Earlier in 2020, we learned about McLaren's plans to launch its first series-production hybrid vehicle, which will replace the Sports Series line. Come November 2020 and the British company confirmed the arrival of the electrified supercar, releasing a teaser video and unveiling the Artura name. McLaren also revealed new information about the gasoline-electric model, including the fact that it will ride on an all-new architecture.

The McLaren Artura will replace the Sports Series line

The British carmaker has confirmed that the Artura will slot between the GT model and the Super Series line. This means it will replace the Sports Series line, the company's most affordable supercar family. Introduced in 2015, the Sports Series is centered around the 570S, powered by a V-8 engine rated at 562 horsepower. But this line also includes the slightly less powerful 540C model, as well as the 570GT, which comes with extra storage room above the engine.

The Sports Series line also features higher performance models, such as the 600LT and the recently introduced 620R. The latter is a road-legal iteration of the 570S GT4 race car, which was launched alongside the 570S Sprint. All road-going models, except for the 620R, are also available in Spider (convertible) variants. Production of the Sports Series line will end in late 2020 or early 2021.

The McLaren Artura will be lightweight, despite the battery and hybrid system

The Artura was developed on a brand-new architecture created specifically for electrified sports cars. This new platform enables McLaren to keep weight down while using electric motors and a battery pack. The company says that the additional mass of the hybrid system has been "largely offset by the application of weight-saving technologies throughout the chassis, body, and powertrain," meaning that the Artura will come with a "class-leading weight advantage."

In simpler terms, the Artura might not be heavier than the 570S, which tips the scales at around 2,900 pounds. That's an impressive feat, given the extra baggage that comes with a hybrid layout and a battery pack. The company also claims that the new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) will also be "the base for the dynamic excellence inherent in every McLaren." Should we expect the Artura to be quicker and more nimble than the 570S? Definitely yes!

The McLaren Artura will debut new V-6 hybrid powertrain

How quick will it be? We don't know that right now, but McLaren confirmed that the Artura will debut its long-awaited V-6 gasoline engine. The British company is slowly phasing out the tried-and-true twin-turbo V-8, replacing it with a brand-new, twin-turbo V-6. This mill is smaller and not as powerful as the V-8, but it has been designed to work with an electric motor in a hybrid setup that "retains the performance benefits of McLaren’s larger capacity V-8 engines.

The brand also promises improved torque response at low engine speeds. Of course, the hybrid setup will also generate more combined torque than the V-8. Word has it total system output will exceed 600 horsepower, so the Artura could generate around 50 horses more than the 570S, the core model of the Sports Series line. The 620R, which is the most hardcore version, pumps out 612 horsepower, but McLaren will most likely roll out a more powerful variant at some point. Torque should exceed 500 pound-feet, a big improvement over the 398 to 457-pound-foot ratings of the Sports Series line.

The McLaren Artura will be a proper hybrid

The Artura won't be McLaren's first hybrid vehicle. The British firm joined this niche back in 2013 with the P1, but the 903-horsepower supercar was actually a mild hybrid with just all-electric capability of only a few miles. The McLaren Speedtail, launched in 2020, is very similar to no actual EV range. The Artura, on the other hand, will be able to run on electric power alone and will have a proper EV range in the EPA cycle. No word yet on how long you will be able to drive it in EV mode before you need to recharge, but it should be good for around 50 miles.

The McLaren Artura will be the company's most affordable hybrid

The Artura will also be the most affordable hybrid McLaren has built to date. While the P1 was sold for more than $1 million and the Speedtail retailed for more than $2 million, the Artura will come in at less than $300,000 in base form. Should it actually slot under the Super Series, the entry-level version could cost less than $250,000.