McLaren announces to debut an all-new platform in 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: McLaren has officially announced to launch its next-generation platform in spring 2020. According to the CEO, Mike Flewitt, the all-new platform will be employed to support a lineup of new models from the carmaker. Moreover, the first one is set to be unveiled before the end of the succeeding year.

It is stated that the model mentioned above will come equipped with an all-wheel-drive hybrid mill, which will be assisted by the new architecture, and will be capable of hitting a sprint significantly quicker than the current, rear-wheel-drive Senna.

Flewitt stated in a statement that the all-new platform is capable of accommodating plug-in hybrid powertrains that will offer the EV a range of around 32 km. The carmaker’s complete range will be hybridised within the next three to four years, added Flewitt.

However, with the addition of a battery pack and an electric motor, the weight of the car will be hampered. Having said that, the hybridised trims are said to be 32 kg heavier compared to the current-generation models.

The hybrid system can be paired with turbocharged V8 motors, which will be employed in the high-end variants in it’s Ultimate Series. In addition to that, a new and lighter turbo hybrid V6 can be expected to come equipped in the lesser models in the Super Series and Sports Series.

The carmaker has no plans to make its own SUV and even if it wanted to make one, it would need an investment of at least USD1 billion for a different architecture to do so. Flewitt said, “We’d never get a return on it.”

McLaren is not satisfied with the current generation lithium-ion battery technology as it does not meet the brand’s performance figures. Also, it is expensive, heavyweight and not energy-dense enough. Instead, the CEO respects solid-state batteries as they are more capable.

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