McLaren

Helmeted and harnessed directly behind my pilot, I prepare for takeoff as the cockpit canopy shuts over us. It could be a scene from Top Gun: Maverick save for the fact that we’re not launching from an aircraft carrier but pulling out of pit lane at the Thermal Club’s track in a final prototype of the Czinger 21C hypercar.

The $2 million, carbon-fiber-bodied, tandem-seat Czinger 21C astounds with specs—1,250 hp, zero to 62 mph in 1.9 seconds, a claimed top speed of 253 mph—and recently blew away the McLaren P1’s production-car track record at Circuit of the Americas by six seconds. But more impressive—seriously—is the hybrid’s build process: The main structural components are designed by Czinger’s proprietary AI software and then 3-D-printed. “These structures cannot be made more perfect for the requirements inputted,” says Kevin Czinger, who, along with his son Lukas, cofounded Los Angeles–based Czinger Vehicles. “You could have 1,000 engineers and they would never get to this solution.”

A profile view of the sleek Czinger 21C hypercar. 

Ted Seven

Figuring out how to put these “perfect Lego blocks” together was tasked to Lukas, with a degree in electrical engineering from Yale, who invented a fixture-less assembly system. In other words, there’s no part-specific fixture or tooling required to hold pieces in place during the robotic build. Meanwhile, his polymer team created an adhesive that bonded in under two seconds. The result is a 22-robot cell that doesn’t have to be retooled from one application to another, meaning the same hardware can transition from creating a rear frame to a full chassis with only a software change—a potentially revolutionary new approach to manufacturing.
Revolutionary, too, is the Czingers’ share-the-wealth philosophy. “The mission is to democratize the pinnacle of technology and engineering so that anyone can use it,” says Lukas. “We ultimately want to change the way anyone thinks about making anything.”

McLaren F1s don’t come more unique then this.

A one-of-a-kind 1998 example of Gordon Murray’s iconic supercar will be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s at Monterey Car Week. This particular example is the only F1 to leave the factory with revised headlights that make it easier to see at night.
The F1 is the kind of vehicle that changed things forever. When McLaren’s first road car arrived in 1992, it mixed style and performance in a way that few cars ever have. The Peter Stevens-designed exterior—with its athletic lines, bubble cockpit and butterfly doors—has rarely been topped in the 30 years since its debut. The ultra-lightweight speed machine’s capabilities have aged just as well. Thanks to a BMW-sourced, naturally aspirated 6.1-liter V-12 mated to a transverse six-speed manual transmission, the F1 could reach a top speed of 240.1 mph, a feat that made it the world’s fastest car for over a decade.

This McLaren F1 features the internal headlamps from a BMW Z1 roadster 

RM Sotheby’s

The F1 may be one of the history’s truly great cars, but it’s not perfect. One glaring flaw was its stock headlights, which were notably dim at night, according to the auction house. In attempt to fix the issue, McLaren built one F1 with the internal headlamps from the BMW Z1 roadster and shortened the housing surrounding the lights to account for the modification. This car, chassis no. 059, was the only example to roll off the line with the feature.
Even without its revised headlights, this one-off F1 would be exclusive. McLaren only built 106 examples of its first supercar, just 64 of which were constructed to street-legal specification. The example RM Sotheby’s is selling is one of those. It’s finished in silver, one of the colors most closely associated with the model, and has all the original parts it left the factory with, including its beastly V-12. With 16,400 miles on the odometer, it is more than just a display piece, though it does look to be in impeccable shape.

Inside the 1998 F1 

RM Sotheby’s

With barely more than 100 examples out there, it’s not every day that an F1 goes up for grabs. This particular example hasn’t been seen in more than a decade, so chances are you’ll have to be ready to spend big to get your hands on it. RM Sotheby’s hasn’t announced an estimate for the vehicle, but street-legal examples regularly sell for more than $2 million (and can reach as high as $20 million) on the rare occasion they hit the open market.

Click here to see all the photos of the one-of-a-kind McLaren F1.

RM Sotheby’s

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McLaren averts banality by sticking to supercar essentials: carbon fiber monocoques, scissor doors and absolutely no SUVs. The brand’s latest supercar showoff-move is the Artura Trophy race car, a competition-focused machine that’s already the second race-car spinoff from the newly introduced Artura hybrid.

