Latest news with #Artura
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
McLaren Calls Artura The 'Everyday Supercar.' How Does It Hold Up?
It'll catapult you towards the horizon, dole out near jet-fighter cornering Gs, and usually generate some kind of reaction from other road users and pedestrians wherever you go. But then you'd expect that: it's a supercar. But I'm not going to regale you with all the usual supercar superlatives: I'll tell you what it's actually like to live with. McLaren says the 671bhp, 205mph Artura is the "everyday supercar". It's one of those phrases easily dismissed... but this time, my first in a McLaren, it sets my cogs whirring. Most supercars are simply not everyday-usable, whether for the amount of road space they occupy, 200mph-plus V-max, 3 seconds 0-60mph times, cruise liner turning circles, Boeing 777 fuel consumption, or, as I've experienced, cars you can't on occasion work out how to get into, out of, start or switch off. Such traits can suit those who thrive on mastering the complex, but if you have a collection of hyper-vehicles, don't you want a day off every now and again...? After all, how often can you use their full potential? Putting The "Everyday" Claim To The Test I decided to put the "everyday" claim to the test. And when I told McLaren my plan I expected "everyday" to be suddenly qualified with caveats. But no: "I think you'll find it's a really useable supercar. We've customers in their 20s, but our oldest is 96; we're getting more female customers, and one customer has done 10,000 miles since he bought his three months ago," Marcus Snee of McLaren Manchester, England, tells me over a coffee. "Everyday" is beginning to gather credibility. However, first, there's no elegant way to get into most supercars; no pain, no gain, goes the saying. Marcus' colleague Dan Nunn slides in to the passenger seat, clearly well-practiced, to brief me on the Artura's controls. I expected a marathon session going through all sorts of F-35 fighter jet-style screen menus and sub-menus, but two things provided a first impression: a manual lever-under-the-seat back-and-forth adjustment, and a button-free steering wheel. Wow. Not even a basic compact car goes without steering wheel buttons in 2025. Meanwhile, the various power and handling modes are on rocker switches a finger's reach away, and… ... and, you know what, I'll leave describing the rest of the controls: this car is Ergonomics-R-Us. All very logical, you catch on very quickly. Deploying The "T-Junction" Test Cars of whatever status are transport, and you're not the only road user. Your progress depends upon fellow drivers, and some cars divide opinion, even provoking impeding of your movements by others. So I've a simple test to judge other road users' attitude to cars: the "T-junction test". If I pull up, in this case in the UK, to turn left into the traffic flow, will other drivers let me in? It's unscientific, but there's no doubt certain cars niggle fellow road users. But an orange McLaren...? I'd say I was allowed out into traffic more easily than with just about any other car I've subjected to the T-junction test. People smile at this car, maybe because it's a McLaren, possibly because of its color. They give way to it at obstructions, and while I'd deliberately crawl away from traffic signals, more often than not the car in the next lane waited for me to move first. This is becoming potential psychology thesis content.… Next, the supermarket parking lot test. UK and European parking spaces are smaller than in North America: the Artura's 1.913 metre width (75 inches, 4 inches narrower than a BMW X5) means it slots into standard UK bays, its vertically-opening doors a boon. But in reality, even if a $250,000 Artura is your least valuable car you're still going to be wary of door dings courtesy neighbouring car-parkers. But will it go up my gravelled English drive, between gateposts that have been there since the 1700s? Easily; six inches to spare either side. But it's sloped. Slopes are expensive supercar carbon-fibre front splitter killers, but the McLaren, like many supercars, has a handy button to raise the front suspension an inch or so. So why are other road users so friendly towards the Artura? Car Hierarchy, And Being Let Out Of A Junction Edmund King, President of the UK's AA (Automobile Association) says auto-psychology is an interesting subject. "There's a hierarchy of cars based on whether that car is a challenge to us and our car," he says. For example, if you have a regular and popular car, say a Kia Sportage or Nissan Qashqai, then you don't feel challenged by a McLaren, so you let them out at junctions. But if a similar but smaller popular car is at the junction, then drivers are less likely to let them out." So what's one owner's experience of the T-junction test? Entrepreneur Richard Lishman, 53, from South Wales, could well be racking up miles in his silver Artura faster than anyone else in the world, around 3,000 a month - so he's well qualified to talk about day-to-day life on the road with a supercar. "Other drivers in close proximity, such as T-junctions and the like, are very courteous," he says. "I use my Artura daily, whether going to the supermarket six miles away, or on hour-long drives just for the pleasure of it, and tours around the UK with my wife. It's a cracking car; I smile just thinking about driving it. "If I'm out on a drive and pass through a quiet town or village I just drop it into EV mode, then when I'm through and up to 40mph again the engine kicks back in. 'Cabin space is great, buttons all in the right place. Just a couple of things to be mindful of such as the tyres being very expensive and if you're parking when you open the door, because it opens vertically, you need to be careful not to catch your door mirror on the mirror of any car you've parked next to.' I'd add to those points good visibility out of the car, a non-negotiable in McLaren design briefs, and a surprisingly tight turning circle. Many a supercar owner has had an awkward moment running out of steering lock in front of an audience… Fuel consumption in engine-only mode was OK-ish at around 20 miles per UK gallon (mpg), but once you get your head around the hybrid features, on-the-move battery charging and using electric mode (it has a 21 mile electric-only range), McLaren claims nearly 60 mpg is achievable, although that's probably with a tippy-toes driving style. However, a did see a progressively rising 40 mpg on what I'd call an everyday 170 mile run, driving normally. In a 205mph supercar… I did 700 miles on familiar routes, and once in the rhythm of the road I'd almost forget I was in the McLaren, whether in fast-moving traffic or crawling through a town. An everyday supercar? It's a work of Artura.
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Roaring around Brands Hatch in McLaren's £250,000 Supercar... Mail Sport's HEATHER DEWAR learns all about the need for speed from one of motorsport's top teams
Mail Sport's Heather Dewar was invited to spend some time with McLaren at Brands Hatch earlier this month and experienced first hand the speed and thrill of the race... I'm sitting in a McLaren supercar, about to set off on a hotlap, when the driver pauses momentarily. 'How do you switch this on?' he laughs. It's my first time on the track at Brands Hatch, first time in a McLaren Artura Trophy EVO. I don't think I can help him. 'Have you driven one of these before?' I ask nervously. 'Nope,' he smiles. 'Never!' And so it was, that I gleefully started my inaugural lap of the famous former Grand Prix track in Kent; my French driver adapting with astonishing speed to the tarmac before him. If I had a grin on me, the length of the Tiber, there was very good reason. The car handles magnificently, taking on corners with supreme agility, while roaring seamlessly away in speeds up to 160mph. This McLaren is not only ridiculously sexy, it's also unbelievably good fun. And very, very fast. With speeds of up to 160mph, the supercars are certainly not for the faint-hearted 'Well done, Artur,' I exclaim, smiling, as I come to the end of my lap. Not bad for a first attempt. In truth, the ride has been brilliant. Quite simply, it's easy to see why this car is attracting a legion of young drivers - all eager to take part in the McLaren Trophy Europe. The event, now in its third series, pits pros against pros, and pros alongside amateurs in a single-make championship. It's an innovative format, so I'm here to find out more about what makes the competition tick. First port of call is Maurice Henry, a 22-year-old who has just been taken into McLaren's Trophy Academy. For Henry, racing cars has never been about Formula 1. He knew early on that there were other areas of manoeuvre - with GT racing (Gran Turismo) at the heart of it. Having recently entered this exclusive club, he laughs heartily as he eyes up the challenge ahead. The Academy - which takes on just 13 drivers - is essentially a talent pool for those under the age of 26. Those involved are entered into a development programme with the British manufacturer, with the ultimate goal of becoming a fully-fledged McLaren factory driver. 'To have your name against such a prestigious brand and to get the recognition, it's mind-blowing,' says Henry. 'In Motorsport, there are so many barriers to entry. That's what makes it so hard. We don't come from a wealthy background. My dad works as a telecommunications consultant. He had to sacrifice everything to get me here. Sell assets, cars, take out a loan. Everyone thinks you just turn up and drive, but I'm working really hard behind the scenes to make this all happen.' Henry partners up with Fiona James this season, the only female competing in the McLaren Trophy Europe. When we meet, there has been an issue in qualifying. Problems with their car mean that they don't finish Saturday's event - and Henry will therefore miss his chance to race. The youngster, however, is philosophical. 'That's motorsport,' he reflects. 