India is one the markets in Asia to show the strongest recovery post-COVID consistently with positive signs, said Paul Harris, MD-APAC and China, McLaren, during an interaction with Mobility Outlook.
While India is not the biggest market in South Asia for the brand, it definitely is a ‘jewel in the crown’. McLaren has witnessed double-digit sales in FY23 with a market share of 25%, Harris added. recently, the Indian government and the British govenment were in dicussion for 'zero duty' policy on limited British imports. harrias noted that any thing that helps reduce taxation especially for the limited number products will be helpful for the customers as well as the company. 'Maybe if the tax is reduce we may sell more cars which in turns will help the government collect more tax,' he added.
'As the country's population and wealth grow, we have a chance to grow,' said the MD. However, he said that the company is not interested in numbers; rather, 'we chase for customer experience.' While the company currently has one dealership in Mumbai, it was hinted that Bangalore would be the next location for a dealership.
The company recently launched its Artura hybrid supercar in India at INR 5.51 crore, depending on the exchange rate. Harris stated that India is a fast-growing market with many new young, dynamic people who are keen on technology, so Artura is a perfect product for the market.
Matthais Weiskopf, Market Manager- North Asia, McLaren, noted that while the company had the 720s and the GT in India, the latter was a more popular model for the market due to its everyday usability. “Now, with the Artura coming, which is easier to use every day and with better technology, it might have a chance to be the best seller for the market,” he said.
Notably, Artura has been the third hybrid product for the company in the last ten years. McLaren’s hybrid journey started with the P1 hypercar, which was limited to 400 units; later, the company introduced the Speedtail, a limited production vehicle.
Harris noted that the Artura has been built from the ground up with a new engine and powertrain system. Interestingly, the vehicle is the first product from the stables of McLaren to use a six-cylinder engine. The Artura uses a newly developed 3.0L V6 twin-turbo engine mated to a new eight-speed automatic gearbox and flux e-motors. The e-motors are claimed to have 33% higher power density than those in the P1s and deliver 94bhp and 225Nm of torque.
At the time of the global launch of the Artura, Geoff Grose, Chief Engineer, McLaren Automotive, said the super-lightweight electrified powertrain is at the forefront of high-performance hybrid technology, designed to provide all of its benefits, internal combustion and electric power in one package, and to set new benchmarks for combined performance and efficiency in the supercar class. “The 'clean-sheet' design of the Artura has allowed us to focus on how to make this power accessible to the driver and deliver the levels of engagement expected from a McLaren,” he said.
Besides being powerful, the powertrain is compact to maintain the company’s lightweight vehicle tradition. The length of the gear cluster has been reduced by 1.6inch because of the use of a nested clutch rather than a parallel unit and the elimination of a reverse gear. This function is now performed by spinning the E-motor in the opposite direction. The ultra-compact motor fully integrates into the gearbox bell-housing, delivering torque in-fill and linear acceleration to the rear wheels via an E-differential.
Another key aspect of Artura’s lightweight characteristics is the all-new platform. Based on the McLaren’s next-generation carbon fibre chassis structure, MCLA, Artura’s body uses super-formed aluminium pedals. The 7.4 kWh battery pack is located low in the car, behind the driver, and is integrated into the floor, protected on three sides by the main carbon fibre structure and from behind by the engine. This positioning also improves dynamic agility by optimising both the centre of gravity and the polar moment of inertia.
Weiskopf noted that Artura will form the basis for future products from McLaren. He added that while the company looks at complete electrification in the future, hybrids will play a pivotal role in the transition.
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