Although Valtteri Bottas had won the Sprint Qualifying race – which determines the starting order for the main race – he had to start from the back as he had a Power Unit replaced and regulations require that penalty. So starting from pole position was Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen who got a good start at first, but was then overtaken by McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo at Turn 1 who took the lead.
Lewis Hamilton, after the fumble at the start of the Sprint race, was determined not to make mistakes again and started off from fourth place very aggressively, He jostled with McLaren’s Lando Norris going into the first turn and was forced onto the grass. However, it was Alfa Romeo ORLEN’s Antononio GiovInazzi who provided the first incident of the race to bring out the Virtual Safety Car when he spun, hot another car and left some pieces of his front wing on the track.
It was a very bad day for the Scuderia AlphaTauri team. Not only was Yuki Tsunoda’s car taken off the grid before the start and pushed back to the pits but his team mate, Pierre Gasly also had to retire after lap 5,a disappointment for the winner of the 2020 race.
It was bad enough that Giovinazzi had spun at the start and had to rush back to the pits and in his haste to get back into the race, he was seen by the officials to rejoin the track in an unsafe manner and incurred a 5-second penalty.
Bottas had been working hard moving up the field and by the 10th lap, he was around 12th and tangling with Alpine F1’s Esteban Ocon. But it was still some way to go for the Mercedes-AMG driver as he was some 25 seconds behind Ricciardo, the leader. 3 laps later, he was up to 10th where he could start collecting points.
On lap 16, a duel between Aston Martin COGNIZANT’s Sebastian Vettel and Ocon resulting in wheel contact that forced the German driver off the track. The incident was investigated by the officials and would get a 5-second penalty for the incident.
Ricciardo didn’t make it to the halfway mark when he came in for new tyres on lap 23, stopping for 2.4 seconds and rejoining behind Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in 6th place.
Verstappen came in on lap 24 and it was a disastrous stop which took an agonising 11 seconds, resulting in him rejoining down in 10th place. Meanwhile, Hamilton had managed to get past Norris and take the lead. But Hamilton also needed to change tyres and he had to give up the lead on lap 25.
And then a crazy thing happened – Hamilton and Verstappen crashed at Turn 1! It appeared that while the Mercedes-AMG had rejoined ahead of the Red Bull, Verstappen attempted to get past at Turn 2 and bumped into Hamilton’s car and took off. When the dust settled, the Red Bull was on top of Hamilton’s car. The Safety Car raced out and the other drivers took the chance to come into the pits. The incredible incident meant that Ricciardo got to lead the race. 27 laps had been completed.
When the Safety Car withdrew, Ricciardo raced off as quickly as possible with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Norris on his tail. Then it was two McLarens in the lead as Norris managed to get past Leclerc. Meanwhile, Bottas was up to 4th on lap 34 so the Mercedes-AMG team still had a chance of a victory. Then again, another Red Bull too was positioned just ahead and also hoping for the same ending.
12 laps from the end, word from the McLaren team to the drivers was to play it safe and not have something sill happening like Norris knocking out his own team mate and losing the chance for a 1-2. Norris’ job would be to defend Ricciardo from Sergio Perez.
Haas F1’s Nikita Mazepin got a 5-second penalty for the spin he caused team mate Mick Schumacher, and then his own car came to a standstill on lap 44, bringing out the Virtual Safety Car to disrupt the race for short while as marshals for the car off the track.
With 5 laps remaining, the two McLarens had just a slight edge but both Perez and Bottas were still too close for them to feel confident of taking a 1-2. Until Ricciardo passed under the chequered flag, anything could happen. But nothing happened and the two orange cars raced across the finish line. Bottas put in a great effort, having started from the back to finish in third as Perez, though finishing in that position, had a 5-second penalty to drop him down.
McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has built a very exclusive model in the 106-car Speedtail range which pays homage to the first Speedtail attribute testing vehicle from 2018. Known as the ‘Albert’ Speedtail, its name refers to that the 1992 McLaren F1 test mules, which were named after the Albert Drive premises in England where the F1 was designed and built.
The original ‘Albert’ prototype vehicle was developed to validate the concept of the Speedtail’s central seat driving position, testing driver ergonomics and visibility and rearview camera positions. Built with the front panels from a 720S, the ‘Albert’ prototype was the first Speedtail to be driven on public roads.
“The name ‘Albert’ has a special resonance with MSO as we are the custodians of the McLaren F1 and are based at the Albert Drive premises that McLaren Cars occupied in the 1990s. The Speedtail experience has been an exciting journey for our customers, from visualising their imaginations to realising these inspirations and sharing their delight when unveiling the finished product. ‘Albert’ brings this project to a conclusion and we are thrilled to finish on a high note,” said Ansar Ali, MD of McLaren Special Operations.
The McLaren F1
When the original ’Albert’ travelled outside McLaren’s premises in public, it was camouflaged. The exterior design ‘camouflage’ was achieved by a simple 2-metre vinyl body wrap with design lines printed to represent the optimised airflow over the car.
The ‘Albert’ Speedtail carries on this legacy, which is one of the most complex paint themes ever completed by MSO. The colours selected for the ‘Albert’ homage are Magnesium Silver – the colour used for the F1 roadcar first shown at the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix – and Ueno Grey, the colour of the F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. The full design treatment is closely based on the 2018 vinyl ‘camouflage’ wrap.
The new ‘Albert’ was built in the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) with a 1K gloss visual carbonfibre body. Due to the incredibly complex and detailed nature of the paintwork design, the MSO team completed test panels first to understand process feasibility and worked alongside the visualiser team to refine renders.
In total, ‘Albert’ would require a 12-week post-build modification at MSO’s facility to reach completion. This included 2 week’s masking, 6 weeks of painting and the remaining time to dry and reassemble the vehicle after spraying.
Referring to large-scale print-outs of the renders, the livery masking was completed by two specialist paint technicians. This had to be completed on the built car, with wheels fitted, to ensure accurate cross-panel alignment of the design as it flows around the vehicle. The masking of the livery required almost 2 kms of fine line-out tape to complete the initial design layout.
The 6-week painting process required the car to be disassembled to ensure complete accuracy and flawless finish. The paint blend effect was located on the door applique’s outer body panels with the front painted in Ueno Grey and rear in Magnesium Silver. After the first paint application, all body panels were treated and refitted to ensure perfect alignment and only after this the final clearcoat was applied.
Based on the form of a teardrop, the most aerodynamically efficient shape found in nature, the Speedtail is the ideal streamlined hypercar, a 3-seat hyper GT that became the third car in McLaren’s Ultimate Series line-up. With its 1,070 bhp hybrid powertrain, the Speedtail is claimed to be able to cover 112 metres each second when travelling at its top speed of 402 km/h, making it the fastest McLaren roadcar to date.
The 2021 ‘Albert’ Speedtail will be unveiled to the public this weekend in Los Angeles. ‘’As one of the very last Speedtails to be built at the McLaren Production Centre, it was very important to us at McLaren Beverly Hills that ‘Albert’ honours the brand’s rich heritage, particularly paying tribute to the icon that is the McLaren F1,” said Parris Mullins of McLaren Beverly Hills.
“We worked alongside MSO through every stage, including concept ideation, to produce a truly bespoke and beautifully detailed car that celebrates the innovation and design excellence behind the fastest McLaren roadcar to date. We are fortunate to have been able to procure ‘Albert’ for one of our top clients and are absolutely thrilled with the finished result,’’ he added.
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Open-topped cars may not command big volumes but they are still very much in demand, at least in the upper levels of the market. So it is worthwhile engineering a convertible variant (and it’s not just a matter of leaving out the roof) as there will usually be more than enough buyers. That is likely to be the case with the new 765LT Spider, a complementary model to the 765LT ‘Longtail’ coupe that McLaren unveiled last year.
This new Spider is McLaren’s most powerful-ever convertible model and with only 765 cars to be available, it will be an exclusive McLaren with each unit having a pricetag starting from £310,500 in the UK (about RM1.823 million before Malaysian tax). MSO Clubsport Pack and MSO LT Black Pack options are available, plus other individual MSO options.
Carrying over the coupe’s dynamic and aerodynamic DNA with no structural compromise and only a minimal 49 kgs weight increase – primarily from the retractable hardtop and accompanying operating mechanism – the 765LT Spider weighs just 1,388 kgs,, which is 80 kgs lighter than a 720S Spider and around 100 kgs lighter than its closest comparable competitor.
High-performance lightweight materials feature throughout, with advanced carbonfibre technologies used for body components. Specific weight-saving components include titanium exhaust system (saving 40% over steel equivalent), Formula 1-grade transmission materials and thinner glass.
Up to 22 kgs has been saved in the development of the LT’s bespoke Ultra-Lightweight forged alloy wheels. These are fitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres specially developed for the 765LT. Titanium wheel bolts are also standard fit.
In addition to all this, a significant proportion of the 80-kg weight-saving over the 720S is achieved inside the cockpit. The carbonfibre-shelled racing seats fitted as standard are together 18 kgs lighter than the 720S sports seats.
