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McLaren updates supercar production with state-of-the-art technology

The brand is taking advantage of futuristic tech for its upcoming ultra-luxury release. Image credit: McLaren The brand is taking advantage of futuristic tech for its upcoming ultra-luxury release. Image credit: McLaren

 

British automaker McLaren is bringing its vehicle manufacturing into the next generation.

In partnership with California-based industrial design company Divergent Technologies, the luxury staple is bolstering its ability to conceptualize and produce parts for its supercars, beginning with the new W1 model. Together, the duo crafted a top-of-the-line suspension system through the firm’s unique digital program, which utilizes a mix of artificial intelligence, 3D printing and robotics.

“Our collaboration speaks to McLaren’s commitment to adopting the highest performance technology to push the envelope on customer experience,” said Kevin Czinger, CEO of Divergent, in a statement.

“Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) offers automotive manufacturers the means to harness computing power to deliver fully optimized, digitally manufactured structures with unparalleled design freedom.”

Computer generation
McLaren and Divergent’s partnership was announced last year, but has since taken shape, with the collaborators unveiling the fruits of their labor in recent days.

With DAPS, engineers are able to take the automaker’s Formula 1-inspired designs and quickly iterate on and optimize them with artificial intelligence to take on different levels of stiffness and durability, as well as enhanced aerodynamics. Divergent then takes the digital models and constructs them with 3D printers, utilizing “laser powderbed fusion,” a form of craft that builds components with powdered metal that is melded together with a robotically-controlled precision laser.

The company presents “McLaren Automotive x Divergent”

The manufacturing firm is producing the front upper wishbone, aero form lower wishbone and front upright components within the W1, with its chief programs and operations officer, Cooper Keller, confident that Divergent and McLaren’s partnership will expand to the whole vehicle.

The W1 is the next step in the luxury staple’s supercar lineage, succeeding the F1 and P1 models. Limited to 399 units, each priced at more than $2.6 million, the W1 features the highest horsepower output in company history, also surpassing the performance of its competitors in the luxury market (see story).

Investing in tomorrow
Other high-end automakers are also looking to new technologies to future-proof their current lineups and further develop what comes next.

Technological innovation is at the core of pushing the high-end automotive space forward as performance reaches the heights of what is currently possible. Image credit: McLaren Technological innovation is at the core of pushing the high-end automotive space forward as performance reaches the heights of what is currently possible. Image credit: McLaren

In recent months, Germany’s BMW i Ventures invested in the clean mining and metals production company Phoenix Tailings, helping it to hold a more sustainable supply chain (see story). Meanwhile, fellow German automaker Mercedes-Benz partnered with tech giant Google to integrate an AI-powered personal assistant into the advanced operating system of the new CLA model (see story).