All posts in “McLaren”

MSO means bespoke in McLaren language

MSO, short for McLaren Special Operations, takes care of special requests and bespoke options on new McLaren sportscars ordered by customers worldwide, and we find a stunning trio of the now sold-out McLaren 765LT that was just delivered to their owners in Poland that all come with MSO options, considerably raising their base MSRP of €402,500 when these customers placed their order shortly after the global launch last year to make sure they could take delivery ahead of the 2021 summer track day season.

These three McLaren 765LT MSO come in some truly impressive shades, Volcano Yellow, Volcano Orange, and Paris Blue, the blue car adds multiple MSO options, includes the MSO Clubsport Pro Pack (consisting of Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats, Track Brake Upgrade, and MSO Defined Satin Finish Carbon Fibre Air Vents). The Paris Blue 765LT is also the only one from this trio to come with the MSO Black Pack (front splitter, rear bumper, rear diffuser, air intakes, side skirts, and door mirror casings are all finished in black). Probably the nicest option on the exterior is the clear carbon fiber front hood and rear wing among others.

“Providing the tools to our customers to design, develop and create their own unique interpretation of the McLaren 765LT, MSO is able to make our customers realize their vision of the perfect McLaren.”

Bastian Luehmann, Market Director – Central Europe

The McLaren 765LT is 80kg lighter compared to the already lightweight 720, among others thanks to special carbon fiber aerodynamics that are made by the McLaren Composites Technology Centre in the Sheffield area, a first for McLaren, and let’s not forget where the ‘LT’ stands for: ‘Longtail’, the 765LT comes with an active rear wing that allows this 1,229 kg car to reach 100 km/h in less than three seconds … 200 km/h is reached in 7 seconds, thanks to 765PS and 800 Nm.

McLaren 720S GT3X

We all know there are a lot of restrictions when it comes to road cars, but also purebred racecars have limits imposed on them, when McLaren Customer Racing created their 720S GT3, it had to comply with FIA GT3 regulations … but what would happen when you can create a track car with no limits?

Then you get the McLaren 720S GT3X, where the X comes with no motorsport restrictions whatsoever, this is a new, track-only car based on the 720S GT3, but she isn’t homologated for racing, the hand-built, 4.0-Liter V8 twin-turbo engine delivers 750PS in this ‘X’, while taking advantage of the chassis and aerodynamic characteristics of its latest-specification, race-winning 720S GT3 to optimize the owner’s driving enjoyment on circuits during track days for instance.

A six-speed sequential motorsport transmission is fitted to a bespoke M840T engine that comes with a blueprinted cylinder head, strengthened pistons, ‘Diamond Like Carbon’ (DLC) coating, add the lightweight performance exhaust system and the result is an overall weight of only 1,210kg (2,668lbs) for this stripped-down track car, with the ‘push-to-pass’ button on the steering wheel, an extra 30PS over the available 720PS boosts power to an impressive 750PS.

Development of the GT3X saw a focus on pure engineering, innovative aerodynamics, and efficient design, taking the car for many thousands of kilometers on tracks all over Europe and the Middle East. Without having to deal with regulations, the 720S GT3X is a true performance-optimized evolution of the bespoke GT3 racecar. The aerodynamically optimized body has been developed using ‘Computational Fluid Dynamics’ (CFD) combined with F1 wind tunnel testing.

On this new McLaren 720S GT3X the body gets hand-finished in metallic MSO Carbon Black paint, a pinstripe in heritage McLaren Orange (reminding is of the famous winning McLaren Formula 1 cars in the 1960s) is added to the lower edges of the ground-hugging body shape and the outer rim of the gloss black center-locking wheel rims, a really nice touch is the large ‘X’ on top of the canopy.

While there was no requirement to do this, McLaren did install an FIA-approved race seat made from carbon fiber and Kevlar, in the GT3X the pedals and steering wheel can be adjusted for the driver, and to share in the fun of taking a racecar around the track, there is an option to fit an extra safety-compliant passenger race seat complete with a six-point harness, McLaren even altered the roll cage to accommodate this second seat.

Due to GT3 balance of performance requirements, the 720S GT3 car has to run with a considerably reduced power output than the road-going 720S Spider and Coupe variants. The brief for the GT3X project was to unleash the full potential of the 720S GT3 car using a massively increased power output to fully exploit the aerodynamics and chassis dynamics of the car. Additionally, the car is now able to carry passengers for the first time, thanks to the re-design of a new bespoke roll-cage and passenger seat installation. Brake cooling has also been improved to cope with the additional demands of increased speed and the mass of a passenger.

The 720S GT3X now offers a unique opportunity to experience a fully-fledged GT3 car. The lap time is significantly reduced from the GT3 benchmark through both the huge standard power increase and the additional 30bhp from the push-to-pass button. The end result is a car that offers a truly unique experience.”
Ian Morgan, Director, McLaren Customer Racing

Do keep in mind this amazing McLaren 720S GT3X can’t be ordered at a regular McLaren dealership, you will have to turn to one of only 11 official McLaren Motorsport Retailers worldwide, as part of the purchase and ownership package, McLaren Automotive can provide dedicated technical track support for each owner. This program is carried out by the customer support engineers from the in-house McLaren Customer Racing division – the team that has designed and developed the model alongside the 720S GT3 global customer race program.

JOTA McLaren 720S GT3

McLaren Customer Racing today confirms that renowned Sportscar racing team JOTA will contest a McLaren 720S GT3 in this year’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS championship with an all-McLaren Factory Driver line-up of Ben Barnicoat, Rob Bell and newly-promoted Oliver Wilkinson.

JOTA has a strong reputation in Sportscar racing, with two LMP2 class wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours. In 2017 the team challenged the factory LMP1 entries for victory, eventually finishing second and third overall. The 2021 GT World Challenge Europe campaign marks a return to GT competition for the UK-based team.

The JOTA McLaren 720S GT3 – image courtesy of Khyzyl Saleem

JOTA will field a McLaren 720S GT3 in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance and GT World Challenge Sprint categories, both of which qualify as points-scoring rounds for the overall championship. The 720S GT3 made its debut in the series last year and enters the 2021 season in world-class form, having won the Gulf 12 Hour race in January.

Wilkinson made his debut as a McLaren Professional Driver in 2020, scoring a string of outright and Silver Cup podium finishes, leading to a top ten placing in the standings alongside Lewis Proctor at McLaren Customer Racing team Optimum Motorsport. In addition, he contested selected GT World Challenge outings with Bell and Joe Osborne in the Optimum 720S GT3. Earlier this year he received full British Racing Drivers’ Club member status in recognition of his efforts, a hugely prestigious honour for British racing drivers.

The McLaren 720S GT3

Wilkinson will now join Barnicoat, fresh from his victory in the Gulf 12 Hour race with a McLaren Customer Racing team 2 Seas Motorsport 720S GT3 and is reunited with Bell, who finished third in the 2019 British GT Championship with the McLaren Customer Racing team Balfe Motorsport 720S GT3.

“It’s tremendously exciting for us to have JOTA onboard for 2021, with three McLaren Factory Drivers also involved in the programme. The team’s vast experience and success in endurance racing and professionalism will, I’m confident, allow them to compete at the highest level throughout 2021 in the 720S GT3. I’m also delighted to see Oliver Wilkinson step up to a full McLaren Factory Driver programme this year, supported by both Rob Bell and Ben Barnicoat, and I look forward to watching his progression.”
Ian Morgan, Director, McLaren Customer Racing

The McLaren 720S GT3

“The last time I was involved with a McLaren motorsport program was as a director of McLaren Cars from 1994- 97. It was the era in which we famously won the 24 Hours of Le Mans at our first attempt. We also took multiple race wins and two titles in the BPR Global Endurance championship. I am an enormous fan of the McLaren brand and thrilled to return with JOTA for the 2021 season. Both McLaren and JOTA have similar DNA in the sense of a great depth in engineering capability and a winning mentality. Both my partner, Sam Hignett, and I have worked enormously hard to make JOTA not just a winning team but also a fun one to be around, so I think the collaboration between McLaren and JOTA together with three Factory Drivers will become a major force in GT racing.”
David Clark, Co-Owner, JOTA

“I’m extremely happy with my new appointment as a McLaren Factory Driver. It’s been my goal since starting my driving career, so a big thank you to McLaren for believing in me. The season should be brilliant and I’m extremely excited about teaming up with JOTA.”
Oliver Wilkinson, McLaren Factory Driver, McLaren Customer Racing

The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS season gets underway at Monza in Italy on April 16-18.

McLaren Artura comes with peace of mind

Buying a brand new, $225,000 McLaren Artura might inflict some stress on prospective, first-time supercar owners, especially after reading the horror stories online about massive repair bills when something goes wrong with a supercar, but it seems McLaren has the perfect answer for those that are still worrying about what happens after you finally managed to afford your Artura.

When you buy a McLaren Artura from your local dealership, you’ll get a 5-year vehicle warranty, which isn’t bad at all, but considering the Artura is a hybrid, there is also a battery to contemplate … no worries, McLaren warrants the battery for 6 years, why they choose to go for an extra year over the car’s warranty is beyond me, but that’s how McLaren does it.

While rust might not be an issue as let’s say on a classic Italian Alfa Romeo from the 80s, McLaren’s Artura comes with a 10-year, unlimited mileage, body (anti-perforation) warranty, note that the car and battery warranty covers you up to 75,000 km, so you can do about 12,500 km a year for six years to enjoy the complete warranty pack on the hybrid-battery.

And there’s more … as an owner of a McLaren Artura you also receive a 3-year Service Plan with the car, covering the regular maintenance every 12 months, or 15,000 km (9,000 miles) interval. Including oil and filter changes, renewing engine and E-motor air filters, brake fluid replenishment, and full safety inspections, the only thing you as an owner have to worry about are fuel, tires, and brake pads.

In most markets where the McLaren Artura is sold, the owner can add a 5-year roadside assistance package, and to make sure the Artura will be strong on the second-hand market, later on, all of these warranties are transferable to the next owner being a McLaren Qualified car.

McLaren F1 for sale

I’m sure you’ve read our article on the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50s Niki Lauda supercar posted recently, with that trademark center seating position, and I’m also confident you know where we’ve all seen that before, right? In the original McLaren F1 road car from the Nineties … with only 64 built for the streets, getting your hands on one of the latter isn’t easy, and chances are rare and far between … but Issimi has one listed for sale right now.

Photo courtesy of Issimi

Personally, I would prefer a silver metallic finished McLaren F1, just like the factory demonstrators, but with only very few changing hands at any given time, you can’t be picky when it comes to finding one of these for sale, so the red over black finished 1995 McLaren F1 listed by Issimi on their website.

Photo courtesy of Issimi

When Gordon Murray created the McLaren F1, his intention was to create the ultimate driver’s car and with the 6.1-Liter V12 engine underneath the gold-insulated engine cover, I would say he succeeded in doing just that, this red sample is one of only 7 cars that were originally sold in the United States of America, and it has been maintained by an expert and currently is still in perfect condition despite being over 25 years old.

Photo courtesy of Issimi

The McLaren F1 set the world record for the fastest production car in 1998 with a speed of 240.1 mph, verified by the Guinness World Records, and with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 3.7 seconds, this 25-year-old lady is still considered very fast today.

Photo courtesy of Issimi

Powering the McLaren is a quad-cam, 48-valve, 6.1-litre BMW V12 engine with variable valve timing. It produces a staggering 627 bhp. The F1’s engine uses competition-inspired dry-sump lubrication. More complex than a conventional wet sump, it shaved vital inches from the oil pan, allowing the engine to be mounted lower.

Everywhere you look at the McLaren, attempts have been made to reduce weight. Like the front and rear wishbones which are machined from solid aluminum alloy; or the wheels, constructed out of magnesium alloy.