On the heels of the 720S GT3, Artura GT4, and soon-to-be-discontinued 570S GT4, this latest racer takes a fine disregard to performance-choking BoP (Balance of Power) regulations, which are racing organizations’ ways of leveling the playing field by capping the power and aerodynamics setups of different manufacturers. By building a one-make race series around the Artura, McLaren is able to play by its own rules and set up their race cars as they desire. In a way, the race version is uncorked—but ironically, it starts life as a GT4-spec Artura, which has been stripped of its hybrid hardware in order to adhere to GT4 rules. 

McLaren Artura Trophy Race Car 

McLaren Automotive

In Trophy form, the Artura’s twin-turbo V-6 produces 577 hp. Alleviated from its hybrid hardware, the drivetrain is down on power compared to the road car’s 671 hp. But freed from the BoP ballast weight intended to keep competitors on even ground, the lighter racer adds an enhanced aerodynamic package with a high-downforce wing that should enable greater cornering speeds.
Would-be Pro-Am racers can take on the competition in the McLaren Trophy Championship, which will support the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe series in 2023 at events including the Spa 24 Hours. Among McLaren’s selling points is a concierge service that enables a seamless process of hotel bookings and transfers, and a paddock race center inspired by the company’s Formula 1 efforts with baked-in space for entertaining friends, family, sponsors and team managers. McLaren says the Artura’s engine-management system and aerodynamic package are easily converted to GT4 specification without purchasing a new race car, yet another selling point for racers seeking to make a small fortune from a big one.

Just north of Ketchum, Idaho is Phantom Hill, a scenic stretch of state highway that begs for extralegal speed. Tarmac cuts through the majestic natural landscape in a gentle arc that resolves into a lengthy downhill straightaway. It’s a delight to pilot these roads at triple-digit speeds, though 364 days out of the year doing so would likely land you in jail.

The Sun Valley Tour de Force was founded in 2018 as a way to celebrate speed and raise funds for local charities. While a group drive and car show offer typical supercar spectacle, the main event brings law-breaking wish fulfillment to new levels by closing off the road and allowing participants the opportunity to drive as fast as their high-powered cars will take them. The No Speed Limit portion shuts down 3.2 miles of road at Phantom Hill, and requires a considerable amount of coordination and safety precautions. Because I wasn’t able to attend the mandatory safety meeting ahead of the runs, the team arranged a Zoom meeting in which I was briefed on the particulars of the no-limits event. 

The McLaren 720S Spider  

Sun Valley Tour de Force

Practically every eventuality has been thought through. Every participating vehicle is required to pass a thorough tech inspection and wear tires that are no more than 5 years old. Spectators must clear the road by 300 feet, and 16 spotters ensure the road is clear of wildlife by remaining in radio contact with drivers. 
The staging area fills early on Saturday morning with an eclectic group of participants. The usual contemporary supercar suspects are present—Ferrari 812 GTSs and 488 GTBs, Porsche 911 Turbos and Audi R8 V10s, and small batch specials like a Pagani Huayra and a Singer Vehicle Design Porsche 911. Classic exotica is also well represented, from a first-gen Dodge Viper to a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. Oddball outliers include a pristine, 40-year-old Volkswagen Rabbit pickup truck and a custom-built 1966 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe, whose owner was intent on beating a 210 mph record. Incidentally, the outright 253.01 mph record was set by a Bugatti Chiron in 2019.

Basem Wasef in the cockpit of a McLaren Spider 

Sun Valley Tour de Force

At my disposal is a McLaren 720S Spider and 765LT Spider provided by the carmaker, who serves as a title sponsor for the event. First up: the edgier 765LT, whose lighter weight and more aggressive aerodynamics might make it appear to be weapon of choice for these high-speed proceedings. With a radio tucked into my ear fitted snug beneath a carbon fiber helmet, I line up at the start line and watch the 720S ahead get the thumbs up and blast off into the distance. Moments after it disappears over the crest, there’s a beat of silence as I double check the car’s settings and anticipate the signal that the 3.2 miles of road ahead are mine to attack. 

The thing about driving a 755 horsepower supercar full tilt into a blind corner is that the first time requires a paradoxical combination of boldness and caution. Speed accumulates with brutal efficiency: 60 mph arrives in 2.7 seconds, 100 in 5.4 clicks. Hurtling into the triple digits, the McLaren makes the landscape blurrier until the tachometer’s climb hovers near 8,000 rpm. The thrum is intense, as is the near-impossibility of visually processing details as the surroundings speed past. Holding the steering wheel as it dances slightly in your hands near top speed is like balancing the upbringing of a spirited child: The grasp must be firm enough for control, but flexible enough to allow for the wiggles. Through the traps at an indicated 205 mph, I lift the accelerator and the air brake instantly fills the rear mirror, keeping the vehicle from losing control due to the sudden shift in balance and downforce. 

