McLaren has been secretly developing a high-performance model with “more than two seats” for some time, and it appears the project is taking shape ahead of its expected premiere in 2028.
Dealers report that the future large vehicle from McLaren will be an SUV with a hybrid powertrain. The company also plans to introduce several new models over the next three years, indicating an extremely active period for the brand.
What Shape Will the New Car Take?
Although many expected McLaren’s first SUV to be compact, this assumption has proven incorrect. One dealer who saw the clay model described its silhouette as reminiscent of a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, but larger, with a “sculpted and muscular” stance on 24-inch wheels.
It has presence and will not get lost among exotic SUVs next to competitors like the Ferrari Purosangue, Lamborghini Urus, and Aston Martin DBX.
The new SUV will be one of the first production cars to showcase McLaren’s updated design language, announced last year. Expect details such as split headlights flush with the body, a hood air intake, a pronounced roof spine, and a bolder rear end with a large spoiler, diffuser, and large exhaust pipes.
The four-door McLaren, codenamed P47, is reported to feature a V8-based hybrid system. While McLaren has not confirmed the base platform, it is known that the SUV will not use the carbon monocoque from the company’s supercars.
Previous reports indicated that the automaker was evaluating several shared architecture options.
More McLaren Models Coming Soon
During a global dealer meeting in the UK, McLaren revealed more details about its future strategy. The company plans to release at least one new model annually until 2028. According to the newly appointed CEO, Nick Collins, the model range expansion will not affect the brand’s performance-oriented DNA.
In 2026, the brand will introduce its W1 flagship hypercar, which is currently in the final stages of development. In early 2027, a hardcore version of the 788HS will appear – the most extreme evolution of the 750S and the successor to the 765LT, limited to 200 units split between coupes and convertibles.
McLaren is also developing a new supercar with a mild-hybrid V6 engine, expected to produce around 800 horsepower. Scheduled for 2027, it will position itself above the entry-level Artura and feature an interior described as “premium,” with driver-focused design elements, Nappa leather upholstery, and bright digital displays for media and instruments.
Competitor for the Ferrari 849 Testarossa
The future model range may also include a 2+2 grand tourer to replace the GTS. By 2028, McLaren expects to introduce both a convertible version of the W1 hypercar, equipped with a removable three-section hardtop, and a successor to the 750S, designed to compete with the Ferrari 849 Testarossa.
Earlier this year, McLaren was acquired by the CYVN holding from Abu Dhabi and merged with the startup Forseven. The investment group also owns a stake in the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio, which will supply components for future McLaren models.
Additionally, CYVN controls the electric subsidiary Gordon Murray Design, which will collaborate on research and development for McLaren’s future electrified lineup.
These plans reveal a large-scale transformation of the brand, combining a traditional passion for high speeds with new technologies and market challenges. The introduction of an SUV and the expansion of electrified models indicate McLaren’s adaptation to modern trends while preserving its unique identity in the highly competitive premium car segment. Collaboration with companies like Nio could provide McLaren with technological advantages in developing efficient hybrid and electric systems, becoming a key factor in the battle for the future of the automotive industry.