MCLAREN 570GT SPORT PACK

McLaren’s 570GT is thought to be the restrained member of the Sports Series family, with its smoother and softer suspension settings, optimised steering ratios and more accommodating traction control settings. But, considering it still produces 562bhp or 420kw at the wheels, reaches 100kph in 3.4 seconds and tops 328kph, it’s much more a supercar than a GT car. Despite the addition of its Series 1 Jaguar E-type-style opening rear hatch and extra luggage area, we examine the 570GT as a more practical supercar rather than a GT, be it one that’s most certainly capable at being the latter, too.

Now, McLaren has concluded after a number of customer requests, it will offer the 570GT with an identical dynamic configuration as both the 570S Coupe and Spider in the form of a Sports Pack, which adds a significant price increase to the GT's price tag.

Engine, transmission and 0-100kph time

Opting for the top of the line Sports Pack changes nothing over your shoulder in the 570GT’s engine compartment though. The M838TE, 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 resides untouched, which means 562bhp at 7,500rpm and 600nm of torque accessible from 5,000rpm through to 6500rpm.

Its 1 486kg kerb weight is now 9kg lighter than old GTs thanks to the standard-fit carbon-ceramic brakes. It will make the quarter-mile in 11.1 seconds. Just as grand is the stopping distance: 133 metres from 200kph and 33 metres from 100kph, your face might just fall off.

Technical highlights

McLaren’s 570GT Sport Pack consists of a revised steering ratio, returning it to the same as that of the 570S and Spider and therefore doing away with the two percent reduction McLaren engineered into the standard GT. The spring and damper rates of the GT were also softened by 15 and 10 percent front-to-rear when the car was launched, but for the Sport Pack these are returned to the same spec as the coupe and convertible models, with the adaptive dampers recalibrated to accommodate. The ESC stability control has also been reconfigured to meet and perform as per the other pair of Sports Series models.

The 570GT is now fitted with carbon-ceramic brakes, with six and four-pot front and rear callipers as standard. The 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) wheels come with Pirelli’s P Zero Corsa tyre fitted as standard, too.

Rivals

Tricky decision this is, but I'll go ahead and stick with the Audi R8 V10 Plus or Porsche’s 911 Turbo S, and you might also want to consider the Mercedes-AMG GT S – but we fear it may struggle against such a dynamically superior car. Of the four, it’s the McLaren that enthrals and engages the most. Aston’s DB11 and Bentley’s new Continental GT? Neither would stand a chance to get close to this McLaren. Then again, the former two are pure GT cars, the McLaren is a GT supercar.

What do you think? Let us have your thoughts in the comments below.