Photo courtesy of Issimi

To show off McLaren’s dedication and Formula heritage, Murray used a central driver’s seat and provided an option for two seats on either side. Like a race car, this provided the best possible view and was a good example of how uncompromising the F1 was. Additionally, the McLaren wasn’t equipped with any driving aids which meant it lacked traction control, ABS, power brakes, and power steering.

Make sure to check our extensive McLaren F1 – Ultimate guide published earlier to get an in-depth look into this amazing car, and if you are really adamant about adding this rare car to your collection, you might want to get in touch with someone at Issimi, just get ready to open that checkbook as this car will not come cheap.

Photo courtesy of Issimi

Just to prepare you for the shock, Bonhams sold chassis SA9AB5AC5S1048044 at auction in 2017 for US$ 15,620,000, which is astonishing as the MSRP back in the Nineties was about $815,000, and it gets even better, in 2019 RM Sotheby’s sold chassis SA9AB5AC1R1048018, which was a little special for being one of only two cars that were converted into LM-Specs by the factory … the hammer came down at $19,805,000 including fees.

Renowned Hagerty lists the value of a ‘normal’ McLaren F1 around the $22,000,000 mark today, with special ones valued even higher … I would be really interested to learn just how much hard-earned money would need to be exchanged to park this red one on your driveway.

1995 McLaren F1 For Sale: 1 of 64 Road Cars Made Worldwide

It’s not everyday that you come across a McLaren F1 for sale. A highly sort after British supercar from the 90s, it’s demand has grown exponentially in the past few years where it initially surpassed the $10 million mark before hitting the $20 million mark depending on the version.

This 1995 McLaren F1 for sale has been listed in the US by issimi.com, they were even generous to throw in a video review for any interested buyer out there. The video itself includes a few (rarely seen) scenes of a McLaren F1 road car getting driven properly.

The car is registered in the US and comes with a history of 2 owners from new. The new owner will acquire one of the fastest appreciating cars in today’s market. V12 supercars are becoming rarer by the day, the McLaren F1 boasts of a 6.1L naturally aspirated V12 supplied by BMW. Gordon Murray was in charge of the design, notably the central driver’s seat which was a first for the sports car industry. Murray who now owns a car company, plans to roll out his ‘F1 successor’ – a naturally aspirated V12 supercar with the same seat layout as the F1 called the T.50.

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The McLaren F1 was also famous for breaking the Guinness World Record for the world’s fastest production car in 1998 after achieving a top speed of 240.1mph.

McLaren F1 Specs

Engine: 6.1L BMW S70/2 V12
Output: 618hp, 650nm
Gearbox: 6-speed manual
0-100km/h: 3.7s
Top Speed: 240.1 mph (386.4 km/h)

McLaren F1 Photos (Red)

SWAE McLaren 720S

If you’ve never heard of SWAE, don’t feel too bad, they are a new company located in the Rocky Mountains not far from Glacier National Park that just released images of their first tuning package, and it’s for the McLaren 720S, which isn’t too bad straight from the factory, but SWAE takes it to the next level, both in looks and in performance.

First, you notice there is something different about this SWAE McLaren 720, and it’s a widebody kit you are admiring, with a new front lip and intakes on the front fenders, the rear fenders are widened too, and a massive rear wing is added too. While most parts seem to be made from carbon fiber, SWAE took the 3D printing route for the struts on the rear wing, made from titanium.

Bespoke, 10-spoke SWAE wheels complete the look of this $500,000 McLaren 720S, and the best is yet to come … engine tuning that delivers over 900 hp to the rear wheels from the twin-turbocharged 4-Liter V8, keep in mind this could mean the SWAE tuned V8 comes with over 1,000 hp at the crank.

SWAE says this McLaren 720S is just a ‘proof-of-concept’ at the moment, showcasing what they can do when combining carbon fiber and 3D-printing technology to create a bespoke car for the discerning customer, chasing dreams at all costs.

“SWAE operates in a space beyond luxury-  enhancing each caliber of craftsmanship to create a sum greater than its parts,” said Rosie Wolkind, SWAE director of operations.

This new SWAE McLaren 720S Widebody was recently unveiled in Miami, but it isn’t clear if this specific car is for sale, or was built on commission for an existing customer, or if it’s just a demonstrator for SWAE … only time will tell.

In depth on the new McLaren Arturo

The McLaren Artura: in detail
Every drop of McLaren’s technical expertise and experience has been channeled into making the all-new Artura extraordinary to drive and wonderfully enjoyable to own. Ever since the 12C revolutionized the supercar segment a decade ago, McLaren Automotive has continued to push the boundaries of supercar innovation. The McLaren P1™ brought McLaren hybridization to the hypercar sector as long ago as 2012. The Speedtail introduced astonishing new levels of hybrid performance, its 403km/h (250mph) maximum speed making it the fastest-ever McLaren.

The brief for the Artura was even more challenging: to create a series-production High-Performance Hybrid supercar that excels on every level, with performance, engagement, and efficiency sharing equal top-billing. The engineering and design team approached the challenge holistically – no single part of the process was undertaken in isolation – with ambitious targets set in every area: weight; performance; driver engagement; efficiency; agility; refinement; quality and usability.

Every target was met – and in most cases, surpassed – heralding the arrival of the Artura as a next-generation McLaren High-Performance Hybrid that introduces a new supercar era.

“The way we design cars at McLaren is different. We use a holistic approach comprising both technical design and studio design, areas that in the automotive industry are often separated and sometimes even compete; McLaren sees these pillars as integrally linked and working towards common goals.”
Dan Parry-Williams, Director of Engineering Design, McLaren Automotive

Super-lightweight engineering

McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA)

  • The Artura is the first McLaren to use MCLA, which is designed and produced at McLaren Composites Technology Centre in Sheffield, UK
  • Optimized for High-Performance Hybrid models, MCLA comprises three elements: carbon fiber monocoque, electrical architecture, and chassis and suspension structures
  • Carbon fiber monocoque is safer, stronger, and like-for-like lighter than previous McLaren monocoques

“The new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) is quite literally at the core of the super-lightweight engineering philosophy that is inherent throughout the Artura. We developed this all-new, High-Performance Hybrid supercar with all of our learnings from decades of working with advanced composite and other lightweight materials, using world-first processes and techniques to deliver weight savings that offset heavier hybrid powertrains, ensuring greater energy efficiency and maintaining the outstanding agility and dynamic performance our customers expect.”
Jamie Corstorphine, Director of Product Strategy, McLaren Automotive

To achieve the very specific aims of the Artura program McLaren started right at the core of its new supercar, with a completely new carbon fiber architecture. This had to not only be true to the company’s philosophy of super-lightweight engineering for dynamic and performance reasons but also crucially to offset the extra weight of a hybrid powertrain, as well as being tailored to accommodate the battery pack.

The new architecture – called McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) – features three elements: an all-new carbon-fiber monocoque occupant structure, a new chassis with aluminum crash beams and rear subframe, and a first-to-market domain-based ethernet electrical architecture.

Four years in the making, MCLA is the first architecture to be manufactured at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC), a new, state-of-the-art facility in the Sheffield region. Flexible in the application (but physically incredibly stiff and strong) this scalable platform architecture heralds the beginning of a new era of McLaren supercars.

Carbon fibre monocoque
At the center of the new platform is the carbon fiber monocoque. McLaren pioneered composite technology in Formula 1™ racing nearly 40 years ago and first transferred it to the road in the carbon fiber chassis and body of the McLaren F1. When the 12C was unveiled in 2009 it introduced a unique one-piece molded carbon fiber chassis that was 25% stiffer than an equivalent all-metal structure and 25% lighter than a comparable aluminum chassis. McLaren’s revolutionary technologies also allowed carbon fiber monocoques to be productionized in volumes never before achievable.

The McLaren Artura marks another revolutionary leap. No McLaren monocoque, whether designed for the road or race track, has ever had to do more: the carbon fiber structure now additionally provides a safety cell for the battery pack and integrates further crash and load-bearing functionality. Yet it remains incredibly lightweight, weighing just 82kg including the battery compartment, aero surfaces, B-pillars, and door-hinge fixings, contributing to the low overall weight of the Artura, despite its 130kg of hybrid components.

At first glance, the MCLA monocoque may appear similar to other McLaren carbon fiber structures, but the geometry of every surface is new, and it is constructed from four new carbon materials, a new resin system, and a new structural core material. These new properties accommodate both the platform requirements and new, bespoke mechanized production processes now on stream at MCTC.

The in-house approach ensures McLaren can constantly innovate monocoques to accommodate new technologies or new models, without compromising the qualities that ensure its chassis are the lightest, stiffest and strongest in their class.

The MCLA monocoque is taller around the A- and B-pillars than previous McLaren monocoques, as it integrates additional strength and load-bearing functionality into the carbon structure, replacing bonded metal parts. The windscreen surround is also carbon fiber. To achieve the requisite battery and fuel-tank safety cell, the sides of the monocoque extend back beyond what would traditionally be seen as the rear bulkhead. This provides side impact protection for the battery pack and also the fuel tank.

There is an exacting tolerance to the monocoque dimensions of +0.75mm across the structure with the tightest tolerances between machined features down to +/-0.25mm. This is fundamental to factors such as the accuracy of the suspension geometry control. Additionally, the high torsional rigidity of the monocoque ensures less compromise for the flexibility of the suspension itself, further enhancing the unique balance between a supple ride and precise handling.

The structure also plays a role in aerothermal optimization. Chamfered corners at the trailing edge of the front wheel arches guide airflow out of the arches and along the underside of the doors. The extended outer skin of the doors traps the air in this channel and it is driven rearwards into intakes that feed the lower portion of the high-temperature radiators (HTRs).

Chassis structure
Situated at either end of the carbon fiber monocoque are aluminum subframes that provide the Artura’s deformable crash structures. Designed to absorb impacts, the structures can be repaired or replaced easily and very cost-effectively. Cars with a full aluminum or steel chassis use their entire structure to absorb and crumple on impact, causing more damage to the whole structure, often including the passenger cell.

On the Artura, the front upper wishbone is mounted to the carbon monocoque, while the lower wishbone is attached to the aluminum crash subframe. The rear subframe is bolted to the monocoque, with the carbon fiber floor beneath the battery bridging the lower cross members transversely across the vehicle, ensuring the required torsional stiffness and optimizing the rear frame weight. The length of the lower portion of the frame is shortened to accommodate a bespoke rear diffuser, and the geometry of the new multi-link wishbone rear suspension concept is particularly aggressive.

Electrical architecture
Just as the carbon fiber monocoque incorporates greater functionality than any previous McLaren structure, so too does the electrical system. The Artura debuts an array of firsts for McLaren, including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates, and Pirelli Cyber Tyre® tire-monitoring technology. These are all made possible by the new electrical architecture, which also supports an all-new McLaren Infotainment System (MIS II).

Additionally, the complex powertrain necessitated an electrical architecture that can control McLaren’s first gasoline direct injection (GDI) fuel system at 350 bar; completely new transmission software; the E-differential and e-reverse functionality; battery management and implementing the different types of driving experience via the integration of the electric drive and engine drive.

To achieve all of this, McLaren is one of the first-to-market with a zonal domain-based ethernet architecture as the core backbone of the vehicle. The technology is the stepping point towards the industry trend of vehicle architecture redesign.

The domain-based ethernet system utilizes four controllers, each positioned in a key area within the vehicle to optimize data rates and cable lengths. Placed in the same zones as the loads they control, the controllers are connected, via ethernet, through a central gateway. Linked functions at the front, rear, or across the vehicle don’t need independent wiring and control systems, but instead, transfer data via this central ‘backbone’.