'We go again tomorrow.' It's clear from the outset that Henry has the utmost respect for his amateur co-driver. Now into her second series, James is an established figure on the circuit having competed in multiple events. A breeder of Olympic and Paralympic dressage horses, the amateur is well accustomed to fierce competition - and set up Walero clothing (named after Active Walero, who competed in the 2004 Athens Games) for motorsport enthusiasts after seeing a gap in the market for temperature-regulating base layers. Her branding now sits proudly on her rented McLaren, a constant reminder of ambition and success. 'I remember my dad watching F1 when I was a kid,' she tells me, 'but it just never occurred to me that cars and racing was something anyone could do. 'I didn't know about this whole world outside of F1. I liked cars, and eventually I got a nice Turbo 996 Porsche, so I thought I should really go and learn how to drive it safely without killing everyone around me. I went for a lesson on track, and the instructor just said I had a feel for it. He asked me if I had ever thought about racing. 'I eventually got the bug for it, worked my way up, did a lot of GT stuff - and then heard about the McLaren series. McLaren are doing so well at the moment, and they're just so professional. They're amazing to work with. In terms of the car itself, the EVO feels like a proper race car.' James, whose mum was half Scottish and grew up in Dundee, is a product of her own success - but given the lack of women in the event, just how realistic is it really for others to follow in her footsteps? 'Women can absolutely compete on an equal-footing with men here,' she says. 'Only a few sports allow this - sailing, equestrian, motorsport among them. It's so important to have spaces where genders can showcase their strengths alongside each other. 'For me, the experience of racing has been mostly positive, but as a woman in motorsport, you often have to prove yourself twice as much as a man. 'Mistakes are less easily forgiven, and you're scrutinised more closely. That said, things have improved a lot since I started. There are far more women competing and working behind the scenes, in roles like engineering, strategy, and technical support. 'However, I still often find myself the only woman on track. Reactions to that vary depending on where you are. In the UK and Europe, people are often surprised to learn I race - especially when they learn that I race against men. 'In the US, though, it's a different story. People are more accepting and simply ask what car or series I race in. It's not unusual for me to be mistaken for my co-drivers' mum or guardian when signing on, or for people at the track to assume my other half is the one racing.' Rob Bell, McLaren Motorsport's Sporting Director, believes times are changing when it comes to females taking part but insists that integration from the bottom upwards is key. It's a central theme, too, for their McLaren Trophy Academy. 'There's definitely a place for more women,' says Bell. 'There is no reason whatsoever that women cannot be competitive in any field of motorsport. We're open-minded to anything. 'McLaren is a one-piece automotive company. The heritage is there and motorsport is an integral part of that. 'You might say there's one division of Formula 1 and motorsport, but actually, it's one group. It's McLaren. That's it. We like to think that if you can buy into that, especially as a young driver coming through, that gives you the confidence and that feeling of belonging, being part of something. 'Where the academy comes in, for example, is that you're on the ground level of learning, learning your craft in our cars. We held a welcome event at the MTC recently, where we invited everyone to come and we did a parade from Woking to here at Brands Hatch. 'As a young individual, that's not something that's offered to everyone. We have 13 drivers in our Academy, and mentality, positive attitude, is a huge part of that. It's trying to make sure that at the end of the year, if nothing else, they're a better, well-rounded, more educated driver than they were when they started with us.' With its new car, McLaren hope to entice a new generation of fans and if the on-road hybrid version is anything to go by, that shouldn't be too difficult to achieve. Having been let loose behind the wheel for a few hours pre hotlaps (all £220,000 of it), I can attest to its ability to attract whoops of excitement from those watching from the sidelines. Whatever way you look at it, the McLaren Artura has the 'wow' factor in spades. It's the only car I've ever been in where people grab for their phones as you quietly approach. Where kids shout loudly: 'Rev the engine!' and where cars of all shapes and sizes let you pass with dignity and grace - almost bowing in acknowledgement of McLaren's fine engineering. Add to that the inevitable association with two of the 'coolest' sport stars on the planet - Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris -and it's easy to see why the younger generation are similarly enamoured. They just 'get' the appeal. By the end of the weekend, Piastri and Norris land a 1st and 2nd place at the Miami Grand Prix. It's another boost for the manufacturer - who lead both the Drivers and Constructors championships. They're a much-respected duo. Tales abound of Norris mingling regularly with staff at the MTC (McLaren Technology Centre). 'Top Bloke' is widely whispered - while kids and adults alike are full of praise for the Aussie, Piastri. McLaren hopes to attract more people to motorsport - and the supercars have the wow factor James and Henry, meanwhile, pick up the Papaya Cup after impressing on Sunday's outing. A new award for the 2025 season, it recognises the achievements of Pro-AM and Am drivers over a certain age - or with limited race experience. Their victory - like that of Piastri - will be celebrated by the entire McLaren family. As the weekend at Brands Hatch comes to a close, I notice a sign set high above me in McLaren's hospitality. Glowing brightly in papaya orange, it reads simply: 'Live Life Like It's Your Last Lap'. It feels particularly pertinent, in a world whose axis spins so radically, on the wheels of success. 'You're thrown right in the deep end for this,' admits Henry. 'Last night, I got sent a manual. I did my homework, was trying to understand the controls. I didn't even know how to start the car. That's exactly what you've got to do now when you're expecting to turn pro. Just jump in the car and see what you can do.' His words linger as I wave goodbye to the dispersing crowds, the smell of burning rubber, and the clink of parts being dismantled. What a great analogy for life.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
McLaren Has A New CEO
Read the full story on The Auto Wire Things are changing at McLaren with new owners CYVN Holdings in charge, with a new CEO at the helm of the storied British automaker. Nick Collins is the new chief executive, coming from Forseven, a luxury British automotive startup that's also owned by isn't an unknown quantity. The man worked for Jaguar Land Rover for nine years, three of them serving as head of vehicle programs. Before his tenure with JLR, he was with Ford Europe for over 20 years. In other words, the man has been involved in the auto industry his entire professional life. Hopefully, that means he has a passion for high-performance vehicles and prioritizes that with McLaren. McLaren's former CEO, Michael Leiters, was put into his position in July 2022. He was formerly an executive with Porsche and Ferrari, so the man came with an impressive set of qualifications. While people have opinions about what he did at the head of the company, the man dealt with some big financial problems while helping launch the 750S, Solus GT, and Artura lines into the market. The British brand suffered considerably during the Covid period, unlike competitors such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. McLaren had to sell off assets and make other painful changes just to keep the lights on. In addition, McLaren has struggled to keep up with the push to electrification which was sweeping through the industry but now has a questionable future. Collins will need to navigate the rapidly changing landscape in the industry, so the man has his work cut out for him. It will be interesting to see what direction McLaren goes at this point. We likely won't see the effects of the leadership change on future models for at least a couple of years. Image via McLaren Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Gulf News
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf News
McLaren hosts Middle East's largest supercar gathering in UAE
Dubai: McLaren Automotive held its largest community drive event in the Middle East, with 65 supercars gathering in the United Arab Emirates for a group drive to Jebel Jais and a gala reception in Dubai. The event brought together over 100 McLaren customers and guests from the UAE, Bahrain, Lebanon, and India. Participants assembled at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club in Dubai, where various McLaren models were showcased, including the 12C, 675LT, 765LT, 750S, Artura, and the P1. The lineup reflected the brand's evolution since its entry into road car production. The convoy proceeded to Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the highest peak in the UAE and a known destination for driving enthusiasts due to its winding mountain roads. Following the drive, attendees returned to Dubai for an evening reception at Bluewaters Forum by Delano. Motorsports heritage Robert Holtshausen, Market Director for McLaren Middle East, India, and Africa, said the event was intended to celebrate the company's legacy and strengthen its community of owners in the region. 'Owning a McLaren isn't just about owning an iconic British supercar,' Holtshausen said. 'It's about being part of a rich heritage of motorsports achievement and automotive engineering excellence stretching back for more than half a century. This is why it's extremely important to us to host our McLaren community at fantastic events like this, to celebrate this heritage in an experience of luxury, performance and prestige befitting of the McLaren pedigree.'
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Boss of iconic British supercar maker steps down after merger with luxury EV brand as it eyes making cheaper motors
The long-expected merger was made official a few weeks ago CEO GONE Boss of iconic British supercar maker steps down after merger with luxury EV brand as it eyes making cheaper motors Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR shakeup has hit a British supercar manufacturer as it's CEO has stepped down just weeks after the company confirmed its full-scale merger with an EV start-up. Michael Leiters, who took the helm of the iconic McLaren Automotive three years ago, has exited with immediate effect. 4 Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren, is stepping down Credit: Getty 4 Leiters first arrived at the company's headquarters of Woking three years ago Credit: Getty 4 McLaren announced it would be merging with EV brand Forseven on April 3 Credit: Forseven Leiters will be succeeded by Nick Collins, former CEO of Forseven, who will now lead the newly formed McLaren Group Holdings. McLaren said Leiters' "contribution and leadership were crucial to the company's transition, including important phases like the recapitalisation and change of ownership". Leiters said: "I am honoured to have led McLaren Automotive over the past three years. "I am thankful having worked alongside such a dedicated and talented team. "I'm proud of what we've achieved together and confident that the business is on a strong path for success. "I wish all involved the very best in the future.' Leiters steered the luxury car manufacturer through a critical financial revamp and change in ownership. McLaren was snapped up in December by Abu Dhabi's investment group CYVN Holdings, which also owns Forseven - an all-electric car company. The long-expected merger was made official on April 3. During his time at McLaren, Leiters, a former Ferrari CTO who has also worked at Porsche, oversaw key launches like the hybrid Artura, the 750S supercar and the reveal of the wild W1 hypercar. British sports car brand to release new flagship model in just weeks - and it'll follow a legendary motor from the 1990s McLaren Automotive, which is a separate entity from their famous F1 team, was founded in 2010, with its headquarters based in Woking. Under McLaren and Forseven's full-scale merger, all future cars will continue to wear the McLaren badge, with the Forseven one disappearing. The supercar manufacturer was previously owned by Bahrain's Mumtalakat Holding Company. It comes after an iconic sports car that was discontinued earlier this year "will be back without a doubt", the firm's boss has revealed. Nissan released a heartfelt message for customers and fans of the iconic GT-R announcing its demise in February. The GT-R R35, affectionately known as Godzilla, was first unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007 before being updated many times, most recently in 2023. Nissan's USA chief product planner, Ponz Pandikuthira, recently told Motor1: "Those big horsepower cars are simply not going to meet emissions standards. "So it's a matter of where the tech catches up with us. Battery tech, motor tech, and it may take us a few years, but GT-R will be back, without a doubt." 4 A McLaren 720S is seen on a production line as Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge tours the factory floor in Woking in 2017 Credit: AFP
