McLaren Is Rapidly Heading For Downsized V6 Hybrids
McLaren’s future model ranges will be exclusively hybrid from as soon as their next generations, but the relative emissions win could leave room for combustion-only special editions, according to reports.
The Ultimate and Super Series will run out their current production schedules before switching to hybrid drivetrains as soon as next year - starting with the three-seater Ultimate Series GT codenamed BP23.
If the rumours are true, the Super Series could be moving to downsized V6 turbo engines slotted into a further development of the famed McLaren Monocell carbonfibre chassis, now on its second generation.
The Sports Series, currently made up of variations on the 570S, will be the last to be electrified – in 2022 – because its first replacement is due too soon to adapt it to the changing legal emissions landscape. McLaren prefers to design-in hybridisation from day one rather than rush an adaptation.
Autocar quotes McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt as saying:
“Hybrid design is part of the next platform – it is designed-in from day one rather than having to adapt an existing chassis.”
But the magazine also says Flewitt refused to rule out petrol-only power for future Ultimate Series cars, despite the planned project BP23 being a P1-derived hybrid. The Senna has proved the sheer money-making power of a more old-school, hardcore special edition, so it makes sense.
The loss of the older 3.8-litre and the 720S’s newer (and furious) 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8s would be a sore loss to the car world, so here’s hoping they’re kept alive in any way possible.
Source: Autocar
Comments
Just… sad
I’m sorry but it makes sense. The cars will be more economical, faster, accelerate faster and won’t be heavier (take the P1 for example, it weights less than most supercars). Unlike Ferrari or Lamborghini, McLaren is a nerd company, and they care about stats more than driving involment. That’s why I always loved McLaren. I can just nerd out completely and just stay amazed at their inventions.
Hybridization and electrification of the entire line up even though their sales make up less than 1% of all cars sold globally. 🤔
MCLAREN, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOURSELF??? YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS L??? WHY DOWNSIZING THO…sorry folks, but I understand you’d get more power and whatnot, but why tho???
When I was watching the “PVC pipe drift car” video, I was laughing & enjoying. What a great concept of cheaper ways to drift! Still it was missing something- the engine roar & tire shredding sounds. It’s really sad to think that one day, we will have cars with no monstrous soul & loud presence.
I can only wish that somehow I will manage to drive a V8 or v12 monster well before these “Authorities” make them totally disappear.
This actually makes sense, McLaren already made an awesome hybrid (the P1), but why can’t you hybridized something cool like a 2-liter V8 or something?
I wish hybrid hypercars would be more like the LaFerrari, with the electric motors being used to add more power to the gas engine
This world is going eco friendly.
I will probably have an unpopular opinion. But good on Mclaren for doing this, People want them not to change but if it was not for people who like change who push for change we would still be riding around on horse and cart because people didn’t like change.
Mclaren want to remain at the forefront of technology and push out new technologies that one day will filter down to the normal every day cars. As much as everyone seems to forget fuel is finite resource and i am not saying the way we create electricity is any cleaner than running a super car. But it is step in the right direction for the future of the car world.
Yay, let’s have a 3cyl next ok guys, probably with 60mpg, after all you guys are known for making eco-friendly Prii…