By moving to a single standard, all communications can coexist on the same ethernet network. Spreading outwards from each domain, data transfer still occurs via LIN (Local Interconnect Network) and CAN (Controller Area Network) for subsystem communication but processing power has increased. The use of domain-based technology has reduced the length of cabling in the vehicle by 25%, reducing weight by more than 10%.

This has been achieved while at the same time significantly upgrading the electrical capability of the vehicle – and adding new technologies such as the advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) features that debut in the Artura. The processing tools are integrated, with centralized software that can be constantly scaled and upgraded as new functionality becomes available, creating a platform that can adapt to future legislation and technology.

The advantage of this will most immediately be obvious to the owner because it allows for Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. When connected via wi-fi, either at home or via a hotspot, the vehicle is able to download new software when it becomes available. Updates related to vehicle safety will require a visit to a McLaren retailer, but OTA updates mean the customer can spend more time in their vehicle and instantly enjoy the benefits of newly downloaded functionality.

Working across all of these systems are new cybersecurity protocols, with enhanced algorithms. And in addition to OTA updates, depending on the market the new electrical architecture includes integrated stolen vehicle tracking within the telematics as well as E-call, which can dial emergency or recovery services in the event of an accident or breakdown.

eHVAC system
The new Arturia platform also incorporates new electric heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (eHVAC) system, designed to work with or without the assistance of the internal combustion engine. The compact unit, incorporating an electric compressor, condenser, and evaporator, is located in the front of the car to improve weight distribution, without the need for ‘pipework’ to run forward from the engine. Not using the internal combustion engine to drive the compressor allows optimal control of compressor speed for better cooling in arduous conditions.

The eHVAC system is able to heat or cool quicker than a conventional HVAC system, and provide greater precision between chosen temperatures. It uses a diffused vent that runs horizontally across the dashboard. This design increases flow into the cabin at lower velocities and with consequently improved occupant comfort and reduced system noise.

High-Performance Hybrid powertrain
The benefits of a High-Performance Hybrid powertrain are already in evidence in McLaren’s current range with the Speedtail – and of course previously from the McLaren P1™. The Speedtail has the greatest power and torque of any McLaren road car, with a combined 1,070PS (1,055bhp) and 1,150Nm (848lb ft) and even though it is an ultra-limited hypercar, the exhaustive development that produced it – and the philosophy of greater efficiency and lower emissions without compromising performance – helped to define the Artura’s unique attributes of hypercar innovation in a series-production supercar.

The Artura’s hybrid powertrain combines an all-new twin-turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine together with an industry-leading axial flux electric motor (E-motor) integrated within an all-new eight-speed transmission and a lithium-ion battery pack.

The combined output of the High-Performance Hybrid powertrain is 680PS and 720Nm, with the torque of the E-motor ensuring instant throttle response. Straight-line acceleration of 0-100km/h (62mph) is achieved in 3.0 seconds and 0–300km/h (186mph) in just 21.5 seconds; yet at the same time the Artura is capable of driving up to 30km on battery power alone, making the car fully zero-emissions capable for most urban journeys. The cleanest and most efficient McLaren road car ever, the Artura returns more than 50mpgand 129g/km CO2 on the EU WLTP cycle*.

The McLaren Artura has four Powertrain modes, covering every driving requirement: E-mode, Comfort, Sport and Track. E-mode is the default for silent start-up and zero-emissions, fully-electric driving. In Comfort mode, the V6 petrol engine runs in tandem with the E-motor, with maximum assistance for fuel saving. In Sport model, the E-motor provides torque infill at lower revs, while the V6 targets maximum performance. Track mode delivers the same blend of hybridized power, with transmission software delivering faster shifts.

All-new V6 petrol engine

  • 2,993cc twin-turbocharged V6; 120° v-angle with turbos in ‘hot vee’
  • Develops 585PS – a specific output approaching 200PS per litre – and torque of 585Nm
  • Light and compact: 50kg lighter and 190mm shorter than McLaren V8 engine

“Our all-new V6 engine is compact, light, powerful, and extremely efficient. The dimensions aided packaging of the hybrid system and enabled a lower center of gravity for the Artura, while the 120° vee design allowed us to have a very short and stiff crankshaft, which means the engine can rev all the way to 8,500rpm, delivering the drama and excitement you expect from a McLaren supercar.”
Richard Jackson, Head of Powertrain, McLaren Automotive

Designed by McLaren engineers to set new standards for smaller capacity V6 turbocharged engines, an all-new 3.0-litre V6 is at the heart of the Artura’s powertrain. Generating 585PS (577bhp) and 585Nm (431lb ft) of torque, the M630 produces more PS per litre than any McLaren engine except for the 4.0-litre V8 of the Elva and McLaren Senna. Lightweight – at just 160kg it weighs 50kg less than a McLaren V8 – and extremely fuel-efficient, its unique wide-angle configuration and compact size enable a High-Performance Hybrid powertrain package that is shorter than McLaren’s V8 engine and seven-speed transmission. That’s all the more impressive given the addition of an eighth gear, as well as the inclusion of McLaren’s first electronically controlled differential.

Mounted longitudinally and driving the rear wheels, the engine is a 2,993cc dry-sump V6 with an 84.0mm bore and 90.0mm stroke. Valve timing is continuously variable. Peak power of 585PS (577bhp) is produced at 7,500rpm, with the redline at 8,200rpm (8,500rpm intermittent). 585Nm (431lb ft) of torque is generated from 2250-7000rpm. Gasoline direct injection (GDI) operating at 350bar pressure ensures precise fuelling for increased power and reduced emissions, with one central injector per cylinder, while Gasoline Particulate Filters (GPFs) and catalytic converters ensure all legislative requirements are met.

The engine employs a 120˚ ‘hot vee’ layout. This configuration allows shared crank pins enabling a very short and stiff crankshaft appropriate for high power, high-revving engines. The wider angle brings advantages that include a lower center of gravity and the creation of a cavity within the vee to house the twin turbochargers. This is one of the factors that makes the engine 220mm narrower than McLaren’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, its compact nature assured by additional advantages in length and weight.

The ‘hot vee’ configuration additionally optimizes performance and emissions. This enables short, equal-length exhaust runners feeding the turbos, allowing faster spooling with very close-coupled catalysts feeding straight to the rear with minimal pressure drops.

Unusually, the compact mono-scroll turbochargers are symmetrical, removing the performance compromises usually seen in the exhaust and intake systems of twin-turbo vee engines. The system uses ball-bearing technology to reduce friction within the turbo, allowing it to spin up faster. Combined with electronically actuated wastegates that can instantly adjust position regardless of system pressure, turbo-lag and response time are minimized. This – together with the power from the E-motor – gives the Artura extremely rapid response to throttle inputs.

A series of complex heat shields tightly surround the ‘hot vee’ to cool it efficiently. These enclose the engine to stop heat diffusing through the rear of the vehicle, with nozzles fed from the back of the high-temperature radiator (HTR) fans to blow air at high speed between the top of the ‘hot vee’ and the underside of the heat shield. This heated air is funneled out through the powertrain chimney, an opening in the heat shield in the center of the rear deck mesh.

The lightweight engine block, cylinder heads, and pistons are all aluminum. The block has directly coated parent bores rather than separate coated liners. This technology allows the engine to be significantly shorter. The cylinder head and block utilize 3D printed cores, a technology more typically used in Formula 1™ than road cars, allowing uncompromised precision cooling, for example, a micro-compact 2mm cooling passage between the cylinders.

Another innovation – this time benefitting refinement and packaging – is the location of the chain drive at the rear of the engine. This reduces NVH intrusion into the cabin, as well as torsional vibration. Overall, the new V6 produces very little mechanical noise, either from the engine itself or associated pump and valvetrain sounds. Intake noise has also been optimized for refinement.

The combination of enhanced refinement and instant driver engagement under throttle enables the Artura to fulfill its dual role as a vehicle that can be driven every day in normal urban traffic and an incredibly immersive supercar on road or track.

The advances in refinement have allowed McLaren to tailor a unique exhaust sound when the throttle is depressed. The delta between on- and off-throttle sound is the greatest of any McLaren to date, acknowledging the differing demands of the High-Performance Hybrid powertrain’s driving modes. This has been achieved through a number of routes, including the reduction in length of the exhaust system itself – the exhausts exit straight back from the ‘hot vee’, reducing weight and allowing for the creation of a full-width rear diffuser. The lightweight exhaust system has optimized resonators to enhance the Artura’s harmonic and full-bodied exhaust note.

All-new eight-speed transmission

  • Newly designed and developed specifically for the Artura
  • Lightweight and compact, with E-motor integrated within the clutch bell housing
  • Short individual gear ratios optimize power/torque delivery and driver engagement
  • No mechanical reverse gear – E-motor runs in reverse instead

“With eight forward gears, all with short individual ratios, the all-new, twin-clutch transmission encourages the driver to keep the V6 engine in the power and torque band for more of the time and fully enjoy the Artura driving experience. The transmission is lightweight and very compact, especially when you consider that it has the powertrain’s E-motor – which also fulfills the role of mechanical reverse gear – integrated into the clutch bell housing.”
Geoff Grose, Chief Engineer, McLaren Artura

The McLaren Artura has a completely new and technically advanced eight-speed seamless-shift transmission. Designed to integrate the E-motor yet still be very compact, the technically advanced transmission offers high performance and significantly improved CO2 figures. Despite an extra gear over the seven-speed transmission on McLaren’s V8-powered vehicles, the length of the gear cluster has been reduced by 40mm, helped by the use of a nested clutch rather than a parallel clutch.

The transmission acts to transfer torque from both the E-motor and the V6 engine. This allows the vehicle to operate in a zero-emissions mode using only the E-motor after the internal combustion engine is disconnected.

The use of eight gears allows the ratios to be more closely stacked, giving lightning-fast gearshifts – close to 200 milliseconds – while twin clutches enable the continuous transfer of torque from the input to the driveshafts during each change of gear. The E-motor’s torque can also be utilized during gearshifts, particularly those at low vehicle speeds and low engine rpms, to smooth the transition from one ratio to the next. The eighth ratio is used as an overdrive to improve consumption characteristics on motorways.

Both electric and mechanical oil pumps feature; the electric pump is necessary whenever the engine is disconnected from the transmission, but it can also be used to supplement the mechanical pump which, as a result, is smaller than would otherwise be the case.

Cooling for the transmission is provided by two new medium-temperature radiators (MTR). A feed is taken from the high-temperature radiator (HTR) circuit and each MTR is fed by an air intake at the base of the roof buttresses, pre-cooling the water to enable clutch cooling to lower temperatures than the engine and transmission.

E-motor and battery pack

  • Compact, high power density E-motor generates 95PS and up to 225Nm
  • Five-module Lithium Ion energy dense battery
  • Usable energy capacity of 7.4kwh; 30km of electric-only range

“The compact, high power density axial flux E-motor and energy-dense Lithium-Ion battery pack that comprise the electric element of the Artura powertrain bring 95PS and up to 225Nm to the total power and torque outputs of McLaren’s new High-Performance Hybrid. This contribution is key both to the electrifying supercar performance and the 30km of emissions-free, EV driving capability.”
Sunoj George, Head of Electric Drive Technology, McLaren Automotive

So much innovation has been concentrated into the compact dimensions of the all-new petrol V6 that it’s easy to overlook the other driving force inside McLaren’s High-Performance Hybrid powertrain – the electric motor and battery pack that comprises the electric element.

The E-motor is truly ground-breaking, being the first application of an axial flux motor in a series-production road vehicle.  Most E-motors in the automotive world use radial flux technology, where magnets are positioned around a rotor. An axial flux motor is fundamentally different, featuring a stator sandwiched between two rotor hubs and able to deliver exceptionally high power and torque density, while also being smaller and lighter.

