New McLaren EV to be “the most exciting car” from the company

McLaren Automotive, CEO Mike Flewitt said its McLaren EV is set to join Ultimate Series and become "the most exciting sports car'' from McLaren. The UK-based company is a manufacturer of luxury, high performance sports cars. CEO Mike Flewitt confirmed to Auto Express that the model would be "the most exciting sports car we have ever made."

He confirmed that the company was working on an EV to make it to the range-topping Ultimate Series, but insisted a spiritual successor to the hybrid P1 did not form part of the manufacturer's Track22 business plan. The key point within the plan is for the company to have at least 50 per cent of its range propelled by hybrid technology, by 2022. A direct replacement for the P1 was, therefore, at least seven years away.

On arrival, the car would be able to withstand '20 to 30 minutes of track use' with a minimum range of 'at least 300 miles.' A test mule for the EV hypercar was also being developed based around the old MP4 12C coupe.

"Going to an EV has to enhance the driving experience. We're not going to present an electric sports car with an apology that says 'sorry it's not as exciting as your V8'," Flewitt told Auto Express.

 "When we present an electric sports car it's going to be the most exciting sports car we've ever launched.

"People can build and sell quite impressive electric cars today for transport, we will build cars that are perhaps more about entertainment than just transport."

Meanwhile, Flewitt has called upon the UK government to act quickly over Brexit, as the firm announced record sales on its fifth anniversary.

After selling 1654 cars in 2015, the company expects that number to double this year and triple by 2020.

He said the company's success had so far not been impacted by the UK's vote to leave the EU but urged the government to act fast as it decided on the next steps.

''We've noticed no effect from Brexit so far,'' he said. ''However, continued uncertainty is not good for any business and we urge the authorities to get on and make a decision.''

This is the third successive year that McLaren Automotive had posted an operational profit, which last year rose to £23.5 million from revenues of £450.6 million.