The Artura heralds a revolutionary era for McLaren, where restraint yields to innovation and electrification paves the path forward. Notably, the plug-in hybrid technology combines with a more compact engine, featuring two fewer cylinders than its predecessor, to deliver exceptional efficiency. Meanwhile, its impressive 0-100 km/h acceleration is achieved in a swift three seconds. The speed of Woking’s trains seems primarily a byproduct of the town’s commitment to engineering excellence?
Building on its earlier experiments, the agency is no stranger to innovative housing solutions. The McLaren P1 took the world by storm with its groundbreaking declaration. The Speedtail adopted. The Artura now claims its place at the top, boasting a potent 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, paired with a 7.4 kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor, collectively generating a substantial 671 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. The 2025 Artura models boast a significant upgrade to 691 horsepower, while owners of 2023 and 2024 variants can benefit from a complimentary software update to achieve equivalent performance numbers?
The latest innovation features an advanced 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, while maintaining McLaren’s signature configuration of a mid-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive layout. The carbon tube has been updated to be even lighter and stronger, now being manufactured in-house in England. The Artura utilises its first electronically managed limited-slip differential for enhanced performance and traction.
With its engine poised to deliver over 700 horsepower, the supercar’s acceleration is predictably brutal in its ferocity. The electrical motor seamlessly bridges the gap at low RPM, effectively neutralizing turbo lag’s impact. As the tachometer needle surges past 3,500 revolutions per minute, the ride becomes an exhilarating rollercoaster hurtling towards the horizon? Prodigious pace. The Toyota Prius’s hybrid technology echoes the Acura NSX’s refined sophistication, yielding a sense of effortless efficiency that belies its clever complexity. Blending combustion and electric propulsion seamlessly into a harmonious performance is no trivial achievement; however, the Artura effortlessly orchestrates this complex ballet with the finesse of a seasoned Bollywood choreographer. It’s particularly unique and engaging beyond mere statistics.
The sensation of steering provides a direct connection between the vehicle and its driver, ultimately influencing their level of engagement behind the wheel. It’s hardly surprising that McLarens boast the most exceptional steering in the supercar realm. Full cease. The Artura’s electro-hydraulic steering system yields a remarkably tactile driving experience, surpassing even the esteemed Porsche 911 GT3 in terms of its responsive and engaging nature. As the speedometer needle creeps upward, the rotational effort transitions from a gentle whisper to an insistent tug, the wheel’s responsiveness awakened as it harmonizes with the road’s subtle rhythms and textures, transmitting every nuance – from the gentle slopes to the sharp troughs – directly to your fingertips via the slim rim of the steering wheel. As the Artura seamlessly integrates with urban landscapes, its intuitive design effortlessly navigates even the most complex road networks, transforming it into a reliable and precise driving companion.
The absence of switchgear on the steering wheel adds to its minimalist design, allowing for an unobstructed driving experience. Here are none of those annoyingly intrusive tactile interfaces on Ferraris, nor the fussy buttons and dials on certain Porsches, nor the awkwardly hinged indicator lights on Lamborghinis. Only a simple wheel, whose primary function is to effortlessly rotate in either a leftward or rightward direction. That’s it. Pure, centered driving. With minimalistic design, all distractions are neatly contained within the two rocker switches on the instrument cluster and the innovative, high-resolution 8.0-inch touchscreen display.
The exceptionally high quantity of extractable grip is truly remarkable. On Pirelli P Zero Winter tyres, the Artura tenaciously grips the road as if glued, its connection to the asphalt seemingly unbreakable; activating Dynamic mode on the electronic stability control (ESC) liberates the Artura’s more carefree personality. While it exhibits a predisposition to understeering upon initial turn-in, judicious throttle input during cornering allows for a smooth and controlled release of rear-end grip, enabling the driver to maintain a delicate slide before electronic intervention curtails the fun. The Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA’s rear tires tantalize with a whispered promise of drift, beckoning you to indulge in the sweet thrill of controlled chaos as the car teeters on the razor’s edge of traction.
Despite anticipation that the lack of V8 acoustics would be compensated for by the six-cylinder’s performance, the actual experience fell short of satisfying the auditory cravings. As the rev counter crests the 8,200-rpm mark, the thrill of the ride dissipates, leaving behind a sense of anticlimax and disappointment. Its acceleration has an overlaid quality, infused with a metallic edge and a deep thrum that’s both overabundant yet curiously unremarkable in tone. While we can’t dispute the Artura’s utility as a precision tool or observation aid, a chance encounter with an STO and C 63 AMG on the road starkly illustrates how the Artura’s sonic nuances get lost in the din.