The Artura’s E-motor weighs just 15.4kg including the transmission interface, which is less than half the weight of the 38kg radial flux E-motor in the McLaren P1™. It generates 95PS (94bhp/70kW) – power output of 4.6kW/kg that is 33% higher in terms of power density than the unit in the McLaren P1™ – and maximum torque of 225Nm (166lb ft). The E-motor is capable in conjunction with the battery pack of propelling the Artura in pure EV mode for up to 30km, and to a maximum speed of 130km/h/81mph. The torque delivery profile of the E-motor is different to that of the V6 petrol engine; the peak of each does not occur simultaneously, hence the Artura’s 720Nm maximum overall.

The short axial length of the E-motor fits neatly inside the bell housing of the Artura’s bespoke eight-speed twin-clutch gearbox. By packaging the E-motor in line with the engine and transmission, its power and torque are transferred directly to the main transmission shaft, improving response. By contrast, with an offset radial flux motor, additional gearing is needed to transfer its outputs to the main transmission shaft. The E-motor also fulfills the role of a reverse gear by spinning backward when required, meaning that there is no need for reverse gear in the Artura’s transmission.

The Artura’s battery pack is another example of McLaren honing its hybrid expertise. Whereas both the McLaren P1™ and the Speedtail have ‘power batteries’ akin to those found in motorsport, the Artura features an ‘energy battery’ that enables both impressive acceleration performance and a practical 30km zero-emissions range when fully charged. The usable battery energy is 7.4kWh.

The battery pack consists of five lithium-ion modules, which sit on a cooling manifold. The battery management unit sits alongside the modules, and the power distribution unit (PDU) is integrated into the battery to save space. The battery is indirectly cooled via the refrigerant in the cooling rails of the manifold; the refrigerant circuit runs from the front of the monocoque where the new electric heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is located. Optimized cooling of the battery delivers greater power and supports consistency of the zero-emissions range.

The entire battery assembly is enclosed within a fireproof cover and mounted on a structural carbon fiber floor that is bolted as one piece into the rear section of the carbon fiber monocoque. The floor, which features aluminum inserts and a structural foam core, provides crash protection below the battery pack. Protection from the side and above comes from a bespoke cavity engineered into the monocoque, shared with the fuel tank which sits above the battery. The engine, transmission, and rear frame shield from any rear impact, meaning the battery pack is incredibly well protected. It is also located as low as possible in the vehicle, benefitting the Artura’s center of gravity.

From the battery pack, a high-voltage DC supply runs to the integrated power unit (IPU) at the front of the car. It is a combined DC/DC converter, on-board charger, and front power distribution unit, and the sharing of power electronics in this unit reduces weight. The DC/DC converter changes the high-voltage DC current from the battery to the low-voltage DC current that is used in the vehicle’s 12v system. The electronics also convert AC taken from the plug-in vehicle charger to the DC that charges the battery.

Artura customers can maintain the charge in the battery pack through the use of the engine, including via a ‘set charge to 100%’ function that prioritizes using the internal combustion to recharge it, for instance ahead of entering an urban area. However, you can also plug in – a charge from zero to 80% takes around two and a half hours via a standard EVSE cable. The batteries can also harvest power from the combustion engine, with the driver able to influence this behavior from the cockpit.

The battery is never allowed to completely discharge, thanks to a number of power reserve functions. These include a reserve to crank the engine on vehicle start-up, a reserve to power reverse ‘gear’, and a reserve for when the car remains parked for extended periods.

The power distribution unit located inside the battery gives its distribution to the state-of-the-art, super lightweight motor control unit (MCU), which converts the high-voltage DC current of the battery to the AC current that the E-motor needs under acceleration. As further evidence of the pace of development at McLaren, the MCU weighs around 68% less than the equivalent unit in the McLaren P1™.

Driving dynamics

“The Artura is super-lightweight, with the entire powertrain packaged centrally in the vehicle and as low down as possible. The rear suspension is a clever multi-link wishbone system that’s designed to be significantly stiffer than anything we’ve used before, and advanced Proactive Damping Control is also a central part of the car’s dynamics. We wanted to make a thrilling, engaging supercar that asks very few compromises of the driver or the passenger and the Artura truly delivers on the McLaren promise of class-leading driving dynamics and cutting-edge technology. ”
Geoff Grose, Chief Engineer, McLaren Artura

The Artura’s engineering credentials are guaranteed to excite anyone who values incredible driving dynamics. The only supercar in its class to offer the combined attractions of super-lightweight carbon fiber construction, a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive configuration, the purity of electro-hydraulic steering, the instant torque of an E-motor (which helps to deliver throttle response that is twice as rapid as any non-hybrid McLaren) and the advanced handling benefits of an E-differential, the Artura has been designed to engage and delight in the way that only a McLaren can.

McLaren engineers have ensured that the Artura has two distinct characteristics that would ordinarily be diametrically opposed: increased agility and increased stability. This has been possible because of a combination of actions and innovations beyond the core advantage of a carbon-fiber monocoque structure, notably a completely new rear suspension concept and McLaren’s first electronically controlled rear differential, which together allow the enjoyable accessibility of the car’s dynamic behavior to be separated from its high-speed stability.

Chassis settings can be adjusted electronically with three Handling modes: Comfort, Sport, and Track. Each set has its own distinct set of parameters for the dampers, for example, a compliant ride for urban driving when in Comfort mode or enhanced dynamic response through tighter damper control when in Track. The settings for the E-diff are also altered as the driver cycles through the Comfort, Sport, and Track settings.

More experienced drivers can utilize the expertise of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, where conditions allow. The ‘ESC On, ‘ESC Dynamic’ and ‘ESC Off’ settings are distinct from the Handling and Powertrain modes, offering the driver full control over the level of vehicle intervention available.

Along with throttle response, the steering feel is the most immediate and pure connection between car and driver and the most tactile way to maximize driver engagement. McLaren has always favored electro-hydraulic assistance over a fully electric steering set-up and has maintained this with the Artura, to best deliver the immediacy, on-center feel, and detailed feedback for the driver.

The Artura also features a new steering column. A fundamentally different design concept that enhances modal stiffness, the column is mounted directly onto a super-stiff, cross-car beam behind the facia. There is also a bespoke torsion bar in the steering rack to create a more nimble and agile dynamic experience, with a greater weight build-up away from the center, and a more natural and unassisted feel.

Suspension
The McLaren Artura features an all-new, completely redesigned rear suspension. The upper-link is a unique wishbone, but what would ordinarily be a lower wishbone has been split in two to become a multi-link component. Viewed from above, rather than connecting to the upright through one central joint, it now features two joints that are further apart. At the same time, the toe control arm has been positioned much further from the wheel hub than is usual, in an extreme location almost at the inner rim of the alloy wheel.

By splitting the wishbone and maximizing the distance between the toe control arm and upright, there is a much greater separation between the connecting points. The result is significantly increased toe stiffness on the rear axle. Additionally, the large, forged uprights deliver stiffer camber, which allows the load to be taken off the suspension links, in turn aiding weight reduction.

The lighter, more compact V6 engine and the geometry of the rear aluminum frame gave McLaren engineers greater freedom in choosing the inboard pick-up points of the suspension. The lower link points in particular are much further forward than is usual. By aggressively using the kinematics in this way, the weight of the rear suspension was able to be reduced by 2.4kg of unsprung mass on each side of the car, benefitting both ride and grip levels. The toe control arm is also located in front of the wheel, rather than behind it, moving the weight distribution towards the center of the vehicle.

The result is a rear axle that is considerably stiffer around the z-axis, with the stiffness of both camber and toe also significantly increased. This gives greater control under braking and acceleration, with stability improved overall across the board and grip levels during cornering enhanced.

The front suspension, which features dual aluminum wishbones, is similar to the system developed for the McLaren 600LT. This combination of lightweight uprights and double wishbones delivers enhanced steering and precise vehicle reactions, with faster responses to driver inputs and heightened feel.

The grip is enhanced by continuously variable, twin-valve hydraulic dampers that feature individual compression and rebound characteristics. Single-stiffness springs and mechanical anti-roll bars are used, in combination with a new iteration of McLaren’s Proactive Damping Control system. Developed from the technology pioneered on the McLaren GT, PDC II is the most sophisticated example yet of the Optimal Control Theory software algorithm first developed for the 720S.

The Proactive Damping Control system uses inputs from sensors to ‘read’ the road rather than reacting to camera-based information. Feedback from four-wheel accelerometers, three body accelerometers, and two pressure sensors per damper – as well as multiple sensors that measure steering angle, vehicle speed, yaw rate, and lateral acceleration – is processed in less than two milliseconds to ensure the vehicle state is optimized for outstanding levels of control.

As acceleration, braking and cornering continually alter, and the road surface constantly changes, so Proactive Damping Control interprets data and uses its digital models to predict the perfect damping response. The regulation of the body’s movement is tailored for occupant comfort, but the vertical load and contact patch variation is optimized to enhance grip levels by ensuring each tire remains more consistently in touch with the road surface.

E-differential
The Artura is the first McLaren to have an electronically controlled differential (E-diff). Smaller and lighter than a mechanical locking differential, the E-diff is integrated into the all-new eight-speed transmission, optimizing packaging and weight.

The adoption of an E-diff brings the enhanced levels of control required to manage torque moving across the rear axle of the Artura, with the immediacy needed to respond to the instant delivery by the E-motor. A mechanical differential would not be able to react with sufficient speed or precision to ensure the behavior of the car is always proportional to throttle inputs.

The calibration and tuning of the E-diff encompass values including corner radius, vehicle speed, damping characteristics, and torque split across the differential. This in turn allows levels of understeer and oversteer to be precisely calculated and controlled, constantly fine-tuning the Artura’s agility/stability attitude to benefit a driver drifting the car on a track or controlling yaw gain with the throttle. Traction when coming out of corners is also enhanced by the closer control parameters.

The Artura also features McLaren’s innovative Variable Drift Control (VDC), which allows the driver to adjust the level of traction control assistance – and therefore the limit of oversteer – using a slider control on the Central Infotainment Screen.

Braking
The brakes on the Artura are the latest-generation carbon-ceramic brakes and lightweight aluminum calipers from the same family as the system used in the McLaren 600LT and 720S. The carbon-ceramic discs measure 390mm at the front and 380mm at the rear and, working in conjunction with the kinematics of the new rear axle design, deliver superior high-speed braking power and stability.

In addition to the discs and forged aluminum calipers (6-piston front monobloc, 4-piston rear), the Artura adopts a version of the Formula 1-inspired integrated caliper cooling ducts seen on the 765LT. This technology delivers cooling air to the front calipers and discs, reducing brake pad temperatures during track driving.

The McLaren Artura features a bespoke brake booster and electrically driven vacuum pump, to ensure pedal pressures remain consistent whether the car is running on its internal combustion engine or electric power alone. There is no function to regenerate the battery through the vehicle’s braking system because the engine can provide sufficient charging, and this ensures feel through the brake pedal is entirely consistent.

Tires
McLaren’s tyre partner, Pirelli, has delivered three bespoke tires designed to maximize the Artura’s dynamic characteristics and performance. The tires – 235/35Z R19 at the front and 295/35 R20 at the rear – are all marked ‘MC-C’ to indicate they are a Pirelli Cyber Tyre® tailor-made for McLaren.

The P ZERO™ tire fitted as standard features an asymmetric tread pattern that improves braking and enhances handling and control across a wide range of road conditions, with a particular focus on wet weather performance. The compound developed for the Artura ensures maximum grip and stability, while the structural integrity of the tire improves steering response.

