3 Minutes
McLaren finally joins the super-SUV race
McLaren appears ready to trade its long-held purist stance for a piece of the booming super-SUV market. Known online as the Speedliner, the rumored model has surfaced in digital renders and insider reports as a muscular, aerodynamic five-seat hybrid SUV aimed at Ferrari's Purosangue, Aston Martin's DBX S and Lamborghini's Urus SE.
What we know so far
According to recent industry whispers, McLaren plans to unveil the Speedliner as a 2028 model. Power will likely come from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (project code MHP-8) adapted from the W1 hypercar. While the W1 produced an astonishing 928 hp, McLaren is expected to tune the unit for SUV duties and pair it with hybrid electrification to target roughly 800+ hp, specifically to outmuscle the 800-hp Urus SE.
Design cues in leaked digital artwork show a car that still reads McLaren—sleek roofline, aggressive aero elements and pronounced wheel arches—but with a taller stance and a new platform to deliver more interior space. Sources suggest this will be the first McLaren to abandon the brand's traditional full carbon monocoque in favor of a new architecture optimized for four to five occupants and everyday usability.
Performance and tech expectations
- Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8 hybrid (MHP-8 derivative)
- Target output: competitive with high-800 hp rivals (rumored)
- Layout: likely all-wheel drive to handle winter and high-speed stability
- Platform: new, more spacious architecture replacing pure carbon tub
These choices signal McLaren's intent to balance supercar performance with SUV practicality, from improved cargo and rear-seat room to all-weather capability.
Market positioning and why it matters
A management shift and the pursuit of higher-margin segments seem to have nudged McLaren into this territory. Entering the super-SUV arena would position the brand directly against Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin for wealthy buyers who want hypercar levels of performance with daily usability. For enthusiasts, the Speedliner promises a new chapter: McLaren performance in a form that must also serve as a family car.
Highlights:
- Digital sketches depict a winter-ready, aerodynamic SUV
- Powertrain borrows hypercar tech but tuned for SUV use
- First McLaren platform aimed at increased passenger space
Expect confirmation and official specs to emerge closer to 2028. Until then, the Speedliner remains a high-interest rumor that could reshape McLaren's lineup and the high-performance SUV market.
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