McLaren prepares for era of electrification

McLaren Automotive, the British exotic brand known for supercars and its adamant stance on SUVs — it won't build one — is nearing one of its biggest product launches: a plug-in hybrid built around a new architecture.

The model, code-named P16 and set to launch in the first half of 2021, represents a new era for McLaren.

As new models follow the P16, a majority of McLaren's launches will be hybrids, CEO Mike Flewitt told Automotive News last month. He noted that those models will be built on the P16's architecture.

Flewitt said McLaren's whole lineup will be hybridized by 2025. McLaren's first all-electric vehicle is set to arrive closer to 2030.

In the meantime, the remainder of 2020 promises to be busy for McLaren, with launches of the new 2021 765LT coupe and Elva hypercar.

570S: All signs point to McLaren's entry-level model, which debuted in 2015, being next in line to be replaced, given its age. It is unclear whether the upcoming plug-in hybrid model is the replacement or another vehicle will be the successor.

620R: McLaren will build 225 of the 620R — essentially a road-legal version of the 570S GT4 race car. It has a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine with 611 hp and 457 pound-feet of torque. Race-ready design elements include a large rear wing, front bumper and splitter as well as semislick tires and lightweight braking. Deliveries are underway.

GT: Launched for the 2020 model year, the grand tourer likely has a long road ahead as McLaren looks to grow awareness of the nameplate.

765LT: The 765LT, which debuted online in March after its planned Geneva reveal was upended by COVID-19, is a high-performance and lightweight variant of the 720S. The 765LT is powered by a twin-turbo V-8 engine with 755 hp and 590 pound-feet of torque, compared with the standard 720S's 710 hp and 537 pound-feet of torque. The 765LT checks in at 2,952 pounds, 176 pounds lighter than the 720S coupe. To achieve a lower weight, McLaren utilized carbon fiber for the front splitter, front bumper, side skirts, front floor, rear bumper, rear diffuser and rear wing. The air conditioning and audio system were removed for additional weight savings. Deliveries are set to begin in November. Given McLaren's rollout of past LT variants, a 765LT convertible is likely in the second half of 2021.

720S: With coupe, convertible and high- performance variants now rolled out, the 720S likely won't receive any major changes until 2022 at the earliest. But details are unknown.

Speedtail: Deliveries of the new Speedtail, McLaren's three-seat hypercar with a production run of 106 vehicles, began this summer. Production is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Elva: The newest addition to McLaren's top-tier Ultimate Series is the Elva roadster. What makes the Elva unique is what it doesn't have: a roof, windscreen or side windows. Power is supplied by a twin-turbocharged V-8 with 804 hp. McLaren will build just 149 vehicles. Deliveries are set to start by end of the year and will wrap up in early 2021.

Plug-in hybrid: McLaren's upcoming plug-in hybrid is set to debut before the year ends after its launch was delayed by the pandemic.

The vehicle's architecture was specifically developed to accommodate a hybrid powertrain, and the electric motor will sit between the engine and the gearbox. McLaren has not identified which internal-combustion engine will be included in the layout.

The hybrid will have a higher power output than McLaren's entry-level Sports Series vehicles, but it will slot below the 720S from the brand's midrange Super Series. Flewitt said the model will have an electric range of roughly 19 miles, with a charge time of three to four hours. North American deliveries will begin around May — more than six months after its original on-sale date.