This is the new McLaren Artura, a brand new rear-wheel drive super car with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a carbon-fiber tub. It is the first of a series of new McLarens based on a PHEV platform. The battery pack sits behind the seats, and the combined petrol engine and electric motor sits straight on the rear axle. Transmission is a dual-clutch 8-speed Seamless-Shift Gearbox (SSG). The ‘box does without a reverse gear, saving weight, as ‘reverse’ is using the electric motor.
The petrol engine is a newly developed all-aluminum twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 with a bank angle of an 120 degrees, which is extremely flat for a V6 engine. Output is 585 hp and 585 Nm. The axial flux electric motor adds another 95 hp and 225 Nm. Combines, the McLaren Artura hits the road with 680 hp and 720 Nm. Battery capacity is a relatively low 7.4 kWh, good for an electric-only range of just 30 kilometers. McLaren likely kept the battery small to keep weight low, and they succeeded. Kerb weight of the Artura is 1498 kilo.
Performance is impressive. The McLaren Artura sprints from 0 to 100 is 3.0 seconds, to 200 km/h in 8.3 seconds, and to 300 km/h in 21.5 seconds. It does the quarter mile in 10.7 seconds and the Artura tops out at 330 km/h. Top speed on electric power is 130 km/h but going that fast in EV-mode will likely drain the battery within minutes.
The McLaren Artura has high performance brakes with ventilated carbon ceramic discs. At the front, the brake disc diameter is 390 millimeter, at the rear 380 millimeter. The discs are mated to forged aluminium brake calipers, 6 pistons front and 4 pistons rear. The brakes are very effective. The Artura needs only 126 meters to come to a full stop from 200 km/h, and 31 meters to stop from 100 km/h. Tires are Pirelli P-ZERO Corsa.
McLaren is already working on faster variants of the Arturo. Next up is a version with an extra 95 hp electric motor over the front axle, powering the front wheels. An ultra-light track-only Arturo is under development as well.