McLaren Plans to Discontinue GTS and Artura by 2028 in Strategy Shift

British supercar manufacturer McLaren is preparing to phase out two of its core performance models, the GTS and the Artura, by the end of 2028 as part of a sweeping overhaul of its product lineup. The transition will make way for next-generation hybrid supercars and the brand's first-ever performance SUV, backed by a £500 million manufacturing investment in the United Kingdom.

The restructuring marks a fundamental departure from the company's traditional engineering layout. While McLaren has historically focused exclusively on rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive configurations powered by V6 and V8 engines, upcoming vehicle architectures will introduce front-engine layouts, all-wheel-drive options, and proprietary hybrid powertrains developed entirely in-house.

Front-engine configurations provide packaging and thermal advantages, maximizing usable cabin space and facilitating forward radiator cooling efficiency. Electrified supercar manufacturers provide extended battery warranty packages ranging between 6 and 8 years to protect owners against high-voltage battery degradation.

The phased withdrawal is slated to begin with the McLaren GTS, which could cease production as early as 2027. Introduced in December 2023 as a facelifted iteration of the McLaren GT, the grand tourer competes directly against models like the Ferrari Amalfi and Aston Martin DB12. It draws power from a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that generates 635 horsepower and 630 Nm of torque.

The Ferrari Purosangue, Lamborghini Urus SE, and Aston Martin DBX S occupy distinct positioning niches spanning driver purism, electrified peak output, and grand-touring practicality. Performance SUVs have become the core commercial volume drivers for supercar makers, with the Urus generating over half of Lamborghini's annual deliveries.

The McLaren Artura hybrid is scheduled to follow its stablemate out of production by the close of 2028. Revealed globally in February 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic, the Artura faced severe supply chain disruptions and semiconductor shortages during its early development cycle. Despite those hurdles, the model established itself as a cornerstone of the brand's hybrid strategy, pairing a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor to deliver a combined output of 700 horsepower and 720 Nm against rivals such as the Ferrari 296.

Alongside the phase-outs, McLaren is plotting a new supercar slated to break cover by 2028. Industry reports citing insider sources indicate that this upcoming vehicle will utilize a twin-turbo V6 hybrid setup capable of producing up to 1,085 Nm of torque, though company executives have not yet confirmed whether it will serve as a direct successor to the Artura or stand as an independent addition.

The current 750S supercar, which serves as the successor to the venerable 720S, also faces a limited lifespan and could exit production around 2027. Its final iteration is represented by the limited-run 788HS. To sustain these future vehicle lines, McLaren is abandoning external powertrain dependencies in favor of proprietary engineering.

The most dramatic expansion in the brand's roadmap is its confirmed entry into the luxury SUV segment, supported by a £500 million capital injection announced in September 2026. This funding will modernize UK assembly facilities, expand manufacturing capacity, and accelerate internal powertrain development.

McLaren Chief Operating Officer Michael Straughan noted the strategic shift in a statement regarding the brand's engineering flexibility. "No longer will we be only rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive cars. There's going to be front-engined and either four-wheel drive or perhaps rear-wheel drive in the future. We don't have to be constrained by a V6 and a V8 in the future," Straughan said. The versatile front-engine platform engineered for the upcoming SUV is also expected to underpin additional future variants, including a potential four-seat grand tourer.