Novitec turns McLaren Artura up to 11
More power and new springs for McLaren's hybrid, plus a truly mad rear spoiler
If there’s a criticism to be levelled at the Artura, it’s that this bold new hybrid supercar from McLaren looks quite a lot like the models that have come before it. The V6 plug-in is neither conventionally attention grabbing nor brave and adventurous for McLaren; the Artura’s nice, though perhaps the first series production hybrid out of Woking needed to go a bit further.
Novitec can go further. Quite a bit further, in fact. Its latest upgrades are said to ‘lend the mid-engined racer even more spectacular looks’, and there’s no arguing with that. Finished in carbon fibre, of course, though exhibited on a black car for some reason, Novitec’s new parts include a lift-reducing front bumper, covers for the intakes and one of the most incredible rear wings you’ve ever seen. It’s easy to tell this is one of even Novitec’s bolder solutions as there’s a ‘subtle lip spoiler’ also offered. There really is no missing it, like a giant halo over the engine deck, a spoiler design the likes of which are never really seen. Believe it or not Novitec says it works in conjunction with the front end to help handling stability at speed, so it’s not all for show. But rest assured anyone who thought the Artura lacked impact now has something to emphatically address that drawback.
There’s more, too, albeit the more usual Novitec fare: louder and lower and on some snazzy new wheels. Again black rims on a black car when trying to show off a fresh design seems strange, though they are forged Vossen MC3s - 19s at the front and 20s at the rear. Attention is drawn to them thanks to a 20mm suspension drop on Novitec’s springs. If ever there was a time to sacrifice a bit of rolling refinement for style’s sake, this might be it.
Finally, there’s a new exhaust for the V6, bringing another 35hp and likely a bit more drama to the combustion engine’s sound. It’s all very traditional supercar silliness; perhaps not where McLaren always aims, though it’s good for the option to exist for those more extroverted customers. The interior can be done any which way, too. The earliest Arturas are currently available from £150k, in quite subdued colour schemes. Just the cars for an XXL rear wing, then…
I would have thought that McLaren would go to some effort with exhaust design, but maybe they used cheap cast-iron manifolds of very unequal length...
Seems less than ideal having the rear wing attached to a long lever connected in front of the rear wheels, but others know better I'm sure.
Seems less than ideal having the rear wing attached to a long lever connected in front of the rear wheels, but others know better I'm sure.
One of the most obvious things if you see a proper GT3 (or similar) car stripped down is how much of the front of the car is rebuilt to produce front axle downforce - the rear end is much easier with a big, obvious spoiler and diffuser.
One of the most obvious things if you see a proper GT3 (or similar) car stripped down is how much of the front of the car is rebuilt to produce front axle downforce - the rear end is much easier with a big, obvious spoiler and diffuser.
Thanks, the best thing about this place is there is always someone that knows what they are talking about on any given subject and will give an example of proof to help explain why, ala GT3 above.Seems less than ideal having the rear wing attached to a long lever connected in front of the rear wheels, but others know better I'm sure.
interestingly it doesn't matter how the wing is connected to the car, it's only the position. So this solution would have the same result as if the wing in the same position was supported vertically.
Somehow makes the sideways V-shaped swoosh thingys, which are too prominent / dorky, blend in. (Or is it merely because the car is black?)
But a hard no to the skirts and rear wing. (I bet that gerbil-faced, helium-voiced US female car Youtuber would be a hard yes - in chrome.)
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