McLaren Automotive plans petrol-electric hybrid supercars

McLaren Automotive is planning a range of petrol-electric hybrid supercars, CAR can confirm today. Work is underway and McLaren will launch hybrid, electric-assisted sports cars in the next three years.

We've uncovered a recruitment plan to assemble a team of hybrid engineers at the McLaren's Woking HQ in Surrey, England.

CAR has tracked down industry job adverts recruiting 'electrical engineers [with experience of] hybrid electric vehicle systems.' The objective? 'Concept, design and development of the electrical package and wiring system for a hybrid electric vehicle.'

The first hybrid from McLaren Automotive is likely to be the new range-topping supercar due in a couple of years' time; the hybrid tech planned will be expensive and McLaren bosses Ron Dennis and Antony Sherrif are understood to believe the cost will be more readily absorbed by a cutting-edge, money-no-object supercar such as their proposed Carrera GT rival more than a cheaper model.

McLaren is planning a three-strong range of sports cars, starting with the MP4-12C arriving in spring 2011. It will be priced around £170,000, mirroring the cost of the petrol-only Ferrari 458 Italia (Ferrari is also considering hybridised supercars).

An 'entry-level' McLaren is then expected to slot in beneath the 12C, aimed more at higher-end Porsche 911s.

However, since all three model lines will use the similar MonoCell carbonfibre tub and the turbocharged V8, the hybrid tech under development is likely to be rolled out across the range in the fullness of time.

For a complete reproduction of the job ad placed by McLaren, click 'Next' below.

By Tim Pollard