McLaren may not have announced a firm timeline for its first electric supercar, but it would be remiss to think the British supercar manufacturer isn’t investigating and developing the necessary technology to make it a success. Case in point, a patent was filed by McLaren with the UK Intellectual Property Office for a new electric motor housing featuring integrated liquid cooling.
While EVs may not harness the power of fire to propel them, they still generate heat, especially in a performance setting. Being able to effectively control this heat ensures long-lasting motors and increased performance for extended periods of time.
McLaren’s Design Has Three Major Benefits
According to the patent filing, McLaren envisions a new case for the power unit portion of an electronic drive unit. This casing would have liquid flowing through it that would enable thermal transfer between the electrical components and the casing, conducting heat away from the motor’s internals.
By lowering the temperature of the electric motor, McLaren aims to ensure greater longevity. By minimizing the heat contained in this unit, electrical components are less likely to expand and contract, potentially causing weak points within their make-up. Consistent temperatures also aid performance, keeping the motor in an optimal temperature range to reduce friction and make maximum power for longer.
That’s two benefits, but what about the third? This is McLaren we’re talking about, so lightweighting is hugely important. By combining the motor casing and a cooling system into one, McLaren hopes to reduce the number of components, resulting in a lighter overall system. A lighter EV would be more efficient but also maintain the handling hallmarks associated with the McLaren brand.
McLaren Won’t Build An EV Until The Time Is Right
McLaren representatives have gone on record on multiple occasions to say that the brand won’t build an EV until the time is right, when legislation and technology can align with the brand’s values. So McLaren won’t launch a heavy electric SUV and pretend that the badge on the nose makes it a McLaren; it needs to be a McLaren in every way, from the way it handles and connects with the driver to the performance on offer, and yes, not being overweight.
With talk that the first McLaren EV may take the form of an electric family vehicle – either as a four-door Porsche Taycan rival or a crossover GT akin to the Lamborghini Lanzador – finding ways to cut back on weight is important. While this patent filing doesn’t confirm a new car is imminent, it signals that McLaren is committed to developing the necessary technology to ensure that even a “shared-performance sports car” with electric power will live up to the core tenets of the McLaren brand.
