UK: The venerable British automaker McLaren has acknowledged that it is working on a new hybrid V8 engine for its upcoming supercars. To produce the brand-new electrified powertrain for both its current and future lineups, the automaker has signed a new multi-year contract with engine supplier Ricardo. According to CEO Michael Leiters, the upcoming high-performance motor will be a crucial component of the business's next-generation products.
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and the F1 hypercar are just two of the most recognisable models produced by McLaren Automotive, which was founded in 1985 by Formula One and 24 Hours of Le Mans champion Bruce McLaren.
The automaker began focusing on electrifying its lineup after the P1, its first-ever hybrid supercar, became a success, without sacrificing performance.
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The F1 hypercar, the first vehicle ever produced by McLaren, was created by renowned designer and engineer Gordon Murray. The lightweight grand-tourer was the first mass-produced vehicle to incorporate a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis as well as other high-tech and pricey components like titanium, gold, magnesium, and kevlar. In the early 1990s, the coupe set the stage for the automaker's success by breaking production speed records.
In 2011, McLaren made a comeback in the high-end supercar market with the MP4-12C model.In 2015, the company created a three-tiered product structure by grouping its selection of automobiles into the Sports, Super, and Ultimate series. The names of the supercars in the first two categories are determined by their horsepower, while the names of those in the third are determined by the history of the automaker.
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Despite having a well-known name in the automotive sector, McLaren didn't start out as an engine designer or developer. The legendary F1 hypercar was powered by a 6.1-liter, naturally aspirated V12 engine from BMW that was internally known as S70/2. With the introduction of the MP4-12C in 2011, this altered.
The now-famous 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine (codenamed M838T) for the 12C model was produced by Ricardo PLC, a British engineering and automotive parts manufacturer. Now, the business has a multi-year deal to supply engines to McLaren.
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The new ten-year contract confirms the continued production of ICE-powered supercars after 2030, even though the automaker has not yet revealed the specifics of the hybrid V8 powertrain.