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It appears that the holy trinity is making a return. While Ferrari and Porsche are still working on their respective LaFerrari and 918 successors behind the scenes, the McLaren W1––which succeeds the P1 and F1 as the brand's fastest and most powerful road car ever––has arrived as the first installment for the new-age supercar hierarchy.
With the legendary F1 and P1 being its ancestors, this new W1 has a lot to live up to. