When McLaren first got its feet wet in hybrid technology back in 2012, it did so with the P1 hypercar. While it was designed to be a limited production offering from the beginning, the P1 did help provide the British supercar maker with the insight and knowledge needed to refine its new for the period hybrid technology. Fast forward to 2021, and the company is now ready to unveil the next evolution of its hybrid lineup with the all-new 2022 Artura supercar. The Artura aims to push Mclaren into new territory in the hybrid supercar segment, and here are 4 things you should know about the Artura.
Familiar Skin Hides All-New Platform
When you first look at the McLaren Artura, you might not suspect that there’s a whole lot of new things going on. The exterior styling is reminiscent of some of the company’s current crop of Sport Series offerings, with the bold front end and side profile retaining much of those models’ core elements.
However, look underneath the flashy bodywork, and you’ll discover an all-new carbon-fiber tub platform (dubbed MCLA) as well as multiple chassis components exclusive to the Artura. The rear suspension is all-new, too, and McLaren reps claim that the platform is specifically designed to accommodate hybrid powertrains. Those items are also designed to shed weight with the components, adding 287 lbs to Artura’s 3,303 lb curb weight. As for the gasoline-powered V6, that only weighs 353 lbs (110 lbs lighter than the outgoing V8.)
Artura Interior Mixes Luxury With Technology
The interior of the Artura continues McLaren’s commitment towards simplicity, with the cabin adopting a very organic design. The new instrument screen is attached to the steering column and allows for it to move along with the rest of the column for improved ergonomics and usability. To the steering wheel’s right is an all-new 8-inch infotainment screen that contains sharper graphics than before and is controlled by a controller that’s very reminiscent of a crown. The system also comes bundled with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Over-the-air updates are also part of the package, and drivers even get goodies such as adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a very impressive suite of safety technology.
McLaren is also promising improved seat comfort and cushioning for the two-seat layout and it appears that the Artura will steal a page or two from the 570GT with some of the interior materials and potentially some of the more bespoke options that could make their way to the Artura.
Hybrid Performance Seals The Deal
While having a bold exterior and a comfortable interior are some of the key attributes of a proper supercar, the real heart of the matter lurks under the hood. Unlike other McLaren entries, the Artura ditches the V8 and instead arrives on the scene with an all-new 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 577 horsepower and 431 lb-ft of torque on its own. The engine is partnered with a new “E-motor” that’s located in the transmission bell housing. That electrified motor adds 94 additional horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque for a combined figure of 671 horsepower and 593 lb-ft of torque.
That’s a lot of power, and it helps the Artura be a monster at the track with McLaren revealing that the whole setup can launch the car to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds before topping out at 205 mph. The 0 to 60 time is only a bit slower than the P1’s and shows some of the benefits that the electrified components bring to the table. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic rows through the gears, with the electric motor being powered by five 7.4 kWh lithium-ion battery modules. The battery allows the Artura to have 19 miles of pure electric range which might not seem much. Still, we can see the battery serving as a performance enhancer when the Artura is out on the track or in urban settings where the range could actually be suitable enough for city commuting.
When it comes time to charge the Artura, McLaren claims that owners can get the battery up to full charge in two and a half hours when they use a standard EVSE charger.
When Can I Buy a 2022 McLaren Artura?
If all of the Artura’s bag of tricks sounds like your preferred blend of English tea, you’ll be pleased to hear that McLaren has released final pricing for the model. Base pricing will start at a cool $225,000, with buyers having a choice of four different trim levels (Base, Performance, TechLux, and the range-topping Vision trim). The first Arturas will make their way to showrooms later this year. However, expect the full rollout to be completed sometime in 2022.
Look for the Artura to perhaps motivate rivals like Ferrari and Lamborghini to roll out hybrid versions of their own models in what could be an exciting but key battlefield in the supercar wars.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.