- British sportscar maker chooses Festival of Speed to give new GT its first ever public run
- New model delivers 620bhp from a twin-turbo V8 engine
- McLaren claims its Grand Tourer is a game-changer, with supercar performance as well as space and comfort
In a world first at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, McLaren’s new GT model has been seen running in public today.
The £163,000, 620bhp grand tourer was announced by the Woking-based car-maker in May but the visitors to Goodwood today were the first in the world to see it driving in the flesh.
The superlight GT is aimed squarely at those drivers who want the performance of a thoroughbred sportscar without compromising on the comfort, style and capacity of a tourer.
In a co-ordinated reveal, McLaren marketing director Jamie Corstorphine took the silks off the car at the brand’s stand next to Goodwood House, while a dynamic version of the car was taken up the estate’s famous 1.16-mile Hillclimb by automotive journalist Nicki Shields, under the guidance of prolific sportscar and Le Mans racer, Jonny Kane.
Corstorphine said: “McLaren has always been about innovating, so when we approaches the development of this car, we knew we had to do it differently to the way everyone else does Grand Tourers.
“The trend had been to focus too much on straight-line speed alone, whereas we wanted to make sure that the driving experience you’d expect from a McLaren was not lost.
“This is very much a car that is designed to cross continents at speed, but in comfort.”
With a powerful new twin-turbo V8 engine and lightweight, carbon fibre chassis providing true supercar performance, the GT also manages to deliver more interior space and capacity than any other McLaren before it.
The cabin is also stuffed full of luxurious touches, such as ambient lighting, a top-of-the-range Bowers & Wilkins audio system and an optional electrochromic glass roof.
The 2019 Festival of Speed kicked off today (Thursday, July 4) and continues until Sunday, July 7.
Hospitality packages are available throughout the weekend. To buy tickets or enquire about hospitality visit www.goodwood.com or call the Goodwood Ticket Office on 01243 755 055.
(ENDS)
EDITORS’ NOTES:
Staged every summer since 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by MasterCard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motor sport take part with some of the most legendary figures from the sport as well as international celebrities regularly attending. Highlights will include the Moving Motor Show, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 paddock, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance, Aviation Exhibition and Bonhams Auction.
For all Media enquiries, please contact Nick Garton at the Goodwood Motor Sport Press Office:
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755000
E-mail: nick.garton@goodwood.com
About Mastercard
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Or Emma Fahy at the Mastercard Press Office:
Email: emma.fahy@mastercard.com
Telephone: +44 (0)7580 790 297
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