We already knew McLaren could build scintillating hypercars, but could the Woking-based manufacturer turn out a credible grand tourer to rival the best of the breed from Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin?
Having spent a few days with the recently launched McLaren GT, we now have an emphatic answer to that question. But before we give the game away, some quick background on the brand’s most comfort-oriented offering to date: in line with the newcomer’s objective of being the brand’s most spacious and comfortable model, it spans a generous 4.7m from bumper to bumper, and its front and rear overhangs are longer than customary for a McLaren. Even so its overall weight has been kept down to a lithe 1530kg, which augurs well for its performance and dynamics.

Motive power comes from a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that’s designated M840TE, and McLaren says this unit was optimised specifically for the GT. The raw numbers are impressive, as this powerplant ekes out 620hp and 630Nm, enabling the GT to sprint from 0-100kph in 3.2sec and from 0-200kph in an eye-watering 9.0sec. Keep the throttle pinned and the GT will hit 326kph flat out, should you have access to a racetrack with a long enough straight.

The GT’s formidable straight-line speed is kept in check by a high-performance braking system that features mighty carbon ceramic discs and forged aluminium calipers, enabling the coupe to wipe off huge speeds in virtually the blink of an eye. The brake pedal is beautifully modulated, so the driver can feel exactly how much pedal pressure is required to pull the car up safely and smoothly.

Whenever a car is adorned by a McLaren badge, there’s the expectation of razor-sharp dynamics. Sure enough, a brisk drive across some twisty roads revealed the GT is worthy of its nameplate. The MonoCell II-T carbon fibrechassis that underpins the car plays a key role here as it endows the GT with a feeling of tautness that few rivals can match.

Along with its dynamism, the McLaren GT also serves up a surprisingly supple ride for a car with such high-performance capabilities. Credit here goes to McLaren Proactive Damping Control, which is an adaptive damping system that optimises ride quality and refinement without compromising precise handling characteristics

You’ll be hard-pressed to exploit the full extent of the McLaren GT’s dynamic capabilities, as the bespoke Pirelli P Zero tyres developed specifically for the car offer staggering levels of cornering grip. They’re wrapped around standard 15-spoke forged alloy wheels, with an optional MSO Defined 10-twin-spoke wheel design offered as an alternative choice at no extra cost.

You can also choose from one of three interior specifications – Standard, Pioneer and Luxe – each offering innovative, high-quality technical materials, hidden-until-lit ambient lighting, bespoke GT seats, the McLaren Infotainment II system and a powerful 1,200 Watt Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system.

The options list includes an Electrochromic Panoramic glass roof by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), and the MSO catalogue also includes goodies such as a satin-finish Visual Carbon Fibre Steering Wheel, 10-Twin-Spoke forged alloy wheels and gold or bronze brake calipers.

If you had previously lamented that no McLaren suited your requirement of being a weekend getaway car that could transport you, your partner and your luggage with comfort and refinement, here it is. The ultra-rapid GT enables you to not only have your cake, but eat it too.