The new Mclaren Artura – a step into the future
McLaren recently unveiled its first production series plug-in hybrid, the Artura. Developed from the ground up, here's what we think. The post The new Mclaren Artura – a step into the future appeared first on CAR Magazine.
McLaren has been treading water in recent months with a constant source of speculation regarding the brand’s future as it experiences both financial and leadership challenges. While all this has been going on, McLaren has been developing its first production-series plug-in hybrid supercar, the Artura. This car is all-new from the ground up.
Image: McLaren
We first got a look at it back in December 2020 and we’ve now driven it and it was definitely worth the wait. The all-new McLaren Artura marks the beginning of both a new chapter for the pioneering luxury supercar company and a new era in supercar technology and performance.
The new McLaren Lightweight Architecture features a carbon-fibre monocoque that is lighter, stronger and stiffer than before. Other features include a new electronic rear diff, 8-speed transmission, ethernet electrical architecture, an infotainment system and the most crucial development is the new plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Image: McLaren
At the heart of Artura’s powertrain is McLaren’s all-new twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine. With a power output of 500 kW and 720 N.m of torque paired to an 8-speed transmission that sends power to all four wheels. The dry-sump aluminium engine is compact and lightweight, at just 160kg it weighs 50kg less than a McLaren V8 and is significantly shorter, enhancing packaging efficiency.
Related: Artura – McLaren’s electrified future now in South Africa
The new M630 twin-turbo V6 took five years to develop, but it’s the axial-flux electric motor that’s the centre of attention. As well as providing the reverse gear, it contributes 70 kW and 225 N.m to the combined outputs of 500 kW and 720 N.m. It’s integrated into the housing of the new seamless-shift gearbox and connected to technical issues disappointing 7,4 kWh battery in the floor, which combined produces 33% more power than the electric motor in the limited-run P1 hypercar.
Image: McLaren
The engineering artistry beneath the Artura’s skin is complemented by its exterior design. The low-nose, cab-forward, high-tail stance is pure supercar, the drama underlined by the signature McLaren dihedral doors, which open closer to the body and house mirrors that fold in more tightly and further enhanced by the short wheelbase and low stance.
Image: McLaren
The Artura impressed the most on the road, even though it ate up the kilometres like a grand tourer and devoured corners like a racecar. Spanish roads can be a little dusty, yet the Artura barely flinched when it was pushed hard, allowing for mid-corner corrections to cope with any approaching traffic or a sudden slow for one of the many cyclists.
Although McLaren still has a bit of work to do, the new Artura has the potential to do more than just define a new era of electrification for the company, It could define a new era for the supercar as we’ve come to know it.
Mclaren Artura Fast Facts
Price: R4,9 million
Engine: twin-turbo petrol V6, plug-in hybrid electric
Transmission: 8-speed SSG automatic
Power: 500 kW@ 7 500 r/min
Torque: 720 N.m@ 2 250 r/min
0–100 km/h: 3,0 seconds
Top speed: 330 km/h
Fuel consumption: 4,6 L/100km
Rivals: Ferrari 296 GTB, Lotus Emira, Maserati MC20, Porsche 911
The post The new Mclaren Artura – a step into the future appeared first on CAR Magazine.
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