McLaren is said to want to discontinue its hybrid sports car, the Artura.

Image: McLaren

McLaren plans to discontinue the Artura model by 2028, according to Automotive News. The vehicle was designed as the British sports car brand’s first plug-in hybrid, aiming to attract younger, tech-savvy buyers with its innovative features.

The launch of this lightweight model was delayed by over a year due to the pandemic and subsequent semiconductor shortages. After going on sale in 2022, quality issues persisted for extended periods, affecting areas such as the software and oil pump, per the report.

A McLaren dealer who wished to remain anonymous told Automotive News that delays in launch and early defects were deterring potential customers. “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression,” the dealer was quoted as saying.

The 445 kW (605 hp) plug-in hybrid, available since 2024 in a cabriolet version called the Artura Spider, was originally intended to signal McLaren’s future amid stricter emission regulations. The model utilized the Carbon Lightweight Architecture and combined the brand’s first 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine with an electric motor and a 7.4-kWh battery for 30 kilometers of electric range per WLTP standards. The power output was later increased to 508 kW (690 hp).

Despite an update two years ago, the model remains outdated for supercar buyers according to Automotive News. Additionally, according to the dealer, hybrid sports cars with small engine displacements have not received the expected response in the market. Manufacturers are required to build such vehicles due to government regulations, but they do not meet customer preferences.

McLaren is now preparing a new mid-engine model with the codename P34 as an entry-level offering, according to Automotive News. The British brand also plans to expand into the four-door vehicle segment with a hybrid SUV.

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Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.

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