[Auto / Moto] McLaren Artura: the war on CO2

[rlex]

 

Almost ten years after the P1, McLaren unveils its new plug-in hybrid supercar, called Artura and developing a whopping 680 horsepower.

It had been a while since we knew that McLaren was preparing a great novelty for us, while prototypes had already been seen a few months earlier by knowledgeable spy photographers. Noises from the corridors then quickly confirmed by the brand itself, which unveiled last November a first teaser that bears the name of McLaren Artura and which upsets the codes of the brand by embedding a plug-in hybrid engine. To tell the truth, this is not really the first time that a creation of the English brand has used electrification, since we remember in particular the P1, launched in 2012. Almost ten years later, So here's the birth of a brand new trendy sports car, which heralds a real turning point for the manufacturer, who ultimately wishes to go all-electric for its entire catalog. And this, even if it is not for now. This new McLaren Artura, whose name is the contraction of the words “art” and “future” therefore embodies the intermediate stage for the Woking company.

Heir to the McLaren F1 , and this time perfectly integrated into the range and not sold in limited numbers like the P1, this new Artura seduces first of all with its advantageous plastic. But if the lines are very harmonious, each of them has above all a particular function, aimed at increasing aerodynamics and therefore, efficiency. Do not look for any spoiler, it is then replaced by a specific spoiler integrated into the bodywork, offering equally powerful support. The roof is made of aluminum, while air intakes are scattered here and there to better cool the cavalry under the hood. When you sit aboard this McLaren Artura, you immediately notice the work done by the designers to purify the presentation. Everything is close at hand here, while the digital handset is attached to the steering wheel. Astonishing! Note also the arrival of a brand new 8-inch touchscreen tablet in vertical format, which reminds us of Volvo's productions.

A brand new V6
For the first time, McLaren skips the V8 to equip its new supercar with a V6 3.0-liter 585 horsepower, associated with an electric motor of 95 horses. The whole thing then delivers a total power of 680 horsepower, as well as a torque of 720 Nm, all sent to the wheels via a double-clutch gearbox and eight gears. A cavalry comfortably installed in a brand new carbon fiber architecture, allowing the weight of the car to be limited, which then weighs 32 kilos less than a McLaren GT, from the top of 1.5 tonnes. Suffice to say that the performance is up to expectations, with a 0 to 100 km / h achieved in just three seconds, for a maximum speed displayed at 330 km / h. Note that it is also possible to drive in 100% electric mode for about thirty kilometers, at a maximum speed of 130 km / h. Because this Artura is above all a hybrid , which can then be recharged to 80% in 2:30 on a 220 volts outlet, and then rejecting only 129 g / km, then narrowly avoiding the ecological penalty . It is strong enough for such a car, which does not really have to be the greenest!

Note that three driving modes are available on this McLaren Artura, namely Comfort, Sport or Track, playing in particular on the management of hybridization but also on the response of the engine and the gearbox, as well as on the rigidity suspensions. Without real competition, while the Ferrari SF90 Stradaledoes not really play in the same court with its 1000 hybrid horses, the new creation of McLaren therefore has a real avenue to seduce a new clientele, that of fans of hybrid sports. But there is no doubt that new rivals will soon show the end of their hoods in the near future, while the public authorities ultimately wish to ban thermal cars from our roads. In addition, McLaren for its part wants to switch to all-electric in a few years, while the brand had recently said that it would no longer offer any internal combustion model by 2035. Anyway, production of this new McLaren Artura has already started at the Woking plant, while the first deliveries are scheduled for this summer.