For years, McLaren was adamant that it would never build an SUV. But in 2022, with a new CEO at the helm, full of fresh ideas, McLaren was finally open to the idea of adding a high-riding performance SUV to its lineup. Rumors began to swirl, and ever since, we’ve been waiting for the automaker to join the SUV craze. Lately, it sounds like a McLaren SUV is closer to reality than ever before. While the automaker hasn’t officially confirmed that it will build one just yet, the company supposedly showed dealers a model of a five-seat hybrid SUV just last month. Attendees compared it to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid, but beyond a few brief design descriptions, real details remain scarce. Other high-end car brands have already entered the segment, including Bentley, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, and most notoriously, Ferrari. So McLaren’s entry is late, but that allows the British supercar maker to build something truly unique. Even though McLaren has been tight-lipped about the model, there are a few indications of what buyers should expect when it goes on sale later this decade. For now, here’s everything we know about McLaren’s SUV. What Will McLaren Call It? 2025 McLaren Artura Spider McLaren has used both real names and alphanumeric ones for its road cars over the years. It has the Artura and Senna alongside the 750S and 570S. Internally, McLaren is allegedly calling its SUV the 'P47,' which isn’t the worst combination of letters and numbers, but it lacks emotion. McLaren trademarked several names a few years ago, including the Solus. It has since used the Solus name, but not the others—Aeron and Aonic. That could potentially change when the SUV debuts. What Will Power It? McLaren W1's V-8 The latest report indicates that McLaren’s SUV will have a hybrid V-8 engine, and we suspect it will be a similar setup to the one found in the W1 hypercar. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter MHP-8 V-8 is the automaker’s second in-house designed engine, and it delivers 916 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque in the W1. An electric motor mounted to the side of the W1’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission makes 342 hp and 324 lb-ft, increasing the combined output to an astounding 1,258 hp and 988 lb-ft. And it sends all of that power to the rear wheels exclusively. The engine will power other McLaren models, and if it ends up in the SUV, it will likely have more electric range and less power. The Lamborghini Urus SE, which also features a hybrid V-8 engine, produces 789 hp and 701 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful hybrid SUVs on the market. McLaren has a powerful enough powertrain to put its SUV at the top of the pecking order. What Will It Look Like? McLaren 'P47' SUV Rendering by Motor1 While we haven’t seen McLaren testing an SUV to give us an idea of the design, we do know bits of what it could look like. The automaker showed its global dealers the car last month, with attendees revealing a "sculpted and muscular" look that wouldn’t "get lost in the exotic SUV segment." The clay model that the automaker showed dealers was larger than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, with similar proportions and 24-inch wheels. Our rendering depicts a low-slung SUV wearing the brand’s signature lighting elements at the front. There are deep scallops along the front doors for aerodynamics and a sleek greenhouse that accentuates the SUV's sporty stance. The back of the McLaren SUV looks unlike any other model before it, with a typical liftgate, slim taillights, and large dual exhaust tips. How Much Will It Cost? Without concrete details, it’s hard to guess how much McLaren will charge for its SUV. The model's power, performance, and market position will matter. Porsche offers the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid with more than 700 hp for under $200,000. The Bentley Bentayga starts below $250,000, while the nearly 800-hp Lamborghini Urus SE costs around $270,000. The Ferrari Purosangue also makes over 700 hp, but that badge comes with a premium price tag—the car starts at over $400,000. We wouldn’t be surprised if McLaren's SUV is on par with the Urus SE in terms of performance,with a price tag starting around $300,000. A model that produces about 1,000 hp would have a price tag to reflect that, possibly putting it closer to the Ferrari, and that might be a harder sell. When Will It Debut? McLaren hasn’t announced when it will reveal its new SUV. The automaker has been hinting at adding such a model to its lineup for several years, but it hasn’t provided a timeline as to when it might arrive. A 2023 report alleged McLaren would launch a new model for 2028, and that still seems plausible. In September, the automaker’s newly appointed CEO, Nick Collins, confirmed we would “definitely see something with more than two seats,” we just don’t know when, but it feels soon. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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