The McLaren 570S, and its baby brother the 540C, are seriously impressive cars. They mix everyday usability with a track-focussed fun should the mood take you. However, the junior McLarens can be more than mere road weapons – with the right modifications and a scoop of extra cash you can get your mitts on the 570S GT4.

For £159,900, the 570S GT4 gives racers a true GT car. McLaren’s running one in 2017’s British GT Championship, and if that’s not faith in a product then we don’t know what is. 

McLaren 570S GT4
McLaren 570S GT4

At first glance it looks pretty similar to the road going 570S, look closer and you find out just how much more is going on. At the rear sits a massive, downforce-tastic carbon fibre wing, which is adjustable for your pleasure. Below that is a massive diffuser for managing airflow under the car.

Up front is a serious carbon splitter, a couple of vents in the nose to keep things cool, and dive-planes to further help the aerodynamics. Each of its surprisingly dinky wheels wears proper race rubber, as you’d expect.

McLaren 570S GT4
McLaren 570S GT4

Inside is where the biggest differences lie. Where the road car is all about keeping passengers comfy, the race car is stripped bare. A few details from the road car do survive – electric windows, for example, the infotainment screen is still present as well, though it’ll show data rather than what’s next on your playlist. The familiar ‘engine start’ and active panel switches are there to play with as well.

The doors open with a mechanical handle, and there are fighter jet inspired master power switches, fire control switches, and a massive, cosseting, bucket seat for the driver to control the action from.

We’ve yet to drive one, but this being McLaren it’s unlikely to be a bum steer. Customer deliveries start in 2017.

Gallery: McLaren 570S GT4