Two optional tires are available. The P ZERO™ CORSA tire is designed for use on both road and track and features racing-type compounds and unique tread patterns, achieving higher grip levels as well as improved braking and traction.  The P ZERO™ WINTER is the tire of choice for winter, its bespoke compound and tread pattern maintaining the levels of control of the P ZERO™ summer tire.

The Artura also features the innovative Pirelli Cyber Tyre® system. Consisting of hardware and software integrated into the vehicle electronics, the system has an electronic ‘chip’ in each tire and generates a stream of high-value data based on tire-specific conditions that is relayed to the control systems of the Artura to deliver the best tire performance.

Able to recognize whether a P ZERO™, P ZERO™ CORSA or P ZERO™ WINTER is fitted, Pirelli Cyber Tyre® produces accurate, real-time monitoring of temperature and pressure and a broader data set than a wheel rim sensor. With this information, drivers can set tires to the recommended levels to optimize performance; a ‘park mode’ refreshes the information when the driver returns to the car.

Additionally, by using a ‘track mode’, tire pressure thresholds can be changed on the infotainment display to a performance configuration that further enhances circuit driving enjoyment.

Driver assistance systems
The Artura is the first McLaren to offer Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These extend to Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Road-Sign Recognition, Lane-Departure Warning, and High-Beam Assist. Intelligent ACC automatically decreases or increases the speed of the Artura to keep pace with the car in front, including in stop-start traffic conditions, with the driver able to set the distance between the vehicles. Additionally, the speed limit, which is recognized by a front-facing camera, is displayed on the digital screen and prompts the driver to adjust the cruise control.

The Lane-Departure Warning system is designed to warn the Artura driver when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane. High-Beam Assist recognizes oncoming vehicles at night, switching the Static Adaptive Headlights between main and dipped beam automatically. This enhances night driving by better illuminating the road ahead while removing the need for the driver to manually adjust the headlights.

Design

  • All-new body, all-new interior; design principles guided by purity, technical sculpture, and functional jewelry
  • Perfect supercar proportions – ‘cab-forward’ stance; long, low sleek nose; long roofline, very fast windscreen angle
  • Organic, ‘shrink-wrapped’ bodywork, following the philosophy of ‘everything for a reason’

“Our mission was to create a piece of pure technical sculpture, where technology doesn’t distract but enhances the visual experience. We were guided throughout by three key phrases – purity, technical sculpture, and functional jewelry. The purity is not only purity of line, but also in the integration of components; technical sculpture references the need to be stunning to look at, but there for a reason, like the forms you see in nature; while functional jewelry is best explained by the fact that we don’t decorate, we do what is needed and make it beautiful.”
Rob Melville, Design Director

The McLaren Artura’s pure, minimalist aggressive beauty appears almost effortless, but nothing could be further from the truth. The design mission was as sharply focused as every other aspect of this game-changing supercar program.

The Artura has perfect supercar proportions – a long, low sleek nose, long roofline, very fast windscreen angle, and very ‘cab-forward’ stance. Coupled with a compact wheelbase, 19-inch, and 20-inch wheels, and high fenders and haunches, the result is a superb dynamic feel overall, enhanced by the extremely compact rear overhang.

Viewing the Artura head-on, the signature hammerhead line is clearly visible running forward across the front, dissecting the airflow down into the radiators or accelerating it over the bonnet. The line ‘kicks up’ in the outboard corners, leading your eye into the eye-socket features that house the deeply rebated static adaptive headlamps. The lights are so deeply recessed that they alone give the Artura a mean, menacing look, contributing to the overall appearance of a car that displays a rare combination of both beauty and aggression. The large side intakes also help to endow the Artura with a striking visual character, captured in a pinched waist, powerful nose, and particularly curvaceous rear haunches linked by a tightly packed core.

The Artura’s sense of purity is achieved partly through the reduction in shutlines, which creates a visual cleanliness that emphasizes the bold form language. The air intakes in the nose and doors cut deeply into the body, while the elegant flying buttresses appear to ‘pool’ where they fall from the single-piece aluminum roof to meet the bodywork, creating a graceful visual effect in the remarkable one-piece rear clamshell.

Every vent, duct, fold, even the door mirrors, have a specific purpose in managing airflow, cooling radiators, optimizing downforce, and enabling onboard technology. Vented louvers on the front fenders, for example, reduce pressure in the wheel arches and guide ‘dirty’ air away from the side intakes; while ‘clean’ air is guided into those intakes via a complex aero path involving sculpted door channels.

The side intakes conceal the discreet inlets that feed air to the intake manifolds, along with the high-temperature radiators (HTRs) which cool the powertrain. The HTRs, which feature a new core technology, is a complex elliptical shape to ensure the maximum surface area is placed within the airflow. They’re also much smaller, having less engine capacity to cool.

The intake for the eHVAC system (along with the ADAS radar if optioned) is located in the center of the front splitter. The radar’s offset location creates an asymmetrical intake, maintaining maximum intake volume rather than artificially closing the opposing side for the sake of styling.

The organic ‘shrink-wrapped’ bodywork contrasts with the sheer sides of the dihedral doors. These vertical surfaces play a distinct aerodynamic role while their shape, which transforms into the curvature of the air intake, allowed McLaren engineers to optimize the weight and rigidity of the aluminum doors.

The complex technical areas where air enters and exits the Artura – including the front splitter, rear deck mesh, and open rear end – are dark in color, while the bodywork that guides and controls the flow contrasts in body color. The roof and flying buttress can be painted either in exterior body color or specified in gloss black, offering a customer two distinct personalities.  The Artura is also available with a full optional Black Pack, which applies a gloss black finish to the door mirror casings, exhaust, hot vee finishers, and front fender louvers, as well as to the roof and buttresses.

The full LED headlights feature 21 LEDs apiece, with four LEDs providing the main beam, five delivering the dipped beam, and the remaining 12 utilized for McLaren’s Static Adaptive functionality. The system moves the dipped headlight beam according to steering movements, allowing both the road ahead and surrounding areas to remain illuminated while turning. The system is fully digital, utilizing an array of LED lights with a variable intensity that become brighter or dimmer in relation to the direction of the turn. They also dip automatically via Auto High-Beam Assist when ADAS systems are optioned.

The LED rear lights continue the ultra-slim design concept, combining three functions into one unit: tail lights, brake lights, and indicators. Each rear light blade is made up of only nine components and a single blade of LEDs, minimizing both component count and overall weight – and as a result, each blade weighs half of those on a 720S, a car widely recognized as a champion of super-lightweight engineering.

The central-exit exhausts are set between the two light blades. Positioned high within the center of the rear mesh, the twin tailpipes exit straight out from the engine’s ‘hot vee’, having passed through the catalysts and gasoline particulate filters (GPFs). Positioning the exhausts this high allows for the Artura’s full-width, dual-level diffuser, which functions by the expansion of air across its full span, especially at the outboard corners.

A new seven-spoke cast alloy wheel design that is unique to the Artura is the standard specification, in a silver finish. Five-spoke lightweight flow-formed cast alloy wheels and 10-spoke super-lightweight forged alloy wheels are options, available in a range of finishes and delivering both a different visual dynamic and reducing unsprung weight by up to 10kg. Black, cast aluminum brake calipers with a white printed McLaren logo are standard, with six further caliper color choices as options.

The Artura is available in 15 exterior paint colors, including three – Flux Green, Ember Orange, and Plateau Grey – that are unique to the vehicle at launch. A further 16 MSO Defined exterior colors are also available through McLaren Special Operations, which also offers the opportunity for virtually any color to be specified as an MSO bespoke commission.

Customers can also specify components from a range of MSO carbon fiber body parts, either individually or as a pack. The MSO Carbon Fibre Pack sees the front splitter, diffuser, rear bumper, and door mirror casings finished in gloss finish visual carbon fiber, while gloss-finish carbon fiber front fender louvers can also be selected as a standalone option, as can an MSO rear spoiler, which is available from September 2021.

Interior
An Artura driver and passenger are both able to enjoy an environment that blends revolutionary ergonomics, technology, design, and refinement. An increased feeling of space is created by all surfaces being as far outwards as possible in order to maximize the interior volume, and the materials used throughout – from leathers to machined switchgear – create a technical and contemporary ambiance.

The interior design has been driven by the same principles of purity, technical sculpture, and functional jewelry that dictated the exterior of the Artura; the upper facia rises up to meet the wide and deep windscreen, which is bordered by a carbon-fiber structure that ensures particularly slim A-pillars; the facia seems to almost float, creating a sense of calm focus with no visual interruptions in the driver’s eye line and complementing the unmatched visibility.

Every McLaren cockpit is built around the driver, but the Artura brings a new level of meaning to that principle. This is achieved by mounting the Digital Instrument Cluster to the steering column, so it moves in conjunction with the steering wheel. As a driver adjusts the column to their preferred position, perfect visibility of the instrumentation is maintained – and better still, the rocker switches for the Powertrain and Handling modes are at their fingertips, being mounted on either side of the binnacle.

There are no controls on the steering wheel, a clear signal that its sole function is to steer the car and provide feedback to the driver. Additional key controls such as the Drive/Neutral/Reverse switches are close to the driver’s field of view, reducing distraction while driving.

With all controls centered on the binnacle, the vertically mounted, 8-inch (20cm) high-resolution Central Infotainment Screen has the center of the facia virtually to itself. As the primary hub for vehicle convenience, comfort, and connectivity functions, the screen displays audio, media, navigation, and other convenience features, with all key applications just a tap or two away in the same style of operation as a smartphone. The climate control function always remains visible at the bottom of the screen, enabling optimum usability at all times.

The new MIS II uses an Android-based platform that allows for continual advancement and additions. The system works through a series of apps, just like a smartphone. Multiple applications can be run simultaneously and scrolled through on an app list or activated using voice control. Support for Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoTM also integrates a mobile phone into both the instrument cluster and central display screen.

The Artura driver’s interaction with MIS II begins as they approach the car, using a new vehicle key that transmits via Bluetooth to unlock the car and commence booting the system. The system also works in reverse, shutting the system down and locking the doors when the driver exits the car and walks away at the end of a journey.

As with all McLaren models, the touchscreen is mounted in portrait, rather than landscape, mode. This reduces the width of the screen, enabling vehicle occupants to be positioned closer together while still enjoying generous space. Bringing them closer to the center of the car also helps further optimize Artura’s response and agility.

The all-new Clubsport seats, fitted as standard, are a particular point of focus in the interior of the Artura. Developed specifically for the all-new High-Performance Hybrid supercar, these single-shell seats uniquely combine the lightweight and support of a bucket seat with the range of motion expected of a seat with a moveable backrest. The innovative method of adjustment is simplicity itself: the driver sets their relationship to the pedals with the fore and aft adjustment, and then uses a singular control that tilts the whole shell elliptically around the same H-point to achieve the perfect driving position. With the recline and height combined, the seat moves upright as it comes higher, or reclines as it lowers, with an occupant’s thighs always supported. This adjustment enables a swift transition between an upright vehicle maneuvering position and a lower, driving-focused one, and removes the need for driver or passenger to alter their seat incrementally using multiple controls.

As with the super-lightweight carbon-fiber racing seats developed for the McLaren Senna, the upper portion of the seat is wide but thickly padded, giving equal support to broad-shouldered and wiry drivers alike. The new seats are compatible with an optional MSO Defined Harness Bar and MSO Defined six-point harnesses, and the single-shell construction and single electric motor reduce weight, to the extent that each Clubsport seat is up to 9.5kg lighter than the optional Comfort seat. Fully electric 10-way adjustable heated sports seats with memory function and comfort entry/exit are also optionally available for those wanting more luxurious comfort and support.

