McLaren has confirmed its first SUV will launch by the end of the decade, following a £500 million investment that also powers a manufacturing revamp and a new logo. The funding, the largest in the company’s history, comes from shareholder L’IMAD and supports upgrades to McLaren’s UK facilities while enabling the long-anticipated SUV project.
Investment and Expansion Plans
The capital injection will enhance McLaren’s manufacturing centre at its MTC headquarters in Woking and fund a new vehicle assembly facility. Additionally, the company plans to double the size of its carbon fibre production site in Sheffield. While the SUV development is funded separately, this round of investment focuses on broader operational improvements under CEO Nick Collins.
McLaren will also design and build its own engines for the first time, with two hybrid powertrains and transmissions already approved. These include a V8 and six-speed manual gearbox showcased in the McL 6GT concept revealed at Monterey Car Week. Previously, engines were developed in-house but manufactured by Ricardo. The new powertrains will support the company’s goal of creating a “complete portfolio around the supercar,” according to McLaren.
SUV Strategy and Design Direction
The upcoming SUV will compete with Lamborghini’s Urus and Aston Martin’s DBX, though Ferrari’s Purosangue is not considered a direct rival. Chief Operating Officer Michael Straughan confirmed the vehicle will use a carbon fibre platform and prioritize McLaren’s signature low power-to-weight ratio, though technical details remain undisclosed. Future variants could be all-electric, pending additional development.
Chief Designer Kemal Curić, who led the McL 6GT concept, will oversee exterior, interior, and digital design from McLaren’s new Bicester Creative studio. David Woodhouse, appointed as Chief Creative Officer after joining from Nissan America, will guide the brand’s overall creative direction. Their work includes a redesigned logo featuring a distinctive “c” with a line beneath it, using the McLaren Sans font, and more navy blue to play a part in McLaren Automotive’s identity going forward, alongside papaya for the racing team.
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The new product strategy relies on Gordon Murray’s iStream chassis technology, acquired by CYVN Holdings in 2023. McLaren aims to create up to 3,000 jobs in its supply chain by 2032, adding to its current 2,500 UK employees. The company’s current lineup, including the 750S and GTS, faces updates as models approach their seventh year since launch.
Other potential projects discussed include a front-engined GT car, a four-door GT-coupe, and a model below the Artura, though McLaren acknowledges these remain speculative. The Artura, launched in 2022 after a delayed rollout, and the 720S, which marks its 10th anniversary in 2027, currently anchor the lineup. These models are nearing the end of their development cycles, with the GTS expected to cease production as early as Spring 2027.
Powertrain Development and Platform Strategy
This platform underpins McLaren’s upcoming SUV and potential future models, including the planned 2028 limited-run McL 6GT. The company intends to use this technology to streamline development and manufacturing efficiency across its expanded range.
McLaren’s strategy emphasizes a segmented approach, building on existing models like the 750S and W1 while preparing for new entries.
While the SUV is the only project confirmed for production, speculation continues around a front-engined GT car, a four-door GT-coupe, and a model beneath the Artura. McLaren has not committed to these, acknowledging the financial demands of launching multiple new vehicles. The company estimates that developing an SUV like Aston Martin’s DBX would require over £300 million, suggesting greater investment is needed for additional models beyond updates.
