McLaren

All posts in “McLaren”

McLaren GT Ride-On joins the ranks of supercar toys

There’s a new McLaren Ride-On toy hitting the market, and this time McLaren made a kid’s toy out of the GT. This GT joins other McLaren Ride-Ons already made out of the P1, 720S and Senna.

Just like the actual McLaren GT, this one comes with a rear storage compartment behind the driver. You can stow additional Hot Wheels cars and/or stuffed animals aplenty in the compartment.

McLaren promises that three-to-six year olds will enjoy driving the car, too. The single seat is in the center like the McLaren F1 or Speedtail. There’s an actual key you use to start the vehicle. When you press the throttle to accelerate, a speaker plays revving sounds from the GT. Plus, the brake pedal is synced up with an actual brake light in the rear of the car. Whether or not other young drivers will pay attention to said brake light is up for debate, but it’s there to bring another level of reality to the experience.

Also taking after the road car, McLaren says it fit an “infotainment system” that allows you to play music files off a USB or SD card. An optional MP4 display screen is available if you want to watch videos, too. Apparently, distracted driving is less of an issue when you’re driving on a lawn.

We’re fairly impressed with the design details and the replication of an actual McLaren GT throughout the vehicle. You even get the GT’s dihedral doors to look extra cool hopping in and out of the ride-on.

If you want to buy one for your kid, the starting price is $230. Tack on some options (this is a McLaren we’re talking about here), and the price goes as high as $330. You can buy one in the following colors: Burnished Copper, Silica White, Onyx Black, McLaren Orange, Amaranth Red and Burton Blue. McLaren says the GT Ride-On can be ordered from select global toy retailers.

Related video:

July 21, 2021 / Comments Off

362

Best V8 Engines Ever Produced

In almost all cases, manufacturers who choose to equip their cars with a V8 engine do so knowingly and deliberately. After all, such engines represent the first big step in crossing over a threshold to where performance becomes the sole focus; efficiency and economy are often not even invited as guests for a ride-along in the back seat.

With a quick glance at the back mirror, those pesky 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines begin to disappear into the horizon. Then, with the proverbial “pedal-to-the-medal”, the V8 power plant unanimously declares “all-in” with a loud roar – because this journey is all about thrill-seeking and checking things off the bucket list.

While high-performance V8 engines have normally been reserved for exotics – and muscle cars, in the more distant past – its application has been seen more in the mainstream these days. With the proliferation of automotive technologies, the V8 engine has become a gateway into the world of attainable supercar performance; each new engine is better than the one before it. But if you prefer roaring V10s, or hearty V12s, check these links out. However, if V8s are more your cup of tea, read on.

Here’s the shortlist of 10 such engines, curated for your reading pleasure:

Ferrari F106

Ferrari’s F106 V8 engine dates as far back as 1973, where it first featured in the Dino 308 GT4. Right from the get-go, it produced an impressive 250 hp from a 2.9L naturally-aspirated engine, which featured a flat-plane crank and dual-overhead cams.

Such was the longevity and capability of the F106 unit, that it continued to be used – with significant updates and revisions along the way, including electronic fuel injection and multi-valve heads – for more than 30 years. Notable models which were equipped with the engine include the F355, 360 Modena, and arguably the most famous Ferrari of them all; the Ferrari F40, which fashioned a twin-turbocharged version of the F106 producing 471 hp.

Dodge Supercharged Hemi

Dodge’s Hellcat series of cars have really taken the world by storm, offering almost unfathomable power in a non-exotic production vehicle – or any vehicle for that matter. It’s truly a revival of the “American muscle” movement, with the supercharged Hemi able to produce as much as 807 hp and 717 lb-ft of torque via the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Super Stock. Handling, agility, and all that other kind of stuff aside, this makes the Hellcat Challenger/Charger the quintessential American sports car which can be had for well under the 6-figure mark brand new.

The automaker is now offering the 6.2L ‘Redeye’ V8 as a crate engine (aptly nicknamed ‘Hellcrate’) through Mopar. It can be purchased at a starting price of US$21,807. The ‘Redeye’ version comes with a larger supercharger than the previous Hellcrate engine and has been tuned for more boost, a slightly higher redline, and a host of other improvements. These are what has allowed it to improve from 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque to its current 807 hp state. An absolute unit.

BMW S63

Like other automakers on this list, BMW is no stranger to producing some of the world’s best V8 engines. The latest incarnation would be its masterpiece ‘S63‘ – a 4.4L twin-turbocharged engine that produces at least 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque in the current-gen BMW M5 sedan.

Though it’s true that this grants the quintessential luxury-performance saloon some serious supercar credentials, a look back to days gone by reminds us that engines such as the ‘S62’ and ‘S65′ deserve just as much recognition for their contribution to the Bavarians’ V8 platform. Respectively, each engine displaced 4.9L and 4.0L and were both naturally aspirated.

Lexus 2UR-GSE

The 2UR-GSE is the latest iteration of Lexus‘ increasingly iconic naturally-aspirated V8 power plant. Currently reserved for the marque’s high-performance models – such as the IS F, RC F, GS F, LC 500, and brand-new IS 500 – the 5.0L engine blends typical Lexus reliability with a high-revving Japanese character. In its most powerful configuration, the 2UR-GSE produces 475 hp in the Lexus LC 500. Amidst an ever-changing landscape shifting towards hybridization and electrification, we hope that Lexus’ legendary naturally-aspirated V8 lives on for as long as possible

Much like our other selections, the 2UR-GSE owes much of its distinctions to predecessors such as the 1UZ-FE which debuted in 1989. This 4.0L V8 engine has proven to be bulletproof over the test of time, in addition to the universal recognition it has received for being smooth, refined, and sufficiently powerful for its intended application. It has served as the platform upon which the formidable GSE would eventually be conceived.

Ferrari F136

The F136 succeeded the legendary F106, first appearing as a 4.3L naturally-aspirated engine in the 2004 Ferrari F430, producing 483 hp. Like the F106, the F136 would see widespread application throughout the Ferrari lineup; however, it was also featured on a number of Maserati models in concert with the relationship between the two marques.

Most notably, a 454 hp, 4.7L version of the F136 featured on the Maserati GranTurismo and is widely regarded as having one of the best engine/exhaust notes to come out of the V8. The F136 would reach its zenith in the Ferrari 458 Italia Speciale, where it cranked out a massive 597 hp from its 4.5L naturally-aspirated power plant.

Perhaps the most significant (and regretful) fact about the F136, is that it is the last naturally-aspirated V8 engine Ferrari would ever produce. It was replaced by the twin-turbocharged F154 V8 engine in 2015, where it debuted on the Ferrari 488 GTB.

McLaren M830T / M840T

Despite only producing V8-powered automobiles since as recently as 2011 (via the MP4-12C), you could argue that McLaren‘s engineers are truly the world’s V8 engine artisans, and few would dispute that. After all, it’s virtually all they know these days, with every single McLaren model – bar the V6-hybrid McLaren Artura – fitted with some adaptation of their M838T or M840T twin-turbocharged V8 motors.

The 3.8L M838T is found in its Sports Series range of cars, which includes the entry-level McLaren 540C and goes all the way up to the indomitable 666 hp McLaren 675 LT. The 4.0L M840T features on all of the Super Series cars, which covers the ‘700 range’ of models, plus the addition of the McLaren GT. In its Ultimate form, the 4.0L unit – dubbed the M840TR – produces 814 hp in the McLaren Senna GTR. The McLaren Speedtail hybrid ‘hyper GT produces some 1,035 hp through the combination of an M840T and electric motor.

