The E-motor is powered by a battery pack comprising five lithium-ion modules, offering a usable energy capacity of 7.4kWh and an increased EV range of 33km (21miles). The battery is refrigerant cooled using cooling rails, and the assembly – including a power distribution unit which transfers battery power from the rear of the vehicle to the ancillaries in the front – is mounted on a structural carbon fibre floor. This assembly is then bolted onto the rear base of the monocoque, optimising stiffness, weight distribution and crash protection.
Overall, the Artura’s compact hybrid componentry – including the 88kg battery pack and 15.4kg E-motor – adds just 130kg to overall weight, an achievement that is instrumental in the new Spider achieving its best-in-class weight figures.
The instant torque delivery provided by the E-motor and the 605PS of the twin-turbocharged V6 engine give the Artura razor-sharp throttle response and acceleration across the board, whether in-gear or through the gears. The Artura Spider’s official figures of 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 3.0 seconds, 0-200km/h (0-124mph) in 8.4 seconds and 0-300km/h (0-186mph) in 21.6 seconds highlight the levels of supercar performance available, all the way up to a maximum speed limited to 330km/h (205mph).
A Launch Control system for optimised performance on track is standard, as is a new ‘Spinning Wheel Pull-Away’ feature. Activated by disengaging Electronic Stability Control by pressing the ESC button on the driver binnacle, this allows dramatic wheelspin when accelerating from standstill with a large throttle load.
New powertrain mounts developed for the MY25 Artura bring clear benefits to dynamic characteristics. The new mounts are tuned to improve control of the powertrain within the chassis. This limits powertrain movement, especially when under load and in turn improves stability, steering feel and overall vehicle agility, delivering a more precise – and more involving – drive.
In addition to the dynamic benefits provided by new engine mounts, the increase in stiffness means the driver is more aware of the powertrain itself as being integral to the overall engagement they experience, adding greater theatre and emotion throughout.
The Artura’s rear suspension pairs a top upper wishbone with two lower links and a tie rod in front of the wheel centre, to maximise vehicle stability and precision and reduces understeer out of a corner while accelerating. The rear suspension concept combines with a bespoke version of McLaren’s Proactive Damping Control system – supplied by Official Intelligent Suspension Partner, Monroe – that further supports exceptional ride and handling characteristics.
Ride and handling is revised for the MY25 Artura with revised damper valving offering greater responsiveness. Performance of the Domain Control Units (DCU) in the ethernet architecture has also been enhanced, supporting damping and handling response rates and increasing them by up to 90%, which improves reaction to driver input and changes in the road surface.
There are three dynamic handling modes, each activating increased levels of body control through damper adjustment. ‘Comfort’ is the default mode, with Sport and Track offering more supportive settings. The required mode is selected using one of the two rocker controls on the top of the instrument binnacle.
The degree of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) intervention can also be adjusted, to suit driver preference and weather and road conditions. Operated by a button in the handling mode control, the selectable settings are fully on; ESC DYN, which allows more freedom and also gives the option to activate Variable Drift Control; or OFF, which removes electronic intervention.
Dynamic precision is additionally enhanced by Pirelli CyberTMTyre technology. Comprising hardware and software integrated with the Artura’s electronic systems and featuring an electronic sensor inside each tyre, Pirelli CyberTMTyre generates real-time data that allows drivers to adjust tyre pressure limits, fully exploiting the potential of the fitted tyres. Pirelli’s Noise Cancelling System (PNCS), which uses a sound absorbing device on the inside of the tyre wall to reduce vibration and noise, also features.
The P ZERO™ tyre fitted as standard features an asymmetric tread pattern that improves braking and enhances handling and control across a wide range of road conditions, with particular focus on wet weather performance. The optional P ZERO™ CORSA tyre is designed for use on both road and track and features racing-type compounds and unique tread patterns, achieving higher grip levels as well as improved braking and traction. A P ZERO™ WINTER tyre is also available.
Braking performance is also exceptional. The MY25 Artura utilises carbon ceramic discs, enhanced lightweight aluminium calipers and new brake cooling ducts. The braking system works in combination with rear-axle kinematics and revised engine and vehicle damping response rates to deliver even better high-speed braking power and stability, also extending disc and pad life in track driving conditions. With revised ABS calibration, braking distances for the Spider and new coupe are 31m to standstill from 100kmh (62mph) and an improved 124m from 200km/h (124mph).
The advanced eight-speed transmission designed specifically for the Artura’s high-performance hybrid powertrain integrates the E-motor yet is still very compact; despite having an extra gear over the seven-speed transmission on McLaren’s V8-powered vehicles, the length of the gear cluster has been reduced by 40mm, helped by use of a nested clutch rather than a parallel clutch.
Gearbox calibration has been revised for the MY25 Artura. The eight-gear close-ratio gearbox now has a new pre-fill feature that provides even faster gearchanges, with shift speeds increased by 25%. This is made possible by pressurising the hydraulic fluid in the gearbox to the threshold required to enact a shift (the ‘kiss point’), so that when the driver selects a gear (or an automatic shift is requested), shift time is minimised.
Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a lightweight and compact electronically controlled differential (E-diff). Located within the transmission, the E-diff delivers variable differential preload to optimise stability and agility.
The Artura has four powertrain drive modes: Comfort, Sport and Track, plus the electric only, emissions-free E-mode. Comfort mode combines electric and hybrid drive for extended stop and start driving with the combustion engine shut off at low speeds and redeployed when speeds or acceleration inputs demand. Sport and Track modes use the electric motor in an increasingly aggressive manner for low-end response and acceleration (‘torque infill’) and incorporate sharper gearshift strategies. Track mode delivers the highest high-voltage battery recharge rate. E-mode – which is the default ‘start’ mode – has been refined to provide greater emissions-free driving range.
The process of switching from Electric to Comfort, Sport or Track drive modes has been improved on MY25 Arturas. The engine conditioning process that reduces vehicle emissions by warming the catalytic converter before engaging drive to the combustion engine, has been recalibrated for driver convenience and is now up to 90% faster *** when first selected on startup.
An intoxicating silhouette