The McLaren GTS is the new beast from the people in Woking, and under its bonnet lies a beautiful twin-turbo V8

In 2019, McLaren wanted to redefine the concept of Gran Tourer with a new model, which materialised in the GT, and boy, did it succeed. Its range was enriched with this supercar producing more than 600 CV, light and with competition-derived technology, dressed in a truly beautiful outfit that concealed the carbon-fibre chassis, all equipped with materials and technology that also made it comfortable for everyday use or for travelling.

McLaren’s commitment to this model was clear and precise in terms of concept, so its successor had to follow the same principles. And here it is: the new McLaren GTS, a new Gran Tourer that is even lighter, more powerful and still offers enough comfort to keep being used in the city and for long trips. All this without forgetting that it is a supercar, which will delight its owners on the track as well as on mountain roads.

The design of the McLaren GT was already quite refined, and the new GTS is fairly consistent with it, although the changes are noticeable. At the front, the bumper area has been redesigned with larger air intakes and more pronounced fins; while at the rear the changes follow the same direction, with larger side air inlets and a tail that slightly modifies its design at the side air outlets (all aimed at improving engine cooling) and a slightly more rounded upper section. All of this is complemented by the optional carbon-fibre pack or the Stealth Badge pack, which adds black details.

The interior of the new McLaren GTS is luxurious and refined yet sporty, reflected in details such as polished aluminium on the gearshift paddles or gloss black for various trims and frames, which can be expanded with carbon-fibre details for the steering wheel (leather-upholstered as standard) or the sill trims. Nappa leather features in the Comfort seats, which also have electric adjustment and heating, and can optionally be specified in the Performance trim, which uses Softgrain Aniline leather and Alcantara in Jet Black or Barolo colours with contrasts.

This design comes with extensive technological equipment, including a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that provides essential information for the driver such as speed, gear selection and engine revs, and is integrated with the navigation system. The rest of the information is handled by the 7-inch touchscreen in portrait orientation for the infotainment system, which provides navigation, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth and more. We must not forget the optional sound system signed by Bowers & Wilkins, comprising 12 speakers.

Mechanically, the McLaren GTS is a vehicle as it should be, with no electrical concessions, equipped with a 4,000 cc twin-turbo V8 whose output rises to 635 CV (15 CV more than the GT) and whose torque remains at 630 Nm. The GTS now weighs 1,520 kg in total, and given that it is now lighter and also more powerful, its power-to-weight ratio stands at 418 CV per tonne… and it does not quite reach two tonnes in weight. Impressive.

It is therefore hardly surprising that the new GTS accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.9 seconds, with a top speed of 326 km/h. Such a display of power also needs to be matched by braking, and for this the McLaren GTS uses carbon-ceramic brake discs, 390 mm at the front with six-piston calipers and 380 mm at the rear with four-piston calipers, achieving a benchmark stop from 100 km/h in just 32 metres.

We do not yet know the price the McLaren GTS will carry, so all we can do is thank the people in Woking for continuing to bring these engines to market while its launch in 2024, which is when it is scheduled, takes place.