Big changes for McLaren following merger with tech start-up

McLaren Automotive is set to merge with new tech start-up Forseven. The move not only secures the future of the British car maker but will also mean McLaren can create supercars that aren’t mid-engined. Expect pure electric McLarens as well.

Forseven is a British start-up with a team of over 700 industry professionals. It was about to launch as a new luxury car maker. 

The common thread between the pair is the link to Abu Dhabi investment company CYVN Holdings, which facilitated the merger. Operating under the McLaren Automotive name, the Forseven models under development will also feature the stylised kiwi badges. Forseven was only ever a holding company name.

With fresh high-end product, the new company will be able to compete on a better footing with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and the likes.

McLaren Group Holdings, the official title of the new company, will be led by Forseven CEO Nick Collins. He told Autocar UK “We’re about to embark on the most exciting British automotive story in decades”. Collins has previously worked at Ford and JLR. 

New models from the brand will disrobe later this year in a high-profile reveal event. No specific variants were mentioned but they’re likely to be more luxurious and more expensive than existing product. And more diverse.

Meantime, the company is working on a six-month turnaround of the existing McLaren Automotive business.

The chief designer for the new entity is Alister Whelan, also ex-JLR. He heads a team of about 50 people. Virtual reality is being used, while a team in Australia is working alongside the UK operation.

The models under development at Forseven are a mix of electric and hybrid. McLaren’s expansion into other segments will include high-performance internal combustion engines.

Collins commented: “The future of propulsion is multi-propulsion.” He said that the more luxurious vehicles will be pure EVs for their added refinement. 

Another of CYVN’s investments is in Chinese electric car maker Nio. It will provide “technology chunks” for future McLaren models. Expect Nio’s autonomous driving features and its battery-swapping technology for electric cars. 

As to architectures, McLaren’s experience in composites is likely to be vital. CYVN has also acquired Gordon Murray Technologies, which includes the rights for the iStream manufacturing process. This technique is evidently cost effective and facilitates lighter vehicle weights. Collins said “the spirit” of the process would be used for production in the future.

Vehicle development is key to GMT so its engineers will play an important role in developing new McLaren models.

As to luxury aspirations, Collins hinted that the new company could look to revive vehicle types from the past. “I fundamentally believe success comes from great products and if you don’t have great products, it doesn’t matter what you write down as your ambition as it’s not going to happen.”

Collins promised cutting-edge technology for the new McLarens would “play a huge role”, including in the hardware and software aspects of the car.

“I also believe when you enter segments that you’ve not been in before, brand advantage is good. Design advantage is good. Everything else we underpin with technology.”

On CYVN and its emergence in the automotive industry, Collins said “this is not a vanity project”. 

“This is a financial investment that we will build out and become one of the best” [car companies], he said. “The people that back this have a long-term horizon for a sustainably profitable business that is admired around the world.

“I really want this to be something that Britain can become very proud of.”