The automotive industry has entered an era where most auto manufacturers have been slowly straying off from purely petrol powered ICE engines, either to comply with emission regulations, or to welcome a portion of extra power in their engineering marvels.
McLaren has already shown us hybrid experiments that went rather well, with the P1, a full fledged hyper car marking a branch of the modern holy trinity (Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 marks the two other wings respectively), and with the SpeedTail, a mild hybrid GT which McLaren claims to be their fastest model till date.
With all this experience gained, it is well visible that some of it trickled down in making the new Artura, a mid engined RWD, twin turbocharged 3.0L V6 supercar juiced up with a battery electric powertrain, making it a plug-in hybrid, all paired with an 8 speed dual clutch gearbox.
Now being a brand new model in McLaren's lineup, the Artura introduces us to a lot of "first ever for us" elements with this car. Namely, the use of a V6 engine, a first for McLaren, the plug-in hybrid technology, another first for McLaren, and the introduction of an electronic differential. Everything in harmony with the 17.1 kW motor gives us a combined 671 horsepower, which can be bumped up to 690 with the help of a simple software update introduced this year for the 2023 and 2024 models, and 531 Nm of torque. All this power equates to a 0–100 in under 2.6 seconds, and a top speed of 330 km/h. Staggering numbers.
The design of the Artura though, bleeds of McLaren, especially this model in their signature Papaya Orange colourway. Upon first glance, you will notice similarities, especially with the 675LT, when it comes to the front and rear fascia, and the 720S in terms of how the body is sculpted around the carbon fiber monocoque. It has a 30mm shorter wheelbase (2640mm) than both cars, which contributes to nimbleness and sharper handling.
McLaren also brings back legacy design with the Artura, having prominent vents on either side of the dihedral doors, and fins on each fender, for extra aggressiveness. The rear of the car is super wide, with a dual exhaust system in an interesting position; right in the middle of the taillights of the car, which sounds great in real life, but unfortunately, without downplaying it, is not a V8.
Every time I look at the car, my heart smiles, and whatever car I leave the garage with, I leave smiling.
With all this experience gained, it is well visible that some of it trickled down in making the new Artura, a mid engined RWD, twin turbocharged 3.0L V6 supercar juiced up with a battery electric powertrain, making it a plug-in hybrid, all paired with an 8 speed dual clutch gearbox.
Upon first glance, you will notice similarities, especially with the 675LT, when it comes to the front and rear fascia, and the 720S in terms of how the body is sculpted around the carbon fiber monocoque. McLaren also brings back legacy design with the Artura, having prominent vents on either side of the dihedral doors, and fins on each fender, for extra aggressiveness.
You might think that supercar interiors are rather cluttered, and they have been cluttered with buttons and random stocks that get figured out six months down the ownership, but the McLaren keeps it simple in this department. Most of the interior comes lined with alcantara, including the steering wheel, which is kept button free, for driving focus and minimalism. The bucket seats, also made of alcantara, are rather comfortable and not tight, at least in terms of supercar buckets, and are also electrically adjustable, for added convenience.
The center console is also kept free of clutter, with just a few gear selection buttons and a large cup holder, which we don't know if it can keep your coffee intact when going 300 km/h. There are a total of two screens. The tachymeter behind the steering wheel, which gets very bright, and sports solid resolution, and a 10.1 inch infotainment screen mounted vertically above the center console.
690 hp after the simple software update introduced for 2023 and 2024 cars.
Available across the band with help from the e-motor.
Mid-engine, RWD, electronic differential.
75 kg lighter than the Ferrari 296 GTB (1470 kg).
A new carbon-fiber monocoque designed around hybridisation, with a 30 mm shorter wheelbase than the 675LT and 720S, contributing to nimbleness and sharper handling.
| Model | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|
| ◆ McLaren Artura | 671 hp | 531 Nm |
| Ferrari 296 GTB | 819 hp | 740 Nm |
| Lamborghini Revuelto | 1001 hp | 725 Nm |
| Porsche 918 Spyder | 875 hp | 1280 Nm |
Holy trinity. 903 hp twin-turbo V8 + e-motor.
Three seats. Claimed fastest McLaren to date.
First V6. First plug-in. First e-diff.
+19 hp on tap. 690 hp combined.
Sighting super cars is a rare phenomenon in itself, especially in Bangladesh, and having a McLaren goes to show it takes a dedicated enthusiast to bring one of these here. The owner is a long-time collector whose garage also keeps an AW11 MR2, a 350Z, and several other specialty cars, mostly Japanese.
When asked, he says the car is still practically brand new and is still being broken in. For that reason, it still has not even used 20% of its potential.
"Owning a McLaren has been a dream of mine, especially in Bangladesh."
It also manages to stay notably light (1395 kg) compared to other supercars, hybrid or not, and its competition (1470 kg for the Ferrari 296 GTB).
The Artura marks a new wave for McLaren, in terms of commercially available super cars, and re-defines what a hybrid car can be. Most people have had the stigma of a hybrid supercar being mundane, but the Artura breaks the stereotype, while looking good.
It also manages to stay notably light (1395 kg) compared to other supercars, hybrid or not, and its competition (1470 kg for the Ferrari 296 GTB). It can cruise in silence in the city, and can rip on empty open roads, but what it fails to do is being boring.
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