GM Small Block LT1/LT2

Introduced in 2014 for the C7 Corvette, the 6.2L naturally-aspirated V8 LT1 engine is part of GM’s 5th-generation small block engine family. It continues to be used on the present-day Camaro, with a new version of the engine – known as the LT2 – carrying on the bloodline via the brand new mid-engine C8 Corvette. The LT2 retains the 6.2L capacity but is more powerful than the LT1, producing at least 495 hp and 470 lb-ft in its latest configuration.

This was achieved by designing more efficient air-intakes sand exhaust manifolds, while also featuring a better lubrication system and more resilient camshaft. While it’s not a monster-out-of-the-box like say, Dodge’s Hellcat engine, the lightweight naturally-aspirated powerplant remains perfectly suited for what the Corvette is the best at delivering – brilliant all-around performance at a fraction of the cost of comparable options. The still-relevant LT1 is now being offered as a crate engine via GM’s performance division, with its 460 hp on tap for under US$10,000. Project car, anyone?

Audi 4.2L FSI

When Audi’s 4.2L FSI V8 engine was introduced, it was a bit of a departure from what Audi enthusiasts had grown accustomed to over the years. As one of the marques which helped to proliferate the use of turbochargers on production cars, the aforementioned engine first appeared in the 2006 Audi RS4 as a high-revving naturally-aspirated power plant.

Over time, it proved to be a fan-favorite in spite of its lack of forced induction and featured on such models as the RS5 and mid-engined R8. As a naturally aspirated unit, the FSI V8 was able to rev up to 8,250 rpm and had a distinctively exotic exhaust note, regardless of the model it was mounted in.

The engine remained naturally-aspirated up until its use in the 444 hp Audi RS5; since then, recent iterations of the engine are now turbocharged and produce up to 600 hp.

Mercedes-AMG M178

The modern-day Mercedes-AMG line-up is blessed with their omnipotent ‘M178’ 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8, which itself deserves all the plaudits and is a shoo-in for selection. While it’s the most advanced iteration of the automaker’s V8, our personal favorite would have to be the ‘M156’ 6.2L V8 first powered the 467 hp naturally-aspirated C63 AMG. Like its successor, the M156 would feature in almost every Mercedes-AMG model of that era, including the SL63.

The ultimate version of this V8 motor would be the ‘M159’, which was equipped in the automaker’s flagship SLS supercar, producing 622 hp. The SLS has since been succeeded by the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, which produces 720 hp from its twin-turbocharged ‘M178’, and recently set the new production car lap record at the Nürburgring.

Ford ‘Voodoo’ Flat-Plane

The ‘Voodoo’ engine produced by Ford is a 5.2L naturally-aspirated V8 which was made especially for cars such as the 526 hp Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R. Suffice to say, the Voodoo was a match made in heaven for the line-up’s most balanced and track-focused Mustang models. By utilizing a flat-plane crankshaft, the engine weighs less and revs faster and higher (to 8,250 rpm) than the otherwise standard engines in other models. Its configuration also gives it an almost-exotic exhaust note, border-lining on ‘un-American’ – but owners won’t mind, as their domestic car hangs just fine with the exotics and other high-end sports cars on the race-track.

Following the template of past flat-plane V8 engines, the Voodoo applies similar principles as engines that once powered hot-rods and muscle cars back in the 20th century – with impressive bang-for-buck, the engines produced big horsepower at a fraction of the cost of what was used in European sports cars and even domestic rivals. This provided owners with a rightfully potent automobile, and extra money left in the bank. It’s hard to argue with that!

July 19, 2021 / Comments Off

1118

Victory for the McLaren 720S GT3X in the Timed Shootout Final.

The famous Goodwood Festival of Speed closed its doors on Sunday, but not without an amazing victory for the McLaren 720S GT3X, taking the win at the top of the leaderboard of the Timed Shootout Final with a time of 45.01 seconds, over a second faster than the runner up from the competition. The impressive McLaren 720S GT3X has been developed by the motorsport division at McLaren, the McLaren Customer Racing department was able to create a special race car that didn’t need to adhere to regular racing regulations like the 720S GT3 that has to comply with FIA GT3 rules.

For the 1,210 kg GT3X, the hand-built, 4.0-Liter V8 twin-turbo engine delivers 720 PS, but has 30 more PS available at the push of a button, without having to deal with regulations, the 720S GT3X is a true performance-optimized evolution of the bespoke GT3 racecar. The aerodynamically optimized body has been developed using ‘Computational Fluid Dynamics’ (CFD) combined with F1 wind tunnel testing, which allowed McLaren Factory Driver Rob Bell to put down this amazing time at Goodwood.

Do keep in mind this amazing McLaren 720S GT3X can’t be ordered at a regular McLaren dealership, you will have to turn to one of only 11 official McLaren Motorsport Retailers worldwide, as part of the purchase and ownership package, McLaren Automotive can provide dedicated technical track support for each owner. This program is carried out by the customer support engineers from the in-house McLaren Customer Racing division – the team that has designed and developed the model alongside the 720S GT3 global customer race program.

But McLaren came along with several more cars aside from their black 720S GT3X, for instance, McLaren Chief Test Driver, Kenny Bräck took the wheel of a stunning gold painted McLaren Elva for several stints on the hill climb circuit at Goodwood, something the thousands of visitors convenience as the highlight of their visit, seeing the cars on display in the Supercar paddock is nice, but seeing those priceless exotics and hypercars being driven at speed during the hill climb is why Goodwood became the largest event of its kind.

And McLaren had yet another highlight at Goodwood, the brand new McLaren Artura made her dynamic debut at this year’s Festival of Speed, the bright blue Artura was also driven hard during the hill climb, but also drew a lot of attention at the McLaren stand in the paddock, joined by a GT, a 765LT and a 620R, the latter two being piloted by Bruno Senna.

“Winning the Timed Shootout Final was the perfect end to an excellent 2021 Festival of Speed for McLaren. Rob Bell drove magnificently, showcasing the outstanding capabilities of the 720S GT3X to great effect in mastering the challenging Goodwood Hill. And with so many of our cars on display and in action – including the all-new Artura making its public dynamic debut and the remarkable Elva – this was a wonderful opportunity to meet customers and fans face-to-face once again and celebrate all things McLaren.”
Mike Flewitt, CEO, McLaren Automotive

July 12, 2021 / Comments Off

465

Editors’ Picks June 2021 | Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento, McLaren 720S and more

A mix of crossovers and family cars were awarded Editors’ Picks status this month. Plus, we got into a Porsche and a McLaren that share in the accolades. We finally spent some quality time in the Kia Carnival, too, which was the only minivan missing from our minivan-heavy month of Editors’ Picks back in March. There were some near misses, with none closer than the updated Nissan Pathfinde r.

In case you missed our previous couple Editors’ Picks posts, here’s a quick refresher on what’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get Editors’ Pick status. Those are the ones we’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody who’s curious and asks the question. The list that you’ll find below consists of every car we rated in May that earned the honor of being an Editors’ Pick.

2022 Hyundai Tucson

Quick take: The new Tucson is a design marvel for the compact crossover segment, and its wide range of powertrains combined with big utility means it has the usefulness to be a great family car.

Score: 8

What it competes with: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, VW Tiguan, Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain

Pros: Unique and attractive styling, wide range of powertrains, packed with tech

Cons: Thrashing base engine, lack of volume knob

From the editors:

Associate Editor Byron Hurd — “I was really impressed by my brief time behind the wheel of the new Tucson. It’s comfortable, quiet and (in hybrid form) surprisingly peppy and responsive. Hyundai really nailed the interior too. I smell a winner.”

In-depth analysis: 2022 Hyundai Tucson First Drive Review | A bold leap forward

2022 Kia Carnival

Quick take: This minivan wins big in the style and interior tech department. It’s super smooth and comfortable to drive, but the lack of powertrain options is disappointing. No matter, the numerous positives win out.

Score: 7.5

What it competes with: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey

Pros: Superb design, luxurious interior, excellent tech and driver assistance features

Cons: No hybrid or AWD option, VIP seats clunky for family use

From the editors:

Road Test Editor Zac Palmer — “I and my friends had more fun in this minivan than any before, and that’s totally thanks to the epic, reclining VIP second row seats. This van is more than just fancy seats, though. It drives super smoothly, has top-notch tech and a design that has every other minivan beat.”

Senior Editor, Green John Beltz Snyder — “In the right trims, the Carnival looks really neat. It’s a great minivan for hauling people in comfort and — dare I say — luxury. Excellent driver assistance technology makes things easier on the pilot, too. The 3.5-liter V6 is a great engine, but the lack of a more economical offering and no available all-wheel drive feel like missed opportunities to appeal to more customers.”

In-depth analysis: 2022 Kia Carnival First Drive Review | The stylish one

2021 Kia Sorento

Quick take: The new Sorento is considerably more stylish than the last generation, and packed with the latest tech. A compact but usable third row provides practicality, and the more rugged X-Line versions add utility to this solid crossover.

Score: 7.5

What it competes with: Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, GMC Acadia

Pros: Perky powertrains, attractive looks, high-tech interior

Cons: X-Line’s ride suffers, subpar interior materials quality

From the editors:

Senior Editor, Green John Beltz Snyder — “I spent hours wandering the snowy country backroads in this thing, enjoying the comfort and tech. When the roads dried up, the gutsy 2.5-liter turbo-four made running errands much more entertaining. I’ve already recommended this new Sorento to friends with kids for its space, safety and Kia’s excellent warranty.”

News Editor Joel Stocksdale — “That turbocharged 2.5-liter really is amazing with how much torque it produces, and how you don’t have to wait for the turbo to kick in. It’s also super stylish and gives you a lot for your money. I just wish it handled better and had a more composed ride.”

In-depth analysis: 2021 Kia Sorento Review | What’s new, price, hybrid fuel economy, pictures

2021 Porsche Panamera

Quick take: The Panamera in virtually every form drives brilliantly, has a useful, pretty interior and features attractive styling. Its biggest downside is value, as many other luxury sedans and wagons are significantly cheaper in comparison.

Score: 7.5

What it competes with: Audi A7 (S7 and RS 7), BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door, Maserati Quattroporte

Pros: A performance level for everyone, stellar handling, pretty wagon variant

Cons: Sedan has average looks, shockingly expensive, poor value with options

From the editors:

Road Test Editor Zac Palmer — “Another fantastic Porsche. Big surprise. Stuttgart can’t miss these days, and every version of the Panamera I’ve tried makes a great argument as the one to buy. Still, I’m partial to the Sport Turismo, because wagons rock.”

Associate Editor Byron Hurd — “It’s really hard to articulate just how much smaller the Panamera feels compared to other similarly sized sport sedans. More clinical than an AMG or BMW M, it’s amazingly buttoned down and rewarding to drive fast.”

News Editor Joel Stocksdale — “If it weren’t for the Panamera’s huge sticker prices, it would be just about the perfect all-around car, especially the plug-in hybrid ones. They offer staggering performance that’s accessible and fun, and will even let you tackle short commutes gas-free.”

In-depth analysis: 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S First Drive | S is for ‘spicy’

2021 McLaren 720S

Quick take: Even years after its debut, the 720S is still a performance masterpiece. We’d take it in either Coupe or Spider form. The handling, acceleration and drivability is difficult to beat, even compared to other fantastic supercars.

Score: 8

What it competes with: Ferrari F8 Tributo, Lamborghini Huracan Evo, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Audi R8 V10 Plus

Pros: Mind-melting acceleration, top-notch handling, proper supercar looks

Cons: Seat controls are annoying, poor infotainment system, lack of storage

From the editors:

Associate Editor Byron Hurd — “This is a 3,200 pound go-kart with Hellcat-level power and yet it’s a complete teddy bear in normal driving. The interior is a bit sparse but still charming in an Alfa Romeo 4C kind of way, and man does it move. One of the most impressive things I’ve ever experienced.”

Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski — “There’s no doubt that the McLaren 720S is the fastest car I’ve ever been handed the keys to for a days-long test on the open road. Its acceleration can only be described as brutal. Sure, its interior trim may not compare favorably with the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini, but its engineering certainly does.”

In-depth analysis: McLaren 720S Spider First Drive Review | Absolutely corrupted by powe r

Related video:

July 9, 2021 / Comments Off

476

Deadmau5’s McLaren P1 to Hit Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas June 17-19

Barrett Jackson Las Vegas is kicking off tomorrow and its docket of automobilia is impressive. Up for sale is a stunning 2015 McLaren P1 owned by renowned DJ, record producer, and musician Deadmau5.

This hypercar P1 bears chassis #236 and has only 3,177 miles on the odometer. The two-tone paint scheme is finished in Dark Blue and Black with a black Alcantara interior accompanied by white inserts in the seats. Production was limited to only 375 units, so this would be considered a rare find aside from its celebrity-owned status.

[embedded content] [embedded content]

The McLaren P1 sits among the legends from the early 2010s that made up the ‘hypercar’ category. Sporting a mid-mounted 3.8L twin-turbocharged V8 and an electric motor, the P1 puts down a combined 903hp and 723 ft-lbs of torque. The electric motor was not only to provide the added fuel economy commonly found in hybrids but it also helped negate the lag found on turbo-equipped cars.

The McLaren P1 launches to 60mph in just 2.8 seconds and has a limited top speed of 217mph. All while also providing you the ability to maintain a 34mpg fuel economy, you can additionally change the climate control settings using the infotainment touchscreen or listen to your favorite house DJ.

The Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction lineup is nothing short of spectacular and this special hypercar is no exception. To check out the full docket of automobilia going to auction, you can check out the Barrett-Jackson website.

June 16, 2021 / Comments Off

393

One-off McLaren 765LT

Buying a McLaren sports car is the dream of many aspiring car enthusiasts, a dream that comes true for some, but there are still clients out there that won’t settle for a factory original car with some standard options, even if you’re talking about a McLaren 765LT, which in itself is already a limited edition model and the final chapter in the ‘Longtail’ story for McLaren, with 755 bhp from the 4.0-Liter twin-turbocharged V8 M840T engine, this is McLaren’s most powerful model to date.

With only 765 units, each with an MSRP of $358,000 before options, the McLaren 765LT is already sold-out when you read this, by the summer of 2021 all of the cars will have been delivered to their lucky, and usually fortunate owners, as McLaren states over 25% of the production for this model was ordered with major personalization from MSO, the McLaren Special Operations department, and rest assured, this will raise the original $358,000 list price considerably, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these high-spec McLaren 765LT would come at a price well over $500,000.

And the one we are presenting here might be among those ‘half a million dollar’ units, this car is a showcase of what MSO can create for the more discerning client, with a color-shifting paint called MSO Cerberus Pearl that shows hues of blue, purple, gold, and orange depending on the angle of view and the light … a truly amazing looking paint for sure that has previously been seen on the McLaren Senna and the McLaren P1.

