McLaren's on-again, off-again SUV is taking shape — and it might not look like an SUV. The company confirmed that it is seriously considering expanding its range with a larger model capable of seating more than two passengers, but has not decided which route to take.
"The most important thing is to provide a [vehicle] that has as much space or ability for the McLaren customer to share the experience with as many people as possible. That's how high it rides, whether it's a crossover. … It has to be decided and, the reality is, nothing has been decided at the moment," explained Jamie Corstorphine's, the British firm's director of product strategy, in an interview with industry trade journal Automotive News.
It's easy enough to offer more space or capacity when your range consists mainly of low-slung supercars. While an SUV like the Aston Martin DBX would certainly fit the bill, Corstorphine's comments suggest that other body styles are also on the table. For example, the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo will offer more space and capacity than the 765LT. So there will be a bit of a hatchback in the vein of the Subaru Impreza, and that's where the challenge lies: McLaren wants to make sure its family-focused model stays true to its roots.
"If we're going to do something, whether it's this type of product, or any other type of product, the test for us is can we accurately reflect McLaren's DNA? It's all about that. I am. You need to spend some time thinking. About it.” "Progressing.
McLaren's Chief Technical Officer Michael Loiters echoed these comments in August 2023. He acknowledged that high-end SUVs are in high demand, with Ferrari having to stop taking orders specifically for the Purosangue to avoid running out of a massive backlog. Putting McLaren in this segment is easier said than done. Whatever the firm comes up with should be in line with its DNA, he added.
While SUVs and supercars may seem at opposite ends of the same spectrum, a marriage between the two is not as far-fetched as it seems. Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche are among the companies that have successfully combined these two opposing segments.
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