Writer Basem Wasef driving the McLaren 720S Spider 

Sun Valley Tour de Force

Counterintuitively, McLaren’s less powerful 720S Spider manages a higher claimed top speed thanks to its slipperier aerodynamics and taller gearing. Lined up again at the start line, the 720S doesn’t punch quite as aggressively off the line, but still accelerates hard enough to press you firmly against the form fitting seats. This time the McLaren’s legs are long, punching past 150 and into 200, creeping up click by click until it settles at an indicated 213 mph. Data from the official speed trap reveals I hit a max velocity of 215.72 mph, a satisfying number that isn’t far off from the day’s fastest officially recorded speed of 221.67 mph, set by a Ferrari F8 Tributo.
Once the top speed event concludes, it’s time to enjoy Idaho’s stunning roads—only this time with heightened awareness of potential repercussions. It’s a seemingly frivolous endeavor, chasing top speed numbers in fantastical carbon fiber supercars. But if there’s a counterargument to the octane-fueled excess, it’s the organization’s fundraising efforts, which raised $580,000 this year for the Hunger Coalition, an accomplishment that gives even more reason makes next year’s event bigger than ever.

What’s happening in the high-performance automotive sector looks like a Top Chef challenge. Leading marques, operating under the same set of emissions restrictions, are picking from a common crate of power-train ingredients—a six-cylinder engine and electric motor—while trying to present the most tantalizing supercar du jour. Latest on the menu: McLaren’s 671 hp Artura.

During the past few years, McLaren Automotive has seemed to favor frequent model releases over substantial advancements in engineering and drive experience, impacting the perceived collectability of some of its most recent cars. Enter the Artura, which signals a return to late racer Bruce McLaren’s penchant for reinvention and innovation. Touted as McLaren’s first series-production hybrid, the Artura, starting at $233,000, represents a laundry list of firsts for the automaker (some more auspicious than others), including use of a V-6 engine in a road car and the introduction of the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) platform.

Navigating Spanish traffic through the seaside destination of Marbella, the Artura feels like it may also be the brand’s first true daily driver, whether in Comfort, Sport or EV settings—the last of which offers an 11-mile range on battery alone. (There’s also a Track mode, which should be saved for, well, you know… ) Improving on the rattling side mirrors and echo-chamber cabin of the barely street-legal 620R and with more functional space than the 720S, this car is what we wanted the McLaren GT to be but with an agility on par with some of the marque’s more track-focused models.

Yet as far as sibling resemblance, the Artura seems closer kin to the 819 hp Ferrari 296 GTB. Both rear-wheel-drive machines feature a 3.0-liter V-6, with twin turbochargers set between 120-degree cylinder banks to lower the center of gravity, complemented by an axial flux electric motor (providing 94 hp in the Artura). And both have the shortest wheelbase in their respective manufacturers’ current stables, the McLaren measuring 104 inches versus the Prancing Horse’s 102.3-inch span—though at 3,075 pounds, the Artura’s dry weight saves 166 pounds over Maranello’s machine, thanks in part to the MCLA’s carbon-fiber monocoque tub and a new ethernet-based electrical system that’s 10 percent lighter than the outgoing iteration.

McLaren’s 671 hp Artura is a hybrid daily driver at home on any race circuit. 

Courtesy of McLaren

The resultant athleticism is evident on the roads weaving to Ascari, a private racetrack in Málaga. The coupe’s stability at speed is due to a revised rear suspension and, especially, McLaren’s debut of an electronic differential. The combo’s effectiveness is driven home on the 3.35-mile circuit’s 26 turns and truncated straights, where the e-diff constantly optimizes the traction of each back wheel. Able to cover zero to 60 mph in 3 seconds flat, the Artura only hints at its 205 mph top speed before the carbon-ceramic brakes are required, able to scrub 124 mph down to zero in 413 feet. (Note: That’s 62 feet longer than required by the more potent 296 GTB.)
Heading back to the coast, there’s time to appreciate improved cabin ergonomics, including the engine-mapping selector that now sits on the steering column. Most noticeable are the seat adjustments; finally easy to reach and operate, they’re no longer the cruel exercise in frustration they’ve been on previous models. As with any relationship, small gestures go a long way, and it feels like McLaren has been listening.
It also feels like there’s a lot riding on the Artura. Admittedly, it doesn’t wow quite like the roughly $318,000 Ferrari 296 GTB, but it fits solidly between that model and the solely V-6-powered Maserati MC20, which it outperforms but is still the more comparable car in terms of power and price. How it fares in the near future must keep McLaren execs up at night. After all, the likes of Aston Martin and Lamborghini also have this production-hybrid recipe, and you know they’re busy cooking.

