McLaren engineers are working on a rolling anti-lag system designed for hybrid supercars
12/03/2026
Supercars from McLaren are already among the quickest machines on the planet.
But the British brand appears to be exploring a new technology that could make its future hybrid models even more explosive, particularly when accelerating at speed. According to a recently discovered patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, McLaren engineers are working on a rolling anti-lag system designed specifically for hybrid supercars.
A launch control system for when the car is already moving
Launch control systems are a familiar feature in modern performance cars. They allow drivers to maximize acceleration from a standstill by managing engine revs, clutch engagement and traction. McLaren’s patent proposes something different: launch-style acceleration while the car is already rolling.
Instead of using the brakes to hold the vehicle in place while the engine builds revs, the system uses the hybrid powertrain’s electric motor to apply negative torque to the drivetrain. This effectively counteracts the engine’s power output while allowing revs to climb to the ideal level.
Once the driver releases the control (likely through a steering-wheel button) the electric motor stops resisting the drivetrain. The result could be instantaneous acceleration with minimal turbo lag, even at higher speeds.
This is particularly relevant for modern turbocharged supercars such as the McLaren Artura, where managing the relationship between electric assistance and combustion power is crucial for performance.
Why hybrid technology makes this possible
The key to this innovation lies in the hybrid drivetrain itself. Electric motors can precisely control torque in both directions, delivering power or resisting it. By applying controlled negative torque, the system can simulate the effect of holding the car stationary while the engine builds revs.
This technique effectively recreates the behavior of traditional anti-lag systems used in motorsport, but with a much cleaner and more controllable approach.
There may also be a secondary benefit: energy recovery. When the electric motor resists the drivetrain, it could simultaneously regenerate energy back into the battery, partially offsetting the weight penalty of hybrid systems.
A system designed for extreme performance scenarios
In practice, the technology would likely be used in specific driving scenarios.
For example, when exiting a high-speed corner or preparing for a straight-line acceleration run on a circuit, the driver could activate the rolling launch function to ensure the engine is already in its optimal power band.
However, implementing such a system in production vehicles would bring several challenges. Managing traction at higher speeds is significantly more complex, and sudden torque release could potentially induce wheelspin depending on road conditions.
It is also important to remember that a patent does not guarantee production. Manufacturers frequently file patents to protect ideas that may never reach a road-legal model.
AutoNext Take
Even if this technology never reaches production, the patent reveals something interesting about the direction McLaren’s engineering philosophy is heading. As we recently discussed in our article about McLaren expanding its performance DNA into new areas, the brand continues to explore how advanced engineering can push performance beyond traditional boundaries.
Hybrid systems are often seen as compromises in supercars, added weight, more complexity, and less mechanical purity. McLaren, however, appears determined to turn hybridization into a performance advantage.
If this rolling anti-lag concept becomes reality, it could represent a new chapter in how hybrid supercars deliver acceleration, not just from a standstill, but at any speed. And in the world of modern performance cars, that could be a very big deal.
