Now, a new report from Whichcar has shed even more light on this rumor, and it sounds more legitimate than ever. This report claims that BMW and McLaren have signed a memorandum of understanding that allegedly includes BMW providing assistance to McLaren to electrify its entire portfolio.
This would, of course, help the company reduce its fleet C02 average and go a long way toward McLaren meeting Euro 7 regulations when they go into effect. If BMW is willing to part ways with its 1,000-horsepower, four-motor electric powertrain, and the new S68 mild-hybrid engine that was recently revealed in the X7 M60i, the McLaren could end up on the sweeter side of this deal, but that’s not to say that BMW is walking away empty-handed.
On McLaren’s end, the company will be lending its expertise in carbon fiber and general lightweight construction, likely with an emphasis on what it learned during the R&D process for the Speedtail, Senna, and Elva. That knowledge would be of the most benefit to BMW as it moves forward, not only in the short term but with future EVs as well. There have even been rumors that McLaren could sell what is, essentially, a rebadged version of the BMW XM, but that’s purely speculation.
What we can say for sure is that collaboration between BMW and McLaren seems more likely than ever. We know that at one point Audi was trying to buy McLaren, but McLaren has come right out and said that’s not going to happen, which would make the collaboration between BMW and McLaren possible. If the two companies do come together again, this time around BMW M would reportedly be in charge of what happens on BMW’s side.
For now, we just have to wait for BMW and McLaren to come out and spill the beans, which could happen anytime between now and the fall of 2022. Now that there’s a memorandum of understanding in play, all the companies have to do is hash out the finer details and get to work. If all of this is true, then we can expect some amazing cars to come out of this collaboration.
We have reached out to both BMW and McLaren for confirmation and will update this article if we hear back from them.
Source: Whichcar