The McLaren 765LT is about 80 kg lighter than the 720S, and this has been achieved by using a lot of carbon fiber parts, and to emphasize the lightweight design of this LT, the customer of this MSO custom opted to have all the visible carbon fiber on his car finished in high gloss, this includes the front splitter, the rear bumper, the side skirts, as well as the mirror housings and the large air intakes.

This specific McLaren 765LT was also ordered with the extremely expensive, functional roof scoop, naturally also finished in clear carbon fiber, while the car rolls on glossy black, 10-spoke ultra-light wheels covering orange brake calipers that match the interior trim inside this one-off 765LT.

On the inside, the carbon fiber craze continues, but this time with a satin finish to avoid glare when driving in bright sunlight, while the door panels, speaker rings, and seatbelts come in bespoke McLaren Orange as a reminder of McLaren’s racing legacy, the 765LT is part of the Longtail story that started with the McLaren F1 GTR race car in the 1990s, this 765LT also comes with the MSO titanium harness bar behind the seats and track-inspired six-point harness for the driver and passenger.

The future of McLaren and sports and hypercars, in general, is full electrification, Lamborghini has recently released a statement that in a matter of two or three years all their models will be hybrids, and after 2025 we will even see an all-electric Raging Bull, McLaren has already taken that route with their new Artura, the first McLaren to use the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) to spearhead the brand’s electrified future.

June 4, 2021 / Comments Off

509

The McLaren Elva ‘Windscreen’ edition

we’ve all seen the 2020 McLaren Elva before, either in photos or in a YouTube video, the roofless supercar from McLaren with a 4.0-Liter twin-turbocharged V8 pumping out 804 hp, but with no windshield … a car McLaren lists as ‘The McLaren Elva is born to heighten every sense and build the closest connection between driver, car and the elements. ‘

And that’s certainly the case, as the only attempt at making the driver’s life any easier at speed is a ‘flap’ that changes its angle so the wind gets deflected over the cockpit, officially it’s called the McLaren’s Active Air Management system, and it helps, but still, with more power than a McLaren Senna GTR and a modified exhaust to get ‘the right sound’, some might argue practicality might be an issue on some markets driving the limited edition McLaren Elva.

Once McLaren completed the production of the Speedtail, they started building the 399 Elva speedster, each with a base price of £1.4million ($1.9 million) before options, as this is a McLaren MSO car to begin with, you can be sure many customers will request even more bespoke MSO options, raising the price well beyond the $2 million mark.

Today McLaren showed the first Elva with a windshield … apparently McLaren found out there are customers in countries that actually require a car to have a windscreen (mandated in some states of the USA), and some customers even requested one. Now don’t get excited too quickly, you’ll get a windshield complete with wipers and rain detection, but you still don’t get a roof on the McLaren Elva ‘Windscreen edition’, that would be sacrilege I guess.

The McLaren Elva windscreen variant won’t have any side windows either, it’s a pure Roadster according to Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive, and the Elva is still a Super-lightweight and extremely powerful car created to celebrate the pure joy of driving, and that can only be experienced if you ‘feel’ the speed and are exposed to the elements … note that the intention from McLaren is to build most of the 399 units as ‘screenless’ versions, only a handful would come from the factory with the added windshield, making the latter the rarest McLaren in modern history.

While the McLaren Elva is the lightest car they ever made with a weight of less than 1,300 kg, adding the windshield, wipers and other necessary extras will raise the overall weight by 20 kg, but by removing the unnecessary Active Air Management System (AAMS) and using carbon fiber to surround the heated glass, they managed to keep the added weight at only 20 kg, still, both versions of the Elva will reach 100 km/h from 0 in 2.8 seconds, 200 km/h comes around in 6.8 seconds, do note that if you specify your Elva as a ‘windscreen version’ you can’t remove it to enjoy screenless driving, once it’s fitted, it’s a permanent fixture.

Created as an homage to Bruce McLaren’s legendary race cars, heritage liveries like that of the Satin Casa Blue windscreen model prototype pictured have captured the imagination of Elva owners. Demand for bespoke customization of this kind by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has produced a series of dramatic and unique cars that stand out even among one of the rarest of McLarens, but they have decided that there is a limit to the number of bespoke Elva builds, only 149 units of the Elva will be specified and built to customer order.

May 28, 2021 / Comments Off

389

Turn Your McLaren 720S into a Senna GTR with this $18k Bodykit

The McLaren 720S has helped put McLaren back on the supercar map, with impressive performance worthy of it’s price tag. It rivals the likes of the Ferrari 488, F8 Tributo, Porsche 911 Turbo S, AMG GT R and more. It is one of the last few supercars still made in Britain.

McLaren offers a variety of products that fall under different price brackets, the 720S is housed within the supercar category alongside it’s limited 765LT variant. Above the supercar category you will find the McLaren Senna, Elva and Speedtail from the ultimate series. The Senna GTR and 720S share the same 4.0L V8 twin-turbo engine, producing 814hp and 710hp respectively. The latter is a road legal series production car while the former is a track only car produced in limited numbers (75 only).

A tuner known as DarwinPRO Aerodynamics has now come up with a bodykit for those who want a Senna GTR look alike without having to pay the $1.7 million market price for an actual Senna GTR. The conversion is based upon a normal 720S Coupe or Spider and involves heavy modification of the front bumper, rear bumper, rear wing and side skirts.

According to their website, the bodykit is priced from $18,550. The McLaren 720S retails for about $300k for new cars, but you are likely to find cheaper ones when dealer discounts are applied. Used ones should be considerably cheaper with an average price of about $250k.

Senna GTR Bodykit for 720S

May 26, 2021 / Comments Off

298

Carfection Covers the Ultimate Trilogy of 90s Icons

As far as YouTube videos go, a 15-minute video can seem like such a chore. People these days want information and speed all at once, then onto the next task. But this episode of Carfection is well worth the watch – in 4K resolution if I may add. Henry Catchpole from Carfection, a YouTube channel with almost a million subscribers, has the pleasure of teaming up with DK Engineering to compare a holy trinity of iconic supercars. He starts off the three-part series to review the legendary McLaren F1 while the Porsche 911 GT1, Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR wait in the stable for their turn in the YouTube spotlight.

[embedded content] [embedded content]

The F1 featured in the episode is one of the few McLaren F1’s to maintain its original color and material combo. And this is the only one to have a full Alcantara interior. The owners over the years used towels and seat covers to maintain its pristine condition. The originality of an F1 is the deciding factor in the resale value – not just its mileage.

Just over half of the 106 F1’s produced hit roads as legal road-going supercars. This example is number 37, and with only 64 road cars, it not just a special icon of the 90s but a rare one.

The McLaren F1 featured a 6.1-liter V12 BMW-built engine that put down 627bhp and 479ft-lbs of torque. It was able to hit 60mph in just 3.2 sec and achieve a top speed of 240mph. Not only did McLaren design and build a legendary road car, but they also dominated on the track by notably beating Ferrari’s F40’s in the BPR Global GT Championship in ‘95 and ‘96 in addition to winning Le Mans in 1995 by taking 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place – not bad for McLaren’s first kick at the Le Mans can.

Carfection’s series will continue on with the other two legends one by one and highlight their major significance in the supercar world as we know it today.