The cockpit’s central tunnel is made of carbonfibre just 0.8 mm thick; the door pockets are replaced by nets; and carbonfibre has been used for such micro-details as the window switch surrounds, steering wheel clasp and Active Dynamics Panel surround. Further weight is saved by deleting the floor carpet (saving 2.4 kgs), air-conditioning system (1 0kgs) and audio system (1.5 kgs) – although the latter two can requested by customers at no extra charge.
The Spider version of the carbonfibre MonoCage II – designated MonoCage II-S – was developed alongside the coupe monocoque and shares most of its structural elements, including the windscreen surround. Such is the strength and stiffness of the structure that no additional bracing is required over the coupe – another weight-optimising factor. At the rear of the car, carbonfibre structural supports are fully bonded into the chassis to provide roll-over protection.
The electrically operated, one-piece carbonfibre Retractable Hard Top (RHT) goes from closed to open within 11 seconds (among the world’s quickest) and can operate at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The convertible roof design plays an integral role in the structure, featuring a carbonfibre frame within the RHT panel and creating a full carbonfibre shell when closed.
The roof mechanism, powered by 8 motors, is also among the world’s quietest. Occupants will experience a sound no louder than 50 dBA during operation, with a peak of 60 dBA during the latching process – twice as quiet as the roof of the 675LT Spider, the first convertible LT supercar.
The rear window, which can be lowered even when the roof is up to intensify the quadrophonic exhaust note, has its own motor, as does the RHT latching mechanism. All these motors are optimised to work in parallel, allowing the roof to begin to move before the tonneau has completely opened, which saves time
There are also additional comfort benefits for occupants: because it is a single-piece panel with no central seal, headroom is improved, while the extended length of the roof panel allows the tops of the A-pillars to be further forward, enhancing the sense of space and easing ingress and egress.
Like every LT, the new Spider is designed to excel on track; the ability to remove the roof makes it an even more immersive and compelling car to drive on the road. There is the same highly evolved aerodynamic package as the coupe but the active rear wing calibration is revised to reflect whether the roof is up or down. A recalibration of the dampers has also been necessary to account for the minor increase in weight. As a result, the Spider matches the coupe’s aero performance in every respect, with class-leading downforce 25% greater than that of a 720S Spider.
765 ps from the 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine makes this the brand’s most powerful convertible, and it has a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 598 ps-per-tonne at lightest dry weight – with 800 Nm of torque. The transmission gear ratios have been revised and makes in-gear acceleration 15% quicker than a 720S Spider.
If you’ve long been thinking of having a McLaren sportscar in your home, it’s easier than you think. Perhaps you’ve never known about the carmaker’s junior Ride-On range which models such as the P1, 720S and Senna. And now comes the latest addition – the McLaren GT.
Based on the lightest and quickest accelerating vehicle in its class, the McLaren GT Ride-On is ahead of the other larger models the carmaker offers today as it is fully electric. Suitable for supercar enthusiasts aged 3 to 6, the GT Ride-On comes with McLaren’s iconic dihedral doors, functional storage compartment and brake pedal with working LED lights
Many options to add
Like all McLarens, the new Ride-On model has an impressive list of standard options including authentic McLaren design detailing. Working dihedral doors make for the ultimate entrance and getaway and a functional storage compartment is ideal for stowing any junior driving essentials.
There’s also a workable dashboard controls with key start that activates McLaren engine sounds. Journeys can also be accompanied by music, played through an infotainment system that can access files from a USB device or SD card with optional MP4 display screen.
The little drivers will get a thrill from the working accelerator with revving sound and brake pedal with brake light function as they speed off on their adventures.
To inspire future enthusiasts
‘’At McLaren Automotive, we aim to inspire the future generation of supercar enthusiasts. The new GT Ride-On allows even the smallest of fans to discover the magic of our pioneering supercars. We’re proud to develop and encourage younger minds and seek to create the next generation of drivers, engineers, and automotive designers,’’ said Hayley Robinson, Merchandise, Licensing & Partnerships Manager at McLaren Automotive.
Available in 6 authentic McLaren colours – Burnished Copper, Silica White, Onyx Black, McLaren Orange, Amaranth Red and Burton Blue – it is priced from £163.00 to £234.00 (around RM840 – RM1,350).
The larger full-sized McLaren GT costs considerably more…
The Elva is a very exclusive model from McLaren – only 149 units are being built and the first customers will receive their cars towards the end of this year. You too can have one in your home – and 6 months earlier than the first owner – as the newest collaboration between the supercar maker and LEGO sees the launch of the Speed Champions McLaren Elva this month. You’ll also pay a lot less as the car is priced at £17.99 (about RM105) on LEGO.com, LEGO stores, and other retailers globally.
