McLaren shows off lightweight platform for next-gen EVs

MANILA: McLaren Automotive has introduced its latest flexible, lightweight vehicle architecture that will be used for its next-generation electrified supercars.

The new platform was entirely engineered, developed and produced in-house at the £50-million state-of-the-art McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) in the Sheffield region and is designed specifically accommodate new hybrid powertrains.

It uses innovative, world's-first processes and techniques to strip out excess mass and reduce overall vehicle weight while also increasing its level of safety.

The first new McLaren hybrid supercar that will be launched in 2021 will be using this platform.

“The new ground-breaking vehicle architecture is every bit as revolutionary as the MonoCell chassis we introduced with the company’s first car, the 12C, when we first embarked on making production vehicles a decade ago. This new, ultra-lightweight carbon fiber chassis boasts greater structural integrity and higher levels of quality than ever before with our new MCTC facility quickly becoming recognised as a global centre of excellence in composite materials science and manufacturing. Our advanced expertise in light weight composites processes and manufacturing combined with our experience in cutting-edge battery technology and high-performance hybrid propulsion systems means we are ideally placed to deliver to customers levels of electrified high-performance motoring that until now have simply been unattainable,” said McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer Mike Flewitt.

The new architecture will also enable McLaren to transition to 100 per cent electrified supercars.

Photos from McLaren

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