Several operational hurdles, supplier setbacks, and the scarcity of semiconductor chips have hindered the launch of another vehicle. McLaren’s long-awaited Artura, the automaker’s premier series-manufactured high-performance hybrid supercar, is currently affected.
Pioneering McLaren’s latest architecture, crafted at the McLaren Composites Technology Center in the UK, the Artura was initially planned for a 2021 year-end debut. While this setback isn’t the first for the new supercar, McLaren is optimistic that it will be the final delay.
McLaren
“We persevered longer than others in halting production, but unfortunately, our semiconductor supply ran low,” stated McLaren spokesperson Roger Ormisher to Automotive News.
Enthusiasts of British supercars are eagerly anticipating the real-world performance of the Artura. The vehicle is set to be propelled by a novel twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 motor generating 671 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque, complemented by its e-motor and battery unit. According to McLaren, the Artura’s 7.4kWh battery will provide an estimated 19 miles of all-electric range with a maximum speed of 81 miles per hour. Its e-motor, the first axial flux kind in a series-production road car, contrasts with most e-motors in the automotive sector utilizing radial flux technology, which situates magnets around a rotor. The axial flux motor adopts a stator sandwiched between two rotor hubs, making it more compact and lighter compared to its radial flux counterpart.
The new McLaren will feature a carbon tub, offering a selection of 15 paint hues, including a striking green shade. Additionally, the Artura will incorporate a portrait-mounted touchscreen aimed at providing vehicle occupants greater centrality, enhancing maneuverability.
McLaren
The chip predicament has created a myriad of challenges for the automotive sector. Car manufacturers have had to make tough decisions such as pausing production or releasing vehicles lacking features like heated seats. In August, The Drive featured a conversation with Ford CEO Jim Farley, who mentioned that the peak of the supply chain crisis had passed and that there were improvements in the chip supply scenario.
Meanwhile, Ford unveiled a strategic alliance with chip manufacturer GlobalFoundries in November to develop its own semiconductor chips. In Kokomo, Indiana, numerous incomplete GM trucks, lacking chips, remain in storage.
Regarding the Artura, enthusiasts will have to exercise patience, as we eagerly await the opportunity to experience it firsthand later this year.
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