McLaren Artura: What’s Under the Skin?

McLaren Artura: What's Under the Skin?
New platform, new engine and new everything.

Although the Artura looks like another McLaren supercar, it is much more. This is the first McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) model that the brand has ever produced. It consists of over 500 carbon fiber pieces, which are then combined into 72 preforms. This is just one part of the larger picture.

After the official launch of the Artura in February, the Woking-based supercar maker has provided additional technical details. The press release is long and focuses on the lightweight construction. It also includes interesting details like the electric harness which is 10% lighter than that in the 720S. This is just the tip of a broader iceberg. The Artura, despite its hybrid powertrain, weighs in at 3,303 lbs (or 3,075 lbs dry). The 720S Coupe is 3,167 lbs.
McLaren Artura: What's Under the Skin?McLaren is proud of its new V6 engine. The 3.0-liter engine was designed and built entirely from scratch. It is extremely compact due to its short overall design and the centrally located turbochargers within the 120-degree V of each cylinder bank. McLaren’s V6 is smaller and lighter, weighing in at 353 pounds. It weighs around 110 more than McLaren’s V8.

McLaren Artura: What's Under the Skin?

An electric motor is located inside the transmission bell housing and supports the combustion engine. The engine produces 94 horsepower (70 Kilowatts) as well as 166 pound-feet (225 Newton-meters), for a total of 671 HP (500 kW) or 593 lb-804 Nm. When both power sources reach their maximum potential, the peak torque is between 2,200 and 2,500 rpm. The Artura’s power-to-weight ratio is 481 hp/ton. This makes it the third best McLaren model, behind only the Elva or Senna.

The Artura’s multi-link rear suspension design offers significant dynamic advantages, building on the success formula. The lower wishbone has been divided in half, and the track control arm is now located in front of the rear axle, rather than behind it like previous McLarens. The 600LT’s rear toe stiffness is about 75 percent more than the 600LT.
McLaren Artura: What's Under the Skin?

The Pirelli tires in the Artura have a Bluetooth sensor on the inner side of each tire. This continuously collects data about the tire’s temperature and pressure. McLaren’s supercar becomes McLaren’s first vehicle to have a Track mode, which allows you to set the tire temperature on the system.