From Sketch to Supercar
McLaren’s Tobias Sühlmann shares how the 750S embodies the British automaker’s past and future.
The design philosophy behind McLaren’s Super Series road cars is rooted deeply in its rich racing heritage.
Tobias Sühlmann, the firm’s chief design officer, delved into the essence of this ethos and how his team is pushing boundaries with the new 750S during a recent visit to the Club.
Sühlmann’s vision is fueled by a passion for cars and sketching that started in childhood and is inextricably linked to McLaren’s racing DNA.
“Like in Formula One, you can always improve,” says Sühlmann. “The next model should always be better, and you learn from the current status. As the whole technology moves forward, we look into those details and make them better.”
Central to McLaren’s design philosophy are five core principles: epic, focused, athletic, intelligent and functional. These guide the development of each model and ensure that every car is not only visually striking but also performs at the highest level. Epic exudes a sense of grandeur and excitement. Focused delivers meticulous craftsmanship. Athletic means McLaren cars are lean and powerful. Intelligent puts designs at the cutting edge through advanced technologies and materials. And functional ensures that nothing is superfluous.
The 750S encapsulates these principles and features the brand’s distinctive design elements, such as a sunken cabin, two air boxes and an open rear end.
The development of a McLaren is a deeply collaborative process. The aerodynamic design is a result of close collaboration between the design, engineering and aero-dynamics teams. Sühlmann compares his role to that of a soccer coach, guiding and orchestrating a talented group to achieve the best results. This teamwork is critical to pushing the boundaries of what McLaren cars can achieve, ensuring that each model surpasses its predecessor.
Tobias Sühlmann, chief design officer, McLaren Automotive
While rooted in its illustrious past, the British supercar foundry is embracing new technologies and sustainable practices. Sühlmann highlights the importance of innovative materials, such as 3D-printed components and advanced carbon fiber techniques borrowed from Formula One. The balance between analog and digital in the car’s interior reflects a commitment to enhancing the driving experience without over-reliance on technology.
The 750S stands as a testament to McLaren’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and authenticity. By intertwining its storied racing heritage with cutting-edge design and technology, the legendary automaker continues to create vehicles that not only perform exceptionally but also inspire passion and admiration.
“From the first sketch to the people who clean the studio to the people who build the cars, there’s a big group working on these,” Sühlmann explains. “While it’s a very technically engineered product, the human side is something we want to push more into our brand. For me, that is amazing.”
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Top Image of Tobias Sühlmann and the McLaren 750S: Alfie Goodrich
