When a representative from McLaren contacted me to see if I\u2019d have time to drive their new hypercar, my immediate answer was yes. As a car fan, you would say the same. <\/p>\n
A few weeks later, a 2023 McLaren Artura sat in my driveway, begging for my attention.<\/p>\n
The Artura is all new, the latest addition to the McLaren lineup, and the British maker\u2019s first series production hybrid gasoline-electric model. It is, in fact, a plug-in-hybrid, or PHEV \u2014 more on that later. According to reps, the Artura slots into the McLaren lineup between the 750 and the GT.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve driven McLaren models before on tracks and public roads. This time, my loan period was about 27 hours from drop off to pick up, and all my driving took place on public roads in and around my home outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan \u2014 not precisely the Stelvio Pass or Big Sur. McLaren asked me to keep the miles below 150, and I did because I want to be on the list the next time a McLaren press car visits Michigan.<\/p>\n
The 2023 McLaren Artura carries a list price of $233,000. With accessories including a $5,200 carbon-fiber interior pack, $9,400 TechLux Spec, $5,500 Serpentine Exterior Elite Paint, and a $4,500 destination charge, the as-tested price came to $289,175.<\/p>\n
Even on a restricted schedule on public roads, I conjured five thoughts about the 2023 McLaren Artura.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Supercars or hypercars are hard to live with. If you\u2019ve spent time in a\u00a0Lamborghini\u00a0or a Ferrari The Artura, on the other hand, is grown up. Sure, it\u2019s low to the ground and uses scissor doors, but it is roomy and comfortable inside for drivers and passengers. I found it easier to get in and out of than a BMW Z4, and so did my wife (and we\u2019re no spring chickens). We could talk while I drove and listen to the OK audio system. If you want to drive your car and not just let it sit around in the garage and appreciate, it\u2019s got to be comfortable and inviting. <\/p>\n The Artura wants to drive. It rewards you with more than just pure performance.<\/p>\n It wouldn\u2019t be a supercar without quirks. The Artura\u2019s got a few, none more unique than the hybrid drive system. The all-new 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has no reverse gear. Instead, McLaren engages the electric motor to drive the rear wheels when it\u2019s time to go backward. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In a world where every pound saved makes for better performance, this creative solution to the reversing issue makes sense \u2014 as long as your battery has enough charge. When I took delivery of the Artura, it came with a walkaround of the features and a lecture about the battery. As a PHEV, the Artura can travel on battery power alone for up to 11 miles. Should a driver drain the drive battery entirely and then park the car, they\u2019d have a rude awakening when they attempted to reverse out of a spot. <\/p>\n The solution is to monitor your battery\u2019s state while you drive (there\u2019s a graphic gauge on the instrument panel,) or to plug it into power when you park. The Artura has a CCS port and a charging cable for Level 1 (household 120-volt) or Level 2 (240-volt) power. The PHEV setup delivers 39 MPGe, and driving in gasoline-only mode results in 18 mpg.<\/p>\n See<\/strong>: Your complete guide to MPGe, the electric equivalent of miles per gallon<\/p>\n Beyond the ease of entry and exit, McLaren has upgraded the switchgear and infotainment setups in the Artura over their other models. The significant change a driver will notice is that the drive mode selectors now flank the instrument panel. I could reach them without taking my hands off the steering wheel or my eyes off the road. The infotainment system shares a lot of functionality with the Volvo The portrait-oriented touchscreen presents as bands of clustered control areas and responds to familiar drag and swipe controls, like an iPad. I would have liked more time to explore, as there are some nested commands, but that would come with some driving experience. My wife appreciated the actual cupholder in the center console (she always has a Diet Dr Pepper in hand), and I welcomed the ample elbow room in the cabin.<\/p>\n Also read: <\/strong>The 2024 Chevy Corvette review: It\u2019s all about the E-Ray, the fastest Corvette ever.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Under 150 miles on public roads was enough time to fall in love. The Artura delivers all the acceleration you could want, effortlessly and smoothly. When you must haul it down from speed, say to go slow over one of Michigan\u2019s notorious pavement bumps, the brakes engage without complaint or over-gripping, giving perfect feel. <\/p>\n The steering is telepathic. It\u2019s so precise the Artura seems to sense where you want it to go. You can go around curves without course correction, and avoiding obstacles (like Michigan\u2019s famous car-swallowing potholes) is a matter of letting your hands follow your eyes to clean pavement. I wish I could have driven the Artura all day \u2014 I guess that\u2019s why McLaren specified a 150-mile limit. Because I would have otherwise exceeded that figure during my 27 hours.<\/p>\n Supercar posters hang on teenagers\u2019 walls, but that doesn\u2019t mean they aren\u2019t gorgeous, grown-up works of art. The Artura is art in motion and in repose. Don\u2019t drive one if you don\u2019t want attention. Even though it only sat in my driveway for a short time, neighbors found a way to drop by for a look. Cars slowed down as they drove past my house. We stopped in the countryside to take a few pictures of the car for this article, parked on a lane beside a small dairy farm. Within minutes, a herd of black and white cows relocated from the far end of the field to examine the Artura. I\u2019ve never seen anything like it \u2014 and I guess the cows had never seen a plug-in hybrid supercar before. I hope they enjoyed it half as much as I did.<\/p>\n
\n RACE,
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\n you know that\u2019s true. Not only are they challenging to enter and exit, but they are usually a tight fit for American proportions. Even though they have lusty engines with great exhaust notes, they are so noisy inside you can barely converse. <\/p>\nThought No. 2: Using the electric motor for reverse is innovative but quirky<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Thought No. 3: The ergonomics inside the cabin are better than previous McLaren models<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n VLVLY,
\n
\n Sensus system, so I found it easy to get used to during my brief affair with the Artura. <\/p>\nThought No. 4: The Artura is a blast to drive, even on everyday roads<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Thought No. 5: The Artura is so stunning even cows gather to look at it<\/strong><\/h2>\n