McLaren unveils Artura, high-performance hybrid supercar

671-horsepower hybrid powertrain includes twin-turbo V6

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McLaren Artura
McLaren's new Artura offers 205-mph top speed but also 50+ mpg from its hybrid powertrain | McLaren photos

Calling it “the distillation of more than half-a-century of McLaren’s expertise and experience in race- and road-car engineering,” the British sports car manufacturer has unveiled the Artura, its first series-production high-performance hybrid supercar.

“Underpinned by the McLaren philosophy of super-lightweight engineering, the all-new Artura is the distillation of every attribute inherent in a McLaren – distinctive design, unrivaled performance, dynamic excellence and engineering innovation – with electrification now bringing the additional benefits of even faster throttle response, lower emissions and being able to run in pure EV mode for emissions-free journeys of up to 30 kilometers,” McLaren said in its news release about the car.

McLaren chief executive Mike Flewitt said: “Every drop of McLaren’s experience and expertise has been poured into the Artura. Our all-new, High-Performance Hybrid delivers all of the performance, driver engagement and dynamic excellence for which McLaren is renowned, with the additional benefit of EV driving capability. The introduction of the Artura is a landmark moment – for McLaren, for our customers who will appreciate and enjoy this car on every emotional and rational level, and for the supercar world.”

The car is the first built on McLaren’s new “carbon lightweight architecture.” The car has an aluminum and carbon fiber body it says is “shrink-wrapped” in a form follows function design. The car’s curb weight is only 1,498 kilograms (3,295 pounds). The light weight enables the hybrid powertrain — a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine combined with an electronic motor (mounted within the transmission housing) — to propel the car to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.0 seconds, to double that speed in 8.3 seconds and to triple that figure in 21.5 seconds. Top speed is limited at 205 mph, McLaren said.

The powertrain, which has plug-in charging capabilities, is rated at 671 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque, with an 8-speed twin-clutch transmission that integrates McLaren’s first electronic differential.

McLaren adds that the hybrid powertrain is the most fuel-efficient in his history and rated at more than 50 mpg.

Other features include a new rear suspension geometry — top upper wishbone with two lower links and a tie rod in front of the wheel center — uprated electro-hydraulic steering, “proactive damping control,” and next-generation Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires. 

McLaren said all key controls can be accessed while the driver’s hands remain on the steering wheel. The driver sits in a new Clubsport seat. Electronics include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and integrated stolen-vehicle tracking.

Base price is ÂŁ185,500 ($257,162). For more information, visit the McLaren Artura website.

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