Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins, Photos by Garvin Villier
It’s currently a great time to be a McLaren Automotive fan. From impressive 2025 accomplishments in Formula One (F1) to exciting owner rallies, anniversary honors, and VIP track events such as The Pure McLaren Program, the brand, its cars, and stately race gear are in high demand as enthusiasm increases by the day.
McLarens are born and bred on the track. In accordance, major congratulations to Oscar Piastri for winning the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and then placing 4th in Canada to retain his F1 Drivers’ Championship lead with 198 points. Lando Norris is a close second in the standings. The McLaren F1 Team is also leading the Constructors’ Championship with 374 points. Since its first win at the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix, McLaren has amassed 196 Grand Prix wins, nine Constructors’ World Championships, and 12 Drivers’ World Championships. Impressive!
To revel in the moment, I was blessed with an Automotive Rhythms press car in the form of the 2025 McLaren Artura Spider, finished with a vibrant Ventura Orange paint job. Energetically balanced, there is nothing like 691 British horses racing down runways with authority from the twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain. Inherently resourceful, McLaren leverages the technology and expertise from its motorsports division to enhance the performance of its consumer fleet.
The Artura is constructed with super-lightweight materials, advanced driver-focused technologies, and inventive McLaren design and engineering techniques. Representing McLaren’s first series-production hybrid convertible, the Artura features a rear mid-mounted 3-liter twin-turbo V6, a 71 kW Axial Flux Motor (electric motor), and an 8-speed dual-clutch Seamless Shift Gearbox that is 25% faster. Together, they produce 691-horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque, pushing the vehicle from 0 to 62 mph in 3 seconds. Top speed is a remarkable 205 mph.
The British supercar also offers a short all-electric range of about 21 miles for quiet city cruising. The e-motor also empowers the gas engine for top-end acceleration when called upon. McLaren offers four drive modes (E-Mode, Comfort, Sport, and Track) to choose from. The Artura starts off in E-mode and will automatically recharge in any mode but does not incorporate brake regeneration. The exhaust rumbles in Sport mode yet is subdued in Comfort. And with a combined 45 MPGe, the Artura delivers extended efficiency.
“The new Artura is absolutely the complete next-generation supercar, whichever model you choose,” stated Michael Leiters, CEO, McLaren Automotive. “We have upgraded the powertrain and the chassis systems to deliver more power, more dynamic performance, and even higher levels of connection with the driver – without any compromise in everyday driving.”
My first experience with the Artura took place a few years back in Carmel Valley, CA during the prestigious Monterey Car Week. Executives were celebrating McLaren’s 60th anniversary at the time, so there was much to rejoice about. The vehicle displayed admirable discipline on the road, incorporated intricate performance details, and showcased exciting drive characteristics. Six months later I ventured to the manufacturing facilities in Woking, England where the sports car is hand-built. There, I became indoctrinated into all things McLaren including a deeper understanding of founder Bruce McLaren’s prolific racing career.
Drenched in Ventura Orange, the 2025 Artura Spider is chiseled, aerodynamic, and elegant. Paired with Pirelli P Zero staggered summer tires and 10-spoke black forged alloy rims, McLaren Adaptive Damping is customizable for smoother highway riding or tauter, dynamic maneuvering. Steering is as sharp as a razor when cutting turns and momentum is reduced by stellar carbon ceramic brakes backed by 6-piston aluminum calipers up front and rear 4-pistons. Over the course of my 300-mile test, the Artura felt light, planted, and surgical, particularly through winding turns, as the damping and rear-wheel dynamics kept us perfectly balanced.
Artura originated from the pairing of “Art” and “Future,” precisely articulating McLaren’s vision of the perfect daily driver. It’s also the first McLaren to feature the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture, which is styled, engineered, and produced at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre in England. The Gloss Black roof and accents, carbon fiber trim, and light dihedral (scissor) doors give the Artura a look that is as advanced as the technology. It further comprises a set of large intakes behind the doors and functional gills over the front wheels that release air and reduce pressure. Moreover, the retractable hard top opens and closes in less than 11 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. I tried this a few times in the parking lot and felt like a transformer as I pulled away.
Inside, the clever yet straightforward cabin is a perfect blend of race-inspired minimalism and driver-focused componentry. Alcantara and Nappa leather line the seats and dash; the digital cluster rotates according to the selected drive mode; and orange accents can be found throughout, including on the seats, starter button, seat piping, door trim, steering paddles, and carpet trim. However, there was not enough space between the dead pedal and the brake pedal, so my foot felt uncomfortable in either position. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system deserves praise. When the roof was down music filled the cabin with clarity and depth, turning every stretch of road into a moving soundtrack.
From a lifestyle perspective, a new version of the Bowers & Wilkins wireless earbuds is now available for audiophiles and music enthusiasts. The Pi8 McLaren Edition is developed in collaboration with McLaren Automotive and the McLaren Formula 1 Team for working out, taking calls, or tuning out the outside noise. I use my set for running and exercising to get in shape like an F1 driver.
Starting at $273,800 (MSRP), the model I rode in was equipped with nearly every option available, bringing the total to $325,258. Yet, that price tag gets you more than speed; it affords you innovation, design, and a glimpse at the future of electrified performance.
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