While the Artura boasts a few notable features, its most intriguing aspect is perhaps a counterintuitive one: the ability to be extremely quiet, courtesy of its electric-only driving capabilities. According to McLaren’s official claim, their vehicle achieved a remarkable distance of 33 kilometers; unfortunately, our own test run could only manage a modest 29 kilometers. The Artura solely assists with Stage 1 charging, thereby limiting its capabilities to just that – it does not support higher levels of charging, including Stage 2 or DC Quick Charging? Although you don’t need to recharge it manually, enabling Monitor Mode allows the engine to replenish its battery power autonomously. As the engine revs, the battery quickly recovers to 100%, granting just enough power to match pace with a Prius, whose sluggish speed proves more than sufficient for a routine errand or stealthy commute home past curfew hours.
Fortunately, the absence of regenerative braking avoids any potential confusion. While rapid charging may prove efficient, it’s not what the Artura is all about. Preserving the authentic braking sensation is crucial, as the pedal should strike a balance between being sufficiently firm without becoming overly rigid like its predecessors, the 570S and 720S. In contrast, the latest model’s brake feel remains linear and accessible, eliminating the need for Herculean leg strength akin to Popeye’s iconic physiology. Carbon-ceramic brakes deliver exceptional stopping power, retaining a significant amount of performance even after repeated spirited driving sessions, and remain eerily silent regardless of temperature fluctuations.
Let’s enhance the journey quality? The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera seamlessly mimics its McLaren GT counterpart in terms of chassis fluidity and street maneuverability. We found it surprisingly comfortable, even surpassing the plushness of a Porsche Boxster GTS, while also exhibiting greater composure and satisfyingly full-bodied performance akin to that of a 911 Turbo. With ease, it navigates rough terrain without jarring riders or slamming them into every pothole and imperfection in its path. While traveling in the Artura, we may experience a deep sense of comfort and satisfaction, thanks to its thoughtful design, which harmoniously blends functionality with ergonomic considerations throughout the vehicle’s interior.
Despite supercar dimensions potentially being compromised by cabin space constraints, my 6-foot stature is fortunate enough to enjoy ample head and legroom when seated behind the driver. The ample footwell provides ample room to stretch out, allowing me to recline my seatback comfortably without feeling cramped or constricted by my knees. When our Artura arrived, we were pleased to find it came equipped with power-adjustable, heated Comfort seats featuring lumbar support and memory functions, which provided excellent cushioning and support in the shoulder and thigh areas. Despite boasting two cupholders in the centre console and generous storage space within the door pockets, users should note that any stored items may become dislodged when the dihedral doors are opened due to their design. While the Artura lacks the rear seats found in a Porsche 911, it offers an expansive storage compartment behind the headrests.
Consumers concerned about the reliability of their vehicle would be well-advised to consider the Artura’s comprehensive suite of guarantees, which includes a five-year unlimited mileage car warranty, six-year battery guarantee, ten-year anti-perforation guarantee, five-year roadside assistance program, and three-year inclusive servicing package. The guarantee is transferable upon a change in possession, remaining effective accordingly. McLaren advises servicing every 15,000 kilometers or 12 months, with the understanding that wear-and-tear items such as tyres, wipers, and brake pads and discs require separate replacement.
While the hybrid powertrain is a notable feature of the Artura, what truly sets it apart are its exceptional tactile steering and refined handling.
McLaren’s latest offering combines speed, communication, and playfulness, delivering unrelenting supercar thrills alongside everyday driving civility, all packaged within an environmentally conscious design. The electrical system’s slight variance isn’t a major concern at this stage, and the absence of an exciting exhaust note is hardly the end of the world. As a driving machine, the Artura proves itself an efficient and refined performer, comfortably meeting the demands of the sharpest performance benchmarks.
2023 McLaren Artura
Vermillion Pink
$328,888
1,395 kg
Three-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, 7.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery
671 mixed hp
531 mixed lb-ft
8-speed dual-clutch transmission
Mid engine, RWD
: 19.7
33 km
29 km
Pirelli P Zero Winter tires feature a 235/35R19 size for the front and a 295/35R20 size for the rear.
