McLaren has announced a new long-term, multi-year, partnership with Ricardo – a manufacturing company who will produce a new hybrid powertrain for future McLaren vehicles. Ricardo more specifically specializes in niche manufacturing and industrial engineering practices, which it will use to manufacture the next-generation V8 power unit.
Designed in-house by McLaren, the unit will power the next generation of its lightweight, high-performance hybrid supercars rolled out as part of the OEM’s Future of Performance strategy. The new partnership follows on from previous collaborations between the companies – marking the third extension and the fourth generation of the engine supply agreement between them. Ricardo has previously been responsible for manufacturing the V6 and V8 engines powering both McLaren’s existing and future high-performance hybrid supercars.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ricardo will supply McLaren with hybrid and non-hybrid variants. To support this high production demand, Ricardo and McLaren additionally announced plans to make a further investment into Ricardo’s high-performance engine plant in Shoreham, West Sussex, though details on this investment have not yet been disclosed.
