Back in June, McLaren made the shock announcement that they would be entering Extreme E, an all-electric spec SUV racing series, for the 2022 season. Now, the automaker has teased their challenger for the 2022 season, with the full reveal planned for November 3.
But before you get up in arms, this
doesn’t mean McLaren is developing a roadgoing SUV. Unlike Lamborghini,
Ferrari, and even Lotus, McLaren has no plans to stray from their sports
car-only lineup. The SUVs used in Extreme E are all identical spec (each team
gets a version of the same SUV provided by the series) and don’t have to be
homologated for road use, so rest assured we won’t be seeing a McLaren
crossover anytime soon.
That being said, their entry into off-road
racing, and electric off-road racing no less, is quite the endeavor. The
company has already shown their dedication towards the electrified future with
their contributions to Formula E and Artura plug-in hybrid road car. so it’s
interesting to see them broaden their horizons even more. But don’t think that
this racing is any more tame than what the Woking-based firm has dealt with
before, as the Odyssey 21 SUV used in the series makes over 500 hp, goes 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, and can tackle inclines of
up to 52 degrees while navigating some of the most treacherous terrain on the
planet.
As for the actual SUV that McLaren will be
using, it’ll likely be a version of the Odyssey 21, unless Extreme E develops
an entirely new vehicle for the upcoming season. However, based on the limited
view of it from the teaser images, it does appear to be the 21 clad in a combo
of black and McLaren’s signature Papaya Orange. Piloting their SUV will be
rallycross and Formula Drift driver Tanner Foust, with the announcement of a
female second driver to come.