Interior refinement
McLaren engineers worked tirelessly to enhance cabin refinement in the Artura, building on lessons learned during the development of the GT and Speedtail. A car that will run for part of the time in silent mode faces more complex challenges than a vehicle powered only by an internal combustion engine.

Engine refinement has a major influence on both the cabin sound levels and ride comfort of a car. Factors such as the engine chain drive being located at the rear of the all-new V6 reduces NVH intrusion into the cabin, as well as torsional vibration. Fluid-filled mounts for the powertrain help to separate and ‘tune out’ certain mechanical frequencies of the V6 that would otherwise pass to the carbon monocoque and subframe.

The monocoque itself plays a key role in refinement, not only through its structural consistency and stiffness but also in the way it is integrated; in the McLaren Senna, for example, the carbon fiber chassis was used to amplify the low-frequency sounds into the cabin, while in the Artura specific work was undertaken to actively eliminate this effect in order to maximize refinement during everyday use.

New suspension bushes, particularly large on the rear axle, also improve NVH performance, as do the designs of the front and rear aluminum subframes and suspension spring stiffness. McLaren technical partner, Pirelli, also plays a major role in cabin refinement.

To assist driver comfort, the Artura Pirelli P ZERO™ tire is equipped with the Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS), a Pirelli-patented technology that reduces road noise by using a polyurethane sponge inside the tire to absorb vibration and minimize noise transmission into the cabin.

The Artura’s electrically driven heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (eHVAC) system also brings multiple refinement advantages. Able to heat or cool quicker than a mechanically driven system, it is also more controllable and enables cabin pre-conditioning, either for cooling or defrosting. A new diffused air vent spans the facia of the Artura and, in combination with the foot, face, and windscreen vents, this increases mass flow into the cabin – but at lower velocities, meaning that desired cabin temperatures can be better maintained without an increase in blower noise. Dual-zone climate control and air-conditioning are standard on the Artura, with the system allowing fully automatic and independent settings for both the driver and passenger.

Model range, specification, and ownership
Beyond standard trim, three further levels – ‘Performance’, ‘TechLux’ and ‘Vision’ – offer a variety of interiors carefully curated by the design studio at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC). And as with every McLaren, customers seeking further personalization can explore the realm of McLaren Special Operations (MSO), which makes almost anything possible.

In standard trim, the new Clubsport seats are finished in lightweight Alcantara® – along with the dashboard, headlining, central armrest, and door armrests, ensuring that all primary surfaces feature highly aesthetic finishes in a tactile and technical material. A leather-trimmed steering wheel with a power-adjust steering column is standard.

Decorative elements around the window switch surround, center tunnel, instrument binnacle, and cast aluminum gearshift paddles are finished in Satin Black. The Central Infotainment Screen and overhead console have a Dark Titanium finish. The shift paddles are upgraded to extended, machined, and brushed in TechLux, Performance, and Vision.

The Performance, TechLux, or Vision trims feature either Alcantara® or supple Nappa leather on almost every surface, with the Extended Nappa Leather specification covering the whole cabin, including the doors, rear parcel shelf, central tunnel, and lower dashboard.

Sporty, aesthetic, and technical, the four Performance interiors available all feature lightweight Alcantara® on the seats, headlining, doors and dashboard, alongside Nappa Leather throughout the rest of the interior. The ambiance is sporty, functional, and aesthetic, with Performance stitching and contrasting color accents throughout. Dark Carbon Black, Graphite, and Ink Blue hues dominate, contrasting with a hint of color from Ember Orange or McLaren Orange accents.

The four TechLux interiors epitomize technical luxury and style, creating a sporty yet refined ambiance. The Extended Nappa Leather interior sees the entire cabin indulgently trimmed in the natural hide, the leather color is paired with vibrant highlight accents and finished with a stitch pattern bespoke to the TechLux trim. Interior components are finished in Brushed Dark Titanium, featuring Extended Brushed Metal gearshift paddles.

Avantgarde and sporty, the two Vision interiors available combine lighter hues of dual-tone Extended Nappa Leather and Alcantara® with simple, bright, and off-piste accents. Unique stitching highlights the details of the sophisticated environment. A vivid, reflective Zest accent unique to the Vision interior highlights the attention to detail, or alternatively a more restrained Vision Orange accent creates a darker, more subtle effect.

Hidden-until-lit ambient lighting, which McLaren introduced on the new GT, adds a further touch of elegance to the Performance, TechLux, or Vision models. This innovative technology features subtle chrome trim highlights around the door cards; cold-to-the-touch and seemingly solid metallic, a distinct lighting pattern become visible within them when the vehicle ignition is engaged, casting a subtle and soft glow across the cabin. Each Performance, TechLux, and Vision interior features a specific 12-color ambient lighting scheme, complementing the three trim themes.

The Artura is equipped as standard with a generous suite of comfort and convenience features, including a McLaren five-speaker audio system and satellite navigation that includes turn-by-turn instructions and a simplified map displayed in the Digital Instrument Cluster alongside a full map on the Central Infotainment Screen. There is also DAB/FM radio, Bluetooth telephony, iPod/iPhone Integration, USB-C, and USB-B fast-charge connectivity.

The McLaren Track Telemetry app has also been enhanced with a preloaded track database, while a new key features Bluetooth technology to wake the car up sooner – enhancing welcome and start-up experience – and commercial-grade cryptography software to combat against potential relay attack.

A world-class Bowers & Wilkins audio system can be specified as part of an optional Technology Pack. McLaren and Bowers & Wilkins worked together to develop and tune the system to the Artura’s cabin architecture and acoustics. This includes QuantumLogic Surround technology to accurately identify and redistribute audio streams, Dynamic EQ processing to more accurately adjust for external sounds, and Clari-Fi for real-time restoration of low-quality audio signals. The 12-speaker system incorporates ContinuumTM cones for better damping and response than Kevlar, with a dual subwoofer integrated into the front of the Artura’s carbon fiber monocoque to provide an extremely stable location from which to deliver undistorted bass.

Further features of the Technology Pack include Full Adaptive LED Headlights Plus with Auto High-Beam Assist, Road-Sign Recognition, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with switchable follow mode, 360-Degree Park Assist, and Lane-Departure Warning.

A Practicality Pack includes Vehicle Lift, power-folding heated door mirrors with ‘Dip in Reverse’ functionality, four front and four rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, Homelink® (where available), and soft-close doors. The optional driver-controlled vehicle lift system raises the nose of the car, for instance over speed bumps or when entering or exiting car parks, while Homelink® allows for remote opening of up to three electric garage doors or house gates.

Ownership & warranty
Peace of mind – on quality, durability, and cost – were as important in the design, engineering, and development of the Artura as any of the other core considerations, such as performance and driver engagement. With the car being all-new – including the High-Performance Hybrid powertrain – and the distillation of more than five decades of McLaren experience and expertise in race- and road-car engineering, it is no surprise that the test and development program undertaken by McLaren was it’s most rigorous ever.

The Artura comes with a five-year/75,000km vehicle warranty, outstripping the three-year cover offered by most rivals. The battery is warrantied for six years/75,000km. A 10-year body (anti-perforation) warranty is also included, as is a five-year roadside assistance package.

McLaren Artura technical specification

Engine configuration M630 V6 engine, 2,993cc twin-turbocharged, hybrid powertrain with axial flux electric motor
Drivetrain layout Longitudinal mid-engined, RWD
Power PS (bhp/kW) @ rpm 680PS (671/500): 585PS (577/430) @ 7,500rpm from petrol engine; 95PS (94/70) from electric motor1
Torque Nm (lb ft) @ rpm 720 (531): 585 (431) @ 2,250-7,000rpm from petrol engine, 225 (166) from electric motor1
Transmission

8-Speed SSG (reverse using electric motor) with electronic locking differential (E-diff).

Electric, Comfort, Sport and Track modes

Steering Electro-hydraulic; power-assisted
Chassis MCLA carbon fibre monocoque with aluminium front and rear frames and chassis structures
Suspension

Independent adaptive dampers, front: dual aluminium wishbones, rear: upper wishbone and lower multi-link setup.

Proactive Damping Control (PDC). Comfort, Sport and Track modes

Brakes Carbon Ceramic Discs (390mm front; 380mm rear) with forged aluminium brake calipers (6-piston front monobloc; 4-piston rear)
Wheels (inches) Front: 19 x 9J; Rear: 20 x 11J
Tyres

Pirelli P-ZERO™ and Pirelli P-ZERO™ Corsa and Pirelli P ZEROTM Winter tyres with Pirelli Cyber Tyre® technology

Front: 235/35Z/R19 91Y

Rear: 295/35/R20 105Y

Length, mm (inches) 4,539 (179)
Wheelbase, mm (inches) 2,640 (104)
Height, mm (inches) 1,193 (47)
Width, with mirrors, mm (inches) 2,080 (82)
Width, mirrors folded, mm (inches) 1,976 (78)
Width, without mirrors, mm (inches) 1,913 (75)
Track (to contact patch centre), mm (inches) Front: 1650 (65); Rear: 1613 (63.5)
Lightest dry weight, kg (lbs) 1,395 (3,075)
DIN Kerb weight [fluids + 90% fuel], kg (lbs) 1,498 (3,303)
Fuel tank capacity, litres (UK/USA gallons) 72 (15.8/19)
Usable Battery capacity 7.4kWh
Battery charge time 2.5 hours to 80% charge (via EVSE cable)
Electric-only range (km/miles) 30/19*
Electric maximum speed 130km/h (81mph) *
Luggage capacity, litres 160

Performance data

0-97km/h (0-60mph) 3.0 seconds*
0-100km/h (0-62mph) 3.0 seconds*
0-200km/h (0-124mph) 8.3 seconds*
0-300km/h (0-186mph) 21.5 seconds*
0-400m / ¼ mile 10.7 seconds*
Maximum speed 330km/h (205 mph) – electronically limited
200-0km/h (124mph-0) braking, metres (ft) 126*
100-0km/h (62mph-0) braking, metres (ft) 31*

 Efficiency

CO2 emissions, g/km WLTP EU (combined) 129*

Warranty

Vehicle (years/km) 5/75,000
Battery (years/km) 6/75,000
Roadside assistance (years/miles) 5/unlimited
Body (anti-perforation) (years/miles) 10/unlimited

McLaren Unleashes High-Performance Hybrid Supercar

McLaren’s brand new electrified supercar has now hit the global stage with the release of the Artura. 

On Tuesday, McLaren unveiled the $225,000 Artura: a plug-in hybrid with a purity-focused architecture of carbon-fiber and high tech electronics capable of over-the-air (OTA) updates. 

The 2022 Artura will utilize McLaren’s new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA), this new carbon-fiber tub will replace the MonoCell design derived from the MP4-12C. McLaren’s rivals such as Ferrari and Lamborghini still use aluminum on their lower-tier models. The MCLA was initially designed for electric-type powertrains and this new platform will be used in future McLarens. 

McLaren Artura Rear

Out of the box, the Artura features a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 that produces 577 hp and 431 lb-ft of torque. Its engine is in a very compact form weighing just 353 pounds, 110 pounds lighter than McLaren’s twin-turbo V8. The Artura’s aluminum engine is paired with an electric motor adding an additional 94 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque. Revving to a whopping 8,500rpm, the powertrain has a total output of 671 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque which is sent straight to the rear. The Transmission houses both the electric motor and the electronically controlled rear differential.

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The Artura also brings a cool party trick to the supercar stage with its lack of reverse gear in the transmission. Instead, it utilizes the electric motor to spin in reverse when backing up the car. 

McLaren has stated a top speed of 205mph (330km/h) and zero to 60 time of just 3.0 seconds. This is rather impressive for a 3,303 pound, plug-in hybrid supercar.

