## Do McLaren Production Cars Use BMW Engines?
McLaren Automotive is a British automotive manufacturer that produces high-performance sports cars and grand tourers. The company was founded in 1989 by Ron Dennis and Gordon Murray, and is headquartered in Woking, England. McLaren has a long and successful history in Formula One racing, and its road cars are known for their performance, handling, and exclusivity.
BMW is a German automotive manufacturer that produces a wide range of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and trucks. The company was founded in 1916 by Karl Rapp, and is headquartered in Munich, Germany. BMW is one of the world’s leading automakers, and its vehicles are known for their quality, performance, and luxury.
Early McLaren Models
In the early days of McLaren Automotive, the company used engines from Ford and Chrysler in its road cars. However, in 2005, McLaren announced that it would be partnering with BMW to develop a new engine for its upcoming MP4-12C sports car. The MP4-12C was released in 2011, and it was powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that was jointly developed by McLaren and BMW.
The MP4-12C was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish McLaren as a major player in the high-performance sports car market. McLaren continued to use BMW engines in its road cars for several years, including the 650S, the 570S, and the 720S.
Current McLaren Models
In 2021, McLaren announced that it would be ending its partnership with BMW and developing its own engines for its road cars. The first McLaren model to use a McLaren-developed engine was the Artura, which was released in 2023.
The Artura is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 585 horsepower and 585 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and it can propel the Artura from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds.
McLaren has also announced that its upcoming hybrid and electric vehicles will use McLaren-developed engines. The company is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, and it believes that developing its own engines will give it the flexibility to do so.
Why Did McLaren Switch to BMW Engines?
There are several reasons why McLaren switched to BMW engines in its road cars. First, BMW is a well-respected engine manufacturer with a long history of success in both road and racing applications. Second, BMW was able to provide McLaren with a high-performance engine that met its specific requirements. Third, BMW was willing to work with McLaren to develop a custom engine that was tailored to the needs of its road cars.
Why Did McLaren Switch Away from BMW Engines?
There are also several reasons why McLaren decided to switch away from BMW engines in its road cars. First, McLaren wanted to develop its own engines in order to have more control over the design and performance of its vehicles. Second, McLaren believed that developing its own engines would give it a competitive advantage over its rivals. Third, McLaren was concerned about the cost of continuing to use BMW engines.
Conclusion
McLaren Automotive has used BMW engines in its road cars for several years, but the company has recently announced that it will be switching to McLaren-developed engines in the future. This is a significant change for McLaren, and it reflects the company’s desire to have more control over the design and performance of its vehicles.