McLaren Automotive have announced a bold $2.3 billion plan that will see its entire sports and supercar range feature some kind of hybrid system by 2025.
Revealed as the Track25 business plan, an evolution of the current Track22 framework launched in 2016, McLaren have identified vehicle, production and technology milestones to achieve by the company's fifteenth anniversary, including a successor to the P1 hypercar.
Most significantly, McLaren has committed to ensuring its entire supercar range will feature some kind of hybrid system within seven years. McLaren will also evaluate new 'augmented driving features' and help develop a lighter, superfast-charging, high-power battery system for performance cars that is expected to have over 30 minutes of electric range around a race track.
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McLaren Automotive production line. Photo / McLaren
Investment in 18 new models or derivatives is expected to lift production by almost 75 per cent over current levels to around 6,000 cars a year by the middle of the next decade. Having launched the world’s first ever petrol-electric hybrid-hypercar five years ago with the P1, McLaren has confirmed one of those new models will be a direct successor to the iconic hypercar. All will be hand-assembled at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, England.
McLaren will remain focussed on mid-engined sportscars, with no plans on building a front-engine sportscar, GT or SUV.
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Alongside a focus on the on-track and on-road experience, McLaren will introduce technologies designed to improve the owning experience with enhanced cyber protection, improved vehicle tracking and over-the-air (OTA) software updates, allowing McLaren customers to benefit from new features without the need to visit dealerships.
Currently retailed in 31 markets around the world through an 86-stong retailer network, rising demand means the aim will be to reach 100 retailers within the life of the Track25 plan.
Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive. Photos / McLaren
“Everyone at McLaren Automotive remains constant in their focus of designing and crafting the world’s best drivers’ cars," said McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt.
"True to McLaren’s spirit, however, our ambitions, continue to grow and our £1.2bn (NZ$2.3b) Track25 business plan which covers 18 new models, including a new McLaren P1, is clear proof of that.
"We are a luxury brand that is committed to investing in innovation, whether that’s in the development and manufacture of our own carbon fibre tubs as part of a new £50m (NZ$97.3m) British-based production centre, new powertrains with our entire range due to be hybrid by 2025 or the deployment of technology to enhance the driving and owning experience."