LuxuryCarMagazine En Luxury Car Review and News
Do you remember the time when you first met your spouse? The feeling that washed over you when your eyes first locked and you knew he/she was the one? The first time I spied a 570 was at the New York auto show just over two years ago and I was instantly smitten. I was also in Geneva when the wraps came off the 570GT and though I thought she was nothing more than a tease, a 570S and I were blissfully united for a few days only months later.
I was already an admiring fan of McLaren but my appreciation grew ten-fold as the car and I covered ground together in my native Montreal. The words unique and accomplished best describe what I believe to be best modern road car money can buy.
What continues to amaze me is how approachable to company is as proven by the fact that I’ve had the uncanny opportunity to now drive two 570s and a 650S. The correlation between the car and the brand is singular as both are incredibly accessible, and friendly.
The new 570GT blends styling, functionality and performance in a way that could only be bested by a 5-door McLaren, which will likely never come. The McLaren 570GT doesn’t boast, it just is, and it makes the user feel good and confident, just as true love does.
Styling inside/out
McLaren has yet to make a styling faux-pas. Having said that, some could criticise the company for designing supercars that are far too subtle. It is true that when parked along side a Lamborghini Huracán, the 570 looks tame. However, McLaren’s got a trick up its sleeve that’ll put the baby Bobo to shame; them so-sweet dihedral doors.
The distinguishing glass roof and side opening glass hatch add a degree of poshness to the 570 and if I allowed myself to be critical, I’d pass on both and stick to an S. The luxury and functionality approach to this car will clamour many new sales, and help McLaren triple it sales as intended when the 570 was launched.
To be honest, the special Pacific Blue paint job reminded me more of a 90s Ford paint scheme at first but I’ve since grown to love the shade, especially as it intensely and perfectly compliments the jet black / Areia interior colour combination. The quality of the materials, craftsmanship and overall cabin aura are what I hope to be as close to McLaren building a Bentley as they’ll ever get.
The tested car featured the carbon fibre interior pack, which adds a touch of sportiness to the otherwise sparse yet functional dashboard.
Functionality and comfort
I may have been a little harsh referring to the front trunk as a glove compartment. Actually, it’s essentially the same size as what you’d find in the Porsche 911 or Audi R8, and larger than the Huracán’s. The GT’s extra “trunk” ensures that this 570 can be a viable weekend getaway car so long as the resort where you are headed will lend a set of golf clubs.
The 7” floating touchscreen display is the gateway to access all manners of wellbeing. The menus are not exactly intuitive as not all menu options appear initially. The “settings” button needs to be pushed for supplemental menus to be displayed but you wouldn’t know it, unless you know it. Beyond the navigation system and HVAC controls are the interface tools to work the 12-speaker surround Bowers & Wilkins audio system that is driven by a 14-channel 1280W amplifier. On paper, this setup reads as incredible and, well, I wouldn’t know as I never turned it on – too much good stuff going on behind me.
As I pointed out, the seat controls are difficult to access but this is a tertiary issue, if one at all. The seats themselves are supremely supportive, and comfortable. Their multiple adjustments and power alterable steering column provide a perfect driving position.
Despite the fact that this car is faster and better handling than almost anything you’re likely to cross on the road, the 570GT dual personality ensures that you’ll never be punished, even when you punish the car…
Drive/performance
Every time I travel to mountainous region, or end up on a beach, I always picture myself living in the area and never tiring of the views. The fact of the matter is that, after a short while, even the tallest peaks and bluest waters are eventually taken for granted. This will never happen with a McLaren 570.
Yes, to drive the car is a special occasion but never once, as you walk up to it, open the doors and slide will you ever not think to yourself “damn, this thing’s HOT!” Once intimately setup behind the wheel, the McLaren Active Dynamic Panel holds the key to the equivalent of that first kiss, or to be explicitly honest, to the first lay.
The 562-horsepower (I know I said 572 in the video) V8 suffers no failings or shortcomings. Its power delivery is instantaneous and unrelenting. Once the rear end hooks up, there’s nowhere to go but fast. The sense of being at the helm of a purpose-built machine instils confidence where only the irrational fear of death will make you back off. I say irrational, as the car will probably be nowhere near its limits.
The spooling and whooshing noises take over as I pound through the gears while gripping the sublime wheel snuggly. This is addictive. Sitting way up front, between the wheels like a go-kart, I can almost feel the road on my heels. Said steering wheel responds immediately but respectfully to all my commands. This 570GT is a serious road and track car.
And yet, when the Active Panel is left alone, as opposed to full on, the McLaren glides effortlessly over bumps and through traffic. In fact, the car’s biggest issue is other cars, or more specifically, the drivers that tend to stare and get to close – you always end up going where you’re looking, remember.
Marrying material?
Let’s put it this way, the McLaren 570 will not make me a cup of coffee but just like the love of my life and mother to my child, will always be beautiful. Did I ask her to marry me? You bet I did! I am, of course, referring to the woman. You want to know why I asked her to marry me? Because she’d be all in if the 570 joined our couple… Threesome!!
Ok, I went off track there but all I’m trying to say is that the McLaren 570GT is an immensely desirable car and if I had the money and could only buy one, I would not hesitate for an instant.
Review Overview
Comfort - 85%
Performance - 95%
Interior Space - 85%
Exterior Design - 95%
Interior Design - 90%
Fuel Economy - 80%
88%