“As a forward-thinking luxury brand, it is important to us at McLaren Automotive that who we work with reflects and echoes our passion for innovation and technology and also the value that we place around inspiring future generations through great design. This is why the collaboration between McLaren and the LEGO Group is such a natural fit, with both brands using creativity and learning to inspire and develop the builders and engineers of tomorrow,” said Gareth Dunsmore, Chief Marketing Officer at McLaren Automotive.
The LEGO version of the Elva and the full-sized model (below).
Close cooperation from conception stage
The LEGO team worked closely with McLaren to create the model right from conception of the idea when the real Elva was still in early development, all the way through the design process. They received initial sketches and early digital renders of the car, which is why it is already in the market before the real car.
Inspired by the lightest and most innovative McLaren supercar yet, this latest model offers those who build it a different from of enjoyment from the driver engagement and ultimate driving enjoyment the full-size Elva will give its owner. The LEGO Speed Champions McLaren Elva measures over 4 cm high, 16 cm long and 7 cm wide.
Authentic detailing
The Elva has no roof, windscreen or windows (although there will be a variant with a windscreen), making for an unforgettable driving experience like that of being on a motorcycle. Its Active Air Management System (AAMS) uses aerodynamics to control the airflow, creating a ‘bubble’ around the occupants and sheltering them from the blast of the oncoming wind.
Just like the real thing, the 263-piece LEGO set comes with a wide chassis, incorporating the 2-seat open cockpit, and authentic detailing including the AAMS vents that make the Elva so innovative and unique.
Also included in the kit is a McLaren driver minifigure, complete with racing suit, helmet and wrench, inspired by McLaren Automotive’s Principal Development Engineer for the Ultimate Series, Rachel Brown. Rachel has worked on incredible vehicle projects like the McLaren Senna GTR, and also supported the design and creation of the LEGO Technic McLaren Senna GTR released in January this year.
Her role follows McLaren Ultimate Series models, including the Elva, all the way from concept to production and managing elements such as track and aerodynamic wind tunnel testing.
“It is amazing to have witnessed the Elva go from a boundary-pushing concept drawing all the way to final vehicle production. It feels even more special now to see all of that hard work transformed into the LEGO Speed Champions Elva model for us to share with children and fans across the world,” she said.
The McLaren Elva, one of the models in the Ultimate Series which consists of the F1, the P1, Senna, and the Speedtail, was originally designed without a windscreen, an open-top that would give an exhilarating experience like that of a motorcycle. Nevertheless, the engineers developed an Active Air Management System (AAMS) to provide a barrier of air so as to reduce the blast when travelling at high speeds.
However, not all customers may appreciate the absence of the glass shield in front and in some states in the USA, regulations require it to be fitted. So McLaren is now adding a windscreen to the Elva (which means ‘she goes’ in French), a move which obviously adds weight to the car.
20 kgs of extra weight
The original Elva is McLaren Automotive’s lightest-ever roadcar and keeping weight down has been one of the strong points of the brand. Installing a windscreen with the heavy glass adds extra weight which includes electronically synchronized rain-sensing wipers, washer jets and sun visors. To save weight, the frame is made of carbonfibre and the AAMS is also left out, resulting in a weight increase of just 20 kgs.
A separate engineering programme optimized aerodynamic and dynamic performance to ensure this variant has the same driving dynamics and performance of the original car. The vehicle stiffness is also said to be maintained.
Customers will have the option of having a windscreen or no windscreen as the original car was designed (above).
Performance comparable to Senna
The acceleration of both versions, which have 804 bhp, twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engines, is comparable with that of a McLaren Senna. The claim is 2.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h for the fully open Elva as performance figures for the one with the windscreen are not available at this time since the first production unit has not been completed.
The Elva links McLaren’s heritage to its present and future with a name and style that recalls the McLaren-Elva racing cars of the 1960s. These were amongst the first sportscars designed and raced by Bruce McLaren and the company that he founded; today’s Elva was created to evoke the spirit of driving enjoyment symbolized by these cars.
They are available with heritage liveries like that of the Satin Casa Blue windscreen model prototype pictured. Customisation is, of course, available although the model will be among one of the rarest of McLarens. The initial plan was to make 399 units, but this number was reduced to 249 units and this year, the company has said that only 149 units will be available, with first deliveries starting at the end of this year.
