McLaren GT review

McLaren has stuck to its dramatic wing doors, but the seat is a little higher so you don't have such an awkward drop to get in. And the door power-closes the last few millimetres.

Then you're in a sports-shaped seat with (optional) power adjustments, in more directions than a supercar but fewer than a German luxo-GT. The steering column is powered too. If your shoulder blades are wide, the seat might cramp them.

The cabin trim is lovely, and customisable in lots of materials and beautiful stitch patterns. The switchgear is all metal, and everything feels expensive and is unique to McLaren.

Has there been a big tech upgrade?

The firm has designed a new infotainment system, with far more powerful processors, and it uses industry-standard mapping and traffic detail. You can spec a lightweight Bowers & Wilkins hi-fi at no cost. The vertical touchscreen suits the narrow centre console, and it has some useful shortcut buttons. But also some odd omissions: none of the company reps could show us how to switch to a permanent 2D map instead of bird view, so if it is possible then the menus aren't clear enough.

Because it's a narrow cabin, the centre console doesn't have much storage space beyond a narrow armrest box and cupholders, and small glovebox and a little net. The wing doors don't have pockets either. So overall there isn't much room for the general gubbins that accompanies you on a journey – particularly the long ones GTs are so apparently targeted at.

How is visibility?

It feels very airy in the cabin, especially with the switchable electrochromic glass roof on its clear setting. Looking forwards and over the shoulder, the view out is terrific. But not so good backwards, so you need the reversing camera, especially when the rear boot is full.

So, that boot. Yes, it's far, far bigger in total than anything in a normal GT. But the deepest part is just behind the seats, so you either have to reach in over the bodywork or squeeze behind the flopped-forward seats. And even though there are nets and tie-downs, they won't stop small objects careering forward when you brake – flying ski-pole anyone? Or even tins from the shopping run. Best put that stuff in the front boot.

Still, to be fair, the rivals have pretty tiny rear boots so you have to put stuff on their otherwise useless back seats. In short, the McLaren GT swallows a useful amount of stuff, but it’ll still dictate how much you pack and what sort of bags you use. It’s a supercar with a GT edge rather than a GT with a supercar edge.