Why we ran it: To see if a mid-engined supercar like the McLaren GT really could cut it as a commuting grand tourer
Month 3 - Month 2 - Month 1 - Specs
Life with a McLaren GT: Month 3
Can a £163k GT-cum-supercar really hack it as an everyday driver and retain its exclusive appeal? You bet it can - 27 April
It’s funny how, sometimes, something amazing starts from something ordinary. There I was in the office when a brief message popped up on my computer, from editor Tisshaw: “Do you fancy running a McLaren GT long- termer?” My brain might not be the swiftest, but even I woke up pretty sharpish at that point.
If I’m honest, I’m not quite sure why Tisshaw even needed to ask the question. Ours is a special world at Autocar, but even against that backdrop, a McLaren GT as a daily driver takes some beating. A few months later, though, and it’s gone. That was a bleak day. All grey sky and mist, made even greyer and mistier by the lack of the Belize Blue McLaren parked outside my house.
Not that my time with GT07 MCL started out that way. I’ll admit to a fair degree of scepticism before it arrived. Yes, it was an exciting prospect. But as a GT? And an everyday commuter? That seemed like an altogether different prospect, with its carbon fibre tub, mid- mounted engine and strict two-seater layout.
GTs are meant to be long- legged cruisers, seats reclined, arms stretched out, long bonnet pointing towards the south of France. The McLaren promised anything but.
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LoL at the 5am start complaint. McLaren owners garages aren't sitting next to their neighbours house.
Why doesn't McLaren just swallow its pride and make a four seater?
After all Koenigsegg is also making one.
So all I can say about the GT is meh...
To my eye, the GT is the prettiest McLaren.