RE: McLaren GT vs. Continental GT vs. Mercedes-AMG S63

[GM182]

Hungrymc said:

I think people might be missing the point of the McL.

Isn’t it really a “useable Super Car” ? One with enough storage space to be able to use for a long weekend / week away? But one where the driving entertainment is central to the trip and certainly far more important than wafting through the journey?

These are three fabulous cars. But they are really quite different in approach. So it isn’t about which car is better, but which suits your personal brief / wants.

Well said. It's about preference.
Glad the McLaren exists, though I do think it is a bit of an oddity.
Aston Martin DB11 for me.

[FoxtrotOscar1]

Is it just me that thinks the McLaren steering wheel would look at home in a Ibiza/Fiesta/Polo if you removed the blingy silver bits?


Also, S63 for me.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

FoxtrotOscar1 said:

Is it just me that thinks the McLaren steering wheel would look at home in a Ibiza/Fiesta/Polo if you removed the blingy silver bits?


Also, S63 for me.

How else would you design a steering wheel, when you purposefully don't want it laden with buttons like McLaren don't?

[DaveTheRave87]

If McLaren's PR department are going to claim this is a GT, then these are the comparisons that are going to be made.

I'd pick the S63, do they still do the cabriolet?

[Saweep]

That exact Bentley was holding up miles of traffic on the M40 into London on Thursday afternoon!

Just sat there at 60ish in the outside lane. Woman driving it was just oblivious to the chaos she was causing as people resorted to under taking etc.

Cool story etc.

[Tuvra]

The cheapest car in the test is £129,000. Ironically you can get a 2015 S63 Coupe AND a 2016 McLaren 570s for £129k out of the classifieds - thats scary depreciation right there

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

DaveTheRave87 said:

If McLaren's PR department are going to claim this is a GT, then these are the comparisons that are going to be made.

Exactly. McLaren will claim "well, they said ours is the best car to drive" which may well be true....but that still doesn't make it a GT car (in my opinion)

[C7 JFW]

It'll be the Mercedes for me on paper. The thought that it might just blend in on the road also means there's a chance you could make good time in countries without autobahns.

The Mac doesn't get a looking purely from a breakdown/dealership network perspective as others suggest.

I am also inclined to agree that the Rolls Wraith probably leads the pack though. Nothing will travel more comfortably.

[B10]

I still cannot get over the new Bentley grille. It somehow looks wrong; hard to describe why.

[Gameface]

Love the engine shot of the McLaren.

[ate one too]

Tuvra said:

The cheapest car in the test is £129,000. Ironically you can get a 2015 S63 Coupe AND a 2016 McLaren 570s for £129k out of the classifieds - thats scary depreciation right there

But they have 9 years of depreciation between them - what an unheard of phenomenon - s/h cars are cheaper than new ones.

[ate one too]

Gameface said:

Love the engine shot of the McLaren.

That's the Bondage Bay ...

[996jim]

Another new McLaren, shouldn't they concentrate on making existing models reliable and better built. Another day, another McLaren. I suppose if you really want one, not quite sure why, just wait a couple of weeks and you'll pick one up for about two-thirds of today's value.
So many alternatives at this price that make more sense.

[RSchneider]

gigglebug said:

I'd say that the Cayenne looks closer to fulfilling the role I'd traditionally associated with that of a GT car than the Mclaren does personally, it is certainly closer than a motorhome is. Would it make a difference if the Cayenne cited for comparison was a GTS (Gran Tourismo Sport) and not a Turbo? It would still be an SUV just as the Mclaren is still a mid engine supercar, despite the name.

Agree on some SUVs being modern-day GTs. During the '60s Europe was different. Try taking any of these three across Europe these days, including the East. These days and in the current socio-economic environment an outwardly flashy car is a hoodlum and cop magnet (in some places often not too much difference). Care to take a McLaren from Amsterdam to Athens or Odessa on small Balkan roads and leave it parked outside during the nights? Good luck. A grey Porsche Macan is relatively low profile and deals with road imperfections much better, has more space inside and lots of trunk space for things you buy along the way.

[Hungrymc]

DaveTheRave87 said:

If McLaren's PR department are going to claim this is a GT, then these are the comparisons that are going to be made.

Yet on lots of threads, people describe Evoras, 911s etc as GT cars.

To some, as soon as a sports has a hint of comfort or practicality it becomes a GT car.

I guess GT has quite a broad range of definitions.

[Alex_225]

Interesting article that and despite the three seeming different there's plenty to compare.

I think if we're looking at outright GT cars the Bentley would get my money. It's a GT in every sense of the word, pure luxury, power and comfort. I am a massive fan of the S Class coupe though and suspect it's pretty epic. The McLaren just looks like a supercar to me. Sadly I don't have the fortune to test all three so am only going on looks haha.

One thing I can say is that I recently bought an older S Class saloon, it's not sporty in any way but it is the most comfortable car I've ever drive. Did 500 miles in it at the weekend it it's incredibly good for covering long distances.

[Tazar]

All three may be fast, comfortable cars to cross continents with varying degrees of ability but during the day you will be conscious of the sometimes negative attention you get from the general public and the various authorities and when parking up at night you will mostly be wondering if it will be there in the morning. If neither of these aspects of modern motoring bother you get the wife/girlfriend following you in the Range Rover so you're not stuck for transport when the GT disappears .

[HighwayStar]

996jim said:

Another new McLaren, shouldn't they concentrate on making existing models reliable and better built. Another day, another McLaren. I suppose if you really want one, not quite sure why, just wait a couple of weeks and you'll pick one up for about two-thirds of today's value.
So many alternatives at this price that make more sense.

Oooh, what have I missed...What new McLarens were released in the last 7 days?

[ate one too]

Tazar said:

All three may be fast, comfortable cars to cross continents with varying degrees of ability but during the day you will be conscious of the sometimes negative attention you get from the general public and the various authorities and when parking up at night you will mostly be wondering if it will be there in the morning. If neither of these aspects of modern motoring bother you get the wife/girlfriend following you in the Range Rover so you're not stuck for transport when the GT disappears .

I suspect most owners of these will be staying at nice 5 star hotels at night with secure parking ....

[Tazar]

As much as I love my motoring life the abilities and usage of these types of cars is pretty much of a long gone era. They can't be used to their maximum capabilities on the road and they are certainly not track cars. People buy them to make the statement that they can buy them and be seen in them by neighbors, friends, family and the general public.
If you're observing speed limits etc then London to Monaco or Madrid can be matched in time by a Smart or for entertainment in an M4 or as someone mentioned earlier a 911.
Likewise there are not that many 5* hotels en route as you cross continents. Try it without advanced booking and sometimes it's impossible.

Edited by Tazar on Monday 24th February 15:36