McLaren Automotive (now fully owned by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain) has revealed the philosophy that will guide its designers for the next generation of models.
The philosophy doesn’t have a single name (like other carmakers) but instead has 5 core principles – Epic, Athletic, Functional, Focused, and Intelligent – which are inspired by McLaren’s 60 years of racing heritage and notable road car portfolio.
The visual expression of this design DNA references McLaren’s innovative and highly successful approach to motorsport engineering, fused with cutting-edge, lightweight supercar design. The new, multi-faceted design ethos paves the way to a new design language appropriate for McLaren vehicles in new segments and with future powertrain technologies.
Key Design Signatures
The front view design signature is defined by two main, symmetrical elements with horizontal orientation and a low nose. Inspiration comes from legendary McLaren racers, like the side air intakes of hugely successful Formula 1 cars such as the McLaren MP4/4.
This design element also features on the legendary F1 and its LM and GTR variants, with its large air intakes placed on the front bumper, directly beneath the headlights, and the distinctive ‘eye-socket’ headlights with integrated intakes used on the 750S.
Defining the Design Signature of future McLaren vehicles when viewed side on will be the Performance Line. This iconic shoulder line is inspired directly by the profiles of iconic McLaren Can-Am racers, the McLaren F1, and the McLaren P1, and lends itself to athletic, forward leaning proportions, with short front and rear overhangs.
The rear view will be defined by an open back end – a design trait introduced by the F1 and widely interpreted on all modern McLaren supercars – bringing with it the functionality of greater heat dissipation. Straightline graphics and horizontal orientation of design elements create a greater sense of width and lower vehicle height, for squat, racing car-like proportions.
More driver-focussed interiors
Building on McLaren’s driver focussed design ethos, future McLaren models will feature a ‘wrap-around’ cockpit bringing purity of purpose and clarity of vision inspired by the brand’s racing DNA, enabling the driver to focus fully on driving performance.
But the interior space won’t feel claustrophobic or compromised. It will feel spacious and comfortable through intelligent design, such as the integration of concave surfaces, and a horizon-like view forward.
“Racing is in our DNA, and beauty flows from this relentless pursuit of performance. We are deeply inspired by 6 decades of McLaren history, but we are not rooted in our past. Our Design DNA will build McLaren into a brand that delivers 60 years of motorsport heritage in incredible lightweight supercars and beyond. A new era, with new vehicles, more product differentiation, and with Performance by Design at the heart of it,” said Tobias Suhlmann, the company’s Chief Design Officer.
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