MCLAREN Artura Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

McLaren introduced the Artura as its entry-level model in 2022, and the British car manufacturer needed another two years to work on the car and offer it in an open-top configuration.

Usually, automakers are developing both versions of the bodywork from day one. McLaren did that with other models and then bragged about it. But with the Artura, things went differently. While both versions were studied together, the Spider took the automaker more time to develop. At first sight, some might wonder why it took so long, but then, when they find the level of detail and effort McLaren put into creating the Artura Spider, they’ll understand. This open-top version is not just a regular car with a chopped top and some braces underneath the bodywork. It’s almost reworked from the ground up, including the drivetrain.

The car’s front looks identical to the one offered by the fixed-roof version. It had the same trapezoidal, carbon fiber air intake at the front flanked by a set of triangular scoops. In addition, a set of vertical slits underneath the outer sides of the LED headlights grabbed air and diverted it to the sides of the vehicle to improve aerodynamics.

But then, the Spider’s profile started to show its advanced engineering solutions. The car’s short nose was followed by the panoramic windshield, like in the coupe. But here, the upper side of the front windows featured a small rim that diverted the air above the cockpit. As a result, there were fewer turbulences in the cabin, especially if the side windows were rolled up. Furthermore, it worked in conjunction with the rear window placed behind the occupants. Behind the cabin, the automaker installed translucent, tilted forward pillars. They also featured a set of air intakes that went into the engine bay via other air intakes placed on the engine cover. There, McLaren’s engineers needed to move the center vent rearward to make room for the retractable hard top. A series of additional air intakes on the sides of the engine cover also helped to keep the engine and its components cooled. Furthermore, a third set of air intakes grabbed air and directed it to cool the exhaust’s outer section.

The cabin looked almost identical to the one offered by the regular, fixed-top Artura. Here, McLaren made some adjustments. It worked closely with the sound specialist Bowers and Wilkins to relocate the speakers, so the Artura Spider featured one between the seats, in the middle. It also installed a set of speakers above the seats’ seat belt mounting points on the outer sides of the passengers. The center console housed the infotainment system that supported wireless Apple CarPlay. To cover or uncover the vehicle, drivers had to keep a button pressed for 11 seconds. The entire mechanism needed eight electric motors.

Under its skin, the 2025 Artura Spider featured a twin-turbo powerplant. It produced 605 PS (597 hp) and was helped by an electric motor for a total output of 700 PS. The V6 engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sent all the oomph to the rear wheels.

After the race toward clean vehicles, the race for hybrid-powered supercars made the petrolheads think again if that wasn't a better choice, such as the McLaren Artura showed it in 2021.

The supercars world was changing. Porsche and Ferrari showed that very clear with the 918 and the SF90, but McLaren was not far behind. It waited and tried to create a supercar that could be driven as an electric vehicle for shorter distances. Thus, the McLaren tried to be as close as possible to a daily driver supercar.

Its aerodynamic shape served both for reducing drag resistance and fuel consumption. At the front, the car showed the already established McLaren design with angled headlights and side-scoops in the front bumper. On the sides, a set of deeper air intakes provided more air to cool and feed the mid-engine V-6.

Inside, the Artura showed another revolutionary cockpit design centered around the driver. McLaren moved the driving mode selector on the instrument cluster. Instead of a conventional center stack, the British carmaker mounted a portrait-mode touch-screen tilted toward the driver. As in any other McLaren, the sport bucket-seats featured high-bolstered sides to provide better support during high cornering.

The Artura was completely new from the ground up, developed on the new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA). Thanks to its compact electrical system that reduced the need for longer cables, the 2021 Artura tipped the scale up to 1395 kg (3075 lbs) dry weight, a key factor for the British supercar. The total hybrid components had just 130 kg (286 lbs), including the battery pack. As a plug-in hybrid vehicle, the Artura could drive up to 19 miles (30 km) in electric mode.