McLaren will launch its first SUV before 2030, investing £500 million to take on Ferrari and Aston Martin in the high-end SUV segment.
McLaren has dropped its long-standing opposition to SUVs and will launch a high-performance model aimed directly at the Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX. The company, known for its supercars, is now following rivals into the lucrative SUV market.
The plan comes with a £500 million investment (about 583 million euros) to expand McLaren’s UK manufacturing. The company expects to create at least 1,000 new jobs by 2032 and will build a new assembly plant separate from its Woking headquarters. This new facility will handle future McLaren models, with the SUV as the main focus.
"McLaren plans to independently design and manufacture its own engines and transmissions for the first time, ending its reliance on Ricardo."
— Reuters
For years, McLaren’s leadership argued that an SUV would damage its supercar image. But as competitors’ SUV sales grew, the company’s position changed. CEO Michael Leiters, who previously worked on the Porsche Cayenne and Ferrari Purosangue, has pushed the brand toward this new direction.
Chief operating officer Michael Straughan says McLaren is considering a four-door, high-clearance vehicle built on a carbon monocoque chassis—a technology usually reserved for its supercars. The SUV will use a hybrid powertrain, but McLaren has ruled out a fully electric version for now, setting itself apart from models like the Lotus Eletre.
Straughan also confirmed that McLaren will design and produce its own engines in-house, ending its long partnership with Ricardo. The company’s recent work with electric vehicle startup Forseven in 2025 led to speculation about a battery-powered SUV, but Straughan said the Forseven project is separate, with different production goals and suppliers.
"According to The National, McLaren's investment is expected to generate up to 3,000 indirect jobs in the supply chain, in addition to the 1,000 direct positions planned by 2032. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to support the production of next-generation vehicles in the UK."
— The National
Dealers have already seen early prototypes that look like a more aggressive Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, fitted with 24-inch wheels. The SUV is set to debut before 2030, and its platform could be used for other front-engine, all-wheel-drive models later on.
The financial reasons are clear. In 2025, McLaren built about 2,000 cars across all models. Ferrari expects to make up to 3,000 Purosangues a year, and Lamborghini sells about twice as many Urus SUVs. SUVs now drive profits for luxury carmakers, as shown in recent analysis of the segment’s top performers.
McLaren’s move is a calculated response to market realities. The company’s investment in UK manufacturing and its own hybrid technology shows it wants to lead, not just follow. For traditionalists, a McLaren SUV may seem like a break from the past, but for the business, it’s a necessary step. The luxury SUV market is now central, and McLaren is joining the competition.
