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McLaren, the relatively young but remarkably loud supercar maker from the UK, has decided to merge with a luxury EV startup named Forseven. Now, before you worry about supercars being replaced by silent, soulless EVs, breathe easy—the McLaren name and its wonderfully shouty cars aren’t going anywhere.
The New Backers
The mastermind behind this merger is CYVN Holdings, an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm that recently took control of McLaren. They’ve decided to merge McLaren with Forseven, a UK-based startup that’s been in ‘stealth mode’ for three years, gathering a crack team of 700 automotive professionals. Think of them as the sort of people who probably know how to wire up a supercar without accidentally creating a toaster.
Key Points:
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Name Stays: McLaren will continue being McLaren—no name changes, no EV-only transformation.
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SUV on the Horizon: The merger might finally make the long-rumoured McLaren SUV a reality. Imagine that—McLaren, but taller.
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Customer Experience: New CEO Nick Collins, with past stints at Ford and JLR, says they’re focused on improving the customer experience. So perhaps McLaren ownership might feel a bit less like being in a relationship with a moody artist.
The Tech Advantage
Now, this is where it gets really clever. CYVN Holdings also has stakes in some interesting companies:
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Nio: Remember their EP9 hypercar that briefly held the Nürburgring record? McLaren will now have access to some of Nio’s electrification tech, which might make future McLarens a bit more, well, electrifying.
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Gordon Murray Technologies: Yes, the genius behind the McLaren F1 is indirectly involved. This means more lightweight engineering wizardry, which is excellent news for those of us who still believe cars should feel like they’re barely there.
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Motorsport Involvement: CYVN holds a non-controlling stake in McLaren’s racing division, covering F1, IndyCar, Formula E, and even a possible Le Mans entry. So, race fans can rest assured—McLaren’s racing spirit isn’t being watered down.
What Does It All Mean?
Essentially, McLaren is setting itself up for a more sustainable future without abandoning what makes it brilliant. Think of it as the brand having a midlife crisis but opting for a hybrid lifestyle rather than a questionable leather jacket. It’s sensible, surprisingly forward-thinking, and just a bit unexpected.
Stay tuned as McLaren navigates this new path through 2025. In the meantime, we’ll be here, quietly rooting for that McLaren SUV to be as bonkers as the rest of the lineup.