The 2022 McLaren Artura will also host 4 driving modes, all of which can be seen on the column-mounted instrumentation panel. E-mode (all-electric mode), Comfort, Sport, and Track can be selected along with electronically controlled handling, and electronic stability control. 

The hybrid battery system onboard features a 7.4-kWh Li-On battery that fuels the electric motor. This battery pack can be charged via a plug-in or the petrol engine depending on the driving mode. 

Artura Interior

McLaren has maintained its signature styling with the Artura as it looks to be a cross between the 720S and Senna. The Artura’s interior will feature an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Artura owners will not have to visit an authorized dealer for software updates as the car features OTA when connected to wifi. 

The 2022 McLaren Artura is expected to arrive at dealerships in the fall of this year.

McLaren Artura is a thoroughly new hybrid supercar

For the first time since the P1, McLaren has returned to the hybrid game with the Artura. And although it looks an awful lot like McLaren’s Sports Series supercars, it’s apparently an all-new car underneath, and it packs a very new twin-turbo V6 paired with an electric motor.

The Artura, as previously announced, is based on a new carbon fiber tub, as well as many new chassis components. The rear suspension is all new, too. But the highlight is that hybrid twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6. It’s a 120-degree-angle engine with the turbos nestled in the V, and features a dry-sump oil system and 8,500-rpm redline. It also happens to be 110 pounds lighter than McLaren’s usual V8s. Alone, it makes 577 horsepower and 431 pound-feet of torque. But it’s also paired to an electric motor that makes 94 horsepower and 166 pound-feet. Together they make 671 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. The motor also helps to fill in for the lack of torque at low rpm and provide better throttle response. With the 7.4-kWh battery, the motor can further provide gas-free driving for up to 19 miles.

The engine and motor are paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It’s unique in that it has no reverse gear, since the electric motor simply spins the other way for reverse. This makes the transmission smaller and lighter. Power goes solely to the rear wheels, and between them is an electronically controlled mechanical limited-slip differential, a first for McLaren.

McLaren is quite proud of the fact that, despite the Artura including an electric motor and battery pack, the car weighs in at a respectable 3,305 pounds. With the relatively light weight and powerful engine, the car is capable of reaching 60 mph in 3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 205 mph.

Performance isn’t everything, though, and McLaren recognized this with the interior. It features a rather organic design, particularly for the instrument screen. That screen is attached to the steering column, so it moves and adjusts with the steering wheel. To the right is an 8-inch infotainment screen with an interesting watch crown-like control dial. The interior is packed with modern amenities such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights and even over-the-air updates.

The Artura goes on sale in the third quarter of this year. Base price is $225,000. It will be available in four trims: the base model, Performance, TechLux and Vision.

Related video:

How McLaren is rewriting the electric supercar formula

HEADLEY DOWN, England — There’s nothing quite like the roar of a revving McLaren engine to set a petrolhead’s pulse pounding, or the full-throated scream as it tears across the tarmac.

Yet new gas-fueled engines like McLaren’s could be illegal in many countries by 2030. The supercar maker, like all automakers, has to go electric — but that’s easier said than done for a niche player that can’t compromise the performance, and racing experience, that supports its rarefied pricing and exclusivity.

McLaren could probably produce a fully-electric vehicle tomorrow, said Ruth Nic Aoidh, the British carmaker’s executive director for purchasing. But the weight of today’s batteries “would kill all of the attributes that make a McLaren a McLaren”.

So instead, Nic Aoidh says McLaren is taking more time to rethink the way it builds vehicles from the wheels up. It is also looking to overhaul its business model, to generate revenue from selling some of its new technology to other automakers.

The people it ultimately has to keep happy are affluent enthusiasts like Steve Glynn, who make up McLaren’s base.

A racing driver, Glynn teaches others how to drive their supercars around private tracks, where the combination of raw speed and precise handling separate McLarens and Ferraris from cars that cost a tenth as much.

Glynn just bought his fourth McLaren, a black 620R, in January. He declined to say what he paid for it, but the 620R starts at around 250,000 pounds ($346,000).

“I’m a petrolhead through and through, but I think we have to accept the future of electrification beckons everyone,” he said at his home in Headley Down, a village in southern England less than hour’s drive from McLaren’s Woking headquarters.

“But an electrified McLaren would still have to put that same smile on your face.”

Even for deep-pocketed behemoths like Volkswagen AG, developing electric vehicles is an expensive proposition that is taxing their capital resources.

Other smaller premium carmakers like Volkswagen unit Bentley or Tata Motors Ltd’s Jaguar Land Rover, which both plan to electrify their model lineups by 2030, can rely on their owners’ financial backing to make the switch.

But for niche manufacturers like McLaren, lack of scale is a major challenge. Last year McLaren said it would cut 1,200 jobs – more than a quarter of its workforce – as it dealt with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

McLaren’s cars start at around 120,000 pounds and range up to 750,000 pounds. It sold 4,662 vehicles in 2019, but thanks to pandemic shutdowns the company said in November its 2020 sales would hit around 1,700 cars and its revenue could fall by up to half.

McLaren will reveal some of its progress toward it electric ambitions with the Artura, a hybrid model, launching on Feb. 16.

ALL ABOUT THE WEIGHT

Weight is of paramount importance to customers.

To cut cost and help reduce its vehicles’ weight 15% in order to carry heavy batteries, McLaren has developed a new in-house process to make a carbon composite chassis, or “tub”, in minutes at a 50 million pound site in Rotherham, England.

“If McLaren are going to take the electrified route to a supercar, they’ll need to maintain the light weighting as much as possible,” said Andy Abbosh, who owns a pearl white McLaren 650S Spider.

McLaren’s new chassis will be used in the Artura, and by 2026 all its cars will be hybrids using this chassis, Nic Aoidh said. The carmaker aims to have fully electric models on the road towards the end of this decade, she added.

The process has brought mass production of carbon composite parts a step closer and McLaren is talking to other carmakers and manufacturers in other sectors on how to monetize the technology, according to Nic Aoidh.

“The way companies like ours will find our way to electrification is through innovation,” she said. “That will potentially open up doors for return on investments.”

McLaren will also develop its own batteries, which could also generate fresh revenue streams, she added.

‘WE’RE SELLING EMOTION’

Electric hypercar maker Rimac, which aims to bring its C-Two model to market later this year, plans something similar.

The company plans to build four of the cars per month and has its first year of production sold out, according to founder Mate Rimac.

He said the market for these vehicles was limited and would probably hit a ceiling of around 100 vehicles per year, worth several hundred million euros.

But where he sees a far greater business opportunity is to operate as an auto supplier, where it licenses, develops and manufactures systems and components for other carmakers, as it does already for Aston Martin and a number of others.

“We want to showcase with our cars what’s possible, then help carmakers build exciting electric cars and make the transition to electric faster,” Rimac added.

But it remains to be seen whether supercar makers like McLaren, with reputations forged on gas-guzzling race tracks, can successfully reinvent themselves for an electric era.

Pietro Frigerio, dealer principal at McLaren Newport Beach in southern California, worries a McLaren electric car without the famous throaty growl of a combustion engine could get lost in a crowd.

“What we’re selling here is emotion,” Frigerio said. “When you come to spend $300,000-plus on a car, you want it to look different and feel different.”

Related Video:

McLaren Artura hybrid officially set for February 16 reveal

The long-awaited hybrid-powered McLaren Artura will be revealed next Tuesday, February 16. There’s a special showcase video that McLaren is putting on from Woking, England, that will come online at 7:01 p.m. ET that day. McLaren promises folks from its team and “brand personalities” (i.e. celebrities) will be introducing the car.

To catch the event, McLaren says you’ll want to visit this site that will be streaming the video live at reveal time.

We don’t have all the information as it concerns the Artura, but we do know some vitals. McLaren says it will be powered by a hybrid powertrain that features a completely new V6 engine. This will be the first McLaren since the brand’s road car reinvention with the MP4-12C that isn’t powered by a twin-turbo V8. It’s unclear how many electric motors will supplement the gas engine, but a previous report from Autocar predicted at least two with power going to the rear wheels exclusively. The Artura will also use McLaren’s new Carbon Lightweight Architecture that is specifically designed for electrified models. 

Above, you’re looking at the single teaser image that McLaren released with its announcement today. It’s unmistakable as a McLaren in profile, as the shape looks a whole lot like the 570S.

To see the car in full view (but slathered in concealing camouflage) check out McLaren’s preview photos in this post here. And if you’d like to see the car’s full reveal, make sure to circle back here to this link right before the reveal is meant to begin.

Related video:

Novitec Pushes the McLaren 765LT Past 800hp with New Power Pack

Novitec has introduced a new tuning package for the McLaren 765LT. The quickest production car on the market currently, with a ¼ mile time of 9.3s.

The engine tuning is being offered in three variants and all three kits are purely plug & play auxiliary control units. The tuning module modifies the electronic boost pressure control and controls the ignition and injection with a specifically programmed mapping.

Stage 2 is the most powerful performance and has an output of 855hp at 7,400 rpm and a peak torque of 898Nm at 6,300 rpm. The acceleration from 0-100km/h is now 2.5 seconds, 0-200km/h in 6.5 seconds and the top speed is over 330km/h.

The 2nd stage also includes a full thermal insulated high-performance exhaust system and ceramic coated turbo inlet pipes. The exhaust system is made from an alloy that is also used in Formula 1 racing which makes it lighter and optimizes the power delivery. The exhaust can be further enhanced by adding 999 gold plating which controls the temperature of the engine. This material can be placed on the four tailpipes in combination with naked carbon. The exhaust system can be completed with 100-cell sport catalysts.

The 765LT is further adorned with lightweight MC3 forged wheels which are available in 72 different colors. The wheels measure 20 inch and 21 inch wheels on the front and rear axle respectively, the front axle uses 9Jx20 rims with 255/30 ZR 20 high performance tires and 12Jx 21 with 325/25 ZR 21 tires on the rear axle. The option of brushed or polished wheels is also available.

The Novitec sport springs lowers the car by 20mm, this improves the handling due to the low centre of gravity. The designers developed aerodynamic- enhancement and upgrades in order to give the body a sportier look, there upgrades include naked-carbon inserts for the headlights, N-LARGO trunk lid and air scoop on the roof both available in naked-carbon.

The cockpit can be customized according to the wishes of the client. Leather and Alcantara can be ordered in any desirable color.

The McLaren 765LT, longtail, tuned by Novitec

In 1997, the McLaren F1 GTR Longtail won the GT1 class at the world’s most famous endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With the McLaren 765LT, the UK based sports car manufacturer takes the longtail principle to the road once more, and NOVITEC takes the already impressive base to the next level with an uprated engine reaching 855 hp.

The McLaren 765LT is already a very potent car when it leaves the factory doors, with a twin-turbo, 4-Liter, V8 engine, but NOVITEC offers three versions of their professional engine tuning for this car from Woking. These kits are based on the NOVITEC N-TRONIC add-on control unit, which allows ‘plug-and-play’ performance upgrades.

The top of the line upgrade is called the Performance Stage 2 kit, complete with RACE exhaust system, ceramic coated turbo inlets, and the N-TRONIC box … the result is a 90 hp boost, torque peaks at 898 Nm at 6,300 rpm with a maximum power of 629 kW or 855 p at 7,400 rpm. Going from 0 to 100 km/h only takes 2.5 seconds now, reaching 200 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, with a top speed over 330 km/h, also thanks to the low weight of only 1,350 kg.

The high-performance exhaust upgrade from NOVITEC is made from Inconel, straight from the Formula One scene, weighing even less than titanium, it comes with full thermal insulation to keep the heat down in the engine bay … NOVITEC even offers 999 gold plating, and this includes the quartet of exhaust tips at the rear. Or you can opt for carbon fiber tips, or go for a more subtle matt black finish … to make the exhaust system conversion complete a 100-cell sports metal catalyst is also on the options list.

