KUALA LUMPUR: Mclaren Kuala Lumpur expands its repertoire by introducing the new McLaren Artura Spider.
The latest addition brings an open-top twist to the Artura's cutting-edge and electrified supercar performance, thus delivering a whole new level of exhilaration.
The new Artura Spider stands as McLaren's first-ever convertible with a high-performance hybrid powertrain and the second Artura model.
The new Spider is introduced with significant upgrades to power, performance and driver engagement, which combine with the sensory pleasures of open-top driving to add a remarkable new dimension to the Artura.
Further elevating the Artura's next-generation supercar performance, the enhancements engineered for the Spider have also been incorporated into the Artura Coupe, with a new model introduced simultaneously.
Both new Spider and new Coupe deliver the highest levels of dynamic performance – up to and including outstanding circuit ability – as well as meeting the requirements of regular driving and offering the near-silent electric-drive so beneficial in urban environments.
The new Artura Spider is available to order now priced from RM3.4 million (duties included) efore options.
"When we launched the Artura coupe back in 2022, the zenith of performance driven by innovation that McLaren is renowned for was charged to new electrifying heights," McLaren Kuala Lumpur chief operating officer Ravinder Singh said at the launch on Tuesday.
"The new Artura Spider introduced today brings the very same electrically charged thrills, this time with an open-top flair, making it perfect for those seeking greater exhilaration born from that charged performance mentioned," he added.
He said the new Artura Spider embodies the very best of McLaren's pioneering engineering, to create its most engaging high-performance hybrid yet.
"With its roof open, whether it is cruising the rolling hills of Surrey, to the sweeping corners of Langkawi's serene landscape or navigating the magnificent twists of the French Riviera, Artura Spider becomes an enriching experience as the stimulus of being connected directly to the open-air surrounds heightens engagement for both driver and passenger."
On track, Artura Spider delivers the exhilaration of pure supercar performance without compromise, according to Charlotte Dickson, McLaren Automotive regional director for Asia pacific.
An immersive, versatile McLaren experience
The company said the new Artura Spider was designed and developed to ambitious targets across the board, with particular focus on driver engagement, performance, agility, refinement, efficiency and quality.
The additional attraction of a retractable hard-top that operates electrically in just 11 seconds to provide a full convertible experience, ensures intoxicating supercar exhilaration.
With its roof open and starting out in electrified and stealth-like silence, Artura Spider primes the
neural pathways and sharpens the sensory reaction to the driver's visual, aural and olfactory surrounds.
The open-air experience enables closer connection to the environs, for example while driving along a stunning coastline, the driver can truly feel the warmth of the sun rising while savouring the essence of the scent of salt water.
Through the luxurious touch of its steering wheel and sculpted gearshift paddles, the anticipation for Artura Spider's full dynamic capability builds rapidly, matching the crescendo of sound from its redesigned exhaust system which envelops the driver in a theatre of spectacular supercar sound delivering an intensely felt and emotive experience.
Super-lightweight. Incredible driving.
McLaren said its relentless focus on its super-lightweight engineering philosophy is key to delivering the advantages that enable delivery of the exceptional dynamic characteristics and performance – with driver engagement to match – demanded of any its cars.
The new Artura Spider has a dry lightest weight of just 1,457kg, with kerbweight of only 1,560kg - just 62kg more than the Artura coupe.
These figures position the new Spider as easily the lightest among convertible competition, enjoying an advantage of up to 83kg.
More importantly, in combination with the 700PS of the high-performance hybrid powertrain, this gives a power-to-weight ratio of 480PS/tonne at lightest dry weight, which perfectly positions the Artura Spider to optimise every aspect of supercar high-performance, including exploiting its mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive chassis layout to the full.
The McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) at the heart of the Artura provides a secure platform with no loss of rigidity when the fixed roof is removed – the majority of the 62kg
difference between Spider and coupe is accounted for by the electrically-operated Retractable
Hard Top (RHT) mechanism.
Beyond the core carbon fibre monocoque, MCLA incorporates aluminium impact structures and a rear structure that houses the hybrid powertrain. An innovative ethernet electrical architecture is also part of MCLA, reducing cabling by 25% and with that proportional weight.
Powerful crescendo of sound and performance
McLaren said its high-performance hybrid powertrain has been recalibrated, with an additional 20PS from the V6 combustion engine on the MY25 Artura, increasing overall power to 700PS.
The additional power is focused from 4,000rpm to the redline at 8,500rpm, providing a marked "crescendo" in performance. Peak torque value remains at a muscular 720Nm, its delivery optimised by minor changes to electronic mapping.
This engine recalibration will also be made available free-of-charge to existing Artura owners via their McLaren Retailer.
The 3.0-litre M630 dry-sump aluminium petrol engine, which now achieves in excess of 200PS per litre, is extremely compact and lightweight – at just 160kg it weighs 50kg less than a McLaren V8 and is significantly shorter, enhancing packaging efficiency.
The dimensions are made possible by a 120-degree V angle design that also aids a low centre of gravity. The engine design reduces pressure losses through the exhaust system as well as allowing for a stiffer crankshaft and in turn a rev limit of 8,500rpm.
The free-revving nature of the V6 engine is supported by the twin-turbochargers being located within the "hot vee", positioning that enables them to spin more rapidly, improving throttle response.
The soundtrack of the engine has also been enhanced, with a revised valved exhaust system incorporating a tuned resonator and upward conical shape to the tailpipes to further refine the engine note at the middle and higher points of the rev range. This provides a 'cleaner' sound that envelops the occupants. An optional sports exhaust system is available, offering an enhanced, clearer tone overall and even greater driver engagement through an exhaust symposer that
channels authentic sound waves from the tailpipe into the cabin.
Overall, the Artura's compact hybrid componentry – including the 88kg battery pack and 15.4kg E-motor – adds just 130kg to overall weight, an achievement that is instrumental in the new Spider achieving its best-in-class weight figures.
The instant torque delivery provided by the E-motor and the 605PS of the twin-turbocharged V6 engine give the Artura razor-sharp throttle response and acceleration across the board, whether in-gear or through the gears.
The Artura Spider's official figures of 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 3.0 seconds, 0-200km/h (0-124mph) in 8.4 seconds and 0-300km/h (0-186mph) in 21.6 seconds highlight the levels of supercar performance available, all the way up to a maximum speed limited to 330km/h (205mph).