McLaren will continue to hone its hybrid systems with its next flagship hypercar. The automaker plans to develop a new electrification system that will be lighter and deliver better performance for drivers.
The new powertrain will be made up of an in-house developed V8 engine that is attached to a new hybrid unit. The electric components will weigh about 70 percent less than its current generation system, and will deliver its power directly to the transmission, two dealers in attendance at a recent global retailer meeting told Automotive News.
The powertrain will go into a new, Formula One-inspired, two-seater hypercar that will fit into McLaren‘s “Ultimate Series.” The powertrain will be connected to a newly developed carbon fiber monocoque with integrated seat backs.
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That should provide the car with better rigidity and improved safety, while also cutting weight. Meanwhile, new dihedral doors, 3D printed suspension parts, and an F1-inspired aerodynamics concept should all help it perform on track and impress on the road.
Although reports suggest that McLaren will develop EVs, it doesn’t yet believe that the technology is ready for its vehicles, the dealers said.
“McLaren doesn’t feel EV technology is there,” a dealer commented. “It’s an answer, but it’s not the answer.”
In addition to the hybrid, McLaren also hinted to dealers that a larger luxury model is on its way. The dealers claimed that the automaker plans to break into a new class with a vehicle that has four seats, and as many doors.
Whether that will be a sedan or an SUV remains to be seen, but it is worth noting that McLaren’s new CEO, Michael Leiters, was previously involved in the development of the Porsche Cayenne and the Ferrari Purosangue.
The four-door vehicle isn’t expected to arrive for a few years, though. The timeline provided to dealers was that the new four-seater will launch in 2028, while the new hybrid hypercar is expected to be introduced in 2026.