The coronavirus has hit the McLaren Group particularly hard in recent months and will lead to the delay of select models, including the replacement to the current Sports Series.

Not long after McLaren announced that it sold just over 300 cars in the first quarter of the year and will reduce its workforce by 25 per cent, the decision has been made to push back the next-generation Sports Series that was expected to premiere before the end of the year.

Read Also: McLaren Starts Testing Hybrid 2022 Sports Series With Heavily-Camouflaged Production Body

Evo Magazine understands that the new entry-level McLaren range will utilize an all-new platform sporting a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder hybrid powertrain. The car is viewed as one of the most important under the marque’s Track 25 business plan and when it does eventually launch, will preview future production models from McLaren.

Recent spy shots of the new McLaren Sports Series model suggest that it will look quite a lot different than the current 570S but still be identifiable as a McLaren. One key piece of design visible through the camouflage of prototypes have been thin horizontal LED taillights, more akin to those of the McLaren GT and Speedtail than the curved taillights of the current Sports Series and Super Series (720S, 765LT).

While some may be upset to hear the new Sports Series will have a twin-turbo V6 rather than the twin-turbo V8 of the current car, the presence of an electric motor will inevitably help to increase horsepower while improving fuel efficiency. In addition, the car could be capable of up to 20 miles (32 km) of range on all-electric power.

Photo credits: CarPix & S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops