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The all new McLaren Artura is McLaren's first high-performance hybrid supercar, and it is the distillation of over 50 years of McLaren's expertise in racing.
17 Feb 2021 | International News : U.K.
The all new McLaren Artura has been revealed, marking the beginning of both a new chapter for McLaren and a new era in supercar technology and performance. McLaren's first series-production high-performance hybrid supercar focuses more than 50 years of racing and road-car experience and expertise into a next-generation supercar that blends ground-breaking technology with McLaren's dedication to pure driver engagement.
Underpinned by the McLaren philosophy of super-lightweight engineering, the Artura is the distillation of every attribute inherent in a McLaren - distinctive design, unrivalled performance, dynamic excellence and engineering innovation - with electrification now bringing the additional benefits of even faster throttle response, lower emissions and being able to run in pure EV mode for emissions-free journeys of up to 30km.
A demanding programme of weight reduction, encompassing every area of the Artura from the chassis platform, through the uniquely compact hybrid powertrain system to the weight of cabling used in the electrical systems, resulted in the Artura having a lightest dry weight of 1,395kg.
The total weight of hybrid components is just 130kg (which includes an 88kg battery pack and 15.4kg E-motor), resulting in a kerbweight of 1,498kg. At the heart of the Artura's powertrain is McLaren's all new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine. With a power output of 577bhp and 585Nm of torque, the dry-sump aluminium engine is compact and lightweight, weighing only 160kg, 50kg less than the previous McLaren V8.
The Artura's compact axial flux E-motor is located within the transmission bell housing, capable of generating 94bhp and 225Nm of torque. The instantaneous nature of the motor's torque delivery is key to the Artura's razor-sharp throttle response. The Artura accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 3.0 seconds, zero to 200km/h in 8.3 seconds and zero to 300km/h in 21.5 seconds, with a top speed of 330km/h.
The E-motor is powered by a battery pack comprising five lithium-ion modules, offering a usable energy capacity of 7.4kWh. The Artura is designed with full Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) capability and can be charged to an 80% charge level in just 2.5 hours with a standard EVSE cable. The batteries can also harvest power from the combustion engine during driving, tailored to the driving mode selected.
The McLaren Artura is the first model to have the new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) at its core. The MCLA sets a new standard for McLaren's advanced flexible chassis design.
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 is 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.
The driver can choose from four powertrain modes, including an E-mode for 30km of emissions-free, electric-only driving. Designed for mixed driving conditions, Comfort mode maximises range and efficiency, with the combustion engine shut off under 40km/h with the use of an extended stop and start mode but phased in for greater speed and power requirements.
In Sport and Track modes, electric power is deployed in an increasingly aggressive manner for low-end response and acceleration. Separate handling mode choices adjust damper firmness and the degree of Electronic Stability Control intervention to suit driver preference and weather and road conditions.
McLaren engineers focused on stability under braking, rear-end controllability, increased grip and optimised aerodynamic downforce, as well as enhanced driver engagement across the board. A first for McLaren, an electronically controlled differential can independently control torque moving across the rear axle, with the electronic differential locking and unlocking individual rear wheels to improve traction out of corners.
The wider tyres allow additional stability and better traction performance while the combination of a short wheelbase, E-diff and the physical downforce provided by the integrated rear spoiler and diffuser ensure both incredible agility at low speed and a high level of stability at high speed. The E-diff in particular increases performance and driver confidence when cornering, enhancing traction and reducing levels of understeer.
The Artura retains McLaren's hydraulically-assisted steering as it remains the ultimate system for providing feedback, and it has been fully redesigned to reduce weight. Braking performance is also exceptional, with the Artura being fitted with carbon ceramic brakes and lightweight aluminium calipers. Together with the new rear axle kinematics, they deliver superior high-speed braking power and stability.
A new McLaren infotainment and connectivity system (MIS II) utilises two high-definition screens. MIS II includes updated versions of familiar McLaren apps including McLaren Track Telemetry and Variable Drift Control, and also features a redesigned navigation map in the instrument cluster that focuses on key information to minimise driver distraction.
