McLaren embraces hybrid driving with a supercar called Artura that gives us something we haven’t seen from this racing company.
Thankfully, McLaren hasn’t been staunch about not embracing hybridization in their vehicles, it’s simply taken a while for them to get to the point where they offer us a vehicle that has the power and performance we expect from this brand with a hybrid powertrain. The Artura is all-new for 2022 and is a sculpted supercar that gives us an amazing performance, energetic driving, and the fun that’s part of what McLaren stands for.
Speed and Power are the Names of the Game
We could swoon about the shape, glint at the body lines, or be fascinated by the aerodynamics, but nothing will be talked about as much as the powertrain and speed that are part of this new supercar. The Artura is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine plus an electric motor that uses a 7.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack to add more power to the mix. This power setup is mated to an eight-speed SSG automatic transmission to give you the shifting you need and power where you want it.
There is some all-electric driving you can enjoy, but the power of this setup brings you 671 horsepower and 531 lb.-ft. of torque when you take this car to the track. All that power in what you know to be a lightweight supercar means this McLaren can truly race around a track as fast as you want to go. How fast is the Artura? This car can reach sixty mph in only three seconds. Once you reach this speed, you can make your way past 124 mph in only 8.3 seconds and then finish a run to 186 mph in 21.5 seconds. There is an electronically limited top speed of 205 mph, which is probably much faster than anyone will need to go, but it’s good to know this hybrid supercar can eclipse the 200 mph mark.
A First for McLaren
Adding a hybrid system to a lightweight supercar increases the weight of the vehicle. Because of this, the McLaren Artura is the first car to ride on the new Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) which is lighter than the previous platform that was offered by this brand. Of course, you’ll have a car that brings you the signature scissor-style doors to make sure you can open this car and step into the cabin when you want to take a drive out on any track. You might not see many of these cars on the road, but they are rated to spend time between the lines when required.
Moving into the Cabin of Excellence
When you do move inside the cabin of the Artura, you’ll find the style you expect from this brand. McLaren has always been a brand the focused on the function of the interior before adding style and fashion. That doesn’t mean that you’re only going to find function pats in this car, but they are prominent and right where you need them so that you can race this car around any track.
You will find upscale materials that give you a car that’s finished off in leather and microsuede, carbon fiber elements (although fewer of these than other supercars), and the presence of the switchgear and buttons needed to help you during your drive. You’ll find power-adjustable seats, excellent outward visibility, and six cubic feet of cargo room in the front trunk, which is just enough for a small bag.
The McLaren Artura does have a prominent 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with the features you want when you’re ready to take this car on the road. This system includes connectivity using Bluetooth, a navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the audio equipment needed to ensure you can have your music playing when you’re driving this car.
Amazing Supercar Style from McLaren
There’s no way to mistake the Artura for anything but a supercar from one of the top racing companies in the world. This car has a low nose, cab-forward design with a high-tail stance that gives it the shape that you’ll instantly recognize. The signature front elements that combine airflow vents and house the headlights are featured to give you the strong presence you want when looking at a car that is perfect for any race.
Moving to the rear, you’ll find central exhaust outlets located between the two light blades and a full-width diffuser below this to give you the airflow needed. Back at the front, you’ll find a set of LED headlights which offer you the visibility needed if you were to drive this car around in the dark.
The McLaren Artura rides on a set of staggered 19/20-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels that wear Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires to give you the ride and stickiness you need. The MCLA body is built of aluminum and carbon fiber and it’s built entirely in-house at McLaren to give us a car that weighs only 3,303 pounds. This makes the Artura lighter than the P1 and allows it to be the lightest hybrid supercar offered in the market thus far.
A Little of the Work Underneath
The performance of a supercar doesn’t only have to do with the body shape and the engine power; the stuff happening underneath the car matters too. The Artura has a set of coil springs with anti-roll bars and adaptive dampers. You’ll love the double-wishbone suspension that’s used up from and the all-new multi-link wishbone setup that’s in the rear. The rear suspension also benefits from an electronically locking rear differential to offer a special setting for every chassis mode. A set of carbon-ceramic brakes and lightweight calipers add to the control elements found in this supercar.
Incredible Performance from McLaren
What else can you say about the McLaren Artura but to say that it’s an incredible machine? This amazing supercar is ready to take you out for a ride on the track and test your skills. This car is made to outperform what you can offer, but it will return a huge smile and a fast-beating heart to you when the race is over.
