McLaren Artura plug-in hybrid supercar teased again

McLaren has shared more teasers of its upcoming V6 hybrid supercar, the Artura.

From the new images, we can glean that the shape will follow McLaren's Sport Series form and will sport headlights similar in design to the Elva's. It will also feature butterfly doors like other McLarens.

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Shots of the engine bay show a bank of batteries, while the digital instrument cluster also shows a 'charge time remaining' indicator. These hints confirm that the new V6 supercar will be supported by a plug-in hybrid electric battery.

McLaren has also tied itself to a reveal date of February 17.

It's the first ground-up new McLaren since the MP4-12C of 2011, and it's designed to sit between the GT and the 720S.

The name represents a change in trend from the previous McLaren series production models, eschewing the numbers-and-letters format for a more traditional and meaningful name.

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This new car also departs from McLaren’s tried-and-tested powertrain for the first time since the brand’s re-introduction ten years ago, opting for a hybrid-boosted V6 in place of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.

McLaren says the Artura will be “all new in every respect”, drawing upon learnings from the hybrid P1 program and wider technical background to forge this bold new path.

The Artura will be built upon an all-new platform architecture, too, designed specifically with electrification in mind.

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Despite the added heft of batteries, McLaren has kept the total weight figure down thanks to the use of lightweight materials in the chassis, powertrain and body panels.

Even still, McLaren says the Artura will be capable of performance levels we’ve come to expect from its range of larger-capacity V8 cars.

Electric-only functionality will be on offer, with McLaren describing the range as enough for “everyday emissions-free urban journeys”.

Few other details are available regarding the powertrain, such as the V6’s capacity or power outputs.

It won’t be long before we know for sure, as McLaren has stated that first deliveries will start in the first half of 2021. That will follow a worldwide reveal on February 17.

McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt said of the Artura: "every element of the Artura is all-new... but it draws on decades of McLaren experience in pioneering super-lightweight race and road car technologies to bring all of our expertise in electrification to the supercar class."

If its past decade is anything to go by, the future over at Woking looks bright.