Built from the ground up, the all-new 2021 McLaren Artura replaces the McLaren 570S. It represents many of the company’s firsts, of which we’ll get into in a moment. McLaren calls it a High-Performance Hybrid (HPH) supercar and unlike the McLaren P1, the Artura’s production number isn’t capped.

The McLaren Artura is the first to sit on the new platform named McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA), which is optimized for HPH powertrains and is built in-house. The body features a combination of aluminium frames and carbon fibre monocoque.

It is also the first to introduce an all-new engine – a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine that makes 585 PS/585 Nm on its own. It’s supplemented by an electric motor that bumps the total output to 680 PS/720 Nm.

The electric motor is housed within the newly-developed 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, with an electronic differential (E-diff). Again, these are first seen in a McLaren. The E-diff locks and unlocks individual rear wheels to improve traction out of corners.

The McLaren Artura does 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h in a blazing quick 8.3 seconds. Top speed is limited to 330 km/h.

Packaged within the carbon monocoque is a 7.4-kWh battery pack comprising of five lithium-ion modules. Claimed EV range is up to 30 km, with speeds up to 130 km/h.

The McLaren Artura weighs 1,498 kg with all the fluids in, which is quite impressive considering the hybrid powertrain and battery pack.

There’s a new rear suspension, which pairs a top upper wishbone with two lower links and a tie rod in front of the wheel centre, forming a multi-link setup. It is said to reduce unsprung mass by 2.4 kg.

The Artura features a new iteration of McLaren’s Proactive Damping Control System, first seen in the McLaren GT, to anticipate road conditions and adjust accordingly.

Braking is performed by carbon ceramic brakes and lightweight aluminium calipers from the same family as the systems that feature in McLaren’s LT models. The carbon ceramic dics measure 390 mm at the front and 380 mm at the rear, with 6-piston calipers and 4-piston calipers front to rear respectively.

Innovations that benefit refinement include the stiffness of the MCLA, fluid-filled mounts for the powertrain and the new rear suspension design and settings. A sound absorbing device on the inside wall of the Pirelli P-Zero tyre reduces vibration and noise.

Inside, the McLaren infotainment and connectivity system (MIS II) features an 8-inch screen mounted vertically. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity is supported. 

Another first would be the inclusion of ADAS, featuring Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Lane-Departure Warning, High-Beam Assist and Road-Sign Recognition. These and the infotainment features can all be enhanced using OTA update technology.

So, what do you think about the McLaren Artura? Is electrification the way forwards? McLaren seems to think so.