AT LAST it can be revealed - the eagerly awaited, much-vaunted and heavily-hyped McLaren GT has finally broken cover.

After several false starts with images of heavily-disguised prototype models, fuller details and pictures of the production-ready version of what McLaren calls its' "unique interpretation of a modern Grand Tourer" have finally been issued.

And, with its expensive-looking gold paintjob, it looks an absolute stunner.

Positioned alongside McLaren's established Sports, Super and Ultimate Series families, this is a new McLaren for a new audience, says the company which claims it is lighter, faster and more engaging than rival products in the segment, with greater space, comfort and usability.

Much of that is down to the new car's carbon fibre structure which helps the GT claim the title of lightest-in-class with a kerbweight of 1,530kg - more than 130kg lighter than its closest core competitor and hundreds of kilogrammes less than other cars in the segment, according to McLaren.

With 612bhp from its four-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the power-to-weight ratio of the superlight new McLaren GT is a remarkable 405PS-per-tonne.

The new engine is mated to a seven-speed auto transmission and produces 630Nm of torque with more than 95 per cent of this available from 3,000rpm to 7,250rpm. It will power the GT from rest to 60mph in a mere 3.1 seconds and accelerate from standstill to 124mph in nine seconds, going on to a top speed of 203mph.

The GT's lightweight, aluminium suspension is paired with hydraulic dampers and uses inputs from sensors to ‘read' the road, interpreting what will likely happen next and reacting predictively in just two milliseconds. There are three active dynamic handling modes - Comfort, Sport and Track.

Like the suspension, the hydraulic steering and high performance braking systems are specifically tailored to the car.

As befits a Grand Tourer, the new McLaren GT doesn't sacrifice practicality for pace. There's a 420-litre luggage area below the front-hinged, full-length glazed tailgate which has a soft-close function as standard or can be electrically powered as an option.

A golf bag or two pairs of 185cm skis and boots as well as luggage can be carried with ease in the rear compartment, says the company, while a further 150 litres of storage at the front means the new McLaren GT can accommodate a total of 570 litres - more than enough for a grand tour around Europe's most fashionable and glitzy hot spots.

Inside the cockpit there's luxury galore with streamlined, electrically adjusted and heated seats trimmed in Nappa leather which can be upgraded to softgrain luxury leather or Alcantara®, depending on which vehicle specification is chosen. Cashmere will become available as an additional choice towards the end of 2019 - the first time that this exclusive material has been used in a production vehicle.

The GT comes fitted with the most sophisticated McLaren infotainment system to date with a seven inch touchscreen while a 12.3 inch screen in front of the driver provides key vehicle information with aircraft-style instrument graphics.

Order books for the new McLaren GT are open now, with first deliveries expected towards the end of the year.

How much? Start saving now - at £163,000 it looks a snip!