“Super-lightweight and extremely powerful, the Elva delivers the ultimate connection between a driver, the road and the elements. Created to celebrate the pure joy of driving, it’s one of the most distinctive – and exclusive – cars we have made. Roofless and without windows, whether you opt for the screenless model with its sophisticated AAMS technology that provides an invisible barrier of air, or the windshield version with an additional level of enclosure, this is a roadster that rewards owners with the most exhilarating of open-air driving experiences, delivered as only a McLaren can,” said Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive.
Gulf Oil was one of the original ‘Seven Sisters’, the biggest oil companies in the world which dominated the industry up till the mid-1970s. Like many companies in the oil industry, Gulf Oil used motorsports as one of its marketing tools, sponsoring Ford and McLaren in major international races like the Le Mans 24 Hours.
It ceased to exist after the mid-1980s but various spin-off businesses continued in various fields. One of those companies, known as Gulf Oil International, signed a multi-year multi-year strategic partnership with McLaren in July 2020 which will see the name and iconic colours on the British sportscars as well as business associations in other areas.
Various partnership activities
For example, Gulf is now the preferred lubricant supplier to McLaren Automotive, with all cars filled with Gulf Oil and fuel optimised for its high-performance engines. Gulf branding will also be displayed at McLaren Automotive’s PURE customer events that take place around the world, at retailers and on team kit.
In addition, a small and exclusive number of customers will be given the option to have their car hand-painted by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the firm’s bespoke division, in Gulf colours which echo the famous F1 GTR Le Mans car that raced in the 1990s. In October last year, an Elva Gulf Theme by MSO was unveiled during the Goodwood SpeedWeek in England.
Senna GTR LM in Gulf colours
MSO project
This month, MSO reveals a bespoke 720S in the iconic Gulf racing colours, the hand-painted livery having taken 20 days to complete. Having trialled several iterations to create the perfect finish from McLaren Automotive paint technology partner AkzoNobel’s exhaustive pallet of premium automotive paint hues.
In addition to the iconic racing blue and orange colours, MSO has echoed the Gulf solid orange colour on the brake calipers, with the bespoke interior of this 720S featuring matching blue and orange stitching with Gulf logos embroidered on the headrests and painted on the sills.
The famous McLaren steering wheel incorporates a centre band to match the exterior stripe in Gulf solid orange and Gulf solid dark blue on the visual carbon fibre spokes. Matching key shells are also provided to the customer.
Technical specs similar to other 720S models
Technically, the 720S remains the benchmark supercar with a twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing up to 720 ps/770 Nm to give a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds and an unrestricted maximum speed of 341 km/h.
Its carbonfibre Monocage II contributes to a class-leading lightest dry weight of 1,283 kgs, while Proactive Chassis Control II suspension and active aerodynamics provide the outstanding performance on both road and track.
The 720S is the culmination of a joint project between MSO and Gulf to ensure a perfectly colour-matched range of paints in metallic and solid finishes that capture both of their unique identities. “McLaren Automotive has firmly established itself as the pioneering supercar company within just 10 years, but the McLaren brand has a remarkable history before this and it is always great to see customers embracing famous liveries on modern McLaren supercars,” said Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive.
“The 720S in Gulf colours celebrates two high-performance brands who draw on a deep automotive and racing history that have embarked on a new strategic partnership to excite customers and fans around the world. This project is a showcase of MSO’s capabilities and echoes the recent full restoration of the McLaren F1 GTR 25R, a car raced in the 1990s. The 720S in such an evocative livery and interior finish, created in close association with Gulf, which perfectly shows the potential for our customers to work with MSO’s skilled team to personalise their McLaren,” he said.
McLaren Automotive and Richard Mille, the Swiss watchmaking brand, have had a partnership since 2017 and to mark the beginning of the fifth year of that relationship, they have revealed their latest and most ambitious collaboration to date – the RM 40-01 Automatic Tourbillon McLaren Speedtail.
As the name suggests, this watch is associated with the futuristic looking Speedtail model – the fastest, most advanced and most exotic road car McLaren has yet produced. Only 106 cars will be produced, and mirroring this, only 106 RM 40-01 Automatic Tourbillon McLaren Speedtail watches are planned.
Based on the form of a teardrop, the most aerodynamically efficient shape found in nature, the 3-seat Speedtail is the ideal form for a streamlined hypercar. With its 1,070-bhp hybrid powertrain, the Speedtail can cover 112 metres per second when travelling at its top speed of 403 km/h, making it the fastest McLaren road car to date.
2,800 hours over 18 months to create
The aerodynamic efficiency of the hypercar provided the starting point for the design of the RM 40-01 Automatic Tourbillon McLaren Speedtail. It took Richard Mille’s casing department an unprecedented 2,800 hours over 18 months to perfect the lines.
