Test drive McLaren Artura: The super sports car with the smart tires

McLaren has only been building series sports cars for a good ten years. The decision of the Formula 1 racing team to venture onto the terrain of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Co. has long since proven to be the right one. Since then, more than 20,000 super sports cars have been built in Woking near London, all two-seaters based on a carbon monocoque with central engines.

The 720 model, where the number stands for horsepower, now underpins the Artura, which has been redesigned from the ground up. It replaces the basic 570 S model, so to speak. “Everything is new with the Artura,” says chief developer Ben Gulliver happily. “Monocoque, chassis, steering, brakes, drive, seats, the interior layout.” And it’s not just the V6 engine that’s new, with cylinder banks at a 120-degree angle supports up to 95 additional hp. The total power of the unit is thus 680 hp. The torque of 720 Newton meters at 2250 rpm is also impressive.

Can be moved in everyday life

The three-litre machine weighs around 50kg less than McLaren’s 4.0-litre V8, but all the additional electronics add 150kg to the scales. A large part of this is accounted for by the 7.4 kWh battery, which can be recharged in no more than two and a half hours from the socket. The 1.5-tonne McLaren can travel almost 30 kilometers purely electrically, but not faster than 130 km/h. It can be up to 200 km/h more when the mid-engine is pushed to the limit. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission transmits the power to the rear wheels. Although the gearbox does not have a reverse gear, if you want to reverse, this is done with the power of the electric motor.

On the first test drives, the engine combination harmonized well to very well. Moved only with battery power, the Artura surprises with clearly audible mechanical noises, which is said to be intentional. In contrast, the sound of the V6 is not very spectacular, but you can perceive it differently. Of course, the Artura sweeps the streets like there’s no tomorrow. At full power, the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just three seconds, and 200 km/h is reached in a good eight. We couldn’t check the 21.5 it should take from 0 to 300 km/h, despite the race track. The straight just wasn’t long enough.

With all the qualities for the circuits of this world, a McLaren Artura can definitely be moved in everyday life. Especially with the electric alternative. It helps reduce CO2 emissions to just 104 g/km. This is of course a calculated value, the 4.6 liter standard consumption is enough in everyday life for maybe 30, not 100 kilometers. The fuel needle fell far too quickly during our rides. The container holds 66 liters.

The tires come with an integrated computer

But no supercar with a combustion engine can offer a low value, not even the Ferrari. But that is at best a footnote. Even more unique and remarkable are the so-called “Cyber ​​Tires” from Pirelli. The Artura is only homologated for this. The tyres, on 19-inch rims at the front and 20-inch at the rear, have a small computer on the inside of the tread that sends the tire temperature and pressure directly to the car via Bluetooth. Winter tires with the same technology are available. We will report separately.

Series production of the Artura is about to start, and there are currently no problems with supply chains. 230,200 euros is the basic price for a spectacular appearance with scissor doors.