New McLaren Artura brings electric dreams to luxury sports cars

The new McLaren Artura combines the torque punch of electric motors with the soaring, songful and soon-to-be-obsolete glory of combustion engines.

It may come as a surprise, given my previous disdain for the term ‘hybrid,’ akin to non-alcoholic beer, that two of my current favorite cars in the world happen to be plug-in hybrids. It’s a revelation even for myself.

What’s even more astonishing is that one of these cars remains the greatest driving experience I have ever had, despite the fact that it produces no sound when running purely on electric power. I know, it’s difficult to believe.

But fear not, for I am not referring to the typical hybrids like the ubiquitous Toyota Prius and RAV4, known for their practicality rather than excitement. I’m talking about hybrids that harness this technology to deliver thrills and exhilaration.

Cars such as the remarkably awe-inspiring Ferrari 296 GTB and the recently introduced McLaren Artura. These vehicles combine the instant, powerful thrust of electric motors with the majestic, melodious, and soon-to-be antiquated symphony of combustion engines.

As I drove the breathtaking Artura around Sydney Motorsport Park, experiencing a delightful blend of coughs, gurgles, and uncontrollable giggles—a unique blend of pleasurable discomfort and genuine surprise—I couldn’t help but realize that we are currently living in a true golden age of motoring, especially when it comes to the world of supercars.

These remarkable super hybrids serve as a grand bridge, reminiscent of the awe-inspiring Golden Gate Bridge, connecting the power sources of tomorrow with the beloved, raucous fossil fuel burners of the past and present.

New McLaren Artura brings electric dreams to luxury sports cars

In the near future, all supercars will transition to full electrification, embracing silence over the roar of engines. However, for now, we have the privilege of hearing their final symphony while experiencing acceleration that surpasses anything witnessed before.

During a conversation with Geoff Grose, the Chief Engineer of the McLaren Artura, I shared this notion, and he eagerly concurred.

“When full electrification eventually arrives, we won’t need to worry, as it will bring astounding performance. The cars will remain lightweight, which is the major challenge for electrification, considering the weight of batteries and their impact on performance,” Grose explained.

“Electric vehicles can deliver astonishing performance up to 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour), but beyond that, the experience can feel quite different. That’s why we’ve combined both technologies in the Artura—a turbo engine and an electric motor—and we’re striving to ensure seamless integration in this car.”

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“We envision hybrids continuing to dominate the powertrain landscape until the end of this decade. We believe that EV technology hasn’t yet reached a level of maturity to deliver a full electric supercar that stays true to our brand’s DNA, which revolves around exhilaration, engagement, and lightweight design.”

Abundant Thrills

Excitement knows no bounds within the new Artura, particularly for those fortunate enough to unleash its power on a race track.

Although it may come as a surprise that a supercar can be propelled by a V6 engine instead of the traditional eight cylinders McLaren has utilized in the past, the specially designed 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine in the Artura is truly exceptional. It emits a throaty and fierce growl, offering a staggering 500 kilowatts of power.

When this soaring and roaring engine is combined with the electric motor (which independently generates 220 newton meters of torque), the Artura boasts a combined torque of 720 newton meters. McLaren refers to this blend of power sources as “torque infill,” a term that fails to capture the sheer excitement it generates.

In Race mode, when all systems are fully engaged, the electric motor takes the lead, providing 100 percent of torque from the get-go, while the turbochargers simultaneously ramp up to deliver an absolutely ferocious surge of power in the mid-range and high-end revs.

The force you experience when accelerating out of corners, particularly in second gear, feels akin to a robust rugby player delivering a powerful blow to the base of your spine, accompanied by a symphony of thunderous engine notes.

Equally impressive is the sensation of speed as you unleash the Artura down the straight, with the 200-kilometer-per-hour mark vanishing before you’re even halfway through Sydney Motorsport Park. The Artura achieves a blistering zero to 200 kilometers per hour in a mere 8.3 seconds, while the zero to 100 sprint is accomplished in under three seconds.

At one point, I witnessed a slightly alarming 265 kilometers per hour before deftly maneuvering the McLaren into Turn One. To this day, I’m mildly astonished that my heart didn’t give in to sheer excitement and surprise.

Weight Reduction Mastery

Despite the addition of a battery and hybrid system, McLaren has accomplished the impressive feat of keeping the Artura lightweight, tipping the scales at just 1,395 kilograms. Furthermore, the vehicle boasts a short and agile wheelbase. These factors contribute to the Artura’s exceptional responsiveness through bends, a characteristic enhanced by its sharp, racecar-like steering.

When you engage the Artura’s immense carbon ceramic brakes, the front end firmly grips the road, instilling unwavering confidence and providing exceptional grip through corners of all varieties.

Sure, it’s a hybrid, and you have the option to drive it silently in EV-only mode at speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour. However, let’s be realistic. Is anyone purchasing a US$300,000 McLaren supercar for that purpose? I highly doubt it.

Nor do I believe that Artura owners will be the type of individuals who switch off their thunderous engines and glide around in electric mode during late nights or early mornings solely to avoid disturbing their neighbors.

Just to provide some context, you can enjoy approximately 30 kilometers of electric driving before the petrol powertrain seamlessly takes over.

While some previous McLaren models may have been criticized for being too quiet to embody the essence of classic supercars, the Artura strikes a perfect balance. It can emit a glorious symphony of sound when desired, yet remains composed and suitable for everyday driving on public roads when a racetrack is not readily available.

Perhaps its only drawback is that it doesn’t possess the same visually striking aesthetics as certain Italian competitors. This partly explains why Ferrari’s 296 GTB, which also features a similar V6 hybrid setup, retains its status as my all-time favorite vehicle.

Nevertheless, I am absolutely certain that I would be more than content to spend the rest of my life with a McLaren Artura. Furthermore, as fully electric supercars enter the market, rendering the Artura a captivating piece of automotive history, my appreciation for this extraordinary machine would only grow.

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Mai Linh Pham

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