McLaren Spotted Testing Upgraded Artura Prototype

A new video offers our first glimpse of McLaren’s latest project. Filmed in Spain, the clip provides an intimate look at a version of the McLaren Artura that appears noticeably different from the model that has been on sale since 2022. This raises questions: could it be a facelifted Artura, or perhaps a development mule for the longtail LT variant that McLaren revealed last year it was still considering for production?

Two Distinct and Intriguing McLarens

Unlike typical spy-shot footage, this video shows an unusually detailed look at the cars. The NCars videographer captures the two test vehicles from multiple angles and from just a few steps away, giving viewers far more access than usual. The clip isn’t limited to static shots in a garage either; it includes footage of the cars driving on nearby roads during testing. The combination of location and high-quality coverage almost makes it feel as if this sighting wasn’t entirely by chance.

We need to take a closer look at these cars, as it’s still unclear what exactly we’re seeing. At first, we thought this might be a longtail development model, but that seems unlikely. Neither vehicle shows significantly extended bodywork behind the rear axle compared with the current McLaren Artura, and using the wheel diameter as a reference confirms that the overall length hasn’t changed.

However, there are noticeable changes compared with the current McLaren Artura. The side vents, for instance, seem to have been redesigned along with the doors—the lines are softer, and the vents themselves appear taller, longer, and more curved. The fender vents have also been reworked, now featuring two visible slats instead of three. Most striking of all is the new hood: unlike the flat hood on today’s Artura, this version has a large vent channeling airflow toward the front air duct.

That prominent vent could offer another clue. It appears to be adjustable, potentially opening and closing while the car is in motion. Its unfinished appearance suggests McLaren is still refining both the design and its function. Positioned as it is, the vent would likely eliminate the Artura’s front trunk, hinting that this might be a more track-focused iteration of the model.

Two cars are featured in the video, each showing distinct details. Only one sports the large hood vent, while the other features a pronounced rear spoiler and covered hood pins. These differences suggest that McLaren may be experimenting with varying levels of performance upgrades.

Updates Already for a Recently Refreshed Model?

Adding to the mystery, McLaren only updated the Artura earlier this year. The refresh introduced a convertible version and boosted output by 19 horsepower, bringing the total to 690 from the 3.0-liter V6 and hybrid system. The new model year also received chassis improvements, making these latest changes all the more intriguing.

At the Spider launch in Monaco last year, we spoke with Artura Programme Manager Michael Norrington about the potential for new McLaren Artura variants. “It’s easy to make a supercar faster,” he explained, “but is that what the market really wants, and does the added speed enhance the experience? I could take the Artura and give it more downforce tomorrow—a hallmark of the longtail models—but would that actually make it a better driving experience?”

Norrington didn’t commit to the possibility of a longtail model, noting, “There are too many variables to make a concrete statement on that.” However, he was clear that “we’re not at the limits of what the platform can endure, engineering-wise,” strongly hinting that a faster, more extreme version could be on the horizon.