Fresh McLaren Artura supercar brings F1 tech

Enthusiasts can live out their Grand Prix fantasies thanks to a brand new supercar with a powerful new engine and cutting edge features.

McLaren’s Artura brings F1 tech to the road.

Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo will strap into a hi-tech McLaren with a turbocharged V6 engine, carbon fibre chassis, powerful hybrid system and advanced aerodynamics for the next season of Grand Prix racing.

And McLaren customers can do exactly the same thing on their drive to work.

The McLaren Artura borrows styling cues from the 720S and Senna.

While it might look a lot like other models in the range, the new McLaren Artura is loaded with fresh technology.

Set to replace entry-level “sports series” models such as the McLaren 540C, 570S and 600LT, the new McLaren Artura has closer ties to the world of Formula 1 than most rivals.

Aussie F1 star Daniel Ricciardo with the 2021 McLaren Artura.

Powered by a new 3.0-litre V6 turbo engine, the Artura benefits from hybrid boost to help it punch harder than the outgoing model’s V8.

The result is a machine with 500kW and 720Nm – well more than the 419kW and 600Nm of the outgoing 570S – which is enough to launch to 100km/h in three seconds flat.

Flying buttresses and high-mounted exhausts look sharp on the new Artura.

Better still, the hybrid system is capable of driving the Artura on battery power alone for up to 30 kilometres. Its official fuel economy claim undercuts the Toyota Corolla.

A new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission helps the two-seater beat the Porsche 911 Turbo S to 200km/h, and a fresh electronically controlled limited-slip differential should get all that power to the ground.

McLaren’s Artura is set to cost about $450,000 in Australia.

Happily, McLaren retained the electro-hydraulic power steering system that gave the 570S the sweetest front end in its class. Carbon ceramic brakes are also standard, as are sticky Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres.

A fresh infotainment screen offers smartphone mirroring alongside creature comforts such as active cruise control, sat nav and speed sign recognition.

Daniel Ricciardo with the new McLaren Artura.

The new McLaren Artura set to be priced from around $450,000 plus on-road costs. Arriving locally later this year, the machine should hit the ground in time for Daniel Ricciardo to drive one to work … at November’s Australian Grand Prix.

Originally published as Fresh McLaren Artura supercar brings F1 tech