First look: McLaren's new Grand Tourer

Despite the camo shrink wrap (testing of the ‘son of Speedtail’ is continuing ahead of the full reveal in May), the new pictures from McLaren today show a car locked firmly in the sporting mid-engined McLaren tradition. There are Senna-like side pods but an absence of aggressive aero addenda, in keeping with its all-roads, all-seasons touring remit. 

From the front, the car appears bulkier and higher riding than McLaren’s Sports or Super Series models, while from the rear there appears to be an extended fastback tail in the manner of a junior McLaren Speedtail, the 250mph three-seater whose DNA the new model shares. The lights, back and front, appear to introduce a new McLaren graphic.

The Grand Tourer – confirmation of the name is yet to come – was the surprise announcement from McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Believed to be priced from around £160,000 when it eventually does on sale, the two-seater aims to deliver McLaren agility and performance with lots of luxury and an emphasis on refined and comfortable long-distance road cruising. As Woking’s riposte to Aston Martin and Porsche 911, it is expected to gain more luggage space than any McLaren before it, including the ability to accommodate golf clubs and skis.

Part of the car’s testing, says McLaren, are 1,000-mile jaunts from the firm’s development base near Barcelona to Woking, with two people aboard and a full complement of luggage. It is thought journeys like this will represent a typical owner’s usage.

As well as increased luggage arrangements, McLaren’s Mike Flewitt has promised the Grand Tourer will be lightweight like any McLaren with “competition levels of performance… and a level of agility never experienced before in this segment.” Like all McLarens, the car is centred around the firm’s carbon-fibre tub and powered by a version of the twin-turbo V8 engine.

There aren’t any pictures of the interior, but McLaren asserts it will “will feel spacious, uncluttered and modern with only authentic, high quality materials employed,” although unlike the three-seat Speedtail the Grand Tourer will have space for just two people.

McLaren has also confirmed the Grand Tourer will sit outside the existing Sports, Super and Ultimate Series of cars, as a “unique, tailored model.” It is thought it will however replace the 570GT – McLaren’s 2016-introduced first tilt at a softer, more practical kind of mid-engined sports car – the success of which has inspired the new model.