The day started bright and sunny but the weather has changed. It’s become overcast, and heavy clouds from the distance seem headed our way.
But right here and right now, the thunder and lightning is courtesy of a very red and very fast McLaren. Meet the McLaren GT.
The one-line intro to the McLaren GT is that it’s different. Both as a McLaren and as ‘GT’. It’s supposed to be the most chilled-out McLaren you can buy.
Ahem, a 0-100kph time of 3.2 seconds and 326kph top speed notwithstanding. It’s also a break from the grand tourer or GT template.
Where GTs from Bentley, Aston Martin and Ferrari have their engines up front, the McLaren GT positions its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 behind the passenger cell.
This mid-engined layout dictates the way the GT looks and the way it drives. There’ll be plenty of time to ogle when the heavens open up. While it’s dry, it’s action time.
The ice-breaking session is shorter than I’d anticipated. McLarens are known to put drivers at immediate ease and I can see where that reputation’s coming from.