McLaren GTS: The Everyday Supercar Refined

When McLaren introduced the original GT in 2019, it was a fascinating proposition: a mid-engine, carbon-fiber tub supercar designed specifically to rival traditional front-engine grand tourers like the Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin DB11. It offered the raw dynamics of a McLaren with the luggage capacity and ride comfort necessary for cross-continental travel.

However, as the supercar market evolved, McLaren recognized the need to sharpen the GT’s edge. In late 2023, they unveiled its replacement: the McLaren GTS.

The GTS is not a radical reimagining, but a comprehensive, meticulous refinement of the original concept. It is lighter, more powerful, and visually more aggressive, proving that a car can be a ferocious, 200-mph track-capable machine while still swallowing a set of golf clubs and remaining comfortable on a five-hour highway journey.

The Heart: A 635 PS V8

The most significant upgrade for the GTS lies just behind the passenger cabin. The M840TE 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine was recalibrated to deliver more power and sharper response.

Through revised ignition timing and a new engine management calibration, output was increased by 15 PS over the outgoing GT, bringing the total to 635 PS (626 bhp) at 7,500 rpm. Torque remains a robust 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) available from 5,500 to 6,500 rpm.

While 15 horsepower might seem like a modest gain, it is felt profoundly due to the engine’s willingness to rev and the sheer lack of mass it has to push. Mated to a 7-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG), the GTS catapults from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.2 seconds. More impressively, 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) is dispatched in a mere 8.9 seconds, putting it firmly in the performance territory of dedicated supercars. Top speed is 326 km/h (203 mph).

The Diet: 10 kg Lighter

McLaren’s philosophy revolves around lightness, and even their Grand Tourer must adhere to the rules of the scale. The GTS went on a subtle diet, shedding 10 kg (22 lbs) compared to the GT.

The dry weight now sits at a remarkably low 1,466 kg (3,232 lbs). This is achieved through the inherent lightness of the carbon-fiber MonoCell II-T (Touring) chassis, combined with new, lighter components:

• A recycled carbon-fiber roof panel.
• A new, lighter exhaust system that delivers a slightly more aggressive V8 rumble.
• Optional lightweight forged alloy wheels (“Turbine” design) secured with titanium locking wheel bolts (saving 35% mass over standard steel bolts).

This weight reduction results in a class-leading power-to-weight ratio of 418 PS per ton, significantly better than any of its front-engine competitors.

Sharper Dynamics, Intelligent Suspension

A Grand Tourer must ride beautifully, but a McLaren must handle brilliantly. The GTS utilizes McLaren’s Proactive Damping Control suspension system, featuring continuously variable twin-valve hydraulic dampers.

For the GTS, the software controlling this system was recalibrated. In “Comfort” mode, it remains incredibly compliant, absorbing road imperfections with a fluidity that belies its supercar stance. However, switch the Active Dynamics Panel to “Sport” or “Track,” and the dampers stiffen significantly. The steering, which retains McLaren’s signature electro-hydraulic setup (refusing to switch to fully electric steering for the sake of feel), is wonderfully communicative.

To make the car more usable in the city, McLaren also upgraded the nose-lift system. It now raises or lowers the front of the car in just 4 seconds—more than twice as fast as the system on the previous GT—making speed bumps and steep driveways a non-issue.

Design: Subtle Aggression

Visually, the GTS is sharper and more assertive than the GT. The front bumper was redesigned with larger air intakes to improve cooling to the V8, and the front splitter is more pronounced. The rear fenders feature taller air scoops to feed the engine more efficiently.

Despite the added aggression, the defining feature of the car—its packaging—remains intact. Because the engine and exhaust system are positioned incredibly low in the chassis, McLaren was able to create a massive 420-liter luggage compartment above the engine, accessed via a power-operated glass tailgate. When combined with the 150-liter “frunk” (front trunk), the GTS offers an astonishing 570 liters of total storage space.

Inside, the cabin is swathed in luxury. Soft-grain aniline leather, Alcantara, and machined aluminum trim dominate the space. The seats are designed specifically for long-distance comfort, and the infotainment system was updated with a faster processor for improved responsiveness.

The Ultimate Compromise

The McLaren GTS occupies a unique space in the automotive landscape. It challenges the traditional definition of a Grand Tourer. It proves that you do not need a massive, heavy, front-mounted V12 to cross a continent in comfort. By utilizing a carbon-fiber tub and a mid-mounted V8, the GTS offers 95% of the dynamic thrill of a 750S, but with the practicality required to actually use the car every single day.