Australian order books open for $449,500 McLaren Artura plug-in hybrid

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021 Iain Curry 2883 Views McLaren Artura, McLaren australia, Pricing

The 2022 McLaren Artura plug-in hybrid supercar has gone on sale in Australia priced from $449,500 before on-road costs, ahead of deliveries in the final quarter of 2021.

Full specification has also been revealed for what McLaren calls its first “High Performance Hybrid” as the Brit brand moves increasingly towards electrification for its sports and hypercars. In what McLaren says is ideal for urban use, the Artura can travel 30km using only electric power.

$449,500 in Australia: the McLaren Artura plug-in hybrid electric supercar

The plug-in hybrid drivetrain features a 70kW/225Nm electric motor allied with a 430kW/585Nm twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6, giving combined outputs of 500kW/720Nm and incredible performance figures.

The two-seat hybrid McLaren promises a 0-100km/h time in 3.0 seconds; 0-200km/h in 8.3 seconds, and if you’re really bold, 0-300km/h in 21.5 seconds. The quarter-mile is dispatched in 10.7 seconds, while the car will max out at 330km/h (205mph).

These numbers are helped by a reasonably light (for something with heavy batteries) 1498kg kerb weight courtesy of an all-new McLaren Carbon Fibre Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) and liberal use of aluminium body panels.

The other key figure is that 30 kilometres. That’s the distance McLaren says the Artura can travel on electric power only, up to maximum of 130km/h. Its 7.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack is mounted to a carbon fibre floor, and can be charged from zero to 80 percent in 2.5 hours using a household powerpoint.

Its 8-speed auto gearbox has no need for a “heavy, space wasting” reverse ratio, instead using electric power to perform backing up manoeuvres.

Standard features include 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) 7-spoke alloys, Pirelli PZERO tyres, carbon ceramic brake discs, adjustable damping, multiple drive modes, Alcantara cabin surfaces, ClubSport seats, 8-inch HD touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, HD driver display and dual zone climate control.

Options packs offer niceties such as Nappa leather, ambient lighting, brushed dark titanium interior components and an advanced technology pack. McLaren Special Operations (MSO) carbon fibre components are there if your boggo Artura just doesn’t stand out enough.

2022 McLaren Artura plug-in hybrid supercar — Alcantara coated sports bucket seats for raciness – note the carbon fibre construction on entry.

A no cost option Practicality Pack may add a bit more weight, but its included vehicle lift, power heated mirrors, parking sensors, rear view camera and soft close doors will go down well with many urban buyers.

The car comes with a five-year/75,000 km warranty, while the battery is covered for six-years/75,000km, and is able to be ordered in Australia now.

Iain Curry

A motoring writer and photographer for two decades, Iain started in print magazines in London as editor of Performance BMW and features writer for BMW Car, GT Porsche and 4Drive magazines. His love of motor sport and high performance petrol cars was rudely interrupted in 2011 when he was one of the first journalists to drive BMW's 1 Series ActiveE EV, and has been testing hybrids, PHEVs and EVs for Australian newspapers ever since. Based near Noosa in Queensland, his weekly newspaper articles cover new vehicle reviews and consumer advice, while his photography is regularly seen on the pages of glossy magazines.