McLaren is starting its hybrid era with a bang.
The 2021 McLaren Artura ushers in the hybrid Sport Series age with an eye-opening collection of numbers.
It pairs a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 engine with an electric motor for:
- Combined outputs of 500kW and 720Nm
- Pure-petrol outputs of 430kW and 585Nm
- Pure-electric outputs of 70kW and 225Nm
- A pure-electric range of 30km from its 7.4kWh lithium-ion battery
That hybrid powertrain is good for some seriously impressive acceleration figures. The 2021 Artura will do:
- The 100km/h sprint in 3.0 seconds
- The 200km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds
- The 300km/h sprint in 21.5 seconds
- Flat out you’ll be doing 330km/h
McLaren says it’s moved the game on since the days of its first hybrid, the P1.
The V6 tips the scales at just 160kg – 50kg less than the turbo V8 engine that’s underpinned the McLaren range since the MP4-12C in various guises
McLaren says the e-motor is on hand to provide torque fill while the turbos are spooling up, delivering “razor-sharp” throttle response.
The petrol and electric motors are linked with a clutch, which in turn is linked with a new eight-speed twin-clutch transmission. There’s no reverse gear, with the e-motor stepping up to play that role instead.
Underpinning the Artura is the new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA).
There’s a new rear suspension setup, which pair a top upper wishbone with two lower links and a tie rod ahead of the wheel centre to cut down on understeer under power on corner exit.
There’s a new e-differential on the rear axle, a first for McLaren, and the brand points to the Artura’s short wheelbase and active aerodynamics package as the driving force behind its “incredible agility at low speed and a high level of stability at high speed”.
McLaren has stuck with hydraulically-assisted steering and its Proactive Damping Control system, though.
Along with the battery housing, the MCLA has a new electrical system that allows McLaren to include a full range of active driver assists and a fresh infotainment system.
McLaren has overhauled the interior layout, with drive mode selection controls on the instrument binnacle and a fresh focus on touch-based controls with its MIS II software.
The driver and passenger sit in new Clubsport seats, designed to allow tall drivers to stretch out even with the backrest reclined.
The Artura supports over-the-air software updates, too.
First deliveries of the McLaren Artura kick off in the third quarter of 2021 globally.
CarExpert will update the story when pricing becomes available.
The car will be backed by a five-year vehicle, six-year battery, and 10-year body warranty.
