McLaren Artura launch delayed due to chip crisis

McLaren has confirmed production of its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) supercar has been delayed with the ongoing semiconductor shortage hampering the Artura's launch.

As reported by Automotive News, the twin-turbo, V6 PHEV has been pushed back yet again thanks to the ongoing chip crisis, with the first customer deliveries now expected to begin in July.

Initially slated to go on sale from October 2020, this then became June 2021 after the first wave of semiconductor supply issues pushed back production, followed by a second delay which saw the British manufacturer announce the Artura would be available in the fourth-quarter of last year from $449,500 locally.

UPDATE, June 2022: Artura driven!

We've finally driven the new McLaren Artura, and it's quite a thing. Catch our review at the link below.

The Artura I’ve just driven is still a work in progress. A car that’s not yet finished. Let me explain.

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A McLaren spokesperson told Automotive News it had pushed through the supply constraints until now, having finally run out of chips as prices of the valuable commodity have risen ten-fold over the past year.

"We held on longer than everybody else in terms of stopping production, but unfortunately, our semiconductor supply dried up," said the spokesperson.

"That made us have to reduce production across the board."

The Artura will be McLaren's first series-production hybrid vehicle, riding on its new Carbon Lightweight Architecture which is set to underpin its future range of hybrid vehicles, coupling its 3.0-litre V6 engine with an electric motor and 7.4kWh battery pack.