Between "yes" and "no," McLaren has been hesitant for years about building its first SUV, for a simple reason: it might deviate from its long-standing identity as a company that builds lightweight supercars with breathtaking performance. Building an SUV means building a heavy vehicle, and no matter how powerful, it will be far from the true nature of a supercar. But since Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin have already built super SUVs, McLaren is finally bound to join the fray. But what does this have to do with the UAE?
The British Company is Now Emirati
The British company has effectively become an Emirati company. An Abu Dhabi holding company, CYVN Holdings, acquired McLaren last year,which may be able to build its first SUV thanks to a partnership with one of its new owners' other brands. The demands of the UAE market may have influenced this decision, as supercars are popular because they are luxurious, imposing, and yet offer outstanding performance.
The plan to build its first SUV will be part of a plan to revive the company after it struggled then acquired by Abu Dhabi-based CYVN Holdings. However, Bloomberg reported that this Emirati company, owned by the Abu Dhabi government, will merge McLaren with a new British startup aiming to “create exceptional cars that blend British elegance with ferocious intelligence. This company, called Forseven, has yet to release a single vehicle.
How Will Mclaren Be Saved
Among the few official details about Forseven is that it signed a technology agreement with Shanghai-based Nio in 2024. This partnership gives Forseven access to Nio's arsenal of electric vehicle technology, indicating that the startup's first vehicles will be purely electric. Speaking of building heritage, we recall the shock Jaguar caused to its fans with the Type 00 concept car and the complete transformation the company undertook, as if starting over and leaving the past behind. Bloomberg sources report that McLaren is expected to help Four Seven build its British heritage, and perhaps even replace Jaguar. Nick Collins, the former CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, will take over the leadership of the compact brand. According to McLaren, the company plans to build a supercar, but with two additional seats.
It's certainly not talking about a car similar to the McLaren F1 or Speedtail. Rather, it's talking about an SUV with supercar performance. It's expected to take its platforms from Forseven. In the worst case, it will be a badge engineering project. From a business perspective, this plan is a good way to save McLaren, which is already in need of a lot of money. Although McLaren's former CEO said there were enough SUVs in the world, the world has changed, and so has McLaren's financial situation.
SUVs are in demand, and they will generate enough money to supplement the production of supercars, after the company lost a lot of money and sold off many of its shares. But what's frightening is how can a company with such a rich history trust a startup to design a car under its name? Will Four Seve
Adrian is an Editor. Psychology graduate with over 4 years in the automotive industry, 3 in front of the camera. Occasionally seen at his family owned tyre shop. He will only buy cars that pass the big bottle test.
