McLaren Announces the 570GT

British supercar maker McLaren has revealed the 570GT ahead of its live debut at the Geneva international Motor Show next week.  The latest addition to the lineup of deliciously absurd cars is positioned as a more practical alternative for the 570S.  The word "practical" is used only in relation to the rest of the McLaren family.

The 570GT features the same 562 hp V8 that was first introduced on the 570S. Like its brother, the GT tops out at 328 km/h, but gets to 100 km/h 0.2 seconds slower than the S.  Needless to say this is a McLaren through and through.  However, unlike just about every McLaren ever built, the 570GT is more at home on the open road rather than tearing apart tracks around the world.  According to McLaren the 570GT is designed for "day-to-day usability and long distance comfort."

So, what does usability and comfort look like on the most "luxurious and refined McLaren to date?"

The usability comes from the side-opening hatch, which adds 220 litres of storage space to the existing 150 litres of space under the trunk.  The total capacity, as McLaren vehicle line director pointed out is "more than a Ford Focus."  Which is great news for those of us who were going to opt for the Ford Focus on account of the 570S's lack of storage space.

McLaren figures since the car is a fraction slower than the 570S, drivers will be spending more time in the vehicle.  As such, they have made a concerted effort to make those additional tenths of seconds much more comfortable.  Among the changes is a reduction in the suspension rates by 15% in the front and 10% in the rear to emphasize "long distance comfort."  The electro-hydraulic steering system, while the same hardware as the S, has a reduced ratio that "smoothens driver inputs at high speed" and a partnership with Pirelli on the rubber further dampens the driving experience so you can enjoy the experience in comfort.

The interior features eight-way adjustable leather sport seats as standard, a centre-mounted touchscreen nav and entertainment system that will play your music through the standard eight-speaker McLaren Audio Plus system or the optional twelve-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.

So now, the $198,000 question.

How much does it cost?

While no Canadian price has been announced just yet, the American price is $198,000.  And in case you are still on the fence about it, that's about the price of ten Ford Focuses.