2022 McLaren Artura is a Hybrid Supercar for a New Generation
As promised, McLaren this week unveiled its first hybrid supercar since the iconic P1.
The Artura looks a lot like the Sports Series models it replaces in the British manufacturer’s lineup, but make no mistake: it’s a completely different car with a new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA), many new suspension components and an all-new twin-turbo V6 engine paired with an electric motor.
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By the way, the Artura is not named after anybody famous, like the McLaren Senna paying tribute to legendary Brazilian F1 driver Ayrton Senna. Rather, it’s a newly created name referring to the “art of design combined with future technology.”
Let’s start with the 3.0-litre V6, whose turbochargers sit between the cylinders positioned at a 120-degree angle. Ligther than McLaren’s usual V8 engines by about 110 pounds, it generates 577 horsepower and 341 pound-feet of torque on its own. Mated to a rear-mounted electric motor, total output increases to 671 horsepower along with 531 pound-feet of torque, most of which is accessible at low revs.
The motor draws energy from a 7.4-kWh battery, the latter providing a range of approximately 30 kilometres. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the rear wheels only. Interestingly, it has no reverse gear. The motor takes care of reversing by literally rotating in the opposite direction. There’s also an electronic locking differential—a first for McLaren.
The front suspension features dual aluminum wishbones and adaptive dampers, while the new rear suspension combines an upper wishbone with a lower multi-link setup. Proactive Damping Control (PDC) adjusts the ride based on the selected mode—Comfort, Sport or Track. Meanwhile, the 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are wrapped in standard or track-ready Pirelli P-Zero tires depending on the customer’s choice.
The McLaren Artura weighs 3,305 pounds, or about 100 pounds more than the 570S, yet it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and from 0-200 km/h in 8.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 330 km/h (electronically limited).
Inside, the two-tone layout has been designed with the driver in mind. The eight-inch centre display is oriented toward the driver, while the instrument screen is attached to the steering column so it moves and adjusts with the steering wheel.
You’ll find a host of modern gadgets and features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates, adaptive cruise control and the McLaren Track Telemetry app. Two types of seats are available, most notably Clubsport buckets for optimum ergonomics. The company says that drivers up to 6’4” can stretch out with generous legroom.
The McLaren Artura can be ordered now, with the first deliveries to customers beginning this summer. Canadian pricing has yet to be announced, though. In the U.S., the car starts at $225,000.