McLaren announces V8 hybrid deal

McLaren’s new V8 has been designed in-house and will power a new generation of lightweight hybrid supercars that form part of the company’s Future of Performance strategy.

Ricardo will supply both hybrid and non-hybrid versions of the new motor, making – along with McLaren – further investments into its engine-production facility at Shoreham-by-Sea, 50 miles south of McLaren’s Woking Production Centre. 

Ricardo has already built more than 34,000 powertrains for McLaren since the introduction of its first series supercar – the 12C – and it will continue to build both V6 and V8s for the company’s current and future models.

Michael Leiters, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive, said: “Our new high-performance, hybrid V8 powertrain will form an integral part of McLaren’s next-generation product line-up delivering best-in-class performance and thrilling driver engagement.

“This new agreement with Ricardo is, therefore, an important part of our ‘Future of Performance’ strategy and builds on the enduring relationship between the two British companies, providing a boost for jobs and ensuring increased investment in what is a vitally important domestic engineering supply chain for future technologies.”

We’ll bring you full specs on McLaren’s new V8 as soon as we have them.