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đ Latest on the McLaren SUV Reveal
PLUS: Resurrected Alfa Romeo Rally Car, Audi S5's New Challenge
Jason Baptiste
June 11, 2024
Hello speed enthusiasts! Today's newsletter explores McLaren's ambitious revival, the latest spy shots of the Corvette ZR1 Convertible, and Rivian's powerful new electric models set to redefine the EV landscape.
Additionally, we delve into the resurrection of a legendary Alfa Romeo rally car and discuss Audi's bold move with the new S5 Sportback. Buckle up for an exciting ride through this week's automotive innovations and stories.
What excites you most about the latest Corvette ZR1 Convertible spy shots? |
Sports Car News Roundup
đ **McLaren's Revival**: Learn about McLaren's bold plan to make a comeback with their 'shared performance vehicle' SUV. Dive deeper into **McLaren's SUV revival**.
⥠**Rivian's Electric Beasts**: Discover the extraordinary power and tech updates in Rivian's 2025 R1S and R1T models. Get the full details on **Rivian's new electric models**.
đď¸ **Resurrected Rally Icon**: Explore the rebirth of the Alfa Romeo Sprint 6C rally car as a stunning restomod. See what's new in the **Alfa Romeo restomod**.
đĄ **Audi's New S5**: Understand why Audi's S5 Sportback could make us forget the S4 Sedan. Read about **Audi's bold new move**.
đď¸ **Ultimate Restoration**: A neglected Ferrari 512 BB gets a second chance at glory. Follow the detailed restoration process of **this classic Ferrari**.
đ **Next-Gen Porsche**: The anticipated 2026 Porsche Cayenne EV aims to blend performance and luxury. Discover what to expect in **Porsche's Cayenne EV**.
đĽ **Supercar Benchmark**: GM is developing a Corvette to challenge Ferrari's SF90. Unravel the details about **Corvette vs Ferrari**.
đď¸ **Speed Titans**: Watch the BMW M3 and Audi RS 7 clash in an exhilarating drag race. Check out the unexpected results **here**.
đ **Race Track for Sale**: Fancy owning the legendary Willow Springs International Raceway? Explore this unique opportunity **here**.
đ **Transform Your Audi**: Convert your Audi RS 7 into a supercar slayer for the price of a new Supra. Learn how **ABT upgrades** work.
đď¸ **Nostalgic Corvettes**: Discover three special Corvettes that Gulf Coast Motorworks is offering for the ultimate summer drive. Check out these beauties **here**.
⥠**Future of Supercars**: McLaren's all-electric supercar aims to redefine EV performance. Get the inside scoop on **McLaren's electric supercar**.
đĽ **F1 Drama**: Max Verstappen's smoky exit and Fernando Alonso's triumph made for a dramatic start to the Canadian Grand Prix. Catch all the highlights in **this recap**.
đĽ **Mercedes Concept**: The Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed proves to be a fusion of speed and elegance. Learn more about the concept **here**.
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McLaren's Bold Move: Meet the 'Shared Performance Vehicle', The Game-Changing SUV Slated to Reinvigorate the Brand
After enduring a tumultuous few years, McLaren is looking to ignite a revival. Known for its iconic F1 and P1 hypercars, McLaren has faced significant financial hurdles, including over $1 billion in revenue losses in 2023. These financial strains were compounded during a critical transitional period that saw the company without a CEO amid the global pandemic. Now, under new leadership and ownership, McLaren is poised for a comeback.
The path to profitability for McLaren seems to lie in the lucrative world of SUVs. But don't expect McLaren to come right out and say it. New CEO Michael Leiters cleverly refers to the impending vehicle as a 'shared performance vehicle' or SPV, sidestepping the term SUV. This strategic jargon stems partly from former CEO Mike Flewittâs staunch vow that McLaren would never venture into the SUV market.
According to an interview with Road & Track, McLarenâs SPV will emphasize 'shared utility' over traditional sports utility. The company plans to collaborate with an unnamed partner to provide the platform for this venture. It's a calculated move for a supercar manufacturer desperate for a financial boost to stay true to its heritage of making mind-blowing machines.
The financial necessity behind this move is bleak. As Road & Track reported, McLaren lost more than half a million dollars on each of the 2,137 supercars sold in 2023. The SPV cannot come soon enough if McLaren aims to resume its legacy of supercars. Leiters stressed that while profitability is essential, McLaren's primary focus remains on their core segmentâsupercars and ultimate cars. Yet, undeniable is the fact that SUVs offer more substantial profit marginsâa reality that Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini have successfully embraced with the DBX, Purosangue, and Urus, respectively.
Leiters expounded on McLarenâs vision, revealing that to unlock the company's full potential, they plan to expand the product lineup beyond its current segment. This 'shared performance' strategy aims to involve more vehicles and, in effect, more people in the world of McLaren. The SPV might well come in multiple versions, possibly hybrids, and is likely to be a plug-in model built with a partner by integrating McLarenâs powertrain into an existing platform.
Potential powertrain options for the SPV could include a hybrid twin-turbo V6 or a plug-in V8. The latter choice hints at a potential partnership with BMW, utilizing the platform of BMWâs V8 PHEV XM. Leiters noted that McLarenâs supercars are celebrated for their lightweight design, fueling speculation that a collaboration with BMWâs M Division might create a lighter, more efficient plug-in hybrid SUV.
Early reports suggest that the lightweight SPV could have a price tag around $400,000. Profits from this venture would bolster McLaren's finances as it ventures into the uncharted territory of electric vehicles, with ambitions to create what they call the 'first EV supercar.' Itâs a bold strategy that rests heavily on the success of the SPV, a vehicle that McLaren hopes will pave the way out of its current financial straits.
In a world racing towards electrification, McLarenâs calculated pivot to an SUV isnât just about survivalâit's about maintaining its legacy while embracing the future. A lighter, high-performance, hybrid-SPV could very well be the lifeline McLaren needs to secure its standings in both the combustion and electric supercar market.
