McLaren Breaks Its Oath and Will Produce an SUV

After swearing never to succumb to the temptation of producing a big and heavy SUV, McLaren seems to have changed its mind.

To cross or not to cross the Rubicon? Out of snobbery, priority, or industrial inability, McLaren had always looked disdainfully at the mercantile approach of its rivals in the sports car segment, such as Porsche, Aston Martin, or Lamborghini. The former has revolutionized, for over 20 years now, the definition of a luxury sports car with the Cayenne. Once heavily criticized by the media, a sort of paragon of virtue (…), the Cayenne saved Porsche, which was in a very bad financial situation. Sales exploded and initiated a virtuous cycle that continues to this day.

Lamborghini, which is part of the same Volkswagen group, followed suit with the Urus in 2015. The same happened with Aston Martin and its DBX, each time being “game changers” that allowed these brands to break free from the constraints of a sports car that cannot be used daily.

Does McLaren succumb to the SUV?

But the ultimate card that has caused McLaren‘s posture to collapse is the enormous success of the Ferrari Purosangue. Again, heavily criticized by the virtuous, the commercial success is unprecedented in the history of the Italian manufacturer. The order book is full for several years, not to mention a sale price nearing 400,000 euros for a well-equipped version (which Ferrari prioritizes in delivery orders, guess…).

However, McLaren no longer has the luxury to turn its nose up at sales. Success has never really been present since the creation of its Automotive division in 2010. Sales precariously fluctuate between 3,000 and 4,500 cars per year, compared to over 10,000 for Ferrari or 200,000 for Porsche. Reliability issues and the rapid depreciation of early models have dampened the enthusiasm of customers who prefer the reassuring dealership networks and after-sales service of historical market giants.

Recently in very dire financial straits, to the point of being entirely bought out by the Bahrain sovereign wealth fund, McLaren has since had obligations to reevaluate itself. Former executives have left, taboos have fallen, and the idea of an SUV, which will appeal to many markets (starting with the Middle East), is thus back on the table.

According to numerous sources, the development of such a model is reportedly underway. It would be a powerful hybrid model conceived in collaboration with BMW, similar to the era of the legendary McLaren F1 road car.

The commercialization is planned for 2028… which is in an eternity in a market that will soon shift to 100% electric. McLaren or the art of being out of sync with its time?

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