by McLaren’s Future Electric Cars May Be Limited to the Chinese Market Only
Next year, Ferrari will debut its first fully electric model, known as the Elettrica. One might have expected McLaren to follow in the footsteps of its Italian competitor and accelerate the development of its own electric car, but according to new CEO Nick Collins, this will not happen anytime soon.
Commitment to Internal Combustion Engines
In a conversation with Car and Driver at Monterey Car Week, Collins noted that McLaren will continue to view internal combustion engines and hybrid powertrains as core options for a “very long time.”
The company has no intention of abandoning its long-standing 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, despite the strong position of the Artura with its newer 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6.
Collins pointed out that McLaren recently made its flagship V8 better than ever in the W1 model, increasing power per liter to 229.6 hp, which significantly exceeds the 185.3 hp/liter figure in the 750S.
Cautious Approach to Electric Vehicles
McLaren is in no rush to electrify, but the door is not completely closed. Collins acknowledged that if McLaren were to launch an electric car, it would likely be limited to a specific market, such as China. This makes sense, as China is the largest market for electric vehicles.
When CYVN announced the merger of McLaren with Forseven, it was stated that the automaker “will benefit from strategic investments in Nio, gaining access to cutting-edge technologies and electrification.”
As for the future, Collins hinted that the first products under this new chapter will appear “sooner than you think.” Existing projects that were already in development before the merger will now receive a boost thanks to increased investments, indicating an active and strategically focused future for the brand.
McLaren’s new owner, Abu Dhabi-based investment group VYVN Holdings, is a major investor in the Chinese EV company Nio, which could explain the potential focus on the Chinese market for future electric models. This may also indicate that McLaren is maintaining flexibility, adapting to regional market conditions without abandoning its core internal combustion engine technology for its global audience.
