When the McLaren Artura was revealed back in February, the UK automaker promised that its latest ride would arrive in dealerships in June. Unfortunately, that won't be happening. Automotive News reports the Artura's arrival will be delayed due to software issues stemming from suppliers. McLaren is targeting a new delivery date in late August or early September.
McLaren was originally forced to delay the Artura's launch due to the pandemic and this second delay is likely due to suppliers still recovering from all of the havoc caused by Covid. Getting the Artura to dealerships is a top priority for McLaren as it too was hit hard by the events of the past 18 months.
A year ago we reported the company's ambitious $1.6 billion Track25 program is behind schedule by about two years. It originally called for the launch of 18 new models and variants by 2025 with the end goal of having a hybrid-only lineup. To shore up some much-needed cash, McLaren put its Woking, England headquarters up for sale last September. A deal with a New York-based investment firm worth $237 million was finally completed in April. McLaren isn't moving out of the facility but will instead lease it from its new owner for the next 20 years.
As the replacement for the 570S, the new Artura will likely make up the bulk of the company's sales. Starting at around $225,000, the Artura is aimed squarely at the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo, Audi R8, and Acura NSX.
The Artura has a hybrid powertrain consisting of an all-new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 577 horsepower and 431 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with an electric motor, combined output is 671 hp and 593 lb-ft. McLaren's first series production hybrid will blast from a standstill to 62 mph in 3.0 seconds - only 0.2 seconds slower than the company's first hybrid, the P1 hypercar. Top speed is electronically limited to 205 mph. Equally impressive, the Artura can travel up to 19 miles in EV-only mode.
McLaren needs the Artura to be a smash hit and though this latest delay is annoying, nothing could have been done to avoid it.