A new vehicle from the entry-level Sports Series has recently come out for a test drive. Based on the 540C coupe, it sports exhaust tips in the upper rear bumper, fuel hatch at the right side, redesigned sills, and a new front splitter.
By all indications, the car is a test mule, which means its final version will get a brand-new exterior and cabin design. The digital dash photo shows a 720S-like vehicle, but some elements are new; it remains to be seen whether the hybrid will look like this. The dash panel itself has power and charge level indicators, as well as two separate range gauges: gasoline and electric.
This isn’t the first McLaren hybrid car on record, but certainly its most affordable one so far. Right now, the lineup includes the exorbitantly priced P1 and the Ultimate Series Speedtail (see video). The test mule belongs to the Sports Series, which the manufacturer intends to switch to hybrid powertrains over the next few years along with the middle-ground Super Series.
It is still uncertain what kind of gasoline engine the hybrid will be based upon. We would expect a V8, but unofficial sources claim they know it is going to be a smaller, lighter V6. They also say that the front axle may get multiple electric motors.
All McLaren hybrids are PHEVs, which means you can charge them from a wall socket.
The car should celebrate its premiere either in late 2020 or in early 2021. The first technical specs will likely be revealed at the Geneva IMS 2020 next month, and by this summer, the hybrid should get its own body design.