McLaren rolls-out 330kph plug-in hybrid Artura supercar, powertrain by all Aluminium engine

McLaren, the motor company that exists to create breath-taking performance road cars and delivers the most thrilling driving experiences has unveiled its first ‘clean sheet’ supercar since the game-changing 12C a decade ago, replacing almost every facet of its V8-engined Sports and Super Series models with an all-new design now rolls-out Artura in the age of electrification.

Artura, the plug-in hybrid with a governed 205mph (330kph) top speed and 3.0sec 0-60mph/100kph acceleration is now available to order with a base price of £185,500.

Apart from its explosive performance, it can cruise for up to 19 miles on battery power alone and its combined fuel economy exceeds 50mpg.

The Artura weighs just 27kg more than a 720S even though its 671bhp powertrain consists of a newly designed twin-turbo V6 engine, a 92bhp electric motor and a 7.4kWh battery, all mated to a new eight-speed gearbox. The hybrid components weigh 130kg in their own right, showing the extent of McLaren’s weight-saving measures across the rest of the new car.

McLaren has already confirmed that a full-electric model is under development and scheduled to hit the market post-2025.

The Artura has an all-new central carbon-fibre tub that’s lighter than the one previous cars used, with aluminium crash beams front and rear and an aluminium rear sub-frame to support the engine and rear suspension. The ‘shrinkwrapped’ body panels are a combination of carbon-fibre and Super-formed aluminium.

The Artura’s impressively low weight of 1495kg results from a concerted weight-saving campaign that commenced four years ago.

Mike Flewitt, CEO, McLaren: “Every drop of McLaren’s experience and expertise has been poured into Artura. Its introduction is a landmark moment.”

Richard Jackson, powertrain boss, said: “The Artura’s all-new 2993cc petrol V6 was created entirely for this application and will be made by Ricardo on a newly installed production line at its works in Shoreham, West Sussex.”

The 120deg direct-injection ‘hot vee’ design with the turbos mounted in the centre of the engine for compactness and efficient gas flow. The all-aluminium design uses continuously variable valve timing, delivers 577bhp at 7500rpm, redlines at 8500rpm and is 50kg lighter than the previous cars’ V8, at a class-leading 160kg.