McLaren Automotive is a British automotive manufacturer based in Surrey, England. Founded in 1989 as McLaren Cars, it is the manufacturer of the 2007-present McLaren Senna, the 2007-present McLaren P1, and the McLaren MP4-12C. Its headquarters are in Woking, Surrey, England. The company is wholly owned by the McLaren Group, a global provider of high-tech engineering and design services.
McLaren’s automotive division was formed in 1989 with the McLaren F1, a super-luxury road car designed to commemorate the company’s Formula One championship title. The company’s launch of the revolutionary McLaren P1 in 2013 as the world’s first road-legal Hypercar affirmed McLaren’s spot at the top of the automotive performance industry. In July 2017, the McLaren 720S was launched, establishing McLaren’s second generation of cars. The 720S also gained recognition in the form of a “Lord of the Rings” review from Car and Driver magazine.
The company currently produces five ranges of road car; the entry-level Sport Series, the mid-range Super Series, the top-tier Ultimate Series, the Hyper Series, and the hybrid Sport Series. The company’s revolutionary carbon monoposto architecture for its vehicles has resulted in an industry-leading blend of performance, driving engagement and low weight. Each McLaren road car is tailored to meet its customers’ individual needs, allowing for an optimum balance between performance and usability.
McLaren is also renowned for its use of advanced technology, such as its light weight carbon fiber tubular chassis, suspension systems, and aerodynamics. The company has conducted extensive research and development in this area, developing technology found in other mass-produced vehicles, such as the Ford Focus’ SYNC infotainment system. This has allowed the company to remain at the forefront of automotive performance and technological innovation.
In addition to its range of road cars, McLaren has also expanded into other automotive segments. These include the McLaren Special Operations (MSO), offering bespoke engineering solutions and limited editions, and the McLaren Applied Technologies division which provides cutting-edge engineering, technology and consulting services to partners in the automotive, motorsport, aerospace and defense sectors.
Collaborations with Other Car Companies
McLaren is no stranger to collaborating with other car companies. In 2020, the company entered into a joint venture with Toyota Motor Corporation to develop a new hypercar. In 2021, McLaren announced a partnership with Japanese giant Yamaha to produce performance oriented two and four-wheeled vehicles. These partnerships demonstrate McLaren’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of automotive technology and innovation.
Earlier this year, McLaren also announced its first joint venture in North America with Lucid Motors, a Silicon Valley start-up. The partnership will see the two companies collaborate on and produce technology-driven luxury cars and SUVs, building on McLaren’s established record in high-performance models such as the Senna and P1.
McLaren has also been heavily involved in the development of the hypercar sector, by pioneering new technologies such as electric power, aerodynamics and lightweight materials. This has allowed the company to remain competitive in this increasingly crowded market place.
McLaren in Motorsport
McLaren is one of the most successful teams in the history of motorsport, having won 20 World Championships in Formula One, two in the World Sports Car Championship and one in the World Endurance Championship. Today, the company continues to compete in Formula One, IndyCar, GT racing and other top echelons of motorsport.
In 2021, McLaren launched a new IndyCar team, dubbed McLaren Racing. This marked the return of McLaren to the IndyCar Series after a 16-year hiatus. The team also launched a new partnership with Chevrolet to produce a new IndyCar for the 2021 season. The company is also set to participate in the World Endurance Championship in 2021, with the launch of the new McLaren P1 GTR-21.
McLaren has also collaborated with renowned motor companies such as Cosworth and Ricardo, to develop new performance engines and drivetrains for their vehicles. These collaborations have allowed McLaren to remain competitive in the world of motorsport and to develop cutting-edge technologies.
Designed to Perform
McLaren is renowned for its commitment to designing and engineering performance orientated vehicles. Each McLaren vehicle is designed to be lightweight, aerodynamic, and highly efficient. The company utilises the latest technologies and materials in order to achieve the highest levels of performance, from the revolutionary carbon MonoCell chassis to the active aerodynamics.
McLaren also prides itself in the use of cutting-edge powertrains, with all models but the Sport Series being powered by mid-mounted dual-clutch transmission engines and either turbocharged or supercharged powerplants. McLaren produces some of the most powerful engines in the world, with the Senna’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 789hp.
McLaren Innovations
McLaren has developed a wide range of advanced technologies and innovations in order to remain ahead of the competition. From its revolutionary brake systems, to its innovative ‘RaceActive Chassis Control II’ system, which allows for improved cornering and traction, to its advanced aerodynamics, McLaren is a leader in performance technology.
The company has also developed its groundbreaking ProActive Chassis Control system, which uses a combination of active aerodynamics, hydraulics and advanced predictive algorithms in order to provide the ultimate driving experience. The technology has been applied to all vehicles in the McLaren range, from the entry-level Sport Series to the top-shelf Ultimate Series.
Future of McLaren Automotive
Since its establishment over 30 years ago, McLaren has made an indelible mark on the automotive world. The company has continued to innovate and push the boundaries of performance, and looks set to continue its success in the years to come.
The company is planning to expand its range with the launch of the new McLaren LT and LT-R models. The LT models will be the first mid-engined road cars in the company’s history, and the LT-R will be the most powerful road car model that McLaren has ever produced. These two models are set to continue McLaren’s long history of producing cars that are designed and precision-engineered for maximum performance.
With the announcement of these new models, and the continued development of its range of road and race cars, the future of McLaren Automotive looks extremely promising. The company’s commitment to performance and technological innovation ensures that McLaren will remain at the forefront of the automotive industry in the years to come.
