To St. Moritz in the McLaren Artura with a roof box
A roof box on a McLaren?
At first glance, this sounds like two worlds that don't necessarily belong together.
That's exactly why we wanted to see how well they actually go together.
With a McLaren Artura, our ASPHALTKIND Performance roof box, and a vacuum-mounted rack system, we took a trip to St. Moritz and drove through the Swiss Alps.
And that's exactly where it became clear pretty quickly why we founded ASPHALTKIND in the first place.
A supercar doesn't become any less special just because you take it on a road trip. On the contrary: it's the car that makes the trip special in the first place.
The problem usually starts with the luggage.
That was exactly the problem we wanted to solve.
Can you mount a roof box on a McLaren Artura?
Yes. A roof box can be mounted on the McLaren Artura using a suitable mounting system.
Of course, the Artura doesn't have traditional roof rails. That's why the mounting process works differently than on a station wagon or SUV.
We used a vacuum carrier system in our Artura.
Several vacuum cups secure the carrier to suitable surfaces on the vehicle. This means we don't need traditional roof rails or conventional mounting points.
At the same time, the system can be quickly installed and removed.
That's exactly what fits the way we want to use supercars.
Extra storage space when you need it. And once again, a sleek McLaren when you don't.
How does a vacuum roof rack work on the McLaren Artura?
The principle is surprisingly simple.
The individual suction cups are positioned on suitable surfaces of the vehicle. The necessary vacuum is then created using a built-in pump.
This creates a secure connection between the mounting system and the vehicle.
For us, however, the main advantage isn't just the mounting.
Above all, flexibility is a great fit for a supercar.
The system can be assembled relatively quickly. In addition, it can be completely removed after the trip.
This means that no traditional roof rack assembly remains permanently attached to the vehicle.
With our Artura, we were able to test this exact combination in real-world conditions: assemble it, mount the roof box, stow our luggage, and off we went to the Swiss Alps.
More storage space, without turning the McLaren into a different car
A McLaren Artura wasn't designed to carry as many suitcases as possible.
He doesn't have to.
However, the situation is different when two people are traveling for several days.
In addition to bags, you often have to pack jackets, shoes, and other luggage. In winter, the amount of space needed increases significantly.
That's exactly why the roughly 400 liters of extra storage space in our Performance roof box was so appealing on the way to St. Moritz.
Suddenly, it's no longer about packing every single piece of luggage as small as possible.
Instead, you can simply use the car for the trip.
And that's exactly when a roof box becomes a "travel performance" product for us.
St. Moritz shows why we're developing this roof box
For ASPHALTKIND, St. Moritz has become more than just a beautiful backdrop for photos.
We drove around there in various supercars and discovered just how well these extraordinary vehicles are suited for trips like these.
To us, the McLaren Artura fits perfectly into this world.
Snow.
Swiss mountains.
Winding roads.
And a lightweight supercar that turns even the drive to your destination into an adventure.
Of course, you could also take an SUV for the same trip.
That one would probably offer more space.
But that's not what this is about.
When the road leads to St. Moritz, we’d rather be thinking about which supercar to take—not which car has the biggest trunk.
You should hardly notice a roof box at all
One idea has been with us at ASPHALTKIND ever since the early stages of developing our Performance roof box.
A good roof box should be as unobtrusive as possible.
Except for two things:
You can take a lot more with you.
And people turn to look at the car.
For us, these two aspects of the product go hand in hand.
From a technical standpoint, we therefore focus intensively on aerodynamics, stability, weight, and vehicle integration.
At the same time, design plays an equally important role.
After all, on a car like the McLaren Artura, a roof box shouldn't look like a necessary evil.
It must become part of the vehicle design.
It almost looks as if the roof box was designed for the Artura
That was exactly the reaction we got with our Artura in St. Moritz.
The flat shape of the ASPHALTKIND Performance roof box complements the McLaren's silhouette surprisingly well.
This avoids the classic “car plus roof box” look.
