Is the McLaren 570GT the perfect balance of performance and comfort?
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Is the McLaren 570GT the perfect balance of performance and comfort?

By DanGoAuto - 26 April 2016

McLaren is a fascinating company. In little more than 20 years, the British car-maker has gone from being the enigmatic boutique creator of one of the world’s fastest and fantastic vehicles - the F1 - to a marque widely established across the supercar lexicon.

Back in the misty mid-1990s if you wanted a McLaren you had the choice of one model - the fastest car in the world as it happens - and you needed to be one of the lucky punters that secured an example of the 106 cars.

With a growing line-up and the new GT now added to the Sports Series range, McLaren is on track to hit sales of 100 units in Australia this year.

Twenty three years on, well heeled fans of the brand have the choice of nine models ranging from the most “attainable” 540C Sports Series entrant, through the 650 and 675 Super Series to the mind blowing P1 and P1 GTR Ultimate Series.

Admittedly some of the above were the epitome of exclusive and sold out before actually being officially confirmed, while the final P1 rolled off the Woking production lines earlier this year, but that’s still a dramatic increase of McLaren variety in only a few years.

While hardcore Sports Series cars get a carbon-fibre roof, the GT has a large panoramic glass top. Perfect for starry nights.

The McLaren mantra is pure performance and no matter which model you choose, they are all aggressively fast and focused on the driving experience. Indeed McLaren is the only brand in the world, along with Ferrari, to resist the temptation to produce a cash cow SUV, such is its devotion to driving pleasure.

But the most recent addition to the line-up is in some ways more closely related to the company’s very first road car.

Like all McLaren cars, power comes from a 3.8-litre turbo V8 and is sent via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to the rear wheels only.

It might have been able to crack 390km/h but the McLaren F1 also had some surprising comfort features such as specially developed lightweight stereo speakers, fine leather upholstery, map-reading lights and a gold-plated tool kit.

Based on the 570S Sports Series model, the new 570GT takes the same recipe of turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 mounted mid-ship and extensive carbon-fibre construction but adds an extra shot of comfort for a more day-to-day sportscar proposition.

Compared with the 570S, the new 570GT has a dramatically redesigned roof and engine cover area.

The 570S and more affordable 540C show off their turbocharged engines through a glass engine cover, but in the case of the 570GT it has replaced the conspicuous panel with a leather lined luggage area.

The clever modification has added 220 litres of space to the 570’s interior and when combined with the front luggage compartment, expands total space for stuff to 370 litres.

The unique luggage door is hinged according to which side the steering wheel is on, so the operator doesn't have to stand on the traffic side of the car when it is parked.

For extra convenience, the luggage area is not accessed like a conventional hatch, but has an unusual side-hinged mechanism for easier use from the side of the car.

The different arrangement required McLaren's engineers to redesign the 570GT’s aerodynamics, while air management has to been rerouted around the rear surfaces and a fixed rear spoiler with 10mm extra profile has maintained the same downforce.

Specially developed Pirelli P Zero tyres and a revised suspension set-up have reduced cabin noise levels by three decibels.

Cabin comfort is further enhanced with a revision to the suspension settings and a slightly softened spring setting, and a Pirelli P Zero tyre which was specially developed for the 570GT reduces road noise by up to three decibels.

Standard equipment on the new model includes leather upholstery, electronically adjustable and heated seats, front and rear parking sensors and an eight-speaker Audio Plus sound system – optional on the 570S.

Part of the extra 37kg of weight comes from a more widespread use of hide in the interior, which adds an extra dose of luxury.

Customers wanting the ultimate sound system can upgrade to a 12-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system that has been specifically tuned to complement the interior acoustics of the 570GT.

With the extra equipment, the 570GT has increased in weight by 37kg, taking the total to 1350kg and the increase has impacted performance. That said, the 570GT can still crack 100km/h from standstill in 3.4 seconds – an increase of 0.2 seconds over the 570S – but top speed is unaffected at 328km/h.

With those vital statistics, the newest McLaren is not far off the pace of the mighty F1 of 1993. A fact that’s even more delightful when you consider the GT costs about $800,000 less than the F1’s $1.2m price when new.

With a blend of savage performance and luxurious comfort, is the 570GT more like company’s first road car than any other model to wear the McLaren badge?

Daniel Gardner GoAuto.com.au

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