ARTURA TO MARK START OF ‘NEW ERA’
MCLAREN recently unveiled the Artura and before you say “another McLaren supercar”, bear in mind that this new offering has a new bodywork, new chassis, new powertrain and interior.
Everything is new and, get this, it is a plug-in hybrid, too. McLaren, in fact, calls the Artura the “start of a new era” for the company.
The British supercar maker and racing firm began mass-producing cars in 2011 with the MP4-12C and many models have evolved from that point on. However, the Artura is a fresh new take from McLaren.
“The introduction of the Artura is a landmark moment — for McLaren, for our customers who will appreciate and enjoy this car on every emotional and rational level, and for the supercar world,” said McLaren Automotive chief executive officer Mike Flewitt.
The capable and proven twin-turbo V8 has been replaced by the twin-turbo
3.0-litre V6. Completing the powertrain is an electronic differential and a new electric motor, although
McLaren did not specify the details.
Chief engineer Geoff Grose said the transmission “integrates a new type of electric motor for the industry”.
The electrification enables the
Artura to be driven in complete silence, pure electric mode for up to 30km. But when the new 8,500rpm engine comes to life, it produces 577hp and 585Nm of torque.
The electric motor alone makes 95hp and an instant 225Nm of torque, giving the Artura a combined output of 671hp and 720Nm.
It takes 3.0 seconds to go from zero to 100kph, 8.3 seconds to 200kph and a blistering 21.5 seconds to 300kph.
The dry-sump engine is compact and lightweight at just 160kg, which is 50kg less than the McLaren V8.
But it still utilises the “hot vee” design, where the turbochargers sit within the 120-degree cylinder bank, allowing for a better response.
The engine is also paired to an allnew eight-speed twinclutch transmission driving the rear wheels.
Despite having more ratio than the existing McLaren transmission, the new unit requires no reverse gear as the electric motor takes care of reversing.
The exterior design with a low nose, cab-forward, high-tail stance is unmistakably McLaren and retains the clean sculpted body with minimal shutlines.
Everything on the surface is optimised for aerodynamic performance and cooling, underlined by the McLaren design principle of “everything for a reason”.
The centre of the front splitter is an example of this, being the intake for the eHVAC system and also housing the frontmounted radar that forms part of the optional ADAS package.
Some other notable items are new side air outlets on the front fenders ala 911 GT3 RS, which dissipate air from the wheel well, and a huge rear clamshell for the engine cover constructed from a single piece of metal. Right in the middle of the rear piece is a laser-cut cover housing a “heat chimney” that is used to bring the temperature in the engine area. In the cabin, there’s a lot to see as everything is new. But McLaren and driving enthusiasts will be happy to hear that the steering system is still hydraulic.
Centred more than ever around the driver, the cockpit features the “Powertrain and Handling” controls that have been relocated to the instrument binnacle. The idea behind the relocation is not only to redesign the cockpit but, ultimately, enhance driving ergonomics.
The Powertrain controls are “E-mode” for a pure electric drive, “Comfort” mode that maximises range and efficiency, and more alluringly, “Sport and Track”.
In these modes, electric power is deployed in an increasingly aggressive manner for lowend response and acceleration.
It should be interesting to see how the engine fares against Ferrari’s turbocharged V8 as far as response is concerned.
The steering wheel is still a clean piece and there’s no single button to take away your attention.
Elsewhere, mounted on the centre console is an eight-inch floating screen that should clear more space around the console.
The Artura is built around the new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture platform under a serious diet programme.
Weight is kept at bay thanks to a powertrain system that is 10 per cent lighter and a lightweight battery system, making the Artura weighing at just around those of non-hybrid supercars.
The rear suspension utilises an innovative configuration to maximise stability and reduces understeer while accelerating out of a corner, while the 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.
McLaren should start delivering the Artura to customers beginning in the third quarter and every unit will come standard with a five-year vehicle warranty, a six-year battery warranty and 10-year body warranty.