McLaren's annual press conference at the Goodwood Festival of Speed is always full of interesting information. This year the UK supercar company announced its Track25 program, a 1.25 billion pound ($1.66 bn) investment considered to be the evolution of 2016's Track22 plan. Along with a range of technological advancements in powertrain, emissions, enhanced cyber protection, vehicle tracking with over-the-air updates, and many other new features, Track25 will see a total of 18 new models and derivatives over the next seven years, culminating with a P1 successor by 2025.
As part of the Ultimate Series, little is known about the P1 successor at this time and McLaren was purposely mum on details. McLaren also announced its entire sports car and supercar range will be completely hybrid by 2025. Ultimate Series models will hold the right to remain non-hybrid. The goal is to produce 6,000 mid-engined vehicles per year by that time – a 75 percent increase over current output. An SUV? Not happening and never will. This is strictly a sports and supercar outfit. And yes, an all-electric hypercar is also in the works but again, no specifics were provided.
But consider this: the McLaren P1 was the world's first hybrid hypercar, so wouldn't it make sense for its successor to take the next step with powertrain technology? And speaking of new McLarens and hybrids… the successor to the 720S, part of the mid-range Super Series, will also be a hybrid. A 720S GT3 is due by the end of this year and will compete in 2019. Other interesting McLaren updates include a planned expansion into more global markets, such as Russia, India and Central/Eastern Europe, in addition to its current network of 86 dealers in 31 markets. Overall sales have increased by 93 percent.
In fact, 57 percent of the parts for its cars, such as the carbon fiber tubs, will soon be made in the UK, and even the number of McLaren employees has increased by 200, for a total staff of 2,500. McLaren is also committed to winning the weight race. For example, the 600LT already weighs less than a Porsche 911 GT2 RS. McLaren is indeed preparing for an autonomous future, in its own way of course. Augmentation for autonomy is underway. What this means, as just one example, is a possible 'virtual driver' aid capable of compiling one's track driving data and offer specific suggestions for lap time improvements. And when those electrified McLarens arrive, be assured all will feature superfast charging.
As we celebrate the launch of the new McLaren 600LT right now, there's plenty more exciting things on the horizon. If the P1, like the iconic F1, was a huge leap forward in terms of technology and performance, imagine what's in store in less than a decade. "Everyone at McLaren Automotive remains constant in their focus of designing and crafting the world's best driver's cars," said CEO Mike Flewitt. "True to McLaren's spirit, however, our ambitions continue to grow and our 1.2 billion GBP Track25 business plan… including a new McLaren P1, is clear proof of that.
While our plan sets the direction for the next seven years to take us through to the middle of the next decade, we need to also pause and acknowledge the great effort, ingenuity and competitive spirt of all of our incredible people on which our success, both now and in the future, rests."
