McLaren discards the V8, switches to the plug-in hybrid V6 for its next supercar

On Tuesday night, McLaren unveiled its newest supercar, Artura. It is the company’s first plug-in hybrid EV, promising all the usual performance superlatives associated with McLaren: 0-124 mph (200 km / h) in 8.3 seconds, a quarter mile time of 10.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 205 mph (330 km / h) h) put you in good company with the rest of the brand’s range. But it must also be the most efficient McLaren so far, emitting only 129g / km COtwo according to the EU WLTP test.

And Artura is really new. Previous McLarens, starting with the MP4-12C, all used variations of the same carbon fiber monocoque chassis and derivatives of the same gasoline V8 engine, in capacities of 3.8L or 4L. Instead, Artura will use a new platform, called McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture. And the power train is also brand new.

The internal combustion component is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, 120 degrees “hot-vee” with an output of 577hp (430kW) and 431lb-feet (584Nm). McLaren says that at 353 pounds (160 kg), this new engine – code-named M630 – weighs 243 pounds (110 kg) less than the V8, and is significantly shorter.

But the V6 is only half the story; after all, this is a PHEV. So there is a 94 hp (70 kW) and 225 Nm (166 lb-ft) axial-flow electric motor, which McLaren says is denser in power than conventional radial-flow motors. In fact, McLaren claims that the Artura’s electric motor has 33% more power density per kilogram than the electric motor used in the P1 hypercar. The electric motor also works like Artura’s reverse gear – the forward movement of the motor or electric motor is made by an eight-speed double-clutch transmission.

The electric motor is connected to a 7.4 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, made up of five modules and mounted behind the monocoque. Batteries can recharge with excess engine power while driving; connected to a wall AC charger, the car (according to McLaren) must take 2.5 hours to reach 80% of charge state.

19 miles at 25 mph

Unlike previous McLaren hybrids (the aforementioned P1 and the latest Speedtail), Artura’s electric motor is capable of propelling the car alone, with an electric range of 19 miles (30km), although only at speeds up to 25 mph (40km / h). And similar to previous McLarens hybrids (non-plug-in), the electric motor also provides “torque fill”, where it is used to complement the V6’s output.

McLaren was able to keep Artura’s weight low despite the addition of an electric motor and battery. With a dry weight of 3,075 pounds (1,395 kg), the PHEV Artura compares favorably to non-hybrid supercars like the Ferrari F8 or Lamborghini Hurácan.

The technological update is not restricted to Artura’s power train. On the one hand, there is a set of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control. And there’s a new infotainment system that now features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, as well as McLaren apps like track telemetry. The car also features new Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires with what the rubber company is calling “Cyber ​​Tire” technology, which combines software and hardware in the tires that “generates a high-value data stream based on conditions specific to the tire. relayed to Artura’s control systems to offer the best tire performance. “

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2020, and in the United States Artura starts at $ 225,000.

List image by McLaren

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