► Spy shots of strange McLaren 570S test car
► Unusual roofline suggests it could be 2+2
► Extended carbonfibre MonoCell tub already shown
The new McLaren 570S is sensational. It’s sensational when driven on its own, and sensational enough to see off the 911 Turbo in a clean – albeit rather soggy – fight. But one thing the baby Mac can’t do that its arch Porsche rival can is carry the kids as well as mum and dad. You can’t even fit the brats in the boot up front (and we don’t recommend this even if you could).
Wait a minute, though? Why is McLaren still out testing the Sports Series in full camo? We’ve already seen the lesser 540C model… And hang on, isn’t the roofline of this car a little funny looking? And why are the rear windows so darkly tinted?
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Are you seriously telling me McLaren is building a 570S 2+2?
Yes, that does indeed appear to be the plan. In fact, we have it on good authority that McLaren has sneakily shown an unlabelled extended carbonfibre MonoCell tub long enough to incorporate the extra seating capacity during at least one factory event; apparently nobody noticed.
If this ‘GVP121’ test car is the rumoured 570S GT 2+2 we have to say we can hardly blame people for their lack-lustre observation skills, because until you see it side on it barely looks any longer than the standard version. If there is an extra pair of chairs in there it’s going to be tight – like the Lotus Evora, for example. But then, the 911’s rear seating is hardly massively voluminous, either.
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What is the McLaren 570S 2+2 even for?
Our spys tell us the new Mac (for) Daddy is primarily being prepared for the Chinese and American markets, so we may see it undisguised as early as the 2016 Detroit International Auto Show in January; failing that perhaps Beijing and New York in around about April. The whole idea may seem bizarre, but as Ferrari will tell you about the California, some buyers really like knowing they have the seats available. You never know when the evening may go even better than expected, after all.
The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 in the back is likely to remain unchanged from the standard 570S, so expect the same 562bhp, 0-62mph in around 3.3sec and a top speed over 200mph. A 570S Spider is also set to join the SportSeries range later.