McLaren to merge with British start-up Forseven

In a shock move, McLaren Automotive is set to merge with British start-up Forseven.

According to Autocar, the move will enable McLaren to expand into other segments beyond mid-engined supercars. Forseven will develop new models, which will be sold under the McLaren badge. One of the first products could be an SUV that will compete with the likes of the Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX.

Earlier today, Abu Dhabi-based investment firm CYVN Holdings and Bahrain’s Mumtalakat Holding Company announced that they had completed the acquisition of McLaren Automotive. The Middle Eastern investors also acquired a non-controlling stake in McLaren Racing. It’s worth noting that Forseven is also backed by CYVN Holdings.

The report also states that Forseven has been building a team of more than 700 professionals, including designers, engineers and executives as the company embarks on what has been described by CEO Nick Collins as “the most exciting British automotive story in decades.” The design team will be headed by ex-JLR Alister Whelan.

Forseven will not only focus on electric vehicles but will also include models powered by high-performance internal combustion engines.

“The future of propulsion is multi-propulsion. The more luxurious the vehicle gets, the better electric is for it because it’s quieter, more refined. So it will play a role,” Collins said.

“We genuinely think you can make a brilliant electric car in certain segments, but through the way the world is transiting at different paces in different parts of the world, we will have different propulsion technologies to allow us to grow in the right way,” the CEO added.

Source: Autocar