Flaming Mishap: McLaren Hybrid Sports Car Catches Fire During Test Drive

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【Summary】A £190,000 McLaren Artura plug-in hybrid sports car caught fire during a test drive in Leeds, just a mile away from the dealership. The car, which had been recalled in the US due to a fire risk, was on a test run with a customer and a showroom worker when the fire broke out. Fire crews extinguished the fire, and there were no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is unknown. The Artura is McLaren's first electrified car and features a 7.4kWh battery.

FutureCar Staff Oct 16, 2023 9:17 AM PT

Flaming Mishap: McLaren Hybrid Sports Car Catches Fire During Test Drive

During a test drive, a £190,000 McLaren Artura plug-in hybrid sports car caught fire, just a mile away from the motor dealership in Leeds. Images of the scorched wreckage showed the extent of the damage. This particular model had been recalled in the United States earlier in the year due to a fire risk.

Fire crews quickly responded to the incident on Pontefract Road in Stourton, Leeds. Fortunately, both the customer and the showroom worker who were on the test drive managed to escape unharmed. The McLaren Artura, which is the first electrified car produced by the supercar manufacturer, is capable of reaching speeds of up to 205mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in just 2.6 seconds.

A spokesperson from the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service provided details of the incident. The driver reported the hybrid McLaren catching fire during its demonstration drive near the M1 at junction 44. Fire crews from Hunslet arrived at the scene at 2.35pm and were able to extinguish the fire by 3.02pm. There were no reports of injuries. A Hazardous Material Officer was also present to safely dispose of the electrical battery.

The McLaren Artura, equipped with a 7.4kWh battery powering a 94bhp electric motor, marks the company's entry into the electric car market. However, the vehicle has faced challenges since its launch. The initial release was cancelled due to software issues, and at a subsequent event last summer, one of the cars caught fire.

In December, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall for 164 Arturas. The recall was prompted by a fire risk associated with a high-pressure fuel pipe that could become loose. The cause of the recent fire in Leeds, near junction 44 of the M1, is currently unknown.

Jeremy Clarkson, known for his role on the Grand Tour, mentioned some of the issues surrounding the Artura in his review for The Sunday Times. He referred to "thermal powertrain management issues" and speculated that they may be related to a fire. Despite these concerns, he praised the car's interior and build quality.

McLaren has been approached for comment regarding the incident.