If Leonardo da Vinci ever decided to design a British sportscar after a triple espresso, he’d probably end up sketching something suspiciously similar to the McLaren Artura. The name itself is McLaren’s attempt at poetry—“Art” + “Future” = Artura—basically like when we glued our names together in school to make a cool Instagram handle, except this one costs ₹5.10 crore ex-showroom and does 330 km/h.
The Artura is technically the “second generation” hybrid McLaren, following the P1 and the Speedtail. But unlike its half-insane predecessors that behave like rocket engines with number plates, the Artura tries to be a responsible adult. It’s McLaren’s first-ever plug-in hybrid road car with a V6 engine, the first time Woking said, “Fine, we’ll save some fuel… but we’ll still outrun everything.”
McLaren launched the original Artura idea in 2015, and by 2023 they had cooked the second-gen version you’re seeing now. It replaces the old 570S, which means this is the spiritual successor—stronger, cleaner, smarter and thankfully far less likely to set itself on fire.
Design: When Robert Melville Draws, The Road Listens
Designed by Robert Melville—the man behind the 650S, 570S, 720S, GT, P1, and yes, even the Range Rover—the Artura looks like it was sculpted using a laser pointer and witchcraft.
The body uses Superformed aluminium, the chassis is a single-piece MCLA carbon-fibre shell, and the whole car weighs just 1500 kg, including the hybrid battery that weighs 88 kg—roughly equal to the guilt you feel after ordering a second plate of butter chicken.
Everything on the Artura has a purpose. The flying buttresses at the back aren’t decorative—they’re aerodynamic tunnels that cool the engine and increase downforce. The sequential LED indicators, aquablade wiper, thermal insulated windscreen, and those beautifully angry twin-exit stainless steel exhausts all tell the same story: this car was designed by someone who gets angry when a line isn’t perfectly straight.
This particular one is finished in Ember Orange, but McLaren being McLaren, they offer 34 colours. And if still unsatisfied, you can go to MSO — McLaren Special Operations—where they’ll charge you the cost of a 2BHK in Pune to paint your car any colour you invent.
Doors: Because Ordinary is for Mortals
The Artura doesn’t open its doors.
It performs them.
The dihedral doors rotate outward and upward in a 90-degree flourish like they’ve been watching too many Karan Johar dramatic entrances. Every time you open them, strangers gather, kids take photos, dogs look confused, and somewhere a Lamborghini owner quietly closes his scissor door in embarrassment.
Interior: A Masterclass in “Minimalism That Still Costs Crores”
Inside, the Artura feels like Woking hired an Apple designer and told him, “Make it simple. But make it ₹5 crore simple.”
You get Clubsport power adjustable seats, alcantara headliner, titanium interior components, 12-colour ambient lighting, and leather-alcantara upholstery that comes in several tasteful shades including black, grey, brown and red.
The 8-inch HD infotainment supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, voice control and OTA updates—basically everything except Whisper Mode to calm your nervous passengers during 330 km/h attempts.
For audio, you get the standard McLaren system—or if you’re someone who likes Beethoven at 200 km/h, you can option the 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.
Practicality?
A very generous 160-litre luggage space — perfect for two cabin bags and five crushed egos of rival supercar owners.
Hybrid Magic: The Future Arrives with Twin Turbos and 93 Electric Horses
Under the Artura’s glowing orange skin sits a masterpiece: a 3.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V6, codenamed M630, paired with a 7.4 kWh lithium-ion battery and an axial-flux electric motor.
This is the world’s first all-aluminium production V6 with a 120-degree bank angle, allowing a hot-vee layout with turbos sitting cozily in the valley. The engine weighs only 160 kg. That’s lighter than most Royal Enfield owners.
Power breakdown?
The petrol engine makes 577 hp and 584 Nm.
The electric motor adds 93 hp and 225 Nm.
Together, you get 671 hp and 720 Nm — enough to make the laws of physics ask for a transfer to another department.
Performance numbers are so rude they should come with a government warning:
- 0–100 km/h: 3 seconds
- 0–200 km/h: 8.3 seconds
- 0–300 km/h: 21.5 seconds
- Top speed: 330 km/h
And here’s the nerdy party trick:
The Artura does not have a reverse gear.
It simply spins the electric motor backward.
Your car has reverse.
The Artura has innovation.
Electric-only range? 30 km.
That’s enough to silently leave your house at 6 AM without waking your neighbours—or your wife who said, “No more expensive cars.”
Ride & Handling: Physics Says No. Artura Says Watch Me.
The Artura carries that signature McLaren “disappears around corners” feeling thanks to:
- Double wishbone front + multilink rear suspension
- Proactive Damping Control that reads the road
- Electronically Locking Differential
- McLaren Brake Steer
- Variable Drift Control (for those who believe life is too short for straight lines)
- Pirelli Cyber Tyres that send temperature and pressure data to the car like a smart fridge sending milk updates
- 42:58 weight distribution for optimum stability
Modes?
Electric, Comfort, Sport, Track — basically ranging from Zen Monk to Angry Dragon.
Safety & Sensibility (Yes, A McLaren Has Both)
You get everything from ABS, traction control, lane departure warning and sign recognition to parking sensors, a fire extinguisher, and even brake disc wipe technology that removes water from the brake surface — because even raindrops shouldn’t slow down a McLaren.
Warranty, Service & Ownership: Surprisingly Sensible for a Car That Can Warp Time
McLaren provides:
- 5 years unlimited km warranty
- 6 years / 75,000 km battery warranty
- 10-year anti-perforation warranty
- 5-year roadside assistance
- Servicing every 15,000 km or 12 months
There’s even a 3-year service plan that includes multiple filters, brake fluid, and key fob batteries—because the only thing worse than a dead key fob is explaining to your friends why your ₹5 crore supercar won’t unlock.
Charging?
80% in 2.5 hours.
Just enough time to take a nap and dream about the next mountain road you’ll ruin for everyone else.
Verdict: A Future-Focused Supercar That Still Knows How to Misbehave
The McLaren Artura is everything a modern supercar should be: fast, furious, electrified, beautifully engineered, and absolutely hilarious when you floor it. It’s a technological triumph disguised as a rolling sculpture, a machine that blends art with future flawlessly — just like the name promises.
It may be hybrid.
It may be sensible.
But make no mistake —
it’s still a McLaren first, a science project second.
And when those dihedral doors rise in the air, even the laws of physics stand up and applaud.
