McLaren has been spied putting its
forthcoming hybrid Sports Series model through its paces with a heavily
camouflaged prototype. The vehicle you’re looking at will replace the 570S and
even though the British car manufacturer has done a good job at hiding the
overhauled design, it hasn’t been able to hide all of the new styling elements.
Up front, we can see headlights similar in
shape to those of the McLaren 720S while beneath the camouflage also sits an
angular bumper and aggressive air intakes. Elsewhere, the sides of the
prototype have large air intakes just behind the doors and the car appears to
be fitted with carbon-ceramic brakes. It also has green brake calipers and a
set of black wheels.
At the rear, the taillights of the vehicle
appear almost identical to those of the limited-run Elva. Also visible are two
tailpipes mounted in a similar position to those of the old 675LT. There is
also a striking diffuser.
Of course, the most interesting aspect of
the new Sports Series won’t be its design but rather its powertrain. This
powertrain will couple a twin-turbocharged V6 engine to an electric motor. It’s
reasonable to assume the car is getting a rear-wheel drive setup and will
benefit from a healthy dose of additional horsepower and torque over the 570S
as well as limited-run models like the 600LT and 620R. It should also offer up 32 km of all-electric driving range.
Last month, McLaren unveiled the carbon
fiber tub that will underpin its future electrified vehicles, including the new
Sports Series. This platform is developed and manufactured in-house at the
McLaren Composites Technology Center (MCTC) in Sheffield, United Kingdom.
