McLaren innovation centre delivers its first prototype carbon fibre chassis for production

The first prototype carbon fibre MonoCell, which forms the main structure of McLaren’s cars, has been delivered from the company’s innovation centre to the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, Surrey. This will help the firm’s designers and engineers to find further weight savings as the company develops its next generation of vehicles as part of its ambitious Track25 business plan.

The prototype carbonfibre chassis

Codenamed ‘PLT-MCTC – 01’ – which stands for ‘Prototype Lightweight Tub, McLaren Composites Technology Centre – 01’ – the tub completed its 281km journey to its global headquarters from the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC). The tub will be subjected to crash test among other tests. McLaren’s aim is to win the automotive race to lightweight cars which will become ever more important as cars move towards hybrid powertrains, which are generally heavier than their traditional petrol counterparts. The company says that all its sportscars and supercars will go hybrid by 2024.

Wes Jacklin, plant director, MCTC, McLaren Automotive

“The delivery of the first prototype carbon fibre tub by the new MCTC to McLaren HQ is not only an exciting day for everyone who has directly worked on the project but also a significant milestone for the company’s ambition to be world-beaters in lightweight and composites technology which goes hand-in-hand with our move to hybrid powertrains as part of our Track25 business plan. We never innovate for the sake of it; we innovate to continually fulfil our promise to create iconic sportscars. It’s increasingly clear that with future heavier powertrain requirements, exploiting innovative lightweighting techniques and technologies is going to be a significant key to unlocking all the handling and agility characteristics that our customers demand.”

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