Mention “road rally” to most people, and visions of race cars running a multi-day gauntlet of endurance and skill tests across inhospitable terrain are what immediately come to mind. So too, the wind-beaten, dirt-infused faces of competitors offering only 1,000-yard stares by the final stages of contests with names like Mille Miglia, Carrera Panamericana and Dakar. Yet a growing number of rallies have shifted from the high-risk, high-reward concept to focus solely on the latter, driven purely by joie de vivre. Case in point is the 2022 Robb Report California Coastal, which crossed the finish line yesterday.

From June 12 through 16, over 20 participants teamed up as pilots and navigators in an automotive field represented by the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche and Bentley, to explore what’s arguably the Golden State’s greatest motoring pilgrimage—the route from Santa Barbara to Napa. Connecting the nation’s two preeminent wine regions is Highway 1, a paved ribbon etched along steep cliffs that jut from a chameleon-like sea.

A portion of the diverse automotive field prepped for action. 

Stewart Cook

For Los Angeles–based entrant Nancy Gale, behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT, “the roads never get old no matter how many times you’re on them, around every corner is something breathtaking.” Equally smitten was her copilot Michael Zander, who called the remote sections “magical.” Conjuring up the 514-mile course were the drive specialists at Radius, including co-founders Don Harple and Laszlo Nagy with nearly a half-century in motorsport and related consulting and support services between them. “First and foremost, we look for visually pleasing routes paired with roads that promote driving enthusiasm,” says Harple, who adds that the greatest challenge is keeping everyone on the same flow. “It is much more enjoyable to spend time on the road together as much as possible,” he says, “that’s where the stories and camaraderie are built as a group.”

Almost ready to roll out. 

Stewart Cook

On Sunday, a concours-style display of participating machines and an opening night cocktail reception were followed by a paired dinner featuring estate wines from Cuvaison. The kickoff to Robb Report’s second annual rally was hosted at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara—basecamp for the first night.

Neil and Bridie Hudspith set off from the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara in their McLaren 720S Spider. 

Stewart Cook

A 9 a.m. start the next morning began a supercar convoy bound for San Luis Obispo to discover a presentation of truly unbridled power and performance that only the Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary could provide. The preserve, set on over 2,000 acres of pristine backcountry, is home to 400 untamed equine inhabitants.

“As a child, my first word was horse, so you can imagine the impact seeing wild horses being chased and captured on television as a five-year-old,” says Neda DeMayo, founder and president of Return to Freedom. “Decades later, when it was exposed that thousands were being slipped into the slaughter pipeline, I started this solutions-focused conservation organization to protect the diversity and habitat of America’s wild mustangs and burros.”

The unbridled power of the American wild mustang on full display at the Return to Freedom preserve. 

Viju Mathew

Taking off-road vehicles up an amber ridge, guests were soon walking amidst various herds of roaming mustangs that were relocated from several western states. Safe from the threat of inhumane captivity or elimination, the horses are even reunited with their original family groups when possible. It was an experience that resonated with rally participants Mike and Mickala Sisk, who are in the process of rescuing rhinos from various countries where poaching has decimated their numbers. The plan is to breed the endangered species on their ranch in Texas before eventually bringing them to Africa. Referring to the team at Return to Freedom, Mike could relate to the “incredible passion of the people involved.”
Perhaps the road trip’s greatest juxtaposition was presented later that afternoon. As the rally traced the serpentine stretch to Big Sur and beyond, the rugged hills from earlier—speckled by oaks and jagged rock—gave way to the immaculately manicured fairways of Pebble Beach. Before bedding down for the night at the famed Inn at Spanish Bay, the group was further immersed in the resort’s refined Scottish take on golf as a bagpiper slowly strode from the dunes to the fire pits, the haunting serenade bidding a temporary farewell to the sun.

Commemorative rally jackets turbocharge any driver’s wardrobe. 