May 19, 2021 / Comments Off

422

Gulf Livery is Back: MSO Reveals Special Gulf McLaren 720S

McLaren Special Operations (MSO) have recreated a bespoke 720S in the legendary Gulf oil-livery and iconic racing colors to celebrate two brands and personalization possibilities.

The project is part of the renewed relationship which was made public last summer between McLaren and Gulf as partners and as an official strategy in demonstrating the customization possibilities available for McLaren supercars.

The 720S is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing a maximum output of 720PS and 770Nm of torque. The acceleration from 0-100km/h is achieved in 2.9 seconds and the top speed is limited to 341km\h whereas the dry weight of the vehicle is 1,283kg.

Gulf has become the preferred lubricant supplier for McLaren automotive since the partnership, all McLaren vehicles are now to be fueled with Gulf oil and fuel optimized for the high performance engines.

A limited number of customers will have the opportunity to have their McLaren vehicles hand painted exclusively by MSO in Gulf livery. The 720S is the high point project between MSO and Gulf to ensure a range of metallic and solid paints and finishes capture both identities.

To create the perfect finish for the vehicle, McLaren automotive partnered up with AkzoNobel’s pallet to create premium automotive paint hues. The definitive version alone took 20 days to finish.

In addition to the Racing Blue and Orange colors used on the Exterior body, the vehicle also features Gulf solid Orange on the brake calipers and matching blue and orange stitching in the bespoke interior. The interior also features gulf logos embroidered on the headrests and painted on the sills and a McLaren steering wheel with a centre band in Gulf solid Orange and Blue to match the exterior carbon fibre spokes.

MSO Gulf McLaren 720S

May 19, 2021 / Comments Off

430

McLaren’s MSO created a 720S in the Gulf Oil livery

We’ve already published an article on McLaren Automotive’s MSO department, the McLaren Special Operations that offers bespoke builds to fortunate customers, but now we can admire something truly special from the artisans at MSO, a hand-painted livery on a McLaren 720S that took 20 days from start to finish … the result is a celebration between two iconic brands and the personalization possibilities from MSO: a bespoke 720S in the iconic Gulf Oil International racing colors.

McLaren and Gulf Oil go back a long time, their first partnership dates between 1968 and 1973 when we saw the Gulf livery on McLaren cars in both the F1 and the Can-Am races, a return of the two icons came in the Nineties when we saw the legendary McLaren F1 GTR race cars in the traditional light blue and orange color combination on the track, driving to victory at the 1996 BPR Global Endurance Series and in the GT1 Class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1997.

In 2020 a new partnership was reached when McLaren went on to using Gulf oils exclusively for their new cars as their lubricant supplier, to celebrate this, McLaren MSO offers the opportunity to a very limited number of customers to have their supercar hand-painted in the famous Gulf Oil livery, the car presented here, a 720S model is a showcase of a close collaboration between McLaren and Gulf Oil to make sure the paint (both metallic and solid) is a perfect match to the trademark Gulf shades of light blue and bright orange.

After many tests in the spray booth, AkzoNobel, a highly regarded name when it comes to top-of-the-line automotive paints, was able to put together the perfect mixture to mimic the shades required … it still takes a highly skilled painter a total of 20 days to complete this elaborate livery on a McLaren 720S.

The Gulf Oil blue and orange not only adorn the body of the McLaren 720S, but the orange is also used on the brake calipers, that same shade is taken into the interior where we find matching orange seat belts while the rest of the interior gets both light blue and orange stitching, a stunning looking Gulf logo is embroidered on both headrests, while another Gulf logo gets painted on the side sills, so it’s clearly visible when you open the doors on this bespoke MSO build.

Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive stated: “This project is a showcase of MSO’s capabilities and echoes the recent full restoration of the McLaren F1 GTR 25R, a car raced in the 1990s. The 720S in such an evocative livery and interior finish, created in close association with Gulf, which perfectly shows the potential for our customers to work with MSO’s skilled team to personalize their McLaren.”

More photos on this amazing looking McLaren MSO 720S Gulf Oil livery:

May 18, 2021 / Comments Off

512

McLaren dresses in Gulf livery, reveals 720S and F1 car in orange and blue

If you’re a Gulf livery fan, McLaren has your back this week. McLaren revealed a 720S Gulf livery creation, and a Gulf livery for its Formula One cars to run around in for the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix.

Starting with the road car, this Gulf livery is no sticker package. Mclaren’s MSO team spent 20 days painstakingly painting this design onto a 720S in an effort to make a callback to the McLaren F1 GTR raced by the Gulf GTC team. Both the blue and orange were perfectly matched, and the details are impressive. You’ll notice orange brake calipers, blue and orange interior stitching, Gulf logos on the headrests and side sills and an orange center stripe on the steering wheel with blue spokes.

McLaren worked directly with Gulf on this entire build, too, having just renewed the relationship between the companies last year — that deal makes Gulf the preferred oil and gasoline supplier for McLaren cars, and they’re filled with both from the factory. If you want a 720S that looks like this, McLaren says that “a limited number of customers will exclusively have the opportunity to have their McLaren supercars hand-painted by MSO in Gulf livery.” That means not many, so raise your hand if you want one.

As for the F1 cars, this Gulf livery is perhaps even more exciting. We never get to see the Gulf livery in F1, so McLaren’s one-off cars this year are going to be somewhat of a spectacle. Both Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris will race in this get-up while wearing matching racing suits and helmets. The cars look superb in photos, and we can’t wait to see them on track this coming weekend.

“This will be McLaren’s homage to Gulf’s celebrated race car design,” says McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown. “We’re enormous fans of brave and bold design, and the striking Gulf blue is among the most loved liveries in racing, a celebrated piece of culture which transcends the world of motorsport.”

Related video:

[embedded content]

May 17, 2021 / Comments Off

394

First customer McLaren P1 listed at auction

Let’s go back in time … to 2013 to be exact, the time when McLaren unveiled the long-awaited successor to their legendary F1 road car … the McLaren P1, a car from a new generation of hybrid hypercars like the Ferrari Enzo and the Porsche 918, her main competitors at that time, a limited production run of only 375 McLaren P1 would be built, making her an instant part of British Automotive history, a halo car many dream about, especially as it came with an MSRP of $1,350,000, but adding MSO options could quickly push that amount beyond $1,600,000 … 8 years ago, and those few units that passed the auction block already regularly break the $2,000,000 barrier these days.

But this bright yellow over black McLaren P1, chassis SBM12ABB1EW000023 is a bit special, finished in Volcano Yellow over a black leather interior with an Alcantara dashboard is in fact the very first customer registered P1 in the world, as stated in a personal letter, dated 9th October 2013, from Frank Stephenson, the McLaren P1 designer to the first owner of this specific car, delivered in the UK, this P1 is a Left Hand Drive car, as due to the very limited production numbers, McLaren never even built the P1 in RHD, all of the 375 McLaren P1 are LHD.

In fact, clients could start ordering the McLaren P1 only from October 2013 … by November 2013 all of the 375 units were sold out, making the P1 an instant collector’s item on the automotive scene, powered by a 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 coupled to an electric motor, the total output was 903 bhp (727bhp from the V-8 and 176bhp from the electric engine). with her unique aerodynamics, including adjustable front and rear wings providing as much as 600kg of downforce at 160 mph, performance was incredible: 100 km/h took just 2.8 seconds, 200km/h was reached in 6.8 seconds, while 300km/h came after only 16.5 seconds, the top speed of the McLaren P1 was a mouthwatering 217mph (347kph).

