McLaren to launch 18 models and move to hybrid powertrains by 2025

McLaren will launch 18 new cars by 2025, by which time all of its mainstream production models will use hybrid powertrains.

The new models will include a direct successor to the McLaren P1 hypercar. This will be in addition to the recently revealed Senna and the three-seater BP23, which is due to be revealed later this year.

However, McLaren said that some of its future limited-production hypercars, which sit in the brand’s top-tier Ultimate Series, might still rely solely on internal combustion engines.

McLaren confirms P1 successor will arrive by 2025

The 18-strong line-up will include replacements to the current entry-level Sports Series range, and mid-level Super Series range, all of which means production will reach 6000 units per year by 2025. Last year, McLaren sold 3400 cars. All production will remain at McLaren’s plant in Woking.

The plans were announced by McLaren at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The £1.2bn Track25 business plan follows on from the Track22 strategy announced in 2016.

Autocar previously reported that the next generation of McLaren sportscars, to arrive from 2020, will use hybrid powertrains, starting with a replacement for the 570S. Each subsequent replacement model will also use a hybrid powertrain.

Given the McLaren 720S was launched last year, that Super Series model won’t be hybridised until 2022.

While current models all use a version of McLaren’s twin-turbocharged V8, the hybrid powertrain is likely to use a smaller-capacity turbocharged V6. McLaren boss Mike Flewitt would not confirm as much, but said McLaren was already testing the hybrid set-up to make production in a 720S mule.

The hybridised models will be based on a new structure that is an evolution of the current Monocell II architecture.

Flewitt told Autocar earlier this year: “Hybrid design is part of the next platform – it is designed-in from day one rather than having to adapt an existing chassis.” He also confirmed at the time that a hybrid powertrain will be the only option within McLaren’s core model ranges.

Along with its hybrid plans announced today, McLaren is investing in “new augmented driving features”. Flewitt explained that McLaren wants to use autonomous-driving technology to fit in with the brand’s values. For example, McLaren’s track app could be developed so that it is able to overlay [F1 driver Fernando] Alonso’s best lap. “It would let him virtually drive the car and then you could learn from it.”

McLaren 600LT is faster than 488 GTB

It will also develop a “lighter, superfast-charging high-power battery system for performance”. Hybrid McLarens equipped with the battery system could have more than 30 minutes of electric driving range on track.