McLaren prepares its first SUV: a full-scale assault on Urus and DBX territory

The British manufacturer breaks with tradition and is developing a high-performance electrified SUV set to arrive in 2028 to compete at the very top of the luxury performance segment.

For decades, McLaren maintained a firm stance: it would never build an SUV. However, a change in leadership in 2022, with the arrival of a new CEO and a more pragmatic market vision, opened the door to a strategic shift. Since then, rumours have continued to grow and, although the brand has yet to make anything official, everything suggests that McLaren’s first SUV is already an internal reality, having recently been shown privately to selected dealers.

An electrified SUV with true supercar DNA

According to industry sources, McLaren’s new SUV – internally known as P47 – will be a high-performance plug-in hybrid, designed to take on the Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin DBX and Porsche Cayenne head-on. The Woking-based brand has no intention of building a conventional SUV; instead, it aims to deliver a product that stays true to its identity, with performance and advanced engineering at its core – a philosophy directly influenced by its Formula 1 expertise.

On the mechanical side, everything points to the use of a plug-in hybrid powertrain built around a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, similar in architecture to that of the extreme McLaren W1. In that application, the full system delivers 1,275 hp, with 916 hp from the combustion engine and 342 hp from the electric motor, integrated into an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Naturally, the SUV will feature lower overall output but greater electric-only range, striking a balance between outright performance and everyday usability.

Design will be another key pillar of the project. While no spy shots exist yet, dealers who have seen the model in clay form describe it as having a “sculpted and muscular” appearance, without becoming overly exotic. The prototype shown was larger than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, with similar proportions and 24-inch wheels. The front end will incorporate McLaren’s signature lighting elements, while the body will feature extensive aerodynamic and sporting details, along with a sloping roofline.

At the rear, the SUV will feature a large tailgate, very slim rear lights and two large exhaust outlets, reinforcing its performance-focused character. As for pricing, McLaren has not released any official figures, but with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid starting at around €200,000, the British SUV is expected to sit in the €250,000 to €300,000 range, positioning it close to the Lamborghini Urus SE and clearly below the Ferrari Purosangue. The official debut is expected in 2028, the year in which newly appointed CEO Nick Collins confirmed that “we will definitely see something with more than two seats” in McLaren’s future lineup.