British supercar brand McLaren has officially unveiled its first high-volume hybrid, the Artura Spider. This new convertible not only boasts the thrill of open-air driving but is said to deliver enhanced performance, power, and driver engagement.
One of the most striking features of the Artura Spider is its lightweight construction, a hallmark of McLaren’s engineering philosophy. With a dry weight of just 1,457kg, it easily outperforms the competition, offering a power-to-weight ratio of 480PS/tonne. This translates to exceptional handling and agility. This impressive figure is made possible by McLaren’s Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA), which provides a secure platform without compromising rigidity, even with the retractable hard-top roof removed.
More importantly, the McLaren Artura Spider includes a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 and an axial flux electric motor. With an extra 20hp, the car has a total power of nearly 700hp. With an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The car covers zero to 60mph in just 3.0 seconds, with a top speed of 205 mph. The E-motor is powered by a battery pack comprising five lithium-ion modules, offering a usable energy capacity of 7.4kWh and an increased EV range of 33km (21miles). The Artura Spider caters to various driving styles with its four powertrain modes: Comfort, Sport, Track, and E-mode. Comfort offers a smooth blend of electric and hybrid power, ideal for everyday driving.
The cabin of the new Artura Spider trimmed in performance or luxury materials according to the driver’s preference – retains the purposeful, driver-focused design of the coupe. The driver display binnacle, which moves with the column when adjusted for reach or rake to ensure all driving information is always within the driver’s eyeline, also houses the controls to select Handling and Powertrain modes, allowing changes including an easy switch between electric and hybrid drive without taking hands off the steering wheel. An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility sits in the center of the dash, and heated seats with memory and lumbar adjustments provide some comfort. A five-speaker audio system is standard, but a premium 12-speaker setup from Bowers & Wilkins is available.
The innovative McLaren Clubsport seat is fitted as standard in most markets. Adjusting through an elliptical arc to combine the range of motion expected of a moveable backrest with the light weight and close support of a bucket seat, the Clubsport seat is equally at home on road or track. The McLaren Artura Spider is a remarkable achievement in the world of high-performance hybrid convertibles.