Stewart Cook

“Iconic” seemed the theme for the second drive day, as the assemblage of rolling art meandered through one of the most coveted neighborhoods in the country, known simply as 17-Mile Drive. After a group photo fronting the revered 250-year-old Lone Cypress (inspiration for the logo of Pebble Beach Resorts), it was a direct jaunt to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (opening image), a motorsport mainstay since 1957.

Having dined with the rally crew the previous evening, track president John Narigi made the executive decision to bump up the parade-lap speed limit, allowing the procession to enjoy slightly more spirited driving for a couple of passes around the 2.23-mile circuit and its 180 feet of elevation change, including the infamous “corkscrew” sequence of steeply descending twists.
“It’s always a delight to see how people react when they drive the racetrack for the first time, knowing they are driving where legends have,” says Barry Toepke, director of Heritage Events at Laguna Seca. “While the track and Laguna Seca Recreation Area have changed over the years, there’s still the same spirit as when they first opened.”

No tour of 17-Mile Drive is complete without a photo at the Lone Cypress overlook. 

Don Harple

The time spent there may have proved costly for Mike Sisk. “I knew this was the day to judge the Ferrari Roma, and it handled everything beautifully” he says, having rented the Prancing Horse specifically for the rally before making a decision to purchase it. He did just that the next day with the help of fellow rally entrant Michael Famiglietti of Penske Automotive Group.
Other event sponsors on hand were Chopard, Cohiba, VistaJet, McLaren and Italian fashion house Isaia, the latter providing a reception of canapés and libations at its Frank Lloyd Wright–designed boutique in downtown San Francisco. There, Pixar’s creative director Jay Ward, a new addition to Robb Report’s RR1 membership club, joined former mayor Willie Brown in the exclusive mixer before attendees embarked on the short walk back to the baronial Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco for the night.

Canapés and cocktails at Italian fashion house Isaia’s boutique in downtown San Francisco. 

Darin Greenblatt

The most spectacular motoring was reserved for the final legs on Wednesday, where the caravan ascended to Hawk Hill for a unique bird’s-eye perspective on the city, then ventured along the often overlooked but unforgettable byways leading to Point Reyes and Tomales Bay. The 112-mile section culminated at the final destination, the Carneros Resort & Spa in Napa, where a McLaren rep was there to showcase the marque’s new 671 hp Artura hybrid coupe.

After the closing al fresco dinner, Chopard’s Mathieu Meunier sat by the fire and sipped a glass of Quantum Bin 98, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa and South Australia crafted by Penfolds, the wine partner du jour. Asked how this rally differed from numerous others he has been involved with, Meunier took a beat to respond. “At many of the classic rallies, participants are only interested in the cars,” he eventually states. This group is more balanced, it cares about the finer things in general.”

The McLaren Artura gets a moment to shine at the Carneros Resort and Spa. 

Viju Mathew

In an unexpected show of appreciation, Meunier had just gifted one of Chopard’s limited-edition Mille Miglia timepieces to club member Neil Hudspith. “I have received awards over the years for the companies I represented, but this was the first time I had a microphone in my hand and was at a loss for words,” said Hudspith after the surprise.
At the goodbye brunch on Thursday, the Hudspiths sit with Nancy Gale and Michael Vander. Despite having just met a few days prior, the couples appear to be close friends and already have plans to visit each other. “You may forget some of the roads, but the people you’ll remember,” says Vander. When asked what message they have for newbies who may consider joining next year’s edition, Hudspith responds faster than his McLaren 720S: “Don’t think about it, just get it on the calendar.”

The chemistry that brought us a legendary McLaren F1 could be coming back—just in time for the electric revolution. The British hypercar maker is reportedly looking to join forces with BMW to create a new line of electric supercars.

MotorAuthority reported last week that a “Memorandum of Understanding” for the project, which was signed by the two automakers back in March, could lead to the development of a new zero-emissions platform for McLaren’s future sports cars, supercars and hypercars.

The plan is that the folks at BMW’s M division will utilize that classic German engineering to design the powertrain and its accompanying motors, inverters and batteries. McLaren’s team at Woking, meanwhile, which is known for turning out aerodynamic silhouettes and lightweight carbon-fiber bodies, will be in charge of developing the chassis.

The McLaren F1. 

Courtesy of McLaren Automotive Limited.

Of course, this is not the first time the duo has collaborated on a four-wheeler. Back in 1992, McLaren chose to equip the F1 supercar (pictured above) with a BMW-built V-12. The mill, which was good for 550 horses and 443 ft lbs of twist, gave the coupé a blistering top speed of 240 mph and cemented it as the world’s fastest production car for nearly 15 years.
Although that engine will be hard to top, BMW has created some pioneering electric powertrains for the i4 and 7 Series that deliver solid grunt and range (536 hp and 300 miles, respectively). More importantly, the eco-friendly motors meet the future emissions regulations in Europe.

