A Front-Engined Hybrid AWD McLaren? It’s More Likely Than You Think

For a long time, McLaren has been pondering a new sort of vehicle with a philosophy of “shared performance,” which is the British automaker’s way of saying that it’s working on a car that can seat more than two people. The company still has yet to commit to a body style, but if a new patent discovered by CarBuzz at the World Intellectual Property Office is any indication, we can at least tell you something about its drivetrain: it’ll feed all four wheels.

Rumors have suggested that McLaren is working on an electric SUV for introduction in 2026, but whether the shared performance product is an SUV or not, it’ll be positioned as a more practical Mac, something that can be driven even on those fancy ski trips to the Alps. With that in mind, AWD makes sense, and McLaren’s take on the idea seems rather versatile.

ICE, Electric, Or Hybrid

The patent specifically concerns a coupling device for the AWD system, suggesting the use of claw couplings for slip-free engagement. The details of the coupling mechanism are not altogether different from what we’ve seen before, but what’s important to note is that McLaren says it could feature on a car powered by combustion or electricity (or a combination of both). Interestingly, it seems that a hybrid system is what McLaren was most interested in, as several excerpts from the documentation refer to a plug-in system.

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As with other switchable AWD systems, the McLaren design aims to reduce frictional losses when coasting, decoupling an axle when AWD is no longer required. This makes for more efficient highway driving, but it also opens up possibilities for variable handling characteristics – just think of the Mercedes-AMG and BMW M AWD systems that can turn cars into RWD smoke machines at the touch of a button.

E-Powered Rear Axle

McLaren’s patent mentions that either the front or rear axle could be decoupled with this design, but it seems that the rear may not be fed by a combustion engine. “The rear axle has no mechanical coupling […],” reads the patent. “Instead, for example, an all-wheel drive [system] can be brought about by using the plurality of motors via a drive controller.” This suggests an electrified rear axle, but again, it’s worth remembering that several potential powertrain strategies could be employed. We’ll just have to wait and see.

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A four-door McLaren is not expected until 2028, so there’s still plenty of time before we’ll see prototypes testing. When it does arrive, however, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it use the Artura’s hybridized V6, which McLaren says will make its way to other cars. Whatever Woking chooses, it will need to be light and engaging to be a true McLaren, and BMW could help in the fight. Whether this AWD system makes it there remains to be seen, but it is evidence that McLaren is ready to diversify its product portfolio.