The all-new McLaren Artura marks the beginning of both a new chapter for the pioneering luxury supercar company and a new era in supercar technology and performance. The Artura presented McLaren engineers and designers with new opportunities to innovate, chief among these being how to preserve McLaren’s super-lightweight engineering philosophy when adding hybrid powertrain elements including an E-motor and battery pack. McLaren’s first series-production High-Performance Hybrid supercar focuses more than half a century of the company’s 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 all-new Artura is the distillation of every attribute inherent in a McLaren 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.
Designed to run with a Gasoline Particulate Filter to optimise emissions performance, the M630 engine is also extremely refined. The 120° v-angle of the engine, which allows the turbochargers to be positioned within the ‘hot vee’, delivers further advantages in packaging as well as contributing to a lower centre of gravity. The 120° layout increases engine performance by reducing the pressure losses through the exhaust system and allows for a stiffer crankshaft that enables a rev limit of 8,500rpm, maximising performance and driver engagement.
At the heart of the Artura’s powertrain is McLaren’s all-new, 2,993cc twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine. With a power output of 585PS – nearly 200 PS per litre – and 585Nm of torque, the dry-sump aluminium engine is compact and lightweight; at just 160kg it weighs 50kg less than a McLaren V8 and is significantly shorter, enhancing packaging efficiency. 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 dual propulsion systems are integrated via an engine disconnect clutch, driving an all-new, twin-clutch transmission, which has been developed specifically for the McLaren Artura. Despite having one more ratio than the existing McLaren transmission is 40mm shorter in length. It also requires no reverse gear – the E-motor takes care of reversing by literally rotating in the opposite direction.Workie new V6 ng in harmony with this the Artura’s compact axial flux E-motor, located within the transmission bell housing. Smaller and more power-dense than a conventional radial flux E-motor, it is capable of generating 95PS and 225Nm and boasts a power density per kilo 33% greater than the system used in the McLaren P1™. The instantaneous nature of the motor’s torque delivery is key to the car’s razor-sharp throttle response. Exhilarating ‘off-the-line’ performance sees the Artura achieve 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in just 3.0 seconds, with 0-200km/h (0-124mph) taking 8.3 seconds and 0-300km/h (0-186mph) 21.5 seconds. Top speed is limited to 330km/h (205mph). The E-motor is powered by a battery pack comprising five lithium-ion modules, offering a usable energy capacity of 7.4kWh and a pure EV range of 30km.
The McLaren Artura is the first model to have the new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) at its core. Designed and manufactured at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) in the Sheffield region, MCLA sets a new standard for McLaren’s advanced flexible chassis design. Optimised for high-performance hybrid applications, it includes a bespoke battery compartment and introduces a ground-breaking domain-based ethernet electrical architecture, along with an electrical heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (eHVAC) system. The ethernet architecture reduces cabling by up to 25% as well as speeding up data transmission. This also facilitates access to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) including Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane-Departure Warning, Auto High-Beam Assist and Road-Sign Recognition as well as Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates. The low-nose, cab-forward, high-tail stance is pure supercar, which open closer to the body and house mirrors that fold in more tightly – and further enhanced by the short wheelbase and low stance.
Dynamic precision is additionally enhanced by Pirelli Cyber Tyre® technology. Comprising hardware and software integrated with the Artura’s electronic systems and featuring an electronic ‘chip’ inside each tyre, Pirelli Cyber Tyre® generates real-time data and relays it to the car’s stability control systems to optimise tyre performance. One feature that is unashamedly not new on the Artura is McLaren’s trademark hydraulically-assisted steering. Proven on generations of McLaren supercars, it remains the ultimate system for providing feedback. Driver and passenger comfort overall has been an imperative throughout the development of the McLaren Artura, with NVH refinement high on the agenda – as befits a supercar that will spend time running in near-silent Electric mode. Innovations that benefit refinement include the stiffness of the MCLA, fluid-filled mounts for the powertrain and the new rear suspension design and settings. Pirelli’s patented Noise Cancelling System (PNCS), which uses a sound absorbing device on the inside wall of the Pirelli P-ZERO™ tyre to reduce vibration and noise.
