McLaren planning hybrid supercars

McLaren Automotive has dropped its biggest hint yet that hybrid technology will feature on its future supercars. The firm is advertising on its website for a senior engineer in powertrain hybrid technology, and the role requires someone to “lead the technical assessment, integration and application of appropriate hybrid powertrain technology." A McLaren spokesman wouldn’t confirm whether or not the advert meant it was planning on adding hybrid technology to its road cars, but did confirm it was a technology McLaren was interested in.

The spokesman said: “It (hybrid technology) is something we want as a forward-thinking, technology-driven company. We have been considering it for future projects.

“All the advert means is that we are looking for a senior engineer in powertrain hybrid technology. Read into it what you will."

McLaren has so far been coy with its plans for its upcoming supercar, codenamed the P11, ahead of its expected launch at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this year. Pre-production models have been regularly photographed by Autocar spies, but concrete details on the production version have not been forthcoming.