Instead, the entire vehicle looks even more unusual.
Of course, a roof box on a McLaren still makes a statement.
That's what it's supposed to be.
We don't want to hide the product.
Our goal is, rather, to build a roof box that doesn't look like a downgrade when mounted on an extraordinary vehicle.
Carbon-Fiber Roof Box for a Carbon-Fiber Supercar
McLaren and carbon fiber have gone hand in hand for decades.
The Artura, too, is based on a carbon-fiber structure and consistently embraces the concept of lightweight construction.
That's why we think a carbon-fiber roof box is a great fit for the vehicle, both technically and aesthetically.
We manufacture the ASPHALTKIND performance roof box in our dedicated fiber composite production facility in Germany.
Depending on the vehicle and the customer's preferences, various configurations are available:
- Exposed carbon fiber
- Gloss black
- Matte black
- Custom paint finish matching the exterior color
- Custom accent colors
- Stripes and Graphic Elements
- ASPHALTKIND branding
- completely clean finish
This allows us to tailor the design of the roof box to the specific McLaren configuration.
This creates a very unique overall look, especially with bold colors.
A roof box that quickly disappears from the McLaren
Easy disassembly was a key part of the solution for the Artura.
After all, no one wants to drive a supercar with a roof rack on it all the time.
On the way to vacation, this additional transportation option makes sense.
Once you reach your destination, however, the situation may be different.
That is why a vacuum system is a very good fit for this application concept.
Remove the roof box.
Remove the support system.
And then the McLaren is left without a permanent roof rack again.
This flexibility is just as important to us as the extra storage space itself.
The McLaren Artura and Lamborghini Aventador Together in the Swiss Alps
Our idea really shone during the joint test drive with the McLaren Artura and a Lamborghini Aventador.
Two supercars.
Two ASPHALTKIND Performance roof boxes.
And the Swiss mountains on the way home from St. Moritz.
It's moments like these that explain Travel Performance better than any product description.
After all, the roof box isn't the reason for the trip.
She just makes sure the right car can come along.
And that makes a big difference.
Frequently Asked Questions About the McLaren Artura Roof Box
Can you mount a roof box on a McLaren Artura?
Yes. With the right mounting solution, you can even mount a roof box on a McLaren Artura. ASPHALTKIND has already used a vacuum mounting system in combination with the Performance roof box for this purpose.
Does the McLaren Artura need roof rails?
No. A vacuum-mounted carrier system does not require traditional roof rails. It attaches to the vehicle using several vacuum cups on suitable surfaces.
Can the roof rack be removed again?
Yes. A major advantage of the vacuum solution is its flexible installation and removal. This allows the system to be completely removed from the vehicle after the trip.
How much additional storage capacity does the ASPHALTKIND roof box provide?
The ASPHALTKIND Performance roof box provides about 400 liters of additional storage space. This makes the Artura much better suited for longer road trips or trips with two people.
Have you already used the roof box on a McLaren Artura?
Yes. We took a McLaren Artura—complete with an ASPHALTKIND Performance roof box—on a road trip to St. Moritz and the Swiss Alps, among other places.
Can the roof box be painted to match the McLaren?
Yes. We customize the finish and design to match each vehicle individually. In addition to visible carbon fiber, options include the vehicle's original paint color, glossy or matte black, as well as custom graphics and accent colors.
ASPHALTKIND Performance Roof Box for the McLaren Artura
The McLaren Artura doesn't need a roof rack to be an extraordinary car.
But with about 400 liters of extra storage space, it might be the vehicle of choice for trips where you would likely have chosen a different vehicle before.
That's exactly what we experienced on our way to St. Moritz.
More luggage capacity.
A flexible mounting solution.
And yet, this is the McLaren for the kind of road where you really want to drive a McLaren.
Travel Performance for Extraordinary Vehicles.
Do you drive a McLaren Artura and want to configure an ASPHALTKIND Performance roof box for your car?
We customize the roof box, finish, design, and mounting system to match your McLaren.