What's all this about?
McLaren has announced its Track22 Business Plan, laying out a programme of new models and technology for the next six years, taking it to 2022. The company is committed to investing 'an industry leading' 20-25 percent of the company's turnover in Research and Development. That means £1,000,000,000 over the term of the programme, leading to the launch of 15 new models or derivatives.
New models?
Don't expect to see SUVs or saloons from McLaren any time soon; McLaren Automotive has confirmed that its focus will remain on two-seat sports cars and supercars. Following the introduction of the 570GT in Geneva there is nothing further planned for 2016, but a Spider derivative has been confirmed for 2017. The positive reception of the 675LT Coupé and Spider models has meant that the 'LT' label will become a track-focssed sub-brand with more vehicles in the future.
What about the technology?
By the end of the Business Plan period McLaren has said that at least 50 per cent of its cars will feature hybrid technology. Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive, confirmed that the next hybrid model will launch towards the end of the six-year plan. Flewitt added that hybridisation was about delivering performance and enjoyment as much as cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Research engineers are also in the early prototype stages of developing a fully-electric powertrain; this will be evaluated for use in a future 'Ultimate Series' car.
Commenting on Track22 Mike Flewitt said: "Since its inception, McLaren Automotive has launched world-class products and this has been made possible by continuous investment in our future. The launch of our new six-year Business Plan, named Track22 because I believe that we are on track to a very exciting and successful future, scopes our future investments and development strategy up until 2022. This will see us launch 15 all-new cars or derivatives within our existing Sports Series, Super Series and Ultimate Series families. We will also develop an all-new engine architecture that will debut towards the end of the Business Plan period."
John Lambert - 3 Mar 2016