RE: 620hp McLaren GT officially unveiled
Discussion
It's only a "GT" because McLaren's marketing department called it a GT.
Not only will those golf clubs (or miniature skis) smack you on the head in an accident but, if it is anything like the 720S (which it is almost identical to ...), the droning engine noise and tyre roar coming through that open rear deck will drive you mad before you've crossed Surrey - never mind a continent.
Not only will those golf clubs (or miniature skis) smack you on the head in an accident but, if it is anything like the 720S (which it is almost identical to ...), the droning engine noise and tyre roar coming through that open rear deck will drive you mad before you've crossed Surrey - never mind a continent.
"Grand Touring will never be the same again. The new superlight McLaren GT defies convention. We’ve ripped up the rulebook."
Er, no you haven't. Another week, another McLaren 2 door mid engined, carbon tubbed V8 supercar. Who exactly are they trying to kid by saying they're thinking differently about the grand tourer? They're not thinking differently at all. They're just regurgitating the same car over and over again and changing the name.
Doesn't a GT need space for the many things that you're going to take with you when you go on your grand tour? They can get as many grovelling YouTubers as they like to put golf bags and skis in the back of the thing. Let's see them try with the 'light' bag that your Mrs has packed for the weekend away. And electric seats are a cost option. On a £163k grand tourer.
The McLaren GT - it's quite good for carrying garden slabs from B&Q (and depreciating).
It's not a GT. This is a GT
Er, no you haven't. Another week, another McLaren 2 door mid engined, carbon tubbed V8 supercar. Who exactly are they trying to kid by saying they're thinking differently about the grand tourer? They're not thinking differently at all. They're just regurgitating the same car over and over again and changing the name.
Doesn't a GT need space for the many things that you're going to take with you when you go on your grand tour? They can get as many grovelling YouTubers as they like to put golf bags and skis in the back of the thing. Let's see them try with the 'light' bag that your Mrs has packed for the weekend away. And electric seats are a cost option. On a £163k grand tourer.
The McLaren GT - it's quite good for carrying garden slabs from B&Q (and depreciating).
It's not a GT. This is a GT
the_hood said:
Avalyn said:
If you're not a car geek and lined up almost every available McLaren, I think 95% of people would struggle to see why you'd choose one over the other. They all look very similar, have 2 seats (ok 3 in some), and have the same engine albeit in different states of tune.
This. Plus I don't see how this is a GT.Hats off to McLaren for daring to ask the question "what makes a GT car, and why are they all like they are?", but was it a question that was generally being answered with something other than "2+2, front engine V12"?
It might be the start of something, and manufacturers begin to question the accepted norms for a particular 'type' or sector of car, it's certainly an interesting talking point. Of course the reply from the more established marques might be something like an F8 Tributo 'Touring', with 100L of extra storage space, comfort leather seats etc
The Vambo said:
Johnny42 said:
This is based on a 720S, but they fixed the dead eyesockets. Is this an admission that the 720S front end styling was a misstep?
No.If it had 720s eyesockets it would literally be a 720s.
E65Ross said:
The Vambo said:
Johnny42 said:
This is based on a 720S, but they fixed the dead eyesockets. Is this an admission that the 720S front end styling was a misstep?
No.If it had 720s eyesockets it would literally be a 720s.
I suppose that means even you don't read your posts.
570 litres is the same as a Porsche Macan, or a BMW 5 series. Although that may technically be accurate, it's clearly far from really being usable:
IMO they've massively missed a trick here - they had the chance to make a really interesting looking and genuinely practical mid-engined shooting brake. But what do I know?
From where I'm sitting the modern Lotus Europa comparisons seem very apt.
IMO they've massively missed a trick here - they had the chance to make a really interesting looking and genuinely practical mid-engined shooting brake. But what do I know?
From where I'm sitting the modern Lotus Europa comparisons seem very apt.
As numerous times above, this doesn't really fit the idea of a GT for me.
You can claim to invent a "new segment/niche" by rejigging another model in your range.
But it won't change buyers habits. I'll be amazed if 500 people, look at this car and think "yep that's exactly what I need to get me to Verbier/Nice/wherever this year" And that's if you discount that these buyers probably have more than 1 car anyway. And probably a SUV capable of taking all their luggage, dealing with crappy road conditions and 5 adults.
Someone mentioned EasyJet earlier. I agree. Unless you are specifically doing a driving event. Or visiting Le Mans, Spa, Monza why wouldn't you fly to your holiday? Especially when it's never been cheaper.
