December car of the month: 2023 McLaren Artura

by Baron Wilton

posted on December 28, 2023

Abundance with restraint

When life calls for an indulgent experience, there’s nothing more super than a drive in McLaren’s newest toy. Blending art and future in its name, the Artura is a superhero: an electrified road rocket dressed in a contemporary, suave design. This holiday season, unwrap an F1-inspired adrenaline rush in the 2023 McLaren Artura, our December car of the month.

2023 McLaren Artura

Few supercars have the honor of offering both gas and electric power. The Artura is a plug-in hybrid with a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine paired with a 7.4kwH electric motor, and is the first McLaren hybrid since the limited-run P1. Rent Exotics is one of the first Turo hosts with the Artura, and it is potentially accessible to all San Diego drivers as it uses a dual-clutch automatic transmission. With this elegant powertrain and impressive aerodynamics, the Artura achieves 671 hp and 531 lb-ft torque, reaching 60 mph in a whopping 2.6 seconds. These heart-pumping stats place the Artura in competition with the Lamborghini Huracán, Porsche 911 GT3, and Maserati MC20, but it reaches 60 mph half a second faster than all of them. And the Artura goes further, instantaneously switching between gas and electric motors to provide a buttery smooth ride.

Although you can switch to full-electric driving for a short 11 miles (with an electric top speed of 81 mph), the McLaren performs best by seamlessly flipping between powertrains to reach speeds faster and keep pace on winding roads. At this point, you’d be smart to wonder how the Artura achieves earth-shattering performance stats with a three-liter V6 engine. Coupled with an intense dedication to aerodynamics, the Artura unveils McLaren’s new lightweight carbon fiber chassis, and this innovative architecture keeps the car feeling weightless, like it’s merely floating close to the ground. This feeling is amplified by the fact that the Artura sits incredibly low to the ground with just 3.5 inches of ground clearance, making it one of the lowest road cars ever produced.

And at first glance, you can’t deny the McLaren’s performance-focused beauty. Every sculpted body line and cavernous aero intake is designed with lightness and function in mind. The rear spoiler and diffuser places downward pressure to keep the car grounded even on the sharpest turns. The Artura also has flying buttresses in the rear that allows for air to pass and keeps the car’s sleek, coupe shape. At the back, you’ll also notice the massive carbon fiber diffuser, which showcases the engine and only weighs 181 pounds.

One of the coolest features on the Artura is its custom Pirelli cyber tyres. In addition to being ultra grippy and responsive, these tires have bluetooth sensors that communicate vital metrics to the car to make instant adjustments without needing driver input. This is the first road car ever to introduce this technology, and Pirelli’s revolutionary rubber tracks the Artura’s performance and informs the driver if action is necessary.

Heading through the scissor doors into the F1-inspired cabin, you’re greeted with Alcantara suede and a classy black and tan combo with vibrant blue stitching. Unlike some other supercar brands, McLaren refuses to compromise on luxury. The Artura continues the simplistic, contemporary theme through the interior design, limiting the controls to a touchscreen with a single knob and a skinny gear shift column. Drivers can also enjoy a digital dashboard display, carbon fiber paddle shifters, and the cutest tiny sun visors on bright days.

For added safety, McLaren generously included a 360 degree parking camera, a backup camera, adaptive cruise control, and road sign recognition to remind you of the speed limit. It’s also simple to switch between comfort, sport, and track driving modes with a flick of a switch on the steering column.

While the Artura lacks the roaring crackle of a beastly V10 engine, it appeals more as a sleek modern art piece that can match the performance of its larger-engine competitors while providing a more comfortable ride for both passengers. The Artura adds drama to every ride, and Rent Exotics’ brand new model is the perfect joy ride for this festive season.

*Daily price is subject to change

Baron Wilton

Baron is a walking encyclopedia of car facts. His favorite sport is behind the wheel of his Jaguar F-Type, which he drives more in the canyons of SoCal than on the streets.

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