2023 Mclaren Artura on 2040-cars

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McLaren's first series-produced hybrid model will be called Artura

McLaren's first hybrid, the P1, arrived in 2012 as an acclaimed, epoch-shaping hypercar built in strictly limited numbers. This bodes well for the Artura, the British manufacturer's first series-produced gasoline-electric car. Expected in showrooms in 2021, the Artura is marketed as the first model in a new range of cars named High-Performance Hybrid (HPH). It's built on an architecture developed specifically for electrification, and it's primarily powered by a new twin-turbocharged V6 engine. Performance specifications haven't been released yet; all we know is that the car delivers V8-like performance while giving users the ability to drive exclusively on electricity. British magazine Autocar believes the Artura's plug-in hybrid drivetrain will consist of the aforementioned V6, at least two electric motors, and a relatively compact lithium-ion battery pack. It adds that the system's full output will be channeled to the rear wheels. In contrast, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale relies on a system that places two of the three motors over the front axle to zap the front wheels, giving the car through-the-road all-wheel-drive. Hybrid technology is heavy, and weight is the sworn enemy of performance, but McLaren stressed it went to great lengths to offset as much of the system's weight as possible. It built the Artua's architecture using carbon fiber, and it explained it applied unspecified weight-saving techniques to the chassis, the body, and the powertrain. Preview images released by McLaren suggests the Artura won't attempt to conceal the internal combustion part of its powertrain. Its rear end is dominated by a cooling grille and a pair of round exhaust tips. It still wears the proportions of a mid-engined supercar, and it's recognizable as a McLaren, but its design remains under wraps. McLaren will begin delivering the Artura globally during the first half of 2021, meaning that we could see it before the end of 2020, and that it might be labeled a 2022 model when it arrives in the United States. And, unlike the P1 and the Speedtail, it will arrive as a regular-production model. Pricing hasn't been released yet, however. Related Video:

Honda revamps F1 engine for McLaren

Things haven't been going smoothly for Honda since returning to Formula One, and the Japanese automaker says the challenge has been greater than it anticipated. But after a stronger showing at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, Honda says its reliability issues are behind it and is working on introducing a revamped engine for the second half of the season. "I am confident our reliability problems are now behind us, which means we can turn our attention to increasing power," Honda racing chief Yasuhisa Arai told Autosport. "After the summer shutdown our plan is to apply a new-spec engine using some of our remaining seven tokens." The "tokens" to which Arai refers are a way for the FIA to limit engine development. The power units are broken down into 66 such tokens in the regulations, and each engine supplier can change up to 32 of them throughout the season. The allowance was at first afforded only to returning suppliers Mercedes, Ferrari, and Renault, but Honda succeeded in convincing the FIA to allow it the same leeway. Honda has been spending its development tokens on fixing reliability issues, but will shift its focus to improving performance. The McLaren team that Honda powers has only gotten both of its cars to the finish line at two out of 10 races this season. Most of those problems came down to the new engine package. That's compared to only two retirements the team suffered last season, when it was still under Mercedes power, and none the year before. In Hungary, however, the team not only got both cars to the finish line, but placed both in the points for the first time this season. "The sport has changed immensely since the McLaren-Honda 'glory days'," said Arai. "The current technology is much more sophisticated, and it is tough to make a good racing car. We knew it wouldn't be easy, but perhaps we didn't imagine it would be this hard." The Japanese manufacturer is now spending the summer break developing its power unit. Many of those changes are expected to be rolled out in time for the Belgian Grand Prix later this month, with the rest to follow in the ensuing races. Beyond reliability, engine performance is particularly important for the high-speed races at Spa and Monza, where the subsequent Italian Grand Prix will be held early next month. Related Video:

One F1 comeback is enough for Jenson Button

MONACO - Formula One may have seen the last of Jenson Button following the 2009 world champion's Monaco Grand Prix comeback as stand-in for McLaren race regular Fernando Alonso. The 37-year-old Briton made it abundantly clear at the weekend that while he enjoyed the experience more than expected he had no desire to do any more Formula One races this year. "It has not whetted the appetite for any more -- definitely not," said Button, who started last and from the pit lane due to penalties and retired from the race after colliding with Pascal Wehrlein's Sauber. Button, who was deemed at fault by race stewards and given a three-place grid drop for a next race that may never happen, will have breathed a big sigh of relief to see double world champion Alonso emerge unscathed from a crash-strewn Indianapolis 500. Had the Spaniard been injured in a race he led for 27 laps before his car's Honda engine expired in all-too familiar circumstances with 21 of the 200 laps remaining, Button's services might have been required further. Asked before the race whether he might return as a stand-in later in the year if required, Button replied: "Who knows, but I don't plan on it. "I also know that the team don't plan on moving their race drivers around. "So no, it's definitely not the plan for me to race again this year in Formula One. In other categories, possibly yes. But not in Formula One, I've got my own things that I'm enjoying away from the sport at the moment." Former champions McLaren -- the only team yet to score a point this year -- have an option on Button for 2018 but he left no doubt that he had not missed the sport he left at the end of last year. While he said he had enjoyed practice "more than I have for a couple of years to be fair", he was also clearly unsettled by the width and characteristics of the new cars and the prospect of trying to overtake. The best moment of his afternoon was perhaps a phone call from Alonso before the start, with the Spaniard wishing him luck and asking him to take car of his car. "Ok, I'm going to pee in your seat," replied Button with a laugh. Reporting by Alan BaldwinRelated Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Motorsports McLaren Racing Vehicles F1 monaco grand prix