McLaren tests the Altura race car at Monza.
McLaren's year-old Altura supercar is set to spawn a racing model.
The camouflaged prototype was filmed by YouTuber 19Bozzy92 testing at the Monza racing track in Italy earlier this week. This means that the car could be racing as early as 2023.
Given the prototype's almost road car-like appearance, the Artura GT4 is likely to replace the aging 570S GT4 in McLaren's customer racing lineup. Hopefully, there will also be a version for track enthusiasts like the 570S Sprint, which is based on the 570S GT4.
The Artura road car features a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.9-liter V6 twin-turbocharger and electric motor integrated into the transmission (in this case an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic). Maximum output is 671 hp and maximum torque is 531 lb-ft, and drive is sent to the rear wheels only.
This race car is likely to be powered by a V-6 only. The road car has a peak 577 hp and 431 lb-ft from the engine alone.
Ferrari's upcoming GT3-spec racecar, based on rival 296 GTB, will also skip the electrification of its road car sibling; the 296 GT3 is scheduled to begin racing in 2023.
McLaren's current GT3 contender is based on the 720S supercar; the Artura GT3 may be developed to replace the 720S GT3, but McLaren may hold off on developing a new GT3 racing car until it has announced a 720S successor. 720S successor.
Pricing for the Artura starts at $225,000. McLaren's race cars are largely hand-built by the McLaren GT division and are usually priced significantly higher than the respective road car pricing.
