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Emissions down, emotions up: With the Artura, McLaren is now launching one of the first plug-in hybrids among super sports cars. Each drive module on its own is at best high average, but the interaction of the V6, electric motor and battery is spectacular.
95 hp, a maximum of 130 km/h and a range of 31 kilometers with a fully charged battery – instead of starting in pole position, as is usually the case, the new one McLaren Artura way back on Electric Avenue. Because if you buy the first plug-in hybrid from the British sports car manufacturer at prices from 230.500 euros solely because of its electrical components, you are better served with a Mercedes GLA or a Renault Captur. And if you only look for the combustion engine instead, you will also find better alternatives in this league than a 3,0-liter V6 engine, which two chargers blow to 585 hp.
Less than 10 seconds for the 200
But in combination, the two engines are unbeatable. Firstly, because the power adds up to 680 hp and the combined torque climbs to 720 Nm, and the Artura has fabulous driving performance. It is not for nothing that the Artura accelerates to 3,0 km/h in 100 seconds, has 8,3 things on the digital speedometer after 200 seconds and only stops sprinting at 330 km/h.
Secondly, because the two engines complement each other perfectly and each compensate for the weaknesses of the other: The Stromer always kicks in when the combustion engine gets out of step very, very briefly when shifting and provides a boost that never seems to let up. And the V6 likes to rev a little higher than necessary to use the excess power to produce so much electricity that the electric motor never runs out of juice.
And thirdly, because McLaren does not install a huge battery for a record range, but looks at the kilos instead of the kilometers and is limited to just 7,4 kWh: The hybrid package itself therefore only weighs 150 kilos, and because much of it with the carbon chassis , the aluminum sheets or the extra-thin panes, the Artura weighs 1.498 kilos less than many conventional sports cars in this league - and you can feel that far beyond the longitudinal dynamics.
Because in addition to the insane acceleration, there is a road holding and, above all, a precision that is second to none: whether on a narrow country road or right on the race track, the Artura sticks to its course and you have to work with virtuosity first with the electronics and then with the Play the gas pedal to lure the rear end out of reserve.
More economical than a Golf?!
While the emotions in this car go through the roof with every gas blast, despite the somewhat muffled sound, which lacks two cylinders for the necessary reverberation, the emissions drop to new record values: With 4,6 liters, the Artura is not only the most economical McLaren of all times, but on paper even more frugal than a VW Golf. And even if that is, of course, beautifully calculated poetry from the test bench and hardly anyone will really take a 2,5-hour break at the plug, the car can be driven through everyday life with single-digit values without sacrificing fun, which is a real achievement.
Customized interior
The powertrain may be revolutionary for McLaren, but the appearance is more evolutionary. Even if the carbon chassis is completely new and this time baked in-house, the 4,54 meter long, 1,98 meter wide and 1,19 meter flat Artura looks shockingly similar to conventional coupés.
The Brits are only taking a bigger step inside: there are digital instruments, an infotainment screen that floats in front of the center tunnel like an oversized smartwatch, and the crucial buttons for setting up handling and performance are now finally placed in such a way that you can also use them reachable with your hands on the steering wheel.
One of the first
However, thanks to the pandemic and the chip crisis, McLaren has lost a few months, and somehow the developers have mastered the complex, new electronics architecture, so that the British have lost their lead over the competition and are now in pole position with the Ferrari 296 GTB have to share. But at least they are ahead of the competition from England and Germany. Because neither Aston Martin nor Porsche has a comparable concept in sight. McLaren, on the other hand, is already planning further: From 2026 every model should be electrified and shortly afterwards the first fully electric Stromer will come.
Technical data
Two-door, two-seat; Length: 4,54 meters, width: 1,98 meters (width with exterior mirrors: 2,08 meters), height: 1,19 meters, wheelbase: 2,64 meters, trunk volume: 150 liters
Plug-in hybrid with 3,0-liter V6 turbo petrol engine and electric motor; 500 kW/680 hp, maximum torque: 720 Nm at 2.250 - 7.000 rpm, rear-wheel drive, eight-speed double clutch, 0-100 km/h: 3,0 s, Vmax: 330 km/h, standard consumption: 4,6 liters /100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 105 g/km, emission standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: not specified, Price: from 230.500 euros
In brief
Why: because the battery calms your conscience – and improves your sprint
Why not: because he can't do enough for an e-sportsman and is too reasonable for a combustion engine.
What is sonst: Currently only the Ferrari 296 GTB
When does he come: this summer