EDIT TO ADD
With the caveat that I don't and am unlikely ever to own a McLaren. And more of a devils advocate question
With the comparison to Lotus. How much longer can McLaren keep this going? How much longer can they continue to bring more and more carbon tubbed V8TT mid engine cars to market? They have massive funding from the Bahrainis. But I read about product quality issues, not so great dealer networks (delays seem common) That older (relative!) cars are shunted out of the network. 12C owners seem at times to be persona non grata! I read about buyers saying they'll go back to Ferrari, Porsche whoever.
Yet their default response seems to be to release another car. Rather than try and get owners back on side.
You can claim to invent a "new segment/niche" by rejigging another model in your range.
But it won't change buyers habits. I'll be amazed if 500 people, look at this car and think "yep that's exactly what I need to get me to Verbier/Nice/wherever this year" And that's if you discount that these buyers probably have more than 1 car anyway. And probably a SUV capable of taking all their luggage, dealing with crappy road conditions and 5 adults.
Someone mentioned EasyJet earlier. I agree. Unless you are specifically doing a driving event. Or visiting Le Mans, Spa, Monza why wouldn't you fly to your holiday? Especially when it's never been cheaper.
EDIT TO ADD
With the caveat that I don't and am unlikely ever to own a McLaren. And more of a devils advocate question
With the comparison to Lotus. How much longer can McLaren keep this going? How much longer can they continue to bring more and more carbon tubbed V8TT mid engine cars to market? They have massive funding from the Bahrainis. But I read about product quality issues, not so great dealer networks (delays seem common) That older (relative!) cars are shunted out of the network. 12C owners seem at times to be persona non grata! I read about buyers saying they'll go back to Ferrari, Porsche whoever.
Yet their default response seems to be to release another car. Rather than try and get owners back on side.
Edited by S1KRR on Wednesday 15th May 22:57
If this car is aimed at Europe, the US or Russia where spending ten hours in a car is pretty normal, for Australia, South Africa and Canada longer is way more normal, where do you put all of your stuff for a road trip? Wife needs storage space and room to stretch out, whoever drives will want some music, not road noise and how comfortable is one of these if I am driving from Exeter to Aberdeen for a five day golfing expedition in July? For me a sports coupe is low, fast, demanding and rewarding, so a McLaren fits my needs. A GT is a fast express, with room for a week away in France, a tour across the lakes of Italy or a drive from Los Angeles upto Lake Tahoe. For these I want something way bigger and personally speed isn't that important. A GT Coupe for me is a Mercedes S Class Coupe, not a McLaren.
Edited by belleair302 on Thursday 16th May 00:22
Not keen on this at all. Quite honestly, McLaren haven’t made a good looking car since the F1.
I’d go as far as saying that most of their models over the past ten years look the same.
Mclaren seem to entirely focussed on performance instead of styling. If it was the other way round I’m sure they’d sell more cars.
I’d go as far as saying that most of their models over the past ten years look the same.
Mclaren seem to entirely focussed on performance instead of styling. If it was the other way round I’m sure they’d sell more cars.
It's not for me. The "regular" McLarens are quite practical for supercars, however trying to claim this is anything other than a very slightly different car to their existing stuff is a touch embarrassing.
The whole #NewRules marketing bit, just seemed very forced. I cannot see how many times McLaren think they can get away with rehashing the same car?
I know people will always scream "But 911!" However Porsche don't pretend a Turbo S is not a 911. They also have a Panamera, Macan, Cayenne, etc....
I'd have loved to see McLaren use their versatile architecture to build a front engined car to take on the DBS/812 crowd.
The whole #NewRules marketing bit, just seemed very forced. I cannot see how many times McLaren think they can get away with rehashing the same car?
I know people will always scream "But 911!" However Porsche don't pretend a Turbo S is not a 911. They also have a Panamera, Macan, Cayenne, etc....
I'd have loved to see McLaren use their versatile architecture to build a front engined car to take on the DBS/812 crowd.
Mclaren have just sold their 20 thousandth car so they’re doing something right.
Apparently, so catchpole says, Mclaren customers asked for this.
Have to say the looks are off for me but they’re already famed for magic ride quality so this is going to be better.
I’d be in the Bentley or GTC4 lusso camp too. But they’ll sell... just makes your daily driver supercar more daily driver...
Apparently, so catchpole says, Mclaren customers asked for this.
Have to say the looks are off for me but they’re already famed for magic ride quality so this is going to be better.
I’d be in the Bentley or GTC4 lusso camp too. But they’ll sell... just makes your daily driver supercar more daily driver...
Lotusgav said:
Apparently, so catchpole says, Mclaren customers asked for this.
I like Catchpole but he’s too nice and he’s reading from the press release lest he not get invited to the next McLaren launch due in probably six weeks or so.McLaren customers are asking for reliability, service and an understandable and predictable model lifecycle that leads to sensible residuals.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff