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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

2022 Porsche 911 GT3: Ultimate Guide

Introduction

Earlier today, Porsche unveiled its new 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 via digital livestream on YouTube. First deliveries are currently scheduled to begin sometime in the later half of 2021, where it may likely be designated as a 2022 model. This new GT3 becomes the seventh iteration of one of Porsche’s most established and beloved automobiles. More importantly, it continues to embody the spirit of previous GT3 models by amalgamating all that is awesome about the 911 – and the Porsche brand – in a single road car.

The first Porsche bigwig introduced by presenter Sarah Elsser to offer insight into the project, was Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser – former Porsche-Motorsport chief and current VP of the 911 model line. Dr. Walliser began by speaking candidly about the pressures associated with perpetually improving the GT3, but felt that the development team has fulfilled this goal with hard work; all of this, while facing the monumental challenge of navigating stricter emissions regulations and an industry-wide transition to EVs.

Andreas Preuninger – Director of Porsche’s GT program – was the next appear, first by driving the GT3 from behind the curtains and onto the stage, while making sure to throw in a few revs of the engine to excite the viewers. Once out of the car, he immediately reiterates the tremendous undertaking that was required to create the 992 GT3 , stating that it was “…the most complex, demanding task over the last three and a half years…” but asserts that “…the end product is the most extreme and exciting GT3 ever made.”

Finally, testimonials by Porsche racing legends Jörg Bergmeister, Lars Kern and Walter Röhrl really hit home just how incredible the car is, from sources that are as credible as it gets. All of them were particularly impressed by how much an improvement the car was compared to its predecessors, justifying the earlier proclamations made by Walliser and Preuninger.

Below are some key takeaways from the presentation.

Presentation Synopsis

Walliser: He talks about improving the naturally-aspirated engine, aerodynamics, chassis and suspension for the 992 GT3. Aside from the obvious technical features needed to make the GT3 better than ever, Walliser displays his deep-rooted understanding of driving enjoyment, depicting how important it was to preserve the spirit of the GT3 car from previous years, and “…bring this baby to life”.

To him, the GT3 is the 911. This is something he says “…can be immediately understood when driving in the countryside, or at the race track. That is the essence of the GT3 and what has made it so special over all the years.”

Getting back into the technical side of things, Dr. Walliser would go on to iterate that while the new GT3 has a bigger footprint, the extensive use of lightweight materials throughout have kept the weight the same as its predecessor. He glosses over a number or items, such as a carbon-fiber roof, carbon-fiber hood and ultra-thin glass, which Preuninger would go into a bit more detail later on.

Preuninger: When speaking about the technical details of the GT3, Preuninger starts by mentioning the 4.0L naturally-aspirated engine with a 9,000 rpm redline, which carries over from its predecessor with some improvements. The 510 PS (502 hp) engine he says, is “…one of the most emotionally involving engines out there.”

But the enhancements don’t stop there. “Bigger wheels, bigger brakes, wider rims.” In normal circumstances, this means more weight, which he addresses by stating “It’s a little bigger…a little bit more competent. It needed some lightweight trickery to keep the weight down, and that is dispersed all over the car. So, all boxes ticked.”

How is this achieved? He points to the carbon-fiber hood, roof and rear wing mentioned earlier by Walliser. Also introduced were some things that weren’t shown up close, such as a super lightweight battery, lighter wheels, carbon-fiber cross members, lightweight interior appointments, etc.  The weight reduction was very much an exercise of shedding “5 kg here, another 1 kg there, 3 kg somewhere else, and so on”.

The end result is a weight of just 1,435 kg, hitting the “sweet spot for a driver’s car and perfect track tool for the weekend.” Essentially, the 992 GT3 has achieved the same weight as its predecessor, but is loaded with a lot more technology. For the first time, a double wishbone suspension configuration is used in the front of the car. One of the most visually notable changes is the swan-neck rear wing derived from the 911 RSR competition car, which further emphasizes the link between Porsche’s race cars and its road cars. “What works on a race car, works on a street car, doesn’t it?”

Bergmeister: “Obviously, as a race car driver, when you get in a street car you have to lower your expectations. But on that car especially, I was shocked, how good it is… it’s so close to a race car, it’s really, really impressive.” As part of a response during the Q&A session, Bergmeister remarked that the GT3 impressed him most in the high speed sections of the Nürburgring, and that it was comparable to the 991.2 GT3 RS. “It hardly pitches when you brake, transition phases are very neutral. It has more downforce. It is the best street car we’ve ever driven in our lives“.

The 992 GT3 achieved a sub-7-minute (6:59.927) lap time at the Nürburgring. This is an absolutely insane, 17-seconds-faster than its predecessor and essentially the same time as the 991.2 GT3 RS, backing up all statements made by Bergmeister, Kern and Röhrl. This also sets the tone for the soon-to-follow GT3 RS – will a 6:40 lap time be possible?! Shortly after the livestream, Porsche uploaded onboard footage at the Nordschleife with Lars Kern behind the wheel, as well as the official ad for the car.

Engine & Performance

  • Engine Type & Size: 4.0L naturally-aspirated flat-6
  • Horsepower: 502 hp @ 8,400 rpm
  • Torque: 346 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm
  • Transmission: 7-speed PDK, 6-speed manual
  • 0-60 mph: 3.2 seconds (PDK), 3.7 seconds (manual)
  • Top Speed: 197 mph

Porsche has continued the use of the naturally-aspirated 4.0L 9A1 flat-6 power plant in the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3. The only key differences between the engine used in the race car and the one used in the 992 GT3, are the exhaust system and ECU. Otherwise, the two engines share virtually all the same components, such as individual throttle bodies. As such, the new GT3 needed no “sound engineering” and inherently sounds amazing. With its astronomical 9,000 rpm redline, the GT3 produces 502 hp @ 8,400 rpm and 346 lb-ft of torque @ 6,250 rpm. 

The GT3 will continue using the 7-speed PDK transmission, instead of a version of the 8-speed used in the rest of the 992 line-up. In essence, this saves weight (40 lbs) and makes for a better synergy with the GT3 and its intended application. But if you’d like a more hands-on approach, Porsche will offer the new GT3 with an optional 6-speed manual transmission as well.

Purists, rejoice! Walliser said that we shouldn’t count on the GT3 going electric or even hybrid, anytime too soon. It is much more likely that Porsche will transition to using synthetic fuels for motorsport and its GT line of production cars, before even considering going full-on EV. This aligns with Porsche’s intention to keep the naturally-aspirated engine alive for as long as possible – regulations and emissions standards will serve as the eventual ultimatum.

Chassis & Handling

Aerodynamics & Weight Reduction

The new 992 GT3 spent more than 160 hours across 700 simulation sessions in the wind tunnel. It generates 50% more downforce than its predecessor, and up to 150% more downforce in its “high downforce” setting. For the first time, the GT3 features an adjustable front diffuser and a fully closed rear diffuser, which on its own generates 60 kg of downforce at top speed. This means that now, both front and rear aerodynamic components are fully adjustable and can be manually set to one of four positions.

Its low weight of just 1,435 kg is achieved with a myriad lightweight components. This is includes a carbon-fiber hood, roof and rear wing, along with other items such as a super lightweight battery, lighter wheels, ultra-thin glass, carbon-fiber cross members, and lightweight interior appointments. Essentially, the 992 GT3 has achieved the same weight as its predecessor, but is loaded with a lot more technology.

Suspension & Chassis Control Systems

Porsche’s seventh iteration of the GT3, shows an unwavering dedication to the precision that has influenced the GT line of cars since day one. Inspired by the 2013 911 RSR competition car, the 2022 911 GT3 will receive a new front suspension setup consisting of unequal-length control arms instead of conventional struts, making it the first time a double wishbone suspension configuration is used in the front of a GT3. This will provide better tire contact through turns and during moments of compression and rebounding. Porsche’s new adaptive dampers are capable of adjusting every 10 milliseconds, which means the spring rates have doubled without affecting the ride quality of the GT3.

There are three available driving modes: Normal, Sport and Track ,which all provide varying degrees of driver-aid involvement and chassis settings. Aside from providing the most firm, performance-biased setup with the least amount of computer-control, initiating Track mode also changes the instrumentation and displays to “Track View”. This compiles all pertinent information to the immediate field-of-view of the driver. Important details such as oil temperature, oil pressure, tire pressures and shift indicators, are all in plain sight and easily visible.

Brakes & Tires

Porsche will continue to offer the GT3 standard with cast-iron rotors and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Likewise, upgrading to carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, remain as options.

Design, Styling & Interior

Overall, the silhouette of the new 911 GT3 remains a largely familiar one – and that’s not a bad thing.  In fact, this is probably great news for Porsche and GT3 enthusiasts, who would contend that there was never anything wrong with the previous GT3 in the first place. One of the most visually notable changes is the “swan-neck” rear wing derived from the 911 RSR competition car, which further emphasizes the link between Porsche’s race cars and its road cars.

The Club Sport Package (roll cage, 4-pt harnesses) will be a no cost option. However, this will probably only be for the European markets. This package was not available on past iterations in North America due to safety regulations. I anticipate that the aftermarket will step-up to fill the void with some quality products, though.

The Touring trim was confirmed by Preuninger, and there’s no reason this won’t be available state-side once again. Though he believes the standard trim is the most complete representation of the GT3, he acknowledges the appeal of the GT3 Touring for the “gentleman” crowd, who want something a bit more understated. He goes on to affirm that the Touring trim is very popular, and will therefore make a definite return for the 992.

Walliser also announced that Paint to Sample (aka, custom paint colors) will be available for the GT3 line-up. The program will commence sometime later this year. On the subject of paint, the new GT3 will be available in 14 standard colors when orders are open. 

Galleries

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“The emotions and the joy of driving. That’s why we desire the car from the heart to the stomach” – Andreas Preuninger

Official Videos

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Official Press Release

02/16/2021

Porsche takes the new 911 GT3 off the leash. The seventh edition of this high-performance sports car was also developed in close collaboration with Porsche Motorsport. It transfers pure racing technology into a production model even more consistently than ever before.

The double wishbone front axle layout and sophisticated aerodynamics with swan neck rear wing and striking diffuser originate from the successful GT race car 911 RSR and the 375 kW (510 PS; 911 GT3: Fuel consumption combined 13.3 – 12.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 304 – 283 g/km) four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine is based on the drivetrain of the 911 GT3 R, tried and tested in endurance racing. The acoustically impressive, high-revving engine is also used practically unchanged in the new 911 GT3 Cup. The result is a brilliant driving machine: efficient and emotional, precise and high-performance – perfect for the circuit and superb for everyday use.

The distinctive strength of the 911 GT3 lies in the sum of its characteristics. With a top speed of 320 km/h (911 GT3 with MT: Fuel consumption combined 13.3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 304 g/km) and 318 km/h with PDK (911 GT3 with PDK: Fuel consumption combined 12.4 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 283 g/km) it is even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Porsche also offers the new model with a six-speed manual transmission for a particularly puristic driving experience.

Aerodynamics from motor racing

The sophisticated aerodynamics benefit from the experiences gained from motor racing and generate significantly more downforce without noticeably affecting the drag coefficient. In the performance position, the manually set wing and diffuser elements significantly increase the aerodynamic pressure for high cornering speeds.

This is the new 911 GT3

This is, however, reserved strictly for outings on the circuit, as it is there that the 911 GT3 can play all its trump cards. During final testing, it lapped the Nuerburgring-Nordschleife, traditionally the ultimate proving ground for all sports cars developed by Porsche, over 17 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Development driver Lars Kern took just 6:59.927 minutes for a full 20.8-kilometre lap. The shorter 20.6-kilometre track, which had previously served as a benchmark, was completed by the 911 GT3 in 6:55.2 minutes. Running on the optionally available Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres, the new model consistently delivered its performance over several laps in the expert hands of Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister. For Bergmeister, it is “by far the best production car” that the experienced professional driver has ever driven in the “Green Hell”.

Despite a wider body, larger wheels and additional technical features, the weight of the new GT3 is on a par with its predecessor. With manual gearbox it weighs 1.418 kilograms, with PDK 1.435 kilograms. The front bonnet made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), lightweight glass windows, optimised brake discs and forged light-alloy wheels ensure weight discipline, as does the cover for the rear seat compartment. The lightweight sports exhaust system reduces the weight by no less than ten kilograms. With infinitely electrically adjustable exhaust flaps, it harmonises a highly emotional sound experience with the Euro 6d ISC FCM (EU6 AP) emissions standard. The combined consumption of the 911 GT3 is 13.3 litres/100 km (PDK 12.4).

Cockpit of the new 911 GT3 has racing genes

Its racing genes are expressed in practically all the details of the new 911 GT3. The cockpit is in line with the current model generation. A new feature is the track screen: at the touch of a button, it reduces the digital displays to the left and right of the central rev counter, which reaches up to 10,000 revs, to information such as tyre pressure indicator, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel tank level and water temperature, which are essential when driving on the circuit. It also includes a visual shift assistant with coloured bars to the left and right of the rev counter and a shift light derived from Motorsport.

The interior of the new 911 GT3

Especially for the Porsche GT models, customers are increasingly requesting customised equipment. For this reason, the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur range is also available for the new 911 GT3 and is supplemented by GT 3-specific options such as a lightweight roof made of exposed carbon fibre. Other highlights include exterior mirror tops made of carbon, darkened LED matrix main headlights and matching Exclusive design rear lights with an arc of light with no red components. Guards Red or Shark Blue painted wheel rims enhance the black alloy wheels. In the interior, equipment details such as the dials for the rev counter and Sport Chrono stopwatch, seatbelts and trim strips set elegant accents in the body colour or other desired colour.

As exclusive as the 911 GT3 itself is the individual chronograph that Porsche Design offers exclusively to customers of the high-performance sports car. Like its motorised role model, it boasts a dynamic design, consistent performance and high-quality workmanship. Its housing reflects its Motorsport genes. Just like the connecting rods of the GT3 engine, it consists of robust, lightweight titanium. The timepiece is powered by an individual winding rotor reminiscent of the wheels of the 911 GT3. The coloured ring of the dial can be customised in the paint colours of the 911 GT3.

Info

The delivery of the new 911 GT3 is set for May 2021.

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:

The POSAIDON S 63 RS 830+

For more than ten years, the downward-pointing trident has stood for unparalleled performance within the Mercedes-Benz and AMG community. This is because the specialists at POSAIDON – whose trademark is this polearm widely used in mythology – pick up where others left off a long time ago when it comes to performance enhancement.

But this raw power is rarely put on full public display by the POSAIDON engineers, who generally prefer to conceal it in a somewhat inconspicuous exterior that belies the lofty heights of performance it can actually achieve. A prime example of this is the POSAIDON S 63 RS 830+ shown here, which is based on the AMG variant of the large S-Class Coupe (C217).

POSAIDON pushed its 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine (M177DE40AL) from the factory-set 612 hp and 900 Nm to a ferocious 880 hp and 1,200 Nm. This transformation, which POSAIDON is valuing at €29,990 (US $36,322), was achieved using high performance turbochargers with ball bearings, a sport air filter, and down pipes with sport catalytic converters. Naturally, the software of the engine control unit, transmission control unit and drive train control unit (CPC) was also tweaked. So now, the two-ton POSAIDON S 63 RS 830+ goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds. The top speed of this high-caliber bullet has been limited to 350 km/h to account for the tires.

But there’s more: Under the same name, POSAIDON is also offering the S 63 RS 830+ with 940 hp and 1,280 Nm, which – for the price of €52,000 (US $62,981)- goes beyond the other upgrades to include cylinder head porting, valve seat alterations and a water/methanol injection system (optionally with an individual tank). With this kind of power, it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 2.8 seconds, but the max speed is still capped at 350 km/h, again to account for the tires.

And that’s not the end of the story! POSAIDON has already announced that another power stage is in the M177DE40AL pipeline, which will smash the 1,000 hp sound barrier!

There is also something a little tamer for those who want it, with the added bonus of TÜV approval: The POSAIDON S 63 RS 830, which – as the name suggests – delivers 830 hp and 1,100 Nm. This version comes with upgrade turbochargers and costs €24,000 (US $29,066) incl. TÜV certificate. Its top speed is also 350 km/h, and it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in three smooth seconds.

For more price-sensitive customers, POSAIDON is also offering a purely electronic performance upgrade: A software update for the engine control unit pushes the AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 to 700 hp and 950 Nm, which – paired with modifications to the transmission control unit and drive train control unit (CPC) – accelerates the S 63 4MATIC+ Coupe from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and to a top speed of 330 km/h. The price: €4,200 (US $5,087). A TÜV certificate can also be obtained with this.

By the way: All of these POSAIDON power levels are available not just for the S Class Coupe, but also all other AMG series with the M177 engine. These are the E 63 (213), GLE 63 (167), GT 63 (X290), G 63 (463), S 63 (222) and GLS 63 (X167).
POSAIDON is also offering similar upgrades for the C 63 (205) and GLC 63 (253) as well as for all AMG GTs with the M178.

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:

The 2022 Porsche GT3 Remains a Sports Car for Purists

Porsche has just released the full details of the 2022 911 GT3 and we couldn’t be more excited. 

The new GT3 does have some newly added features but will mostly remain the same. This is great news for Porsche fans as there was never anything wrong with the GT3 in the first place. It has always had a high-revving naturally aspirated flat-six, track-oriented suspension, and the absence of unnecessary items found in a typical sports car. 

2022 Porsche GT3 Front

Porsche’s fourth iteration of the GT3 shows the attention to the precision that has fueled the GT family since day one. The 2022 911 GT3 will receive a new front suspension setup consisting of unequal-length control arms instead of conventional struts. The GT3’s suspension setup was influenced by the 2013 911 RSR race car. This setup provides better tire contact through turns and when the suspension compresses and rebounds. Porsche’s new adaptive dampers are capable of adjusting every 10 milliseconds, which means the spring rates have doubled without affecting the ride quality of the GT3. 

2022 Porsche GT3 Suspension

The new GT3 will also come sporting some aggressive aerodynamics capable of 150 percent more downforce than the previous model. Both front and rear aero are fully adjustable and are able to be adjusted to one of four positions, manually. The aerodynamics of the new GT3 was able to secure a sub-7-minute lap time on the Nurburgring.

2022 Porsche GT3 Aerodynamics

Porsche has continued the use of a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter 9A1 flat-six in the 2022 GT3. Porsche also mentioned they did not have to put the GT3 through any “sound engineering” as the engine’s sound was already perfect. Thanks to the independent throttle bodies and a 9,000-rpm rev-limiter, the GT3 will have a snappy 502 horsepower at 8400 rpm and 346 lb-ft of torque. 

2022 Porsche GT3 Side

Porsche has also continued the use of the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic PDK transmission from the previous GT3 model, which saves about 40 pounds in comparison to the eight-speed transmission from other 992-generation models. It will have an updated gear selector along with shift paddles. But if you’d like a more hands-on approach, Porsche will offer the new GT3 with a six-speed manual transmission. Porsche announced zero to 60 times of just 3.2-seconds with its PDK transmission and 3.7-seconds with the manual transmission. It has a top speed of 197 mph (317km/h) with the PDK and 199 mph (320km/h) with the manual transmission.

2022 Porsche GT3 Cockpit

It’s safe to say that the 2022 GT3 will have a price tag higher than the previous GT3 ($145,650) and even more so if you plan on upgrading from cast iron rotors to carbon-ceramic or from Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires to the Pilot Sport Cup 2R’s. Deliveries are set to take place in the fall of this year.

McLaren Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo drives the new McLaren Artura ahead of global reveal at 00:01 GMT on February 17

16 Feb 2021

New McLaren Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has a hugely busy pre-season diary. Now he’s part of the McLaren family alongside team-mate Lando Norris, Daniel gets to drive McLarens with two seats as well as one – and jumped at the chance to try out the new McLaren Artura high-performance hybrid supercar.

Daniel is pictured enjoying the McLaren Artura ahead of his role in the global reveal that takes place this Tuesday, February 16 at 19:01 EST (16:01 PST). The reveal, at McLaren’s Woking, England, headquarters, will be streamed at http://cars.mclaren.com/en/artura/event .

Please feel free to encourage your audience to join us for this exciting McLaren introduction at the link above.

______________

Ends

Notes to editors:

A high resolution image of Daniel Ricciardo in the new McLaren Artura is available to download from the McLaren  Automotive media site and use now – cars.mclaren.press

Further information:

Roger Ormisher
Vice President, Communications & PR | McLaren North America
Phone: +1 714 501 8137
Email: roger.ormisher@mclaren.com

Lauren Dowdy
Press Officer– North America McLaren Automotive Limited
Phone: +44 (0) 1483 241453
Mobile: +44 (0) 7818 537845
Email: lauren.dowdy@mclaren.com

Media website: cars.mclaren.press
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mclarenautomotive
Twitter: www.twitter.com/McLarenAuto
You Tubewww.youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetv

The Ferrari 812 GTS tuned by NOVITEC

As is a successful tradition with Ferrari, there is also an open-top variant of the 812 series, the GTS. The twelve-cylinder front-engine sports car, equipped with a power-retractable hardtop in keeping with the times, can be customized exclusively at NOVITEC, the world’s leading refinement specialist for the powerful sports cars from Maranello.

The extensive product range includes aerodynamic-enhancement components in naked carbon, customized hi-tech forged wheels developed in cooperation with American manufacturer Vossen, a power upgrade to 618 kW / 840 hp, high-performance exhaust systems in various versions, and an interior tailored to the customer’s wishes in every detail.

The NOVITEC designers give the Spider an even sportier appearance with naked-carbon components. Of course, the development of the components did not only focus on thrilling looks: It is also based on extensive wind tunnel testing, which helped to optimize the handling stability of this sports car further.

To minimize front-axle lift, a front spoiler lip upgrades the production fascia. Its complement is a surround for the central air intake, whose two flaps extend over the side air intakes. This upgrade not only gives the 812 a more aggressive front view but also optimizes handling stability at high speeds.

A three-piece spoiler lip taking the form of a separation edge was developed as an aerodynamic counterpart at the rear, as was a strikingly contoured carbon upgrade for the bumper.

The NOVITEC rocker panels calm the airflow between the front and rear wheel arches and give the open-top sports car an even sportier look. The carbon trim for the exterior mirrors and the trim for the side air outlets behind the front wheel arches round off the modified side view. The two air outlets on the hood round off the racing looks.

The forged wheels developed specifically for the 812 models in cooperation with Vossen play of course also a crucial part in the thrilling looks of the Ferrari refined by NOVITEC. To emphasize the wedge shape of the open-top two-seater further, three tailor-made wheel/tire combinations with staggered diameters were developed for the front and rear axle. All NOVITEC forged wheels are available in a variety of colors and with three different surface finishes – standard, polished or brushed.

The Ferrari 812 GTS in the attached photos runs on NOVITEC NF 10 wheels of sizes 10Jx21 with high-performance tires of size 275/30 ZR 21 at the front and size 12.5Jx22 wheels with size 335/25 ZR 22 tires in back. The wheels with five pairs of delicate twin spokes are produced by high-end US manufacturer Vossen using state-of-the-art forging and machining technology. The NOVITEC NF 10 wheels transfer the racing legend of Ferrari to the road-going sports car with their stylized center lock.

The NOVITEC sport springs lower the ride height of the Ferrari by about 35 millimeters. The lowered center of gravity makes the handling even more agile. In order to negotiate obstacles such as speed bumpers or steep parking garage ramps on the road easily, NOVITEC offers a hydraulic height adjustment system for the front axle. At the touch of a button in the cockpit, the front end raises by about four centimeters and lowers again at another touch of the button or automatically upon reaching a speed of 80 km/h.

Not even an open-top super sports car can ever have enough power. That is why the NOVITEC powerplant engineers are working on a performance upgrade for the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated four-valve V12 engine. With the NOVITEC High Performance exhaust system, combined with sports catalysts, output jumps to 618 kW / 840 hp at 8,750 rpm. At the same time, peak torque grows to 751 Nm at 7,300 rpm. This slings the powerful open-top sports car from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds. The top speed increases to 345 km/h.

Of course, the NOVITEC high-performance exhaust systems offer not only optimized performance but also a particularly thrilling exhaust note. They can be combined with tailpipes measuring 110 millimeters in diameter, which are adapted to fit the rear contours. They are available in a version made from polished stainless steel or finished with a matte black coating. The NOVITEC exhaust systems for the 812 are available with or without sound management by means of active exhaust flap control and can also be finished with 999 fine gold plating for optimized heat dissipation.

Opting for the variant made from INCONEL, which is also used for exhaust systems in Formula 1 racing, saves up to eleven kilograms of weight over the production system.

NOVITEC also offers exclusive refinement for the cockpit. The owner of the Spider can have his interior upholstered in the finest leather and Alcantara in virtually any color imaginable.

Special Report: Paganis and Personalisation

The world of hypercars is an exclusive and mysterious one. There are cars that are rarer than the rarest precious stone and designed to allure ultra high net worth individuals to part with significant amounts of money. To add to the appeal, manufacturers such as Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini offer customisation programmes to create bespoke colours for paints, leather and even air vents. But there is one Italian based company that takes this to new and unparalleled levels – Pagani. I travelled to San Cesario Sul Panaro to learn more about the extraordinary lengths Horacio Pagani and the team stretch to to fulfil the desires of their customers. 

With just  140 Zondas and 265 Huayras built, they know every Pagani owner here personally. Customers don’t just come, buy and leave – they become part of the Pagani family. Horacio Pagani takes care of his family with three special programs that cater to family members’ various whims. First there’s Pagani Puro, a certification of authenticity designed to safeguard a customer investment in a Pagani. Then there’s Rinascimento, a restoration program to return a car to its original factory specification. And thirdly, the Pagani Upgrade Program. This means that no Pagani is left behind – a 22-year-old Zonda C12 can be upgraded to the specs from the most potent 760 series and benefit form the latest advancements in Pagani technology in 2021. This is unheard of in the industry.

My time in Italy coincided with the collection of two exceptional Paganis. These two examples of the Upgrade Program are a Zonda a Huayra 760VR whose owner was due to come and see that day. The Zonda began life as an F Roadster before the owner decided to upgrade his car to 760 specification. The changes are nothing short of dramatic: exposed carbon, wings, cuts and air intakes that would not look out of place on a race car or a fighter jet have transformed the Zonda F into a far more aggressive and visually intimidating car. The Huayra was updated with the new suspension, wheels, exhaust and aero parts from the Pacchetto Tempesta – and it is these changes on the Huayra 760VR that the customer will inspect here today. As the name would suggest. The aim of the upgrade was to cosmetically update the car with a number of bespoke parts to be as close, visually, to the Zonda 760 VR.

From the interior to the show-stopping snorkel towering above the roof line to that magnificent rear wing and the custom wheels, the resemblances are clear to see. Every detail was poured over, deliberated and discussed for months to make sure they were perfect. I’m standing next to Niccolò Valenti, Head of Global Aftersales, who is tapping away on his phone sharing renders, sketches and color pallets with a US customer. “This customer loves lightness. We are discussing making carbon fiber sun visors; he already has carbon fiber f loor mats,” Valenti casually explains as if these were completely ordinary things to have in a car. 

Even for Pagani, carbon sun visors are not part of the standard assortment. But if a customer wants something, and it is possible and safe, Pagani will make it happen. Circling the Huayra, Francis Falconer, European Head of Sales, talks me through a few special touches that are noteworthy and specific to the car. Important to know is that the owner has a penchant for aviation. The side air intakes of the Huayra are shaped similarly to the cowling fitted on the leading edge of a jet engine.

There was debate for weeks as to which metal finish would be best suited to reflect the customer’s inspiration. Just a few days before delivery, the Pagani team and the owner were still deep in discussions on how to best emulate aircraft rivets using small bolts. A shared feature on the 760VR pair are the marvellous exhaust tips. Because they were too complex for Pagani to do in-house, the customer used his industry contacts to have them 3D-printed. This is yet another example of the sort of collaboration between Pagani and its customers. And it is an approach that I have not seen anywhere else in the industry, even in stratospheric hypercar territory.

Following a champagne reception with Horacio Pagani and his family, I ask the owner why the chose to invest in the Upgrade Program. He explains how he feels that the Huayra is on a trajectory to success, given its small production numbers and the Upgrade Program, which is an appealing choice especially for buyers of a used Huayra, because they can rebuild the car to match their style.

Besides, he says, these are not garage queens but are used as intended, as he did when he had his Zonda flown to the US for a road trip up the East Coast. Which brings him onto the topic of usability – he emphasises how practical a Pagani is in comparison to its rivals, mentioning that his wife likes travelling with “a few outfits” and that it would be impossible to fit them into a LaFerrari or similar car. Another thing that is really important to him are the infinite possibilities that Pagani’s custom program offers. The decision to match the Zonda and Huayra was a simple one, the owner explains: “I love the colour combination, blue has always been a favourite and when I was sent the colour samples I knew this was the colour for the cars.”

Bentley Flying Spur named ‘Best Dream Machine’ by Motorweek

The Flying Spur W12 has been recognized in MotorWeek’s 2021 Drivers’ Choice Awards as the Best Dream Machine. Since 1981, MotorWeek judges the best in the automotive industry, looking at the buyer’s point of view and considering industry trends while looking towards the most innovative cars in the industry.

Now, with more than 40,000 examples sold since its launch in 2005, the Flying Spur continues to set the bar as the most successful luxury sports sedan in the world. Sporting details including industry-first three-dimensional leather, cutting edge Bentley Rotating Display, and a retractable, illuminated “Flying B”, each detail continues to be carefully created.

The bold exterior design of the Flying Spur is based on a new and modern vision that is unmistakably Bentley, utilizing the latest technologies in aluminum extrusions and castings. Longtime Creator, Host and Senior Executive Producer of MotorWeek, John Davis, comments:

“The Bentley Flying Spur is a car that fully lives up to our lofty automotive dreams when it comes to luxury, and then far exceeds them when it comes to performance. It effortlessly races to 60 miles per hour in well under 4.0-seconds, which is truly not enough time to enjoy the meticulously hand-crafted embrace that is the Flying Spur’s cabin.”

Bentley Americas CEO and President, Christophe Georges, comments:

“The Flying Spur has been part of Bentley since 2005 and since then has set the bar for the best of both worlds, combining limousine luxury and sports car performance, resulting in the ultimate Dream Machine. Our entire team is honored that MotorWeek has also recognized the Flying Spur as a leader in the industry.”

Effortless Luxury

Seamlessly integrating the very best in British craftsmanship with cutting-edge, innovative technology, the third-generation Flying Spur has become the new Bentley flagship.

The bold exterior design of the Flying Spur is based on a new and modern vision that is unmistakably Bentley. The latest generation Flying Spur has increased road presence from stronger, more muscular styling, which is evident in the full length of the car.

The interior of the Flying Spur showcases Bentley’s expertise in creating a modern cabin of unrivaled luxury and innovation. Stylish and unique, featuring supremely comfortable seats with Bentley’s ‘Wing’ theme across the lower console and fascia.

A sweeping horizontal veneer flows across the dashboard and into the doors, emphasizing the spacious width of the cabin. Crown Cut Walnut is offered as standard, which uses a straight cut process to provide a contemporary finish.

The Flying Spur incorporates a class-leading portfolio of intelligent and intuitive equipment tailored to the driver and passengers. An embedded SIM is provided, meaning My Bentley connected car features no longer require customers to provide their own data connection.

Other features include Apple CarPlay®, photorealistic landscapes through satellite maps, and advance warning of changing road or traffic conditions via the local hazard information service displayed on the vehicle’s infotainment system.

Through a range of optional equipment including Rear Seat Entertainment tablets, audio options up to the industry-leading Naim for Bentley system and even the luxury of an onboard two-bottle drinks cooler, the rear cabin of the Flying Spur is the ultimate place to work or relax while on the road.

All Flying Spurs are produced at Bentley’s home in Crewe – the world’s first carbon-neutral factory for luxury car production. Bentley’s unique application of cutting-edge and modern technology, seamlessly integrating the latest British craftsmanship with innovative features, pushes the existing boundaries of refinement and attention to detail to create the finest super-luxury sports sedan ever built.

From the Bentley Press Release (Reston, Va., 10 February 2021)

A Look Back: The 2004 Chevy Nomad

Looking Back at the 2004 Chevy Nomad Concept Car

In the early 2000’s, many American car manufacturers began introducing re-imagined, retro-looking concept automobiles that were a literal “throwback” to the vehicles of the 1950s and 1960s.  Many of these cars served as the manufacturer’s featured centerpiece at their respective displays on the International Auto Show circuit.  Some of these cars – such as the Chevy Camaro, the Chrysler PT Cruiser, and the Dodge Challenger –  would find such favor at these shows that they’d move past the concept phase and actually see the proverbial “light at the end of the production tunnel.”  Unfortunately, a great many more of these automotive masterpieces served a singular purpose.  Namely, attract consumers to the shows so that they could see the future wares that automobile manufacturers planned to introduce for the coming model year.

The 2004 Chevy Nomad Concept car.
The 2004 Chevy Nomad Concept car.

In 2004, Chevrolet introduced the world to a re-imagined Chevy Nomad.  The Nomad was first introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  This concept vehicle, while inspired by the Chevy Nomad of the 1950s, was more closely related to General Motors new Kappa rear-wheel-drive platform and served as the precursor to both the Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Curve concept cars.  The designers of the 2004 Chevrolet Nomad wanted to deliver a contemporary version of the classic 1954 Chevy Nomad Concept car, which in turn had been inspired by the 1953 Corvette.

The car featured round headlights gently curving front fenders, a Corvette-inspired grille, forward-leaning B-pillars, a single rolled fascia under the tailgate, and an exaggerated tailgate with chrome ribs that was very reminiscent of the car’s much older counterpart. While each of these design cues was reminiscent of and paid homage to the 1954 Motorama car, the 2004 version also integrated some of the latest 21st-century technology into its DNA.  This new Nomad featured LED headlight and taillight assemblies.  With both sets of lights (front and rear) fully integrated into the car’s aesthetic, the LED lighting was selected for its bright luminescence as well its high degree of visibility, even from a moderate distance.  Like the 1954 Nomad, the majority of the body panels on the 2004 version were constructed of fiberglass. The fitment of the panels was vastly improved over the original Corvettes of the early 1950s.

The 2004 Chevy Nomad Concept car.
The 2004 Chevy Nomad Concept car.

Moving inward, the car’s interior featured a semi-circular speedometer with a top speed of 150 miles per hour.  This speedometer was integrated into an instrument cluster that gave the dashboard a three-dimensional appearance with its anodized blue aluminum background and special recessed lighting.  Other niceties of the car’s interior included black leather seats along with special “bowtie” insignias that ran the length of the dashboard.  Even the driver and passenger seats appeared to undergo a transformation.  For 2004, both the driver and passenger seats were given specialty badging on their headrests.

The latest Nomad featured a sport-car based platform akin to the Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Skye, both of which were developed into production models around this same platform.  The car featured independent front and rear suspension attached to a rigid chassis that used a pair of full-length, hydroformed frame rails as its foundation.  The 2+2 passenger configuration (4 passengers total) sits on a 107-inch wheelbase.  The car was powered by a 250-horsepower DOHC turbocharged Ecotec 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed Hydramatic 5L40-E electronically controlled automatic transmission.

The 2004 Chevy Nomad Concept car.
The 2004 Chevy Nomad Concept car.

Why introduce a 2+2 station wagon?  Why even bother designing one?  The answer is actually pretty straight-forward.  The Nomad was designed to be a “practical” sports car.  Unfortunately, General Motors had already made the decision to discontinue both the Pontiac and Saturn lines as part of a corporate restructuring.  As the Nomad would have likely been built at the same plants as the Sky and the Solstice, the project never moved beyond its concept phase.

The Bugatti Valentine’s gift

February 14 is Valentine’s day, the perfect day to give the love of your life a nice gift, some will bring flowers, others might get a nice piece of jewelry … but one guy walked into H.R.Owen in London and went the extra mile. He ordered a one-off, bespoke build Bugatti Chiron Sport as a gift for his loved one, which, judging by the name found all-over this Bug, is called ‘Alice’.

But don’t get me wrong here, each and every Bugatti Chiron Sport is custom-built for her lucky owner, none of these cars look alike when they leave the doors of ‘the Atelier’ in Molheim, but still, some are more special than others, and come with a long list of truly bespoke options, like this ‘Alice’ version.

The main shade on this specific Bugatti Chiron Sport is white, but on a Bugatti, it’s called ‘Matt Blanc’, and in this case, it has been combined with ‘Silk Rosé’, a special shade of pink, on the rear section, the lower side sills and the lower part of the front bumper. Also, note a touch of Silk Rosé on the top part of the exterior mirrors … the white on rosé two-tone makes her one-of-a-kind, no other Bugatti was even built in this specific color combination. Also note the stunning wheels on this Chiron Sport get a touch of Silk Rosé too, just to match the rest of this amazing-looking Bugatti, the brake calipers seem to be a light grey shade with white lettering.

That light grey shade makes a return on the interior too, where smooth leather and luxurious Alcantara in a color called ‘Gris Rafalé’, are combined with Silk Rosé color-coded stitching on the seats, dashboard, doors, and steering wheel. The very light grey steering wheel might require some care to keep it clean, but such a light interior does look amazing … and the ‘Alice’ script on the headrests has been embroidered for maximum contrast., while a touch of ‘Silk Rosé’ also find it’s way onto the central console … or should we call it ‘arch’?

During the process of ordering this amazing Chiron Sport, the owner went from walking into the H.R.Owen Bugatti showroom in London to flying out to Molsheim’s unique headquarter in France for Bugatti, founded in 1909, even today every customer is invited to the Molsheim Experience, where they can get behind the wheel of the car they are looking to order. And go into a meeting with the Bugatti design and sales team to go through countless options and possibilities to create ‘their’ unique car, to create the dream.

The Chiron Sport represents a different character for the Chiron. As the French luxury brand’s interpretation of the ultimate super sports car, the Chiron Sport boldly offers a firmer chassis that provides even sharper handling and exhilarating agility. This comes from the introduction of more performance-orientated lightweight components, all without compromising the Chiron’s uniquely luxurious character. The Chiron Sport retains the iconic 8.0-liter W16 engine and is produced in the Atelier in Molsheim at a unit price $3,212,290 (or €2,650,000).

$3.2 Million Valentine’s Gift: 1 of 1 Bugatti Chiron Sport Gifted to Wife

A lucky Lady named Alice will be the recipient of a one off Bugatti Chiron Sport commissioned by her husband as a gift, revealed by Bugatti just one day before Valentine’s. The gentleman ordered it through HR Owen Bugatti in London, every bit of the car has been personalized to meet Alice’s taste. The $3.2 million plus Bugatti Chiron Sport “Alice” is finished in Matt Blanc and Silk Rose – the only Chiron in this combination thus making it a 1 of 1.

The Silk Rose exterior color was combined with Matt Blanc color which dominates the outer shell, lower trim and the alloy wheels. The interior consists of a mix of leather and Alcantara materials finished in Gris Rafale, Alice logo stitching on the headrest of the seats and Chiron Sport stitchings elsewhere in the cabin. The Alice logo can also be found on the silk rose door sills finished in aluminum.

Revealed in 2018, the Chiron Sport has a firmer chassis that provides sharper handling and agility. It’s lighter than the standard Chiron due to the use of more carbon fiber, the 8.0L W16 engine still produces 1500hp. A quad tip exhaust system differentiates it from the regular Chiron. Each unit is going for a price of 2.65 million euros.

A fitting Valentine’s Gift, isn’t it?

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©2012 Courtesy of RM Auctions
©2012 Courtesy of RM Auctions
©2012 Courtesy of RM Auctions

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