• Advertise with us
Sunday, December 3, 2023
  • Login
Torquecafe.com
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • 4×4 & ADVENTURE
  • ELECTRIC
  • SUPERCARS & EXOTICS
  • Performance
  • CLASSICS & UNIQUE
  • BIKES
  • FEATURES
    • SHOWROOMS
    • DREAM GARAGE
    • TOP FIVE
    • REVIEWS
    • IMAGES
    • VIDEO
    • TV
  • HOME
  • 4×4 & ADVENTURE
  • ELECTRIC
  • SUPERCARS & EXOTICS
  • Performance
  • CLASSICS & UNIQUE
  • BIKES
  • FEATURES
    • SHOWROOMS
    • DREAM GARAGE
    • TOP FIVE
    • REVIEWS
    • IMAGES
    • VIDEO
    • TV
No Result
View All Result
Torquecafe.com
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • 4×4 & ADVENTURE
  • ELECTRIC
  • SUPERCARS & EXOTICS
  • Performance
  • CLASSICS & UNIQUE
  • BIKES
  • FEATURES

F1 tie-up is key to new McLaren SUV

Stephen Ottley by Stephen Ottley
20 June 2022
in Uncategorised
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
0
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
McLaren will reportdly ditch its supercar-only policy and add an SUV by the end of the decade

McLaren Automotive is set to abandon its unique quality as a supercar constructor – it will build an SUV.

British publication, Autocar, has reported that McLaren is working on an all-new, all-electric SUV, which would give the company a rival to the likes of the Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin DBX and upcoming Ferrari Purosangue. This is in direct contradiction of the company’s philosophy under founder Ron Dennis and his replacement, Mike Flewitt.

READ MORE: McLaren gets $1 billion boost

However, with Flewitt now gone and former Ferrari executive, Michael Leiters now in charge of the British brand’s direction, it seems sticking only to sports cars is no longer the top priority. While not building an SUV is a win for driving enthusiasts, it damages McLaren’s growth potential and profitability.

In 2021, both Lamborghini and Aston Martin reported record sales, in large part thanks to the addition of the Urus and DBX respectively. In fact, the Urus represented nearly 60 per cent of all Lamborghinis sold in 2021 and the DBX approximately half of all Aston Martin sales.

The Lamborghini Urus has helped the Italian brand more than double it sales

Given McLaren Automotive’s position as an independent brand, avoiding a model that could more-than-double its sales is simply too much for the company to ignore any longer.

According to the Autocar report, Leiters will bring his experience from Ferrari, where his role as chief technology officer would have seen him involved in every aspect of the new Purosangue, as well as his previous time at Porsche during the development of the Cayenne and smaller Macan SUV.

ROAD TEST: 2021 Lamborghini Urus review

And not only will this new model be an SUV, but it will reportedly ditch an internal combustion engine and rely solely on electric motors for motivation. This makes sense when you consider the report says this new McLaren SUV won’t arrive until later this decade, likely close to 2030, by which time electrification is expected to be a major market for all brands.

The biggest question is not ‘why’ McLaren is building an SUV, but the ‘how’ it will achieve its new goal. Developing an all-new platform for a bigger, four-seat model will be a huge cost for what is still a relatively small operation.

McLaren currently uses Mercedes-AMG engines in Formula 1 but rumours of an Audi switch could influence how the company builds its SUV

Which is where McLaren’s racing business could play a crucial role. Teaming up with a larger manufacturer, such as Mercedes-Benz, McLaren Racing’s current engine supplier, could allow the automotive side to introduce an electric SUV faster and cheaper.

Mercedes-Benz is far more advanced in both electric vehicle and SUV developments, which would allow McLaren to piggyback on either an existing platform or specifically develop one, perhaps a high-performance option with AMG.

ROAD TEST: 2022 Aston Martin DBX review

There have also been rumours that Volkswagen Group brand, Audi, will partner (or potentially buy into) McLaren’s F1 operations in time for the 2026 engine regulations to begin. Audi – and the Volkswagen Group in general – are very advanced in its electrification strategy and could seemingly supply McLaren with all of the technology and manufacturing assistance it would need.

Of course, McLaren Automotive wouldn’t be limited to any potential motorsport partners. When the company was developing the McLaren F1 supercar it was using Honda engines in Formula 1 but chose to work with BMW as an engine supplier. Which means McLaren could look to simply find the best partner for its SUV project, whichever brand that may be.

Regardless of who McLaren works with or how it gets this rumoured SUV built, but when it arrives it will no doubt be a game-changing model for the British brand.

Leave a Reply

Please login to join discussion!
Iconic Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series adds V8 alternative

Iconic Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series adds V8 alternative

1 December 2023
Behind-the-scenes at the Adelaide 500

Behind-the-scenes at the Adelaide 500

29 November 2023
BMW Motorrad to up the style stakes

BMW Motorrad to up the style stakes

29 November 2023
VIDEO: Audi’s past and future meet

VIDEO: Audi’s past and future meet

28 November 2023

Subscribe

Subscribe to our daily newsletter, your daily motoring fix delivered straight to your inbox!





Login

Sign Up

  • Registration
  • Newsletter

About Us

  • What is Torquecafe?
  • The Team
  • Our Values
  • Privacy Policy

Help

  • Contact us
  • General Feedback
  • Advertise with us
  • Site map

Our Network

  • Speedcafe.com
  • SpeedSales.com.au

Our Partners

  • Mobil1
  • Pirtek
  • Optus
  • Truck Assist
  • R&J Batteries
  • KTM
  • Michelin
  • Supercheap Auto
  • Tyre Plus
  • Morris
  • Meguiar’s 
  • Kincrome
  • Lloyds

Apps

  • Our Team
  • Become a partner
  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy & Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • 4×4 & ADVENTURE
  • ELECTRIC
  • SUPERCARS & EXOTICS
  • Performance
  • CLASSICS & UNIQUE
  • BIKES
  • FEATURES
    • SHOWROOMS
    • DREAM GARAGE
    • TOP FIVE
    • REVIEWS
    • IMAGES
    • VIDEO
    • TV

Copyright © 2023 Speedcafe.com This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist