McLaren Debuts Its Most Luxurious Marque To Date
The revered automaker’s new Grand Tourer offers a smooth ride with all the power of a race car
Cruising Tuscany’s cypress-lined roads or the winding highways of the California coast is more artful than ever now that McLaren has debuted its first lifestyle model. The McLaren GT provides the comfort and space the company’s high-performance sports cars sacrifice for pure speed. However, its superlight frame and innovative elements still allow it to pack a powerful punch, boasting 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.1 seconds with a maximum speed of 203 mph.
The machine’s true brilliance is in its details, starting with the exterior. “We usually have vibrant loud colors, so we looked at more burnished and rich hues here,” explains Jo Lewis, the brand’s color and materials design manager whose team can blend unique shades, based perhaps on a client’s estate lawn at sunset or a favorite Dior dress.
Once the signature doors swing up to the sky, another level of design and innovation comes into play. Drivers can customize by choosing from refined textiles such as supersoft leather from Scotland’s Bridge of Weir, Alcantara suede, and even Yorkshire-sourced cashmere, completely redefining what a luxury interior can be. Perhaps what most distinguishes the GT from other McLarens is its ample storage in the full-length tailgate, which is lined in a soft yet durable SuperFabric. “There’s a design philosophy of everything for a reason,” says Lewis. “Every decision has a message and a meaning.”
A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2020 Fall issue under the headline “Tour de Force.” Subscribe to the magazine.
