Why McLaren Didn’t Include a Reverse Gear on Its $255,400 Plug-in Hybrid Supercar

Hybrids are hot right now (EVs less so). McLaren is focused on keeping them agile.

The McLaren Artura. Photo: Courtesy McLaren

McLaren’s $255,400 plug-in hybrid, the Artura, launched in 2021. It carries a battery weighing close to 200 pounds, in a car sold on how little it weighs. With no reverse gear, the car backs up using its electric motor instead, which saves between 11 and 22 pounds of gear train. Considerations like this allow a supercar company such as McLaren to introduce hybrid technology to this type of vehicle.

Nick Collins, CEO of McLaren Group Holdings, has said McLaren will build an electric car when its customers want one,........

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