McLaren gets in early on hybrid-supercar action

For McLaren Automotive and its 25 retailers in the United States, the brand's largest market, the Artura is more than just a new supercar with a list of impressive performance specs.

It's an opportunity to be one of the first exotic and ultraluxury brands to bring a plug-in hybrid supercar to market — and at a lower price than its few brethren on the market.

The Artura starts at $229,500, including shipping. U.S. deliveries are set to begin in June.

"This is essentially a new segment: a hybrid supercar," said Tony Joseph, president of McLaren the Americas. "Everyone's very optimistic about it. We feel and we know there's plenty of growth in this area."

Of the major established exotic and ultraluxury brands, only Ferrari and Lamborghini have electrified supercars on sale. But even then, Ferrari's SF90 Stradale starts at over $500,000, while Lamborghini's Sian FKP 37 coupe and Sian roadster cost over $3 million and had a total production run of 82 vehicles. McLaren has offered two other hybrid hypercars in the past, the P1 and Speedtail, but both were from its limited-run Ultimate Series and had starting prices of around $1 million to $2.3 million.

"We feel we'll be able to broaden our customer base with Artura and pull from other brands," Joseph told Automotive News. "It's going to be at a price point that will attract other supercar customers. It'll be a way for us to further expose the brand to more people."

McLaren has slotted the Artura above the GT, which starts at $213,195, but below the 720S coupe, which starts at $303,650. Both prices include shipping.

Each McLaren dealer will be able to sell the plug-in hybrid, Joseph said. Outside of adding new tooling for service, McLaren isn't anticipating a need for major facility upgrades tied to the Artura, he noted.

"Most of the dealers are up to speed in terms of the hardware," Joseph said. "It's more of the parts package that we'll be delivering to them."

McLaren the Americas consists of the U.S. and Canada as well as Central and South America. It was previously known as McLaren North America before adding South America late last year.

The Artura is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine along with an e-motor and a battery pack. It has a total output of 671 hp and 531 pound-feet of torque and an electric range of 19 miles.

Andy Thomas, vice president of marketing and communications at McLaren the Americas, said as the brand builds its marketing initiatives for the vehicle, it will focus on the Artura's battery technology, drivetrain, aerodynamics and use of lightweight materials. "We don't do anything unless it actually increases the car's performance," Thomas said.

"When you couple that with the light weight and you add the hybrid technology part, you really start to get a package that's unique within the supercar world."