2021 McLaren GT, It’s the Right Time FOR WHAT YOU LOVE…

By A.Giron | July 23, 2021

“On a given day, a given circumstance, you think you have a limit. And you then go for this limit and you touch this limit, and you think, ‘Okay, this is the limit’. And so you touch this limit, something happens and you suddenly can go a little bit further. With your mind power, your determination, your instinct, and the experience as well, you can fly very high.” 
― Ayrton Senna

Dear readers,

Many of you know me for my passion about cars, my car shows, my reviews and my love for living.

I do love cars and I love racing and I am extremely happy for starting this review this way…

“Live the Life of Your Dreams: Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.” 
― Roy T. Bennett,

The one in the picture is Senna.

Let’s start saying that my reference in life is Ayrton Senna. I have a connection with this driver. I don’t know when or where, how, what…but I know my live is in connection with him for some reason.

Senna and McLaren holds hands for decades since they met. It has been so intense this relationship between them, that for years McLaren keep honoring his memory and the racing legacy he left in all of us with amazing supercars.

This past month I had the chance to feel the McLaren experience behind the wheel. The feeling was incredible and more when you want to find out the reason of the why of every component of that machine…why is it so special, so different, so perfect…and the feeling of owning a McLaren…

Simplicity, perfection, heritage, legacy, tradition, dreams… use the word you want to pick from the bag…the feelings and emotions are simply amazing.

Let’s start our review with this quote and a minute of silence…

“‎With regard to performance, commitment, effort, dedication, there is no middle ground. Or you do something very well or not at all.” 
― Ayrton Senna

We are not reviewing the McLaren Senna, but I personally believe that McLaren and Senna will walk together always in the same direction while striving for perfection in everything they start and we never can forget what a brand as McLaren pursuit when bringing to the market a supercars as the new GT.

Exterior Design

When we first laid our eyes on the 2021 McLaren GT the first thing that we noticed are the lines and the aerodynamics in the body. Like the previous cars designed by Robert Melville’s team, this one was just as radical but arguably taking far fewer liberties. The 570 was cool, the 720s was outrageously sporty, and the 2021 McLaren GT is modern, slick and every bit as aerodynamic as it should be to attain maximum speed. The GT looks slick and sharp; it’s something we’d drive to do the groceries, just as we would on the track over the weekend. 

The GT tells its story through sheer presence and balanced proportions. Longer than other McLaren models at almost 4.7m, the profile is shaped by more of a refined touch that tapers and flows – for aerodynamic efficiency, and to create space.

Distinctive lines draw your eye across the front and out to the prominent wings. The raised ground clearance makes manoeuvring over tricky obstacles a breeze. While higher air intakes allow for slimmer duct openings. In nature, as in McLaren design – what looks beautiful so often works beautifully too.

How Does the 2021 McLaren GT Perform? 

The 2021 McLaren GT comes with the same 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 under the hood as the 720S that cranks out 612 hp and a peak torque of 465 lb-ft. The engine is mated to a 7-speed Dual-clutch transmission, putting down the power through the rear wheels. In other words, you need to rev this beauty to get true performance for the beastly engine. That said, if you’d rather enjoy the drive, then leave it in auto. 

Speaking of auto, the seven-speed DSG shifts up at 4k RPM regardless of what you do, which means those inside are not jolted by sudden unexpected acceleration like some of the competing models in this segment. 

The ride quality of the 2021 McLaren GT is incredible. The GT remained relaxed, offered comfort with its light steering and there was nothing really telling us that we were in a 612HP supercar other than when we put peddle to the metal on a straight stretch of tarmac. 

If you’d rather enjoy going fast, put it in manual mode and break the 6k RPM barrier, and the 2021 McLaren GT turns into the incredible hulk. It beats just about everything on the road. In fact, the power is so overwhelming that first-time drivers like us are shocked into believing that this vehicle can go so fast in such a short time. Furthermore, 6k RPM is just minor league for an engine that can easily go up to 8k RPM and even beyond. 

Impressive handling rounds off what is an excellent vehicle to drive both on tarmac stretches and dusty backroads. The suspension and dampers have been custom-tuned for comfort, which means it feels comfortable regardless of how you want to drive. Slam it into a corner, and the vehicle’s grip tends to hug the road, making those tight corners appear to be easy to get around, while with any other vehicle, we’d never attempt it at this speed. It is almost as though the GT gives you the confidence of being able to do anything. 

The two rotating dials help you choose how the vehicle handles, and it changes the nature of the GT to the extent that it feels like a different animal. Comfort and Sport felt very different to us, though Track can be uncomfortable. Finally, if going at 8k RPM wasn’t good enough, the sound is there to save the day. It’s a V8 that’s designed and tuned to sound like a demon, something that McLaren fans have come to expect over the years. 

Taking Things Up Several Notches With The Interior 

The interior is perhaps the perfect example of why people choose to buy the McLaren GT. The feeling of space is exceptional. You sense it the moment you climb into the GT. The ambience is refined but uncluttered. You’re cocooned but never cramped. A sensation that’s amplified by a meticulously refined driving position, excellent visibility and slim windscreen pillars. It accommodates your luggage without fuss. The GT surpasses its rivals. Unique to this model, the luggage bay is beautifully trimmed and big enough to swallow a variety of leisure equipment. And the front luggage bay takes a couple of overnight bags with ease.

The upright mounted infotainment system is laid out perfectly by putting just about everything you’ll need at a reachable distance. Whether you’re dimming the lights, turning on music, or using the onboard infotainment system paired with the phone, the comfort in the cabin is next level. 

The 2021 McLaren GT also has lots of nice touches. Everything is beautifully made from ultimate quality, pioneering materials. There’s world-class softgrain leather. solid aluminium. And the option of soft, tactile Cashmere. Together, it creates a refined, welcoming environment – alive with technology, punctuated with light.

Final Verdict 

The 2021 McLaren GT is a supercar that achieves more than just the GT symbol implies. The GT is living proof that craftsmanship evolves. It embraces innovation, new materials and technology. What remains is sheer quality. Meticulous attention to detail. Textures and finishes that inspire you.

“People think dreams aren’t real just because they aren’t made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes.” 
― Neil Gaiman

Photo Album: 2021 McLaren GT by A. Giron