McLaren, a steadfast holdout within the stampede amongst Lamborghini, Bentley, Aston Martin, Ferrari and different ultraluxury and unique manufacturers to market high-performance utility autos, could also be reversing course.
That’s the conclusion of a report from British journal Autocar. The publication, with out attributing the knowledge to any sources, says the British automaker plans to launch an SUV within the second half of the last decade.
The firm has usually signaled it has no plans to supply an SUV. Things is likely to be altering since Michael Leiters, a key utility car advocate for different manufacturers, was named CEO in April, Autocar mentioned.
Leiters, a German engineer who turns into McLaren CEO on Friday, July 1, was instrumental within the creation of Porsche’s first crossover, the Cayenne, and Ferrari’s first utility, the forthcoming Purosangue. He has given no indication publicly he plans to do the identical at McLaren.
The closest factor to an SUV that McLaren has fielded is McLaren Racing’s MX Extreme E, which competes in a brand new all-electric, off-road racing circuit utilizing spec autos to advertise sustainability.
The McLaren SUV portfolio will begin with one mannequin that’s “relatively low, compact” and with “dual-or-tri-motor, four-wheel-drive,” Autocar mentioned. It will even be absolutely electrical.
Premium and unique SUVs and crossovers have turn out to be more and more standard. In 2021, world gross sales of Aston Martin’s DBX almost doubled, and Porsche’s Macan and Cayenne now make up over half of the famed sports activities automotive model’s U.S. gross sales. Lamborghini’s Urus outsold the Huracan supercar globally by virtually double final yr.
McLaren denied any plans to launch the SUV described within the report, and spokesman Roger Ormisher mentioned there are “no immediate plans” for such a car.
Source: www.autonews.com