This extremely rare McLaren P1 underwent all her maintenance and care in the hands of official McLaren dealerships in the UK, and while this car now had two owners, both were from the same family, she crossed only 3,666 miles since 2013 but still had her Hybrid battery replaced in 2018, and underwent her most recent service at McLaren Birmingham in 2020, this special McLaren P1 is ready to be driven.

When Jeremy Clarkson, from the famous BBC Top Gear program, was able to test drive a black McLaren P1 on the famous F1 circuit of Spa Francorchamps in Belgium during the second show of the 21st series, he described the P1 as “A game-changer, a genuinely new chapter in the history of motoring”, take a look at a clip from that episode here:

[embedded content] [embedded content]

Silverstone Auctions The May Sale 2021 – Classic Cars and Classic Motorcycles will have this yellow McLaren P1 up for auction on May 22nd, with an estimate between £885,000 and £985,000 (that’s $1,250,000 to $1,400,000) which sounds like a steal considering the MSRP back in 2013, so this might be your chance to get hold of a hypercar at a bargain, relatively speaking.

If you’re looking for more, detailed information about the 2013 McLaren P1 take a look at our ultimate guide to the McLaren P1.

May 11, 2021 / Comments Off

888

Face to Face With The All-New McLaren Artura

Images & Words: Makenzie Shattler

Supercars.net recently got the invite to see McLaren’s brand new high-performance hybrid. The up-close and personal encounter was at none other than McLaren Toronto, located in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada. The British high-performance hybrid supercar was on a tour across Canada for viewing purposes only – Production models will be hitting dealers later this year but until then, this meet and greet will do just fine.

Thank You, McLaren Toronto!

McLaren Toronto belongs to the Pfaff Auto Group and the brand is one of many different brands owned by the family-run enterprise.

Pfaff Automotive Partners was founded in 1964 under the name H.J Pfaff Auto and now operates with the original owner’s son, Christopher Pfaff, President and CEO of Pfaff Automotive Partners. The family-owned business grew from a small Volkswagen dealership to an enterprise heading multiple brands including Volkswagen, Subaru, BMW, Audi, Porsche, McLaren, Pagani, and more.

The Aesthetic Encapsulates Art and Performance

By looking at photos and looking up specs, you can easily see that the team at McLaren really put everything into the all-new Artura (batteries included).

For ages, McLaren has always designed and developed their masterpieces using wind tunnels, research and development, and a ton of technology. With that in mind, McLaren has once again proved that science is sexy.

My initial feelings when walking into the Artura’s display were the sort found on the face of a child who’s just tried ice cream for the first time – a rush of excitement. It wasn’t like this high-performance hybrid looked unlike anything else in the world, but just by looking at it, everything the eye could see made perfect sense.

To the average person, the car would look “smooth and flowy”, taking notice of the massive intakes on the side of the car. To a car enthusiast, they’d know that every single curve on the Artura has a purpose or function. I could tell from the vented louvers on the front fenders to the sculpted air intakes on the rear haunches, the car was designed to perform. The design of the rear end looks cool but that’s not all, that design gives the car 50 kg of downforce alone.

Artura’s Design

At first glance, the Artura gives the aesthetic vibes of a 600LT mixed with another model out of the McLaren lineup. It had many attention-grabbing features but my eye immediately went to the headlight crevices that were reminiscent of Star Trek’s Starfleet insignia. The Artura’s “shrink-wrapped” body panels have a very clean fit and finish throughout the entire car. The car had eye-catching exposed carbon accents starting at the front bumper, then to the fender vents, mirrors, and lastly, the majority of the rear clip. I’m one of “those” people – there can NEVER be enough carbon fiber. This pre-production model was delivered with a mix of different features on the car. Namely, the black painted roof, the array of orange accents such as the calipers, piping on the seats and dash, and the MSO optioned six-point racing harness – These are all available options should you decide to contact the fine folks at McLaren Special Operations to have your bespoke needs met.

The Artura Mission

The team at McLaren has taken pride in the fact that they don’t add useless design features or needless decoration to their supercars – the Artura is no exception. Each piece of visually pleasing deco on the car has an exact function – besides looking amazing. All of the ducts, slopes, and even door mirrors have a technical part to play in the Artura’s aerodynamics.

The design principles McLaren followed were those of purity, technical sculpture, and functional jewelry. These three guidelines were nailed both on the smooth exterior and on the very simplistic but technical interior. The Artura’s interior flaunted a rather flamboyant orange accenting (to show off option possibilities) while the rest of the interior had everything you could need and nothing you didn’t. The carbon-fiber racing seats were covered in lightweight Alcantara as was the dash. The seats weren’t built for comfort per se but McLaren did a great job of fooling me. They also come with a factory cutout to fit the optional six-point harness.

The driver’s cockpit was something that needed to be seen. The entire instrument cluster moves with the steering wheel – making it perfect no matter the setting you adjust your wheel to. This may seem like a small addition or solution but as the saying goes “it’s the little things that matter” and McLaren has addressed all of them.

The sticker price on the all-new Artura is set to start at $225,000 (roughly $275,000 CAD) and will be making its official arrival this August in dealers across the country.

Technical Specifications

As far as McLaren goes, shopping solely on looks is not what most McLaren enthusiasts pursue them for – they are hunted down for the technology and science behind the British-made supercars. This completely reengineered high-performance plug-in hybrid is one for the masses. Sure it’s no P1, but nothing ever will be.

It hits the stage with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that produces 577 hp and 431 lb-ft of torque along with an electric motor that adds 94 more horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque. These figures bring the powertrain totals to a whopping 671hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. Based on price and powertrain totals, these put the Artura between the McLaren GT and the 720S.

But a high-performance hybrid powertrain isn’t the only thing that makes the Artura special, the team at McLaren began with a fresh slate to incorporate the MCLA (McLaren Carbon Fiber Lightweight Architecture) monocoque. This incredible design consists of four new kinds of carbon fiber and weighs in at only 82Kg (180lbs). This combined with the aluminum panels and other lightweight components brings the Artura’s dry weight to 1395Kg (3075lbs).

Looking for more information? Read our 2021 McLaren Artura Ultimate Guide.

Specs & Performance

Powertrain
Engine	3 Liter V6
Power	577 hp (430 kW)
Torque	431 lb/ft (585 N·m)
Fuel type	Premium
Electric Motor	Axial Flux E-Motor
Power	94 hp (70 kW)
Torque	166 lb-ft (225 N·m)
Transmission	8-speed SSG-Seamless Shift Gearbox dual-clutch + E-Reverse gear
Drivetrain	AWD
Vehicle type / Category
Vehicle type	Hybrid
Category	Exotic
Assembly	Woking, Surrey, England
Fuel efficiency / Autonomy
City	5.65 L/100km
Highway
Combined
CO₂ emissions	129 g/km
Equipment
Infotainment
Apple CarPlay compatible	Available
Android Auto compatible	Available
Steering / Suspension / Brakes / Tires
Steering	Rack and pinion, electric
Front suspension	Double wishbones
Rear suspension	Multi-link independent, double wishbones
Front brakes	Disc
Rear brakes	Disc
Front tires	235/35ZR19
Rear tires	295/35ZR20
Safety
Seat belts	2
Dimensions / Weight
Length	4,539 mm (178.7 in)
Width	1,913 mm (75.3 in)
Height	1,193 mm (47.0 in)
Wheelbase	2,640 mm (103.9 in)
Front track	1650 mm (64.96 in)
Rear track	1613 mm (63.5 in)
Weight	1,395 kg (3,075 lb)
Capacities
Passengers	2
Trunk	169 l (6 cu ft)
Fuel tank	72 l (19 gal)
Towing capacity	N/A
Performance
Power to weight ratio	2.2 kg/Hp, 453.9 Hp/tonne
0-100 km/h	3.0 s (manufacturer)
0-200 km/h	8.3 s (estimated)
Top speed	350 km/h (217 mph) (manufacturer)
Braking distance	31 m (100km/h-0)
Warranty
Base warranty	5-year/75,000km
Battery warranty	6-year/75,000km
Body warranty	10-year, unlimited mileage

McLaren Artura Photo Gallery

May 7, 2021 / Comments Off

578

McLaren Speedtail for Sale in Dubai at $3.5 Million – 1 of 106 Worldwide

A new McLaren Speedtail has just been listed for sale in Dubai, this is one of only 106 cars that are planned for production. It’s the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1, utilizing the same central driver seat configuration among other special tribute features.