“When it came to the RM 40-01, we had considerable input in sharing the highlights of the car and the philosophy behind it. With the Speedtail, we set out to produce a car that had an artistic quality to it. That has certainly come through in the watch, which beautifully mirrors the many various details of the Speedtail in its finish, materials and its uncompromising design,” said Rob Melville, McLaren Automotive’s Design Director.
“There are many similarities between the way that Richard Mille and McLaren approach common design and engineering challenges, such as saving weight, reducing vibrational impact and minimizing resistance,“ he added.
Like the Speedtail on which its based, the watch’s lines mimic the form of a water droplet while bezel indentations evoke the bonnet openings, and pushers that recall the air outlets behind the front wheels.
Extreme attention to detail
“The watch has one of the highest levels of finishing ever executed at Richard Mille. There has also been a lot of development with our anglers and polishers. The attention to detail is extreme, with mirror polished, plain and satinised effects in different areas and the combined use of titanium and Carbon TPT. The case itself is made from 69 individual parts,” explained Technical Director Julien Boillat.
Due to the unprecedented complexity of the design, 5 prototypes were created before the optimum shape was achieved. The challenge lay in the fact that the case is significantly wider at 12 o’clock than at 6 o’clock, with a further taper between the titanium bezel and case back, which are separated by a caseband made from Carbon TPT and unequal length titanium pillars.
Unique strap design
To protect the RM 40-01’s state-of-the-art movement, Richard Mille developed a unique upper crystal featuring a ‘triple contour’ to account for the decreasing taper and thickness of the bezel. It alone took 18 months to perfect. The strap is also a unique design, being asymmetrical and with the rubber version using Vulculor technology from Biwi SA. This has a special process that enables coloured rubber to be over-moulded – so allowing the iconic McLaren orange accent coloured stripe seen at 6 o’clock on the movement to extend to the wrist.
Despite the extraordinary anatomy of the case, a horological ‘engine’ was created that seamlessly occupies all the available space and introduces a level of mechanical sophistication that makes the RM 40-01 Automatic Tourbillon an appropriately extraordinary companion to the Speedtail. Grade 5 titanium has been used for key components such as the bridges, the bridge screws, the baseplate and the rotor core. The CRMT4 movement that drives the RM 40-01 introduces the mechanism’s first power reserve display as well as the oversize date and function selector complications, all of which are firsts at Richard Mille for an in-house tourbillon.
In the pursuit of perfection, three power reserve systems were developed before the definitive version was arrived at which is integrated into the watch. The entirely new movement architecture demanded a remarkable 8,600 hours of development, much of which went into finalising the extreme level of detail.
An often-forgotten detail, the finishing is applied not only to visible parts but also to parts that are hidden, such as the lower component surfaces. Some wheels are machined with the famous iconic McLaren logo that adorns the bonnet of the Speedtail, while the domed parts usher in new surface profiles that were required to translate the car’s curves.
Design elements from hypercar
The platinum and red gold winding rotor is inspired by the Speedtail’s bonnet and the barrel-setting by its roof line. The gentle, downward curve that the mechanism follows from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock recalls the brushed metal divider between the car’s cockpit and its bodywork. An orange line running from the lower part of the movement and on to the strap mimics the vertical stoplight mounted in the Speedtail’s rear screen.
The price of the latest watch has not been announced but the McLaren watch range has prices which start from around US$100,000 (about RM412,000) and the most expensive model is believed to cost around US$2.81 million (around RM11.6 million). Of course, that sort of price won’t bother someone who has a Speedtail which has a price starting from US$2.46 million (about RM10.2 million).
The McLaren Sports Series debuted in 2015 with the 570S unveiling at the New York Auto Show, and began a major chapter in the company’s history. After 6 years, production of the model line with 7 different versions has ended and the last units are headed to customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Serving for many customers as an entry point to the McLaren brand, more than 8,500 Sports Series cars have been sold globally since 2015. These include the 6 core models – the 540C, 570GT, 570S Spider and the limited-volume 600LT Coupe, 600LT Spider and 620R.
Racing car-inspired 620R
The most powerful Sports Series derivative – its 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 620 ps/620 Nm – the 620R was inspired by the McLaren 570S GT4 racing car and is the first car in its class to offer true motorsport credentials in a fully road-legal package.
Sharing aerodynamic, hardware and chassis components with the GT4 car, the limited-volume coupe – just 225 production cars were built – was designed to provide a seamless transition from race to road, free from any restrictions that motorsport regulations apply.
