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New McLaren hybrid model due this year – report

McLaren is believed to be on the verge of adding a plug-in hybrid model to its expanding Sports Series line-up, according to a report out of the UK.


Respected British publication, Autocar, revealed the PHEV McLaren would join the 540C, 570GT, 570S and 600LT with a public debut later this year ahead of first deliveries by the end of 2020.

"We have experience of hybrid systems with cars like the P1, P1 GTR and Speedtail, and that recipe of offering a car that can be both truly economical and thrilling to drive remains our goal," McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt said.

“McLaren is all about building the best driver’s cars, and we see opportunities with hybrid [powertrains] in terms of the instant torque and filling the gaps in the power band.”

 

Drive

Above: McLaren Speedtail

While he stopped short of providing firm details, Autocar is reporting the McLaren sports car would be powered by a V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain with a potential electric-only driving range of around 32km.

Flewitt added McLaren viewed hybridisation as the stepping stone to full electrification of its line up ahead of the UK’s slated total ban on petrol-, diesel-, and hybrid cars by 2035. A full electric McLaren is on the table, but it’s at least a decade away.

McLaren has previously dabbled in hybrid powertrains with the P1, P1 GTR and most recently, the Speedtail, a 773kW hybrid twin-turbo V8 monster with a top speed in excess of 400 km/h.

Rob Margeit

Rob Margeit is an award-winning Australian motoring journalist and editor who has been writing about cars and motorsport for over 25 years. A former editor of Australian Auto Action, Rob’s work has also appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Wheels, Motor Magazine, Street Machine and Top Gear Australia. Rob’s current rides include a 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and a 2000 Honda HR-V Sport.

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