The car for sale here is listed at a price of $3.5 million dollars, reflecting a significant premium over the $2.9 million start price. Understandably so as all 106 units were sold out immediately after the official announcement. New interested buyers will have to acquire one through second hand dealers.

This Speedtail has been painted in a special McLaren blue known as Dark Sapphire Pearl, with beige interior complementing the overall spec which has options worth $370,000. It’s a new car with only delivery mileage from the factory, the new owner will thus begin a new journey with the hypercar from scratch.

The McLaren Speedtail is powered by a hybrid system with knowledge gained from the P1. A 4.0L V8 twin-turbo is mated to a parallel hybrid system eMotor to produce a combined output of 1.035hp. Due to its unique aerodynamic design, the Speedtail can achieve a top speed of up to 250mph making it one of the fastest hypercars on the market.

Read: Fastest Cars in the World 2021

McLaren Speedtail For Sale

May 6, 2021 / Comments Off

230

McLaren sells its Woking, England, headquarters for $236 million

McLaren has found a buyer for its headquarters in Woking, England. It sold the facility to a New York-based investment firm named Global Net Lease, but it’s not planning on moving to a new home anytime soon.

Hit hard by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the British firm put a “for sale” sign on its lawn in September 2020 with a major catch: The new owner would need to lease the facility back to McLaren in the foreseeable future. Canadian real estate firm Colliers listed the carmaker’s headquarters at £200 million (around $256 million at the time), and Global Net Lease announced it haggled the price down to £170 million, which represents about $236 million.

The deal includes the McLaren Technology Center, the McLaren Production Center (which manufactures road cars, like the GT), and the McLaren Thought Leadership Center. Parking lots and a small man-made lake are part of the transaction, too. Moving everything to a new location would be immensely expensive, not to mention time-consuming, so McLaren will lease the 840,000-acre site from Global Net Lease for the next 20 years. What happens after that isn’t known yet; McLaren will presumably either sign another multi-year lease or buy the site back.

This is the second time McLaren has received a nine-digit cash injection in less than a year. In June 2020, it arranged a £150 million round of financing from the National Bank of Bahrain. At the time, it said the funding would allow it to get through the coronavirus crisis while putting it in the best possible position to be competitive in the future.

McLaren’s sale of its headquarters isn’t unprecedented in automotive history. In 2012, PSA Peugeot-Citroën (which is now part of Stellantis) sold its historic headquarters on Avenue de la Grande Armée in the heart of Paris for about $327 million to raise much-needed cash; it still leases the building in 2021. And, in January 2004, troubled British carmaker MG Rover sold most of its Longbridge, England, site to a property developer with plans to rent it. It signed a 35-year contract, and it optimistically added a renewal clause, but it shut down in April 2005 after years of losses.

Related video:

[embedded content]

April 21, 2021 / Comments Off

372

McLaren Artura Performance Figures [0-100km/h, ¼ mile, Top Speed]

McLaren has finally revealed the performance numbers of their new hybrid supercar, the Artura.

The McLaren Artura is powered by a 3.0L V6 twin-turbo engine that generates 585hp and 585Nm of torque. This engine is 190mm shorter, 220mm narrower and 50kg lighter in weight compared to McLaren’s 4.0L V8 twin-turbo engine. The 120 degree twin-turbocharged M630 unit delivers unmatched performance and ensures compact packaging. A 180-degree angle was considered but dismissed because it raised the centre of gravity as well as the crankshaft.

The wide angle V6 cylinders allows the turbochargers to fit within the banks in a ‘hot vee’ configuration which ensures a less restrictive exhaust layout. The hybrid system is completed by an E-Motor that produces an extra 95hp and 225nm of torque, for a total of 680hp and 810nm of torque when combined with the ICE.

0-100km/h	3.0s
0-200km/h	8.3s
0-300km/h	21.5s
1/4 Mile	10.7s
0-60mph	3.0s
Top Speed	330km/h (205 mph)

A 7.4kWh Five-module Lithium Ion energy dense battery pack provides an electric-only capability and is positioned low down behind the driver. The Artura has an electric range of 30km. This position optimises the centre of gravity, polar moment of inertia and also improves the dynamic agility of the car.

The Hybrid battery is fitted in a cooling manifold together with the new electric heating, air conditioning system and ventilation which are also used to control the air temperatures in the cabin. The batteries of the car are thermally controlled via dielectric oil, a technology used to maintain the E-motor at operating temperatures that delivers high performance.

The batteries take approximately 2.5hrs to charge from 0-80% when charged through EVSE socket and can never truly run out of power even when parked for a long period, the management also ensures that the battery units remain in peak conditions at all times. The battery unit comes with a warranty of years or 75,000km. An integrated power unit(IPU) acts as a DC/DC converter for the 12v system and minimises the weight.

The engine of the Artura powers the rear wheels through an eight-speed transmission that is designed for optimised packaging, the length of the gear cluster has been reduced by 40mm.

The driver can adjust the electric motor deployment to prioritise range, power or to shut off the internal combustion engine for a silent drive. Energy harvesting is enabled from the combustion engine and the battery can be charged from low to 80% within minutes under normal driving conditions which ensures that the driver can shift to electric-only mode.

McLaren Artura

April 14, 2021 / Comments Off

740

McLaren Artura sets new supercar standards

With acceleration figures now verified, the all-new High-Performance Hybrid powertrain in the McLaren Artura sets new benchmarks for performance, building on the levels of high-performance hybrid excellence set by the pioneering McLaren P1^TM,the world’s first hybrid hypercar, and the Speedtail Hyper-GT.

The Artura’s advanced petrol-electric powertrain delivers an unrivaled combination of throttle-response, acceleration, and electric-only, zero-emissions capability. It has been engineered to ensure the all-new McLaren supercar excels across the full spectrum of driving experiences, from everyday urban journeys to track day sessions.

“The McLaren Artura’s all-new, super-lightweight electrified powertrain is at the cutting-edge of high-performance-hybrid technology, engineered to offer all of the advantages of internal combustion and electric power in one package and establish new benchmarks for combined performance and efficiency in the supercar class. The ‘clean-sheet’ design of the Artura has allowed us to focus on how to make this power accessible to the driver and deliver the levels of engagement expected from a McLaren.”
Geoff Grose, Chief Engineer, McLaren Automotive

Minimizing weight was key to the design of the all-new powertrain. This is hugely important in an electrified supercar, as well as being absolutely aligned with McLaren’s philosophy of super-lightweight engineering that is fundamental to the performance, agility, and driver engagement inherent in every McLaren.

