finishers with McLaren branding.
Comfort seats upholstered with Nappa leather trim and a leather-trimmed steering wheel are standard in the GTS. Two new interior schemes, Performance and TechLux, introduce refreshed designs. The Performance trim exudes sportiness with Softgrain Aniline leather and Alcantara seats in Jet Black or Barolo, accompanied by contrasting piping and Power Adjust Heated Memory Comfort Seats. The TechLux interior scheme radiates classical elegance with a modern twist, featuring Softgrain Aniline Leather interiors with sophisticated colour highlights and a double-piped pattern on the seats.
Cutting-Edge Technology and Customisation Options:
The GTS showcases cutting-edge technology with a 10.25-inch digital instrument display providing essential driver information. Integrated with the standard navigation system, the display offers turn-by-turn directions. The GTS also features a 7-inch central touchscreen infotainment system in portrait orientation, offering a user-friendly interface with smartphone-style menus.
Standard features include satellite navigation with HERE navigation mapping, real-time traffic information, Bluetooth telephone connectivity, media streaming, and DAB digital radio reception. An optional Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system with 12 speakers, carbon fibre sub-bass woofers, and Kevlar mid-range drive units is available for audiophiles.
Interior illumination is provided by hidden-until-lit six-colour ambient lighting, enhancing the cabin’s atmosphere. The GTS offers a glass panoramic roof with an electrochromic glazed panel, replacing the standard carbon fibre composite gloss black roof. The electrochromic panel allows drivers to select one of five light transmission levels at the touch of a button, with the darkest setting providing a 0.6% light transmission level.
Exterior Colours and Wheel Options:
The GTS offers an extended and refreshed palette of exterior paints, including new options such as Mantis Green, Tanzanite Blue, Ice White, and a new colour exclusive to the GTS: Lava Grey. This metallic finish incorporates a shimmering red fleck for a distinctive effect.
Wheel options include a new 10-spoke Turbine lightweight forged alloy wheel, available in Silver, Gloss Black, Gloss Black with Diamond Cut effect, and Orum. The standard wheel is a 10-twin-spoke forged alloy wheel, also offered in Silver, Gloss Black, or Gloss Black Diamond Cut, with an exclusive Tungsten option. Both wheel designs can be paired with new optional titanium locking wheel bolts, reducing unsprung mass by 35%.
McLaren’s technical partner, Pirelli, supplies P ZERO tires developed specifically for the GTS, ensuring high-performance and exceptional grip while maintaining refinement.
The McLaren GTS embodies the pinnacle of automotive engineering, seamlessly combining elegance, performance, and practicality. As the successor to the GT model, the GTS sets a new benchmark in the supercar segment, reaffirming McLaren’s commitment to delivering extraordinary driving experiences.
