It is becoming increasingly clear that luxury manufacturers, those that make small runs of very special vehicles, are the ones that will take the longest to abandon combustion. Gradually they will also have to switch to electrification, although not as radically as the general brands are doing. Now McLaren confirms that it will keep the combustion mechanics in its range at least one more generation. To carry it out, they will continue collaborating with a luxury partner such as engine specialist, Ricardo.
Both British-born firms have a long history of collaboration dating back to 2011, when they started with the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine (M838T) from the McLaren MP4-12C. Since then, Ricardo has produced around 34,000 McLaren engines at their Shoreham-by-Sea facility. Its location is key, as it is barely 80 kilometers from the McLaren factory in Woking. Now the agreement is extended to include the next-generation V8 engine, precisely the one that gives life to the high-performance hybrids that will arrive according to the Future of Performance strategy.
It seems confirm the arrival of an older brother of the McLaren Artura, the brand’s first plug-in hybrid supercar. In this case, the main block is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 (M630) that is linked to an electric motor. The models that carry the V8 block in a high-performance hybrid system They will exceed the 680 CV of the Artura and will have incredible benefits. That Ricardo does it is a guarantee for exemplary operation and maximum reliability. After all, it has been more than a decade of collaboration and both parties are satisfied.
In fact, they boast of having a First Tier British Alliance that boosts employment in the area and that guarantees a good investment in the national supply chain. Ricardo is also delighted with the collaboration with McLaren to become strong in the automotive sector. Although the truth is that it is a company that works globally and that it is present in other sectors such as aerospace, maritime or rail transport.
