Electric McLaren SUV coming by 2030 – report

McLaren may be planning its first SUV for launch before 2030 – using electric power – according to a new overseas report.

British publication Autocar reports that after years of vowing never to build an SUV, exotic brand McLaren is planning its first 'crossover' for launch in the second half of this decade.

Straying further from the lightweight, compact supercars it knows best, the new McLaren SUV slated to be a fully-electric vehicle – eschewing a pure petrol option, or plug-in hybrid technology.

Autocar reports the new McLaren SUV are set to be "relatively low, [and] compact", with two or three electric motors in an all-wheel-drive layout.

The model would reportedly launch in a "single specification", though more powerful or more affordable versions would arrive at a later date.

MORE: Imagined: The inevitable McLaren SUV

Its reported launch timing between 2025 and 2030 would allow it to incorporate next-generation solid-state battery technology, which would become available around 2028, and is lighter, more energy-dense and can charge faster than a traditional lithium-ion pack.

However, this would initially come at a cost, as Autocar speculates the new SUV could cost between £250,000 and £350,000 ($AU440,000 to $AU610,000) – on par with a top-end Rolls-Royce Cullinan ($AU692,150), or a McLaren 765LT Spider supercar (£310,000/$AU684,900).

McLaren has long denied plans to build an SUV, nor an interest in one, led by former CEO Mike Flewitt who led the company from 2013 to late 2021.

Filling his place earlier this year was Michael Leiters, an engineer with a stint at Porsche developing the Cayenne and Macan SUVs, followed by Ferrari, where he helped create the initial concept for its Purosangue V12 SUV.

Autocar speculates the McLaren SUV could wear the Aeron name, meaning 'mountain of strength' – one of three badges recently trademarked by McLaren (along with Solus and Aonic).