The carbon fiber tub you’re looking at may not seem all that interesting but this is the architecture that will underpin forthcoming electrified vehicles from McLaren.
Developed and manufactured in-house at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) in Sheffield, United Kingdom, the carbon fiber Monocell will first be used by a new hybrid model from the British car manufacturer and scheduled for a release in 2021.
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“This new, ultra-lightweight carbon fibre chassis boasts greater structural integrity and higher levels of quality than ever before with our new MCTC facility quickly becoming recognised as a global centre of excellence in composite materials science and manufacturing,” McLaren chief executive Mike Flewitt said.
“Our advanced expertise in lightweight composites processes and manufacturing, combined with our experience in cutting-edge battery technology and high performance hybrid propulsion systems means we are ideally placed to deliver to customers levels of electrified, high performance motoring that until now have simply been unattainable.”
According to Flewitt, the company’s intention is to launch hybrid models that weigh the same as current ICE models. In a statement issued to Autocar, he added that “We’re not going to hit that [goal], but we’re going to be within 30-40kg (66-88 lbs). When you think the P1 hybrid system was 140kg (308 lbs), we’ve done a huge amount to manage the weight.”
McLaren’s first new-age hybrid model will be a successor to the popular Sports Series. Details about this new car remain limited but it is expected to feature a twin-turbocharged V6 mated to an electric motor. We expect to see moderate horsepower and torque gains over the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 of current Sports Series models in addition to roughly 20 miles (32 km) of all-electric driving range.
McLaren’s hybrid Sports Series successor