McLaren will transition to an electrified era in earnest next year with the first truly all-new series-production car since the 2011 MP4-12C – and it’s a plug-in hybrid.
The new model will be launched in the first quarter of next year and go on sale in mid-2021. It will serve as a replacement for the long-established Sports Series range, which includes the 540C, 570S and 600LT. That range will end with the imminent introduction of the GT4-racer-inspired McLaren 620R.
The Woking-based maker will move instead to what it calls the High Performance Hybrid (HPH) sub-category, positioned between the McLaren GT and current crop of Super Series models. The new car will effectively replace the 570S, but its price is expected to rise above that of today’s Sports Series cars.
As well as using ground-up new carbonfibre-rich underpinnings, the as yet unnamed model will be the first modern-day McLaren to ditch the venerable Ricardo-sourced 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8. In its place will be another Ricardo-built powertrain: a twin-turbocharged V6 mated to a plug-in hybrid system claimed to offer “astonishing levels of performance and a uniquely intense driving experience”.
Few details of the powertrain’s key specs have been revealed, other than that it will feature “medium-range” pure-electric running, which, Autocar understands, will be a touch under 20 miles. Total system output will be greater than the 562bhp offered by the 570S and is expected to be well in excess of 600bhp. A substantial increase in torque, enabled by the electric motors and available instantly from low revs, is also on the cards.
The downside will be an increase in kerb weight due to the battery and powertrain complexity. However, McLaren boss Mike Flewitt has been candid when previously speaking to Autocar. “I’ve always said my ambition was to launch the hybrid at the same weight as the outgoing car. We’re not going to hit that, but we’re going to be within 30-40kg,” he said. As such, a kerb weight of around 1500kg is expected. For reference, the hybrid Honda NSX is 1725kg.
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Really?
600bhp for the entry level? Calm down lads, the new car doesn't have to be faster to be better, pull your pants up and put the tape measure away
Plug in hybrids with crap range
A pure fudge to get around tax from either manufacturer or personal tax for the ultimate buyer. The recent survey showed full well that the battery elelment wasn't used enough, and a fair chunk of them just lug around the batteries and motors for nothing.
These things are all internet connected, so they should send data to HMRC, and if a certain percentage of the driving isn't done electrically then the full tax should be levied via self assesssment. This would kill the damned things pronto.
The point was to drive down emmissions, it's not working.
Paul Dalgarno
I can understand you are annoyed but sending data to HMRC is a huge NO in my book.
If.
If your in the market for a car like this, would you really be that concerned if it was an EV or hybrid?, your buying a cat like this for the thrills, the increase in pulse rate, not how far it goes on a charge or a gallon, these types of cars are for some of them or, for the want of a better description a toy, and, if I was in the enviable position these drivers are, I know where my money would go!
Car not Cat!
yeah, I missed this.