McLaren Automotive just revealed its design philosophy under the new Chief Design Officer, Tobias Sühlmann. This new philosophy based on five core principles - Epic, Athletic, Functional, Focused, and Intelligent, will underpin McLaren’s next generation of cars. Moreover, the new DNA will also include a bold design and an intelligent interior that is inspired by McLaren’s glorious heritage.
“Racing is in our DNA, and beauty flows from this relentless pursuit of performance. We are deeply inspired by six decades of McLaren history, but we are not rooted in our past. Our Design DNA will build McLaren into a brand that delivers 60 years of motorsport heritage in incredible lightweight supercars and beyond. A new era, with new vehicles, more product differentiation, and with Performance by Design at the heart of it” said Tobias Sühlmann, Chief Design Officer, McLaren Automotive
As for the design DNA, the first philosophy is “Epic” which is influenced by Formula 1, Can-Am, and GT racers and aims to trigger an emotional reaction with the cars’ bold design. The “Athletic” element on the other hand focuses on the performance of the car through the powertrain, aerodynamics, and bodywork of the car. Then there is the “Functional” element which ensures the perfect harmony between design and engineering. The “Focused” aspect of the design philosophy blends analog and digital information streams and ensures that every element in the car aids in the delivery of maximizing the driving experience and vehicle performance. Finally, there’s the “Intelligent” aspect which aims to extract the most performance from the car by seamless integration of design elements and the use of innovative, lightweight materials.
The front fascia of the McLaren incorporates distinctive ‘eye-socket’ headlights and large air intakes placed on the front bumper which is inspired by McLaren racers. The side view shows the Performance Line, an iconic shoulder line that is inspired directly by McLaren Can-Am racers, the McLaren F1, and the McLaren P1™. Then the rear gets an open back end for greater heat dissipation. Inside, McLaren will feature a ‘wrap-around’ cockpit that enables the driver to focus fully on the driving performance.
