Introducing Forseven, the new name in the car game

Forseven entered the electric car industry in 2025: What happened to them?

TL;DR: What is Forseven?

Forseven was a British luxury electric vehicle (EV) start-up, founded in 2022 and backed by CYVN Holdings, the Abu Dhabi-based investment group. 

Built in stealth mode by a team of industry heavyweights — many from JLR, McLaren, and Lotus — it was developing a range of all-electric luxury cars under the guiding philosophy of "sophistication with purpose". 

In April 2025, CYVN merged Forseven into McLaren Automotive under a new parent company, McLaren Group Holdings, with Forseven's CEO Nick Collins taking the helm. 

The cars Forseven had been quietly developing are now being brought to market as McLarens.

What happened to Forseven?

A new name entered the world of luxury cars — and before most people had even heard of it, it had seemingly disappeared again.

Meet Forseven: A bold British start-up that spent three years building something extraordinary in secret. 

Rooted in the rich heritage of British motoring, staffed by some of the industry's biggest names, and backed by serious Abu Dhabi money, it was developing a range of all-electric luxury cars with a philosophy of "sophistication with purpose".

Then, in April 2025, everything changed. CYVN Holdings — the investment group behind Forseven — completed its acquisition of McLaren Automotive, merging the two British businesses under a new parent company: McLaren Group Holdings. 

The cars Forseven had been quietly developing are now set to arrive as McLarens, with Forseven's CEO Nick Collins taking charge of the whole operation.

It's one of the most compelling stories in recent British automotive history. Here's how it happened.

British to the core (but not stuck in the past)

You've heard of British classics like MINI, Jaguar, and Aston Martin. Their cars became icons thanks to their style, performance, and unmistakable character. Forseven was cut from the same cloth, but it wasn't here to dwell on the past.

Instead, it took everything great about British automotive heritage — craftsmanship, innovation, and a touch of eccentricity — and blended it with bold, forward-thinking design. 

The goal was to create the next generation of British legends: Vehicles that turned heads and stood the test of time.

When the McLaren merger came, that British identity didn't dilute. It doubled down. 

McLaren is as synonymous with British engineering excellence as it gets, and with Forseven's team, technology, and philosophy now woven into its DNA, the result will be something that honours the past while being firmly fixed on the future.

In other words, if you’re looking for something traditional,the models Forseven developed  won’t be your cup of tea. But if you want a car that embodies British excellence while rewriting the rules? You’re in exactly the right place.

What was Forseven building?

When Forseven first emerged, it kept its cards close to its chest. No official photos, no concept cars — just a whole lot of carefully cultivated intrigue.

What it did share pointed to something worth waiting for. 

Its philosophy of "sophistication with purpose" suggested cars that would be as meticulously engineered as they were stunning to look at — luxury with genuine substance behind it. British craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and a deliberate refusal to play it safe.

Behind the scenes, the team was working with NIO's advanced EV platforms — the same technology underpinning cars capable of charging at up to 600kW and covering more than 400 miles on a charge. 

Forseven wasn't building just another luxury EV. It was building the foundation for something much bigger.

That foundation became McLaren. 

When CYVN merged the two businesses in April 2025, everything Forseven had been developing in stealth — the platforms, the team, the design direction — pivoted fully into McLaren's next chapter. 

Collins has confirmed that future models will move into new segments, with more than two seats on the cards alongside the sports cars McLaren is known for.

The mystery didn't end unsolved. It ended with one of the most famous names in British motoring.

FAQs about Forseven

When was Forseven founded?

Forseven was incorporated on 16 March 2022, operating in stealth mode for three years as it quietly assembled a team of industry heavyweights and developed its range of luxury electric vehicles.

Who are Forseven EV?

Forseven was a British luxury EV start-up backed by CYVN Holdings, built around a philosophy of "sophistication with purpose". 

Rather than launching under its own name, the brand and everything it had developed was folded into McLaren Automotive in April 2025, with its cars set to arrive as future McLarens.

What does Forseven do?

Forseven was developing a range of all-electric luxury cars blending British craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. 

That work is now continuing under the McLaren banner, with NIO's advanced EV platforms — including battery technology and electrification systems — feeding into future models.

Where is Forseven based?

Forseven was registered in London and operated from sites in Bicester and Leamington Spa. Following the merger, the combined business operates under McLaren Group Holdings, headquartered at the Norman Foster-designed McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.

Who is the CEO of Forseven?

Nick Collins joined as Forseven's CEO in January 2024, bringing nearly 30 years of experience across the automotive and luxury sectors — including nine years at JLR, where he led development of the new Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Defender. 

When CYVN merged Forseven into McLaren in April 2025, Collins became CEO of McLaren Group Holdings. He also sits on the board of NIO.

FAQs about Forseven and McLaren

Why did Forseven merge with McLaren?

CYVN Holdings — the Abu Dhabi investment group that owned both Forseven and McLaren Automotive — saw an opportunity to combine the best of both businesses. 

Forseven brought three years of stealth development, a world-class team, and access to NIO's EV technology. 

McLaren brought one of the most storied names in British motoring. Together, they form the foundation for a reinvented McLaren with a significantly expanded model range.

Why is the McLaren and Forseven merger a watershed moment?

Because it doesn't just secure McLaren's future — it redefines it. 

McLaren had long wanted to expand beyond its core sports cars into new segments, including electric vehicles and models with more than two seats. 

Forseven's development work, combined with NIO's technology and CYVN's backing, makes that possible at a scale and pace McLaren couldn't have achieved alone. 

It's one of the most significant moments in British automotive history in years.

What does the merger mean for Forseven's cars?

The vehicles Forseven was developing in secret have been fully pivoted to launch as McLarens. 

Nick Collins has confirmed that future models will move into new segments — including cars with more than two seats — alongside the performance cars McLaren is known for. 

A major product announcement is expected, though no specific models have been revealed yet.

What is the connection between Forseven, McLaren, and NIO?

All three sit within CYVN Holdings' portfolio. 

Forseven signed a licensing agreement with NIO to access its advanced EV platforms, and that relationship now extends into McLaren. Collins has said NIO components will appear in McLarens "sooner than you think" — covering everything from battery technology to computing power. 

CYVN holds a $2.9 billion stake in NIO, and Collins sits on NIO's board.