2022 McLaren Artura – A Hybrid Gazelle

 

Say hello to the Artura.  McLaren’s latest take on what a supercar should be introduces two important sea changes for the revered manufacturer from Woking, England. 

First up is MCLA.  This does not equate to More Crackers – Less Apples!  McLaren Carbon Fiber Lightweight Architecture would be more like it.  This new platform will be featured across future McLaren models and utilizes multiple carbon fiber and resin types to reduce weight and increase structural rigidity.  The McLaren folks list a scant dry weight of 3075 lbs. 

This thing needs to eat more cheeseburgers!

The second major platform change was previewed by my use of “hybrid” in the title.  A low-slung lithium-ion battery pack provides juice to the e-motor housed in the eight-speed dual-clutch tranny.  All told, the twin-turbo V-6 and e-motor combines for 671 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of twist.  The Artura will hit 60 mph in a sneeze, provided you sneeze in three seconds flat.  Top speed is said to be limited to a not-so-pedestrian 205 mph.  I expect to see this hybrid platform proliferate across the McLaren lineup going forward. 

Exterior and Interior design cues are typical McLaren.  Changes here are more evolution than revolution to my eye.  Airflow and downforce are key to the exterior surfacing, yielding a taught and aggressive McLaren countenance.  The interior takes steps forward in design cohesiveness and choice of materials but maintains the driver-oriented approach of McLarens past.

The Artura is a significant achievement for the engineering team at McLaren.  Hybridization is a force that will not be stopped, and Woking is moving forward in a well-considered manner, without jeopardizing McLaren's engineering tenets of days past.  This is truly a nimble, lightweight animal.

Available for order now, the coolest battery on wheels starts at $225,000. 

Well done, Woking.

Cheers!