Novitec tuning wouldn’t be complete without a set of stunning wheels, again from Vossen, these machined NOVITEC MC3 forged wheels show seven double spokes and a track-derived center lock. 20 inches and 21 inches give that staggered look, 9×20 inches with 255/30 ZR 20 for the front, massive 12×21 inches with 325/25 ZR 21 high-performance tires to keep the rear on track. As usual, a 20mm lowering set of NOVITEC sports springs are the final touch you just need to add.

But you’ll want to have your McLaren 765LT by NOVITEC to look good standing still too, and while the wheels do help in that respect, the clear carbon fiber parts from NOVITEC are the cherry on the cake here. A pair of inserts for the headlights, the N-LARGO trunk lid, and let’s not forget the impressive air scoop on the roof … all available in ‘naked carbon fiber’ as NOVITEC likes to call it. Inserts for the side sills and air intakes on either side of the hood come in the same lightweight material.

More images of this amazing looking NOVITEC McLaren 765LT LongTail

Roll like His Airness in this Mercedes SLR McLaren previously owned by Michael Jordan

Often called the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan also has an interest in fast machines, as evidenced by the recent announcement that he would be establishing a NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, together with Denny Hamlin and featuring Bubba Wallace behind the wheel. It’s hardly surprising, then, that he would also be an owner of multiple supercars, many of which could be seen in the ESPN documentary The Last Dance. One of Jordan’s previous supercars, this 2007 Mercedes SLR McLaren, is now up for sale on eBay Motors.

Besides its celebrity provenance, this Mercedes SLR McLaren is special for another reason: It’s the special 722 Edition, built to commemorate the 1955 Mercedes-Benz win at the Mille Miglia. That winning Mercedes-Benz 300SLR racer, piloted by Sir Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson, was car #722 (so designated because of its 7:22 a.m. start time).

The SLR McLaren 722 Edition features a 650-horsepower supercharged 5.5-liter V8 engine and is able to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds. Top speed is 209 mph. Good thing the front splitter and rear diffuser are modified for increased downforce at high speeds. The ride height also is lowered and the suspension stiffened compared to the regular car, and larger brake rotors are fitted. The interior brings leather and Alcantara upholstery along with gloss-finished carbon fiber trim. Special black wheels and subtle red “722” badges complete the picture.

This car has 1,038 miles on the clock, so it must not have been in heavy rotation with Jordan’s many other rides. At this writing, the car has a bid of $35,100 with the reserve not met. We’d guess bidding has a way to go before someone has a realistic chance of driving this baby home, since the Buy-It-Now price is $695,750.

McLaren’s Latest Sabre Supercar Breaks All the Boundaries

When it comes to cars that break all the boundaries in the realms of performance, design, possibility and cost, look no further than the performance driving machines that roll out of the McLaren livery to…

The post McLaren’s Latest Sabre Supercar Breaks All the Boundaries first appeared on Cool Material.

2020 McLaren GT | Grand Touring, with an edge

As the winter settles in, I find myself reflecting on the most memorable cars that I’ve tested this year. Chief among them, the McLaren GT.

I drove the GT on a damp midsummer evening. After a lengthy heatwave, temperatures dipped into the low 60s and it was raining lightly. Not the ideal time to drive a $263,000 supercar. And yet, it was impossible not to be excited and curious. 

McLaren has come a long way in a short time. With a decade under its belt as a standalone automotive operation, the company is delivering on ambitious growth plans and now counts four product lines in its portfolio, ranging from the Ultimate to this GT.

It’s a surprising trajectory considering McLaren is best known for making shooting stars, like the 1990s F1 that captured the zeitgeist for supercars of that era. The F1 was followed by the indelible Mercedes-McLaren SLR from 2003-2010. 

It wasn’t until 2011 that McLaren Automotive — freshly spun off from the racing team — attempted a credible road-going car that could actually be purchased and driven by normal enthusiasts. That car, the 12C, was a first step that ultimately led to proliferation of vehicles and technology for McLaren.

After a few hours of spirited driving the GT, my conclusion boiled down to one word: maturity. It over-delivered as a grand tourer, though the car is about as much of a GT as the Ford GT, which is to say, not much. My back was a little tight when I returned home, fatigued but not abused. The McLaren GT is a driving workout on par with an Audi R8 or Lamborghini Huracán.

Performance? It has plenty. But also notable, the fit-and-finish is solid, the looks are striking and it felt like the product of a company that’s been doing this for awhile, which McLaren hasn’t. Certainly competitive with Ferraris and Lamborghis and interesting in its own way. A small shop like McLaren is always going to face challenges achieving scale and consistent prosperity, and the pandemic wreaked havoc on the automaking and racing units. Still, the GT is indicative the company can expand without overreaching.

As I parse my notes from that drive, here’s three takeaways that remain with me, months later, crystallizing the GT’s place in the modern performance world.

2020 McLaren GT

Exterior design: More than just the doors

The GT is one of the best-looking McLarens of this or any era. The cowls on the side behind the doors give the car a sinister, almost Decepticon vibe, but the rest of the car is relatively subtle. The proportions are near perfect. The GT reminds me of some of the best Pininfarina stylings for Ferrari’s mid-engine cars. As dusk settled and I raced to get in a quick photo shoot, qualities like the LED headlights and pencil-thin taillights naturally stood out. The front diffuser and vents are simple, especially in black. Along with the striking wheels, the GT’s features nicely accent its silhouette. 

Oh, and of course, this and all McLarens have dihedral doors. It’s easy to speak a soft design language when the doors shoot straight up in the air. Make no mistake, the GT stands out, but to my eye, it’s a holistic approach, rather than the gluttonous buffet of carbon-fiber and copious style creases favored by other brands.

Interior: Simple, but not cheap

Another neat feature: ambient lighting that displays light flecks on the dash and armrests. It’s not visible at first, but as the golden hour faded to total darkness, the GT’s cabin reassured me with a soft glow. Oh, and the Bowers & Wilkins sound system is excellent. I almost missed that. The GT is the rare car that demands your full attention, entertains you with its sounds and creates an atmosphere for the drive, which in a supercar like this can border on sublime. But hey, who doesn’t like music? As I sat in my driveway I toggled among the studio, live and driver-focused sound settings as I listened to a couple of old Springsteen tracks.

Driving experience: Not an abuse of power

The 4.0-liter twin-turbo powerplant does not disappoint. With 612 hp you can hit 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, which is a legit figure, and the seven-speed dual-clutch holds gears aggressively but smartly.  

As my drive continued, I began to push the McLaren a bit, playing with more aggressive drive settings and getting quicker on the throttle. The reflexes are outstanding, returning an almost instant and powerful bite from the brakes. The steering is more direct than the Aston DB11, but lighter than some Ferrari and Lamborghinis I’ve tested. McLaren does a good job of making the driver respect the car without being abusive. Things like great visibility help.

To draw things together …

Despite the GT billing, this car feels much more like a supercar. Considering its powerful engine and carbon monocell, it is one, as far as I’m concerned, but the GT was reasonably forgiving over metro Detroit’s broken roads. I meandered west over the area’s ‘mile’ roads, then up and down Woodward Avenue, finding myself at the M1 Concourse, a 1.5-mile road course anonymously tucked into the suburbs. I pulled up to the private entrance for members, thinking I might get waved in by a guard (If someone pulled up to a racetrack in a McLaren, I’d probably let them in), but it was after hours and the gate was closed, so I turned back.

I completed my stint with a sprint across town and then up Interstate 75, alternately accelerating hard, clacking through gears with the paddles and then docilely falling back in traffic. The GT doesn’t have a split personality, but it can adapt to any situation an enthusiast might present it with, even on a damp summer drive in the middle of a pandemic. This is a decent GT and an excellent performance car, which is the right formula for McLaren.

McLaren Sabre revealed with over 800 horsepower and 218-mph top speed

The McLaren Sabre is out and ready for business. While McLaren hasn’t provided its usual full information drop and detailed set of photos, McLaren of Beverly Hills has posted the first customer car on its website and released some details about the car.

One thing to know off the top is exclusivity: There will only be 15 Sabres built, and all of them are headed to the U.S. It was designed and personalized by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) to exacting U.S. standards, featuring “ideas and innovations that global homologation would not permit.” What those features and ideas are, McLaren isn’t specifically disclosing (we asked). All McLaren could do was suggest that some of the aerodynamic elements and body work would not pass European or Asian homologation requirements.

The Sabre is packing more power than any other non-hybrid McLaren, beating out the Elva by 20 horsepower for a total of 824 ponies and 590 pound-feet of torque from the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Acceleration figures aren’t available, but top speed is 218 mph. That makes it the fastest two-seat McLaren ever. Given the Senna-like huge aero all throughout the Sabre’s body, we imagine it’s rather lethal on a racetrack, too.

McLaren says it involved the future owners in development of the Sabre more than any car previous. The 15 folks buying got to have a close relationship with the MSO team of designers, engineers and test drivers in an effort to personalize each car to their preferred specifications. McLaren flew out test mules for buyers to get behind the wheel of at the Thermal Club. Then, they got to tell McLaren what they thought of the drive. Typically, feedback comes after owners take delivery of the finished car, so this is rather unusual.

There’s no official price from McLaren on the Sabre, but it hardly matters. All 15 cars are spoken for and sold, so nobody else will need to mull over the likely exorbitant MSRP.

Related video:

McLaren Sabre spy photos give us our best look yet at the new supercar

McLaren is quite a prolific supercar builder, so much so that it’s dialing back the number of its releases. Still, development continues on various projects, including what may be called the McLaren Sabre, formerly known as BC-03, a vehicle that has stayed pretty well under the radar. But now we have some of the best shots yet of the car.

Our spy photographer caught this example at a gas station and managed to get photos from a few key angles and in good light, unlike the solo nighttime shot we saw nearly a year ago. What we can see looks just like the leaked renderings from about a year ago, too. It looks like a cleaner, leaner McLaren Senna on the whole. It has a giant wing and a big fin down the middle, plus the split side windows. But the various scoops and vents are toned down, the curves are gentler with subtle creases, and the nose looks more like a Speedtail’s. There are some unique styling cues, too, such as how the wing comes down to merge with the body like an LMP endurance racer, and the nifty openings in the engine cover.

Details on the car aren’t clear yet. Reportedly, only 15 units will be made. It will not be a hybrid, and it will cost around $3 million. That’s about all we have to go on. It certainly looks like this prototype is pretty far along in development, what with the thin camouflage, so we’re hoping to see it revealed soon, along with all the performance specs.

Related Video:

2015 McLaren P1 GTR For Sale – 1 of 58 Worldwide

A rare McLaren P1 GTR for sale with only 230km. This is one of only 58 P1 GTRs that were made. Upon request, it is possible to do a road conversion and registration.

The P1 GTR for sale here is finished in Volcano Yellow, located in the UK and is VAT qualifying. It’s being sold by Supervettura and James Huntley

Developed as a track version of the road going P1, the GTR was launched as a tribute to the Le Mans winning F1 GTR model. It was built after the production run of the standard P1, the power output was increased to 1000PS. The weight was reduced by 50kg while the downforce increased by 10%, this is due to the fact that the P1 GTR has a fixed rear wing.

Immediately after the delivery of the first batch of P1 GTRs, owners began commissioning road legal conversions. Depending on the country of delivery, these conversions are able to meet specific country regulations.

McLaren P1 GTR Price

£2,350,000 + VAT
£2,820,000 Including VAT

McLaren P1 GTR Specs

Power: 3.8L V8 twin-turbo hybrid
Output: 986hp
Weight: 1,440 kg
0-60mph: