A multi-year partnership formed between McLaren Automotive and engine supplier Ricardo – as part of a long-term investment deal – will see the duo working collaboratively to produce a V8 powertrain unit for the OEM’s next-generation, lightweight hybrid supercars.
The high-performance V8 engine will be designed by McLaren’s in-house powertrain team and forms part of the UK-based OEM’s Future of Performance strategy. The agreement is an extension of an existing relationship between the companies, with Ricardo building the V6 and V8 engines that power existing McLaren models and those to come.
Since the McLaren 12C was released in 2011, Ricardo has produced an estimated 34,000 powertrains for McLaren at its assembly facility at Shoreham-by-Sea in the UK. The power units are then delivered to the McLaren Production Centre, in Woking, Surrey, where the OEM’s vehicles are hand-built.
Ricardo will supply hybrid and non-hybrid powertrains to McLaren, as the two companies make further investments in the Shoreham facility, which houses more than 100 manufacturing engineers and technicians.
“Our new high-performance, hybrid V8 powertrain will form an integral part of McLaren’s next-generation product line-up delivering best-in-class performance and thrilling driver engagement,” said Michael Leiters, chief executive officer of McLaren Automotive. “This new agreement with Ricardo is, therefore, an important part of our Future of Performance strategy and builds on the enduring relationship between the two British companies, providing a boost for jobs and ensuring increased investment in what is a vitally important domestic engineering supply chain for future technologies.”
“We are extremely pleased to have concluded this new engine supply agreement with McLaren Automotive for their next-generation high-performance V8 powertrain, which extends the long-term relationship between both companies into the next decade,” added Graham Ritchie, chief executive officer of Ricardo. “Like McLaren, Ricardo has a proven track record of engineering excellence, delivering high-performance technology and the highest standards of product quality supported by the upstream supply chain. With this agreement, we look forward to continuing our established and highly successful relationship with McLaren into its third decade.”
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