Meet the Artura - McLaren’s new hybrid supercar

With their latest supercar, it seems McLaren is keen to strengthen its relationship with electrified power. Introducing the gorgeous Artura, a brand new (hyper) hybrid from the British automaker.

And “brand new” is indeed the operative compound adjective in this instance as this is McLaren’s first series production High-Performance Hybrid (HPH) supercar.

With a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 and an “E-Motor”, the Artura has a total combined output of 500 kW and 804 Nm of mountain-moving torque, meaning this hybrid can reach 100km/h in just 3 seconds. This complicated powertrain is paired with a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

If, for whatever reason, you need a break from that screaming V6, the Artura can cruise around silently for around 30 kilometres on pure electric power - perfect for creeping out after curfew (don’t actually do this).

Inside you’ll find all the usual creature comforts that come with a luxury supercar, including a raft of active safety features such as adaptive cruise control and road sign recognition. Tech-wise, the Artura is their first model to receive McLaren’s new infotainment system, shipping standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

This isn’t McLaren’s first time at the hybrid rodeo though. Remember the P1 hypercar from 2012? It was the brand’s first electrified model packing 673 kW and sprinting to 100km/h in 2.8 seconds. It also had an electric range of around 30 kilometres.

Where the P1 retailed for around R15 million when new, the Artura is expected to come in at a much more reasonable price (ha, reasonable!) while offering similar performance. Expect a price tag of around R3.3 mill for the base model before any pricey options.