The Artura is McLaren Automotive’s first-ever series production hybrid model, and arguably the marque’s most important model since it began making road cars (again) in 2011. It’s now available to order here in Malaysia, and we managed to go hands-on with the hybrid supercar to tell you everything you need to know about it.
The Artura is built on the brand’s all-new McLaren Carbon-Fibre Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) chassis, which was designed specifically with electrification in mind. The body panels – made from a combination of carbon fibre and Superformed aluminium – are also said to be “shrink-wrapped” onto the chassis for a compact silhouette, while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency and reducing weight.
And lightweight is indeed the name of the game here. The chassis by itself weighs just 82 kg, and the entire car – including the powertrain, required fluids, and fuel – only measures in at 1,498 kg – or just 27 kg more than a 720S.
Underneath the rear deck sits the hybrid powertrain consisting of a brand-new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, an E-motor on the rear axle, and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 7.4 kWh battery meanwhile, is hidden underneath the chassis in a flat skateboard form factor.
All together, the powertrain outputs 680 hp and 720 Nm to the rear wheels, with the electric motor functioning primarily as “torque infill”. And with its light weight (only 80 kg more than the old McLaren V8), the Artura manages to achieve a “class-leading” power to weight ratio of 488 hp/tonne at its lightest dry weight.
The McLaren Artura is priced from RM1,050,000 before taxes, but as usual, final pricing will of course depend on the boxes you tick during your order.
For more information on the McLaren Artura V6 hybrid supercar, check out our launch coverage here.
GALLERY
