McLaren Going Hybrid With Half Its Lineup

McLaren has lots of changes in store for its line of supercars that will make them faster, lighter and more aerodynamic.

McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt spoke with Car and Driver at the Geneva Motor Show, spilling the beans on the brand’s plan to install hybrid powertrains in more of its cars. “I would say that 10 years from now at least half our cars will be hybrids—I don’t see any other way of meeting the demands around emissions—and we also get some significant drivability benefits in terms of the character of the powertrain,” said Flewitt.

One of the drawbacks of a hybrid system is added weight, but Flewitt thinks that McLaren already has a leg up in that area thanks to the brand’s expertise with carbon fiber. The lightweight material is also becoming cheaper for McLaren to buy because the company now has more volume leverage and world prices have come down. The proof sits with cars like the 675LT, which weighs just 2712 pounds, less than the new Porsche Cayman GT4.

SEE ALSO: McLaren 675LT is a Faster, Lighter 650S

Enhanced aerodynamics are also going to play a big part in future McLaren models.“We’ve learned a huge amount and it’s one of the things we’ve been able to bring across from motorsport. The P1 has the most downforce of any road car ever. Aero is going to have to continue to develop for us to be able to carry on delivering improved performance—and driver-focused performance,” said Flewitt.

Finally, the CEO revealed that a followup to the range-topping P1 is on its way, but not for at least 10 years. “I think a P1 replacement is 10 years or so away, and it won’t just be ‘P1 and a bit’—it’s going to have to be another significant technology step,” said Flewitt. “As for whether it will be faster, let me just say I can’t see this part of the market losing its appetite for more performance.”

[Source: Car & Driver]

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