The Artura, McLaren’s new plug-in hybrid supercar. 

Courtesy of McLaren

McLaren, on the other hand, is yet to unveil a fully electric model. The marque has, however, delivered a 671 hp hybrid called the Artura and announced plans to join Formula E.
To be at the top of the category, McLaren and BMW will need to outshine the likes of the Lotus Evija. That 2,000 hp electric hypercar is expected to have a top speed of 200 mph and a range of 250 miles per charge. If that turns out to be the case, it will be the most powerful production car in the world.
Perhaps an electric F1 could give it a run for its money.

Drivers, start your electric engines: McLaren will be competing in Formula E races starting next season.

The British automaker’s racing division is acquiring the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team, marking its entry into the all-electric motorsport circuit. Of course, McLaren is no stranger to auto racing. Fans have previously been able to watch its drivers in Formula 1, IndyCar, Extreme E, and even e-sport races.

“I firmly believe that Formula E will give McLaren Racing a competitive advantage through greater understanding of EV racing, while providing a point of difference to our fans, partners and people, and continuing to drive us along our sustainability pathway,” Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, said in a statement.

The Mercedes-EQ team is currently the reigning champ of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Even as part of the McLaren family, it will continue to be led by Ian James, to ensure a smooth transition.

The Formula E Berlin E-Prix that took place this month 

Associated Press

“Becoming part of the McLaren Racing family is a privilege: McLaren has always been synonymous with success and high-performance,” James said in a statement. “This is a great moment for all parties involved but, above all, for the people that make up this team. They are what keeps its heart beating.”
Formula E was conceived in 2011, with its first championship race held in Beijing in 2014. It gained FIA world championship status in 2020, and 11 teams competed in the circuit as of the 2021–22 season. Earlier this year, Maserati said that it would also be joining Formula E for the upcoming season, becoming the first Italian marque in the series.

Further changes next season include the introduction of Formula E’s Gen3 racer, which the organization has called its “fastest, most efficient and sustainable race car yet,” according to Hypebeast.
In the coming months, McLaren will announce its driver lineup, powertrain suppliers and commercial partners. Sounds like we’ll have a number of exciting races to tune in for soon.

Queen Elizabeth II has made her love of Range Rovers abundantly clear over the years, but that hasn’t stopped McLaren from designing a one-off to honor her reign.

The British marque has unveiled a new “Platinum Jubilee” Artura to celebrate the fact that Her Majesty is the first British monarch to reign for 70 years. On top of that, last Thursday marked exactly 18 years since the Queen opened the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey.

The celebratory speed machine comes courtesy of the automaker’s in-house bespoke division, McLaren Special Operations (MSO), which routinely delivers highly customized rides to collectors. The team first developed a special tool and press to create a unique badge for the supercar that simply spells out “Elizabeth II.”

The special platinum paint on the hybrid will be available to all collectors. 

Patrick Gosling

From here, a special platinum paint was developed and meticulously color-matched to the badge. To ensure the silver hue was just right, McLaren’s advanced coatings partner AkzoNobel analyzed different lighting conditions to define the most suitable metallic pigment combination. MSO’s paint developers then refined the finish over a further eight days. The result is a particularly striking shade that will be available to all the Queen’s subjects.
“It has been an honor for MSO to create a new platinum paint in celebration of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee this year,” Ansar Ali, managing director of McLaren Special Operations, said in a statement. “This special paint, which will be available for customers to select for years to come, will be a fitting tribute to mark this historic milestone.”

The Queen opened the McLaren Technology Centre in Surrey 18 years ago. 

Patrick Gosling

Quite rightly, McLaren didn’t mess with much else on the Artura. The brand’s first series-production high-performance hybrid, which joins the 720S in the Super Series category, sports a sleek, lightweight body and has a scant curb weight of just 3,303 pounds.
Under the hood lies a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 good for 577 hp and 431 ft lbs of torque, along with an electric motor that churns out an additional 94 horses and 161 ft lbs of twist. This gives the supercar the ability to soar from zero to 62 mph in just 3.0 seconds on its way to a top speed of 205 mph. The battery pack, meanwhile, enables a top speed of 81 mph and a range of 19 miles on electricity alone.
Last we heard, no Range Rover can do that.