A catastrophic incident occurred in Stourton, Leeds, as a brand-new McLaren Artura burst into flames during a test drive. Fortunately, both the driver and passenger managed to escape unscathed, but the high-performance car was completely destroyed.
The terrifying ordeal took place on Sunday, October 15, around 2:30 p.m. local time, not far from the McLaren dealership in Leeds. The prospective buyer, accompanied by a dealer employee, set off to experience the thrill of the plug-in hybrid car. However, their joy quickly turned into horror as flames engulfed the vehicle.
Despite the alarming situation, the driver remained composed and skillfully maneuvered the burning car off the road to prevent any further danger. Both occupants were able to exit the vehicle safely, but sadly, the McLaren Artura was beyond salvageable. It is now destined to join the ranks of automotive write-offs.
The local fire department was promptly notified by the driver, who reported the hybrid McLaren ablaze during the demonstration drive near junction 44 of the M1. Firefighters from Hunslet rushed to the scene and tirelessly battled the fire, managing to extinguish it by 3:02 p.m. The lithium-ion battery, with a capacity of 7.4 kWh, had to be disposed of by a Hazardous Material Officer due to its potential hazards. The authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
Interestingly, similar concerns about the McLaren Artura had already been raised in the United States. In late 2022, McLaren issued a recall due to a fire risk associated with fuel leaks. Specifically, the carmaker discovered that on-track driving had led to two instances of fuel leaks caused by a loose nut compromising the direct injection fuel pump connection. This defect increased the chances of a fire igniting.
To address the issue, McLaren initially implemented a tightening procedure on cars before they were delivered to customers. However, a subsequent fuel leak occurred despite this fix, prompting the recall of 164 Artura models in the United States. It remains unclear whether the UK car involved in the fire was affected by the same problem. Nonetheless, the undeniable result is that the ill-fated Artura in Leeds cannot be salvaged.
Introduced in 2021, the McLaren Artura is the automaker’s second hybrid model, following the highly acclaimed P1 hypercar. Its powertrain comprises a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine working in conjunction with an electric motor, delivering an impressive 671 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. With a lightning-fast acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph, the Artura exemplifies the pinnacle of speed and performance.
While this incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with high-performance vehicles, it also highlights the importance of safety measures and proper investigation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.