Breaking with the V8 convention established with the first supercar from McLaren Automotive, the 12C, at the heart of the Artura is an all-new, 3.0-liter V6 internal combustion engine. The 120-degree, twin-turbocharged M630 unit not only delivers unrivaled performance, but it also allows the most compact packaging possible. A 180-degree angle was considered but dismissed because it would raise the height of the crankshaft and therefore the center of gravity of the car. The wide-angle of the V6 cylinders allows the turbochargers to sit within the banks in a ‘hot vee’ configuration, which also benefits efficiency as they sit within a straighter, and therefore less restrictive, exhaust layout. Generating 585PS and 585Nm of torque, the all-new V6 engine is 190mm shorter and 220mm narrower than McLaren’s twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, and also 50kg lighter.

While the configuration of the all-new engine is key to Artura’s powertrain packaging, it is the innovative technology within that provides the biggest gains in lightweight and performance. The cylinder head and block utilize 3D printed cores, allowing uncompromised precision cooling, including a micro-compact 2mm cooling passage between the cylinders. The block has directly coated parent bores rather than separate coated liners, into which fuel is injected at 350bar pressure.

The Artura’s V6 engine is designed not just for compact packaging and efficiency, but also to increase driver engagement. Shared crankpins enable a very short and stiff crankshaft that allows the M630 to redline at a thrilling 8500rpm. It’s also a very refined engine, designed with the chain drive at the rear and with ancillary noises reduced so that the occupants only hear the V6’s distinctive intake and exhaust note, routed via Gasoline Particulate Filters to reduce emissions.

The V6 engine powers the rear wheels via an all-new eight-speed seamless shift transmission that has also been designed for optimized packaging. The length of the gear cluster has been reduced by 40mm, helped by the use of a nested clutch rather than a parallel unit and also the removal of a reverse gear, this function now achieved by Artura’s E-motor spinning in the opposite direction. The ultra-compact motor is fully integrated within the transmission bell-housing, delivering torque in-fill and linear acceleration via an E-differential to the rear wheels.

The Axial Flux design of the E-motor is another Artura benchmark. It is similar in size to a McLaren brake disc and at just 15.4kg it is only a little heavier than a conventional iron rotor component, yet it can generate up to 95PS and 225Nm as well as enable journeys of up to 30 kilometers in near-silent pure EV mode, attributes that are ideal for city driving or early-morning starts.

Providing the electric-only capability is a 7.4kWh Five-module Lithium-Ion energy-dense battery pack. Fully integrated into the Artura’s McLaren Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) chassis, the battery pack is positioned low-down in the car behind the driver, incorporated into the floor, and protected on three sides by the main carbon fiber structure and from behind by the engine. This positioning also helps to optimize both center of gravity and the polar moment of inertia, benefitting dynamic agility.

The hybrid battery sits on a cooling manifold, which is shared with the new electric heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system also used to control the air temperature in the cabin. Incorporating technology first developed for the McLaren Speedtail, the batteries are thermally controlled using dielectric oil – a technology also used to keep the E-motor at operating temperatures that deliver the highest level of performance.

True to the Artura engineers’ determination to optimize packaging and weight, the battery management unit sits alongside the modules, with the power distribution unit (PDU) integrated into the battery. An integrated Power Unit (IPU) acts as a DC/DC converter for the vehicle’s 12v system, further reducing weight by removing the need for a separate alternator and onboard battery charger.

Taking just 2.5 hours to charge from zero to 80% using an EVSE socket, the battery is carefully managed so that it never truly runs out of power; there is always something in reserve for reversing or starting the engine, even when parked for extended periods. This management process also ensures that the battery remains in peak condition and accordingly the unit is warranted for 6 years or 75,000km.

An Artura driver can adjust how the electric motor is deployed to prioritize range or power or choose to shut off the internal combustion engine for silent running. Energy harvesting is achieved purely from the combustion engine in order to maintain the brake pedal feel, yet the battery can be charged from low to 80% full within minutes under normal driving conditions. This ensures that the Artura is always ready to switch to electric-only mode, an option that adds discretion and enhanced economy to the driving experience, as well as reduced CO₂ emissions at just 129 g/km.

Additionally, Artura’s High-Performance Hybrid powertrain contributes to significant ownership benefits above and beyond the performance and driving engagement it delivers: a comprehensive 5-year vehicle and 6-year hybrid battery warranty are standard for Artura customers, as is a 3-year service plan.

McLaren Artura Validated Performance Figures

97km/h (0-60mph)
0-100km/h (0-62mph)
0-200km/h (0-124mph)
0-300km/h (0-186mph)
¼ mile
Maximum speed (electronically limited)

3.0 seconds
3.0 seconds
8.3 seconds
21.5 seconds
10.7 seconds
330km/h (205 mph)

April 10, 2021 / Comments Off

470

McLaren Geneva

McLaren already had two dealerships in Switzerland, in Zurich and in Lugano, but now they opened up the third one in the famous city of Geneva, famous for the yearly Motor Show, this new dealer is better located for clients in the Romandy cantons of Switzerland. Operated by luxury brand specialist, Pegasus Automotive Group SA, this is the 37th official McLaren showroom in Europe, the Middle East, and the Africa region.

To celebrate the grand opening of McLaren Geneva, there was a very impressive gathering of various models, including the new McLaren Artura, but also one of the rare McLaren Senna as the ultimate representative, but the Mclaren line up available once the dealership opens in Q2 of this year will also include cars like the 720S, 720S Spider and the two-seater Elva Roadster, a car created to distill driving exhilaration to its purest form, symbolized by an open cockpit with no windscreen or windows, but with a world-first Active Air Management System to shelter occupants by manipulating the airflow over the car.

April 1, 2021 / Comments Off

448

The final McLaren 620R

If you would like to add a brand new McLaren 620R to your garage, you might need to act quickly, McLaren just confirmed the last one for the North American market arrived in the USA, one of only 70 units available for that market (out of 225 units worldwide), the McLaren 620R was a limited edition model in the ‘Sports Series’ from Woking.

McLaren started their Sports Series with the 570S in 2015 as an opportunity for customers to acquire a special edition car with inspiration taken from the race track, over the years a total of 8,500 Sports Series left the factory doors in Woking, the UK, including models like the 540C, the 570S Spider, the 570GT, the 600LT Coupe, the 600LT Spider, and finally the current 620R.

The McLaren620R is a racecar that’s legal to drive on the open road, derived from the McLaren 570S GT4, the 620R takes all the technology from the track onto the public street while not having to adhere to FIA regulations, with 611 bhp, the 620R is also the most powerful model from the entire Sports Series range.

“As the McLaren range has matured, we’ve tailored our North American model line-up to closely match customers’ requirements, with a car suitable for every personality,” explained Tony Joseph, President, McLaren, the Americas. “Limited-numbers models with the highest levels of performance – cars like the 620R, which feels like a race car on the street or at a track day – are in demand not only because of the driving experience they offer but because they have even greater exclusivity. You can see how this has played out with the 765LT as well, with all of the available volume sold.”

The McLaren 620R is a rare car in the world, only 225 units worldwide, a mere 70 cars for the North American market, and they are all but sold out already, just a few units are still available brand new. The 620R for the North American market all come with a bespoke MSO upgrade package featuring a glossy Visual Carbon Fibre roof complete with the roof scoop to maximize engine intake and exhaust sound, MSO Defined gloss-finish carbon fiber roof cantrails, and the McLaren Track Telemetry system with lap time function and three cameras to record those exhilarating track moments as standard fitment.

March 23, 2021 / Comments Off

477