The 620R develops 185 kgs of downforce at 250 km/h, its circuit performance being further enhanced by a wider track, lowered suspension and two-way manually adjustable GT4 dampers featuring 32 clicks of adjustment.
Carbon ceramic brakes, centre-locking wheels and a low-exit, stainless steel sports exhaust additionally contribute to the overall experience of a racing car for the road.
Popular options chosen
The majority of 620R models sold across Europe, Middle East and Africa have been ordered with the optional R Pack, which includes a Gloss Finish Visual Carbonfibre Roof Scoop; Titanium SuperSports Exhaust with Gloss Nano Black finishers; Gloss Finish Visual Carbonfibre Front Fender Louvres and a Carbonfibre Interior Pack.
Containing several design and engineering upgrades, the R Pack further intensifies the immersive driving experience of the most track-focused and powerful Sports Series model ever.
With electrification as a necessity for future products, McLaren Automotive has started an entirely new chapter in its history, and a new era in supercar technology and performance. The Artura, the first completely new model produced since the 12C, is McLaren’s first series-production High-Performance Hybrid supercar.
As with all other modern McLarens, super lightweight engineering is a key element and was a priority for the engineers as they considered the replacement of the conventional combustion engine with a hybrid powertrain which would include a heavy battery pack.
Opportunities to innovate
It was a challenge that presented McLaren’s engineers and designers with new opportunities to innovate. A demanding programme of weight reduction, encompassing every area of the Artura from the chassis platform to the uniquely compact HPH powertrain system, to the weight of cabling used in the electrical systems (where a 10% reduction was achieved), resulted in the Artura having a lightest dry weight of 1,395 kgs.
The total weight of hybrid components is just 130 kgs (including an 88kg battery pack and 15.4 kg E-motor), resulting in a kerb weight of 1,498 kgs. That’s on par with comparable supercars that do not have hybrid powertrains, giving the Artura a super-lightweight advantage.
Twin turbo V6 + E-motor
At the heart of the Artura’s powertrain is McLaren’s all-new M630 2993 cc twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine. With a power output of 585 ps – nearly 200 ps per litre – and 585 Nm of torque, the dry-sump aluminium engine is compact and lightweight; at just 160 kgs, it weighs 50 kgs less than a McLaren V8 and is significantly shorter, enhancing packaging efficiency.
Working in harmony with the new V6 is a compact E-motor, located within the transmission bell housing. Small and more power-dense, it is capable of generating 95 ps and 225 Nm, boasting a power density per kilo that is 33% greater than the system used in the McLaren P1.
The instantaneous nature of the motor’s torque delivery – known as ‘torque infill’ – is key to the car’s razor-sharp throttle response. Exhilarating ‘off-the-line’ performance is promised with a claimed 0 – 100km/h time of 3 seconds, and a top speed somewhere beyond 330 km/h but limited to that speed.
No reverse gear
The dual propulsion systems are integrated via an engine disconnect clutch, driving an all-new, twin-clutch transmission, developed specifically for the Artura. Despite having one more ratio than the existing McLaren transmission – to optimise power and torque delivery – the lightweight, short-ratio gear cluster is 40 mm shorter in length. It also requires no reverse gear as the E-motor takes care of reversing by literally rotating in the opposite direction.
The driver can choose from four Powertrain modes for different driving conditions and preferences. There are Sport and Track modes where electric power is deployed in an increasingly aggressive manner for low-end response and acceleration. Separate handling mode choices adjust damper firmness and the degree of Electronic Stability Control intervention to suit driver preference and weather and road conditions.
30-km range in EV mode
The E-motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack with a usable energy capacity of 7.4 kWh and a pure EV range said to be up to 30 kms. The battery is refrigerant-cooled using cooling rails, and the assembly – including a power distribution unit which transfers battery power from the rear of the vehicle to the ancillaries in the front – is mounted on a structural carbonfibre floor. This assembly is then bolted onto the rear base of the monocoque, optimising stiffness, weight distribution and crash protection.
Full PHEV capability
The Artura is designed with full Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) capability; the battery pack can be recharged to an 80% level in just 2.5 hours with a standard EVSE cable. The batteries can also harvest power from the combustion engine during driving, tailored to the driving mode selected.
The Artura is the first model to have the new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) at its core, setting a new standard for the carmaker’s advanced flexible chassis design. Optimised for high-performance hybrid applications, it includes a bespoke battery compartment and introduces a ground-breaking domain-based ethernet electrical architecture, along with an electrical heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (eHVAC) system.
