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McLaren, unlike Ferrari or Lamborghini, won't build an SUV

Lamborghini now has one, and Ferrari says it will introduce one by late 2019 or 2020. But don't expect McLaren to taint its supercar DNA by giving into the temptation to tap into the hot-selling sport utility vehicle segment. "I'm not the first person to point out an SUV is neither particularly sporty or utilitarian," McLaren's chief designer, Dan Parry-Williams, told Top Gear. "It's not 'everything for a reason,' unless the reason is to clutter up the streets," referring to a McLaren design mantra ("everything for a reason", a nod to minimalism and purposefulness in the company's cars). In other words, they're not going to build one since it doesn't fit with the mission of the company: to build ultra high-performance sportscars. Lamborghini showed off its new Urus SUV at an event on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show earlier this week, making for its first presence at the Detroit auto show in several years. It'll start at $200,000. Meanwhile, Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne said at the auto show Tuesday that the Italian brand will make not only a battery-electric supercar without peer, but also its first SUV, which will be the "fastest on the market" when it arrives in late 2019 or 2020, according to Bloomberg. McLaren has already said that it aims to increase production, invest GBP1 billion (about $1.38 billion at current exchange rates) and expand its product portfolio, saying that half of its new models will be hybrids by 2022. It's also talked about making a fully electric powertrain for a future Ultimate Series model based on the hybrid P1. Just don't plan on any of them sitting on a new SUV platform — for now, at least.Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Image Credit: Drew Phillips McLaren SUV Hybrid Performance supercar mclaren p1 hypercar Sport Utility

McLaren Speedtail hits 250 mph over 30 times at Kennedy Space Center

The McLaren Speedtail was billed as having a 250-mile-per-hour top speed when it was revealed over a year ago, and now McLaren is proving it. High-speed testing at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds at Kennedy Space Center in Florida saw a Speedtail prototype named XP2 hit 250 mph over 30(!) times. McLaren chief test driver Kenny Brack was the lucky man behind the wheel mashing the go pedal. It’s impossible to talk top speed and McLaren without mentioning Andy WallaceÂ’s epic runs in the McLaren F1 at the Ehra-Lessian proving ground in Germany. That carÂ’s official record is set at 240.1 mph, and itÂ’s still the fastest production car in the world with a naturally aspirated engine. It managed to attain this top speed record with a 627-horsepower V12 and six-speed manual gearbox. The Speedtail has a hybrid powertrain that puts out a combined 1,055 horsepower and 848 pound-feet of torque. WeÂ’re still waiting on exact details as it concerns the SpeedtailÂ’s powertrain combination of gas engine and electric motor(s). McLaren also announced today that production of the Speedtail has begun at the McLaren Production Center in Woking, UK. These are the first of 106 customer orders set to be built, and deliveries will begin in February 2020. As a reminder, the Speedtail wonÂ’t be road legal in the U.S. due to the three-seat configuration not meeting safety requirements. Regardless, one-third of all Speedtails were sold to American customers, which means those folks will need to apply for a show and display exemption to enjoy their Speedtails. Related Video:

McLaren releases limited-edition 650S Can-Am

McLaren is bringing one of the greatest periods in its history back to life with a limited run of 650S spiders that salute the formative years of Can-Am racing. Created by McLaren Special Operations, the 650S Can-Am will mark the 50th anniversary of the series in 2016. It tries to recapture the spirit of the era with a choice of red, orange, and onyx black paint schemes reminiscent of past liveries. MSO used carbon-fiber for the hood, front wings, retractable hardtop, tonneau cover, and air brake. There is also a quad stainless steel exhaust system tuned to give these models their own menacing note. The cabin has sport seats with Alcantara leather, carbon-fiber accents, and a plaque on the driver's door. The forged alloy wheel design also harks back to '60s racing, though the wheels are finished in a thoroughly modern gloss-black shade and secured with titanium bolts. The engine is the same mill used by the 650S, a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 making 641 hp. Just 50 examples will be sold globally, and they are due to arrive next spring. They will cost $334,500 in the US market. A spokesman couldn't say how many are coming here. Can-Am launched in 1966 at Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, and McLaren subsequently dominated the series – capturing five straight titles from 1967 to 1971. "Can-Am racing is a major part of McLaren heritage, and this latest model from MSO pays homage to the cars and the racers who played a key role in making the championship such a spectacle during the 1960s and 70s," Paul Mackenzie, executive director of McLaren Special Operations, said in a statement. ? 650S Can-Am celebrates the 50th anniversary of the inaugural Can-Am racing season ? Unique design created by the bespoke division of McLaren, MSO, and inspired by the McLaren Can-Am racers of the 1960s ? Strictly limited to only 50 examples globally, all based on the 650S Spider, and priced from GBP255,850 ? Learn more about the 650S Can-Am, and the racing heritage of McLaren, at cars.mclaren.com/650S-Can-Am McLaren established itself throughout the 1960s and 70s as a world-beating force in one of the most extreme forms of motorsport, Can-Am, winning five consecutive championships between 1967 and 1971. In honour of the 50th anniversary of the 1966 inaugural season, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has created the limited production 650S Can-Am which takes its inspiration from the race cars of this golden age of motorsport.