McLaren Automotive, previously McLaren Cars, produces sports cars in Woking, England. It became a subsidiary of McLaren Group in 2017.
Bruce McLaren started his competitive driving experience in a modified 1929 Austin Ulster, which he and his father transformed into a race car. This marked the early stages of his journey towards becoming a renowned racing car designer.
In 1952, at the age of 14, Bruce McLaren entered his first speed competition in New Zealand, driving a restored Austin 7 Ulster in a hill climb. This marked the beginning of his racing career, which was supported by his father who was an auto mechanic.
In 1959, at the age of 22, Bruce McLaren won the United States Grand Prix at Sebring, Florida, making him the youngest driver to ever win a Formula One race. This victory marked the beginning of McLaren's successful career in motorsports.
In 1962, Bruce McLaren won the Monaco Grand Prix, succeeding Jack Brabham as Cooper's top driver. This victory further solidified his reputation as a talented and successful racer.
McLaren was founded in 1963 in the UK by Bruce McLaren, with the company's headquarters established in the same country.
In 1965, McLaren introduced its first Formula 1 car to compete in the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix.
In 1966, Bruce McLaren achieved victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans while driving for Ford. This win further solidified McLaren's reputation as a talented and versatile racing driver.
Bruce McLaren dies in a crash while test-driving his new McLaren M8D at the Goodwood Circuit. His death at the age of 32 marks a tragic loss for the racing and automotive industry.
Under the leadership of Teddy Mayer, McLaren achieved their first World Constructor's championship in 1974, with driver Emerson Fittipaldi also winning the Driver's championship.
In the 1980s, McLaren made a significant advancement by unveiling an F1 car featuring a body entirely constructed from carbon fibre. This innovation with the McLaren MP4/1 marked a milestone in automotive engineering, as carbon fibre was previously exclusive to aviation and aerospace industries.
In 1981, McLaren made a significant breakthrough in Formula 1 by introducing the first car with a carbon fibre chassis.
After a successful history in motorsports, McLaren expanded its ventures by establishing a production car division in 1985. This move led to the development of the McLaren F1, the company's inaugural road car.
Between 1984 and 1991, McLaren drivers won the Formula 1 world driver's championship seven times, with the 1988 season being particularly remarkable with 15 victories in 16 races.
The McLaren F1, a groundbreaking exotic car, was unveiled to the world, setting new standards in automotive engineering and performance.
The F1 Roadcar was introduced in 1994 as a supercar with a fastback coupe body style.
The McLaren F1 LM, a track edition of the F1, was designed to pay tribute to the five McLaren F1 GTRs that dominated the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans race by finishing in top positions. It boasts a top speed of 225 mph.
The F1 GT was introduced in 1997 as a supercar with a fastback coupe body style.
In 1999, the McLaren F1 set a record for the world's fastest production car, reaching speeds of 240.1 mph. The F1's impressive performance credentials included exceptional acceleration times and highlighted its engineering excellence. The record-breaking feat solidified the F1's status as an iconic supercar.
The McLaren SLR, a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz, was introduced in 2003. It featured a 5.5-litre supercharged V8 engine, producing 617 hp and reaching a top speed of 207 mph. Packed with McLaren's F1 technology, the SLR was known for its charisma, aggression, and exclusivity.
In 2005, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren cancelled the P9, P8, and P10 projects due to high costs. The projects included a mid-engined baby supercar, a competitor to cars like Ferrari F430, and an SLR replacement.
In 2006, the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722 Edition was announced. It featured a powerful engine producing 650 PS and had enhancements like a new suspension and 19-inch light-alloy wheels.
In 2007, the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Convertible was announced, sharing the same supercharged 5.5 litre V8 engine with the coupé version.
In 2008, Lewis Hamilton secured the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship for McLaren, becoming the youngest driver to achieve this feat.
In 2010, McLaren Automotive was established, replacing McLaren Cars. The new company was created to focus on producing sports cars and separate from the existing McLaren companies.
McLaren GT was established in 2011 as the sports car racing arm of McLaren Automotive. It is responsible for developing and supporting McLaren track and GT race activities, producing cars like the 720S GT3 and 570S GT4.
The McLaren P1 was first unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Considered as the successor to the iconic McLaren F1, the P1 featured hybrid power, F1 technology, and a carbon fibre monocoque, providing a joyous driving experience.
The McLaren P1, a hybrid supercar, was introduced as the first generation model in 2013.
The McLaren P1 made its debut in 2014, showcasing cutting-edge technology and performance. As a successor to the iconic McLaren F1, the P1 set new standards in the supercar industry with its hybrid powertrain and aerodynamic design.
The McLaren 650S was introduced as the successor to the MP4-12C, sharing the same architecture. It was followed by the 625C and 675LT models before being replaced by the McLaren 720S, which featured significant upgrades.
In September 2016, McLaren announced the development of a powerful battery for Formula E, highlighting the company's commitment to sustainable racing technologies.
The McLaren 570S Spider is a convertible sports car manufactured by McLaren Automotive. It is part of the first generation of the 570S Spider model, which has been in production since 2017.
In July 2017, McLaren Automotive became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the broader McLaren Group, consolidating their relationship and operations within the organization.
The McLaren Senna is a high-performance sports car produced by McLaren Automotive. It belongs to the first generation of the Senna model, which has been in production since 2018.
In November 2018, the McLaren Composites Technology Centre was officially opened, aiming to enhance McLaren's control over carbon fibre chassis production for future road cars, showcasing the company's dedication to advanced manufacturing.
In 2019, the McLaren GT was introduced as a more affordable option compared to the 720S, sharing the same chassis but with a slightly lower price point.
The McLaren Elva was introduced as a coupe model in 2020, featuring a gasoline engine. It belongs to the first generation of Elva models.
The McLaren 600LT, a coupe model, was introduced in 2021 as part of the McLaren lineup. It is a hybrid gasoline plug-in model.
The article provides a concise overview of the history of McLaren, a renowned automotive company known for its high-performance sports cars and Formula One racing team.
The McLaren 750S was launched as a coupe model in 2023, powered by a gasoline engine. It is part of the second generation of 750S models.
The sub-model GTS was introduced in 2024 as a grand tourer with a fastback coupe body style.
The McLaren Artura Spider, a convertible version of the high-performance hybrid-electric supercar, is set to be released in 2025 with advanced hybrid technology.