The ethernet architecture reduces cabling by up to 25% as well as speeds up data transmission. This also facilitates access to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) including Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane-Departure Warning, Auto High-Beam Assist and Road-Sign Recognition as well as Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates.
Pure supercar design
The engineering artistry beneath the Artura’s skin is complemented by its exterior design. The low-nose, cab-forward, high-tail stance is pure supercar, the drama underlined by the signature McLaren dihedral doors – which open closer to the body and house mirrors that fold in more tightly – and further enhanced by the short wheelbase and low stance.
The overall effect gives the Artura an almost ‘shrink-wrapped’ appearance, evolving a McLaren design approach seen in recent models to a new level. The lithe, technical sculpture has only minimal body shutlines and panel joints, assisted by features such as an entire rear clamshell engineered and superformed as one panel.
The shape, sculpted to optimise performance and manage airflow for aerodynamic performance and cooling, is driven by the McLaren design principle of ‘everything for a reason’ that is in evidence throughout the car. The centre of the front splitter is an example of this, being the intake for the eHVAC system and also housing the front-mounted radar that forms part of the optional ADAS package.
Driver-centric cockpit
Inside, the Artura is no less of a revolution, with the cockpit centred more than ever around the driver. The model introduces an all-new Clubsport seat, which uniquely combines the range of motion expected of a moveable backrest with the light weight and support of a bucket seat. Innovative yet uncomplicated, the whole seat pivots as one through an elliptical arc when adjusted, combining under-thigh support, seat height and backrest in one movement.
The seat locates in the ergonomically optimised cockpit, its carbonfibre shell combining with slim facia and doors to allow a 97.5th percentile (193 cm) driver to stretch out with generous knee and legroom, even with the backrest significantly reclined. Shoulder room is equally capacious, allowing a driver to get appropriately comfortable and seated correctly.
Driver and passenger comfort overall was an imperative throughout the development of the Artura, with NVH refinement high on the agenda. Innovations that benefit refinement include the stiffness of the MCLA, fluid-filled mounts for the powertrain and the new rear suspension design and settings. Pirelli’s patented Noise Cancelling System is also adopted to reduce vibration and noise.
More than a technological game-changer
At the outset, McLaren designed the Artura to be not only a technological game-changer, but also to stay true to the core McLaren attributes of being incredibly engaging to drive and displaying the highest levels of dynamic ability. The engineers focused on stability under braking; rear-end controllability; increased grip and optimised aerodynamic downforce – as well as enhanced driver engagement across the board. Key to hitting these goals is McLaren’s first-ever deployment of an electronically controlled differential (E-diff), to independently control torque moving across the rear axle. Lighter, more controllable and smaller than a mechanical locking diff (it fits within the transmission), the E-diff locks and unlocks individual rear wheels to improve traction out of corners.
The innovative rear suspension system, which pairs a top upper wishbone with two lower links and a tie rod in front of the wheel centre, maximises vehicle stability and precision, and reduces understeer out of a corner while accelerating. The wider tyres allow additional stability and better traction performance while the combination of a short wheelbase, E-diff and the physical downforce provided by the integrated rear spoiler and diffuser ensure both incredible agility at low speed and a high level of stability at high speed.
Pirelli Cyber Tyre
Dynamic precision is additionally enhanced by Pirelli Cyber Tyre technology. Comprising hardware and software integrated with the Artura’s electronic systems and featuring an electronic ‘chip’ inside each tyre, the Cyber Tyre generates real-time data and relays it to the car’s stability control systems to optimise tyre performance.
One feature that is unashamedly not new on the Artura is McLaren’s trademark hydraulically-assisted steering. Proven on generations of McLaren supercars, it remains the ultimate system for providing feedback. In the Artura, the system has been fully redesigned to reduce weight and is combined with an updated and bespoke version of McLaren’s Proactive Damping Control system that further supports exceptional ride and handling characteristics.
Braking performance is also exceptional, as would be expected of a supercar. This is provided by carbon ceramic brakes and lightweight aluminium calipers from the same family as the systems that feature in McLaren’s latest LT models.
“Every drop of McLaren’s experience and expertise has been poured into the Artura. Our all-new, High-Performance Hybrid delivers all of the performance, driver engagement and dynamic excellence for which McLaren is renowned, with the additional benefit of EV driving capability. The introduction of the Artura is a landmark moment – for McLaren, for our customers who will appreciate and enjoy this car on every emotional and rational level, and for the supercar world,” said Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive.
First deliveries to customers will start during the third quarter of 2021 with prices in the UK starting from £185,500 (about RM1.04 million). There will be 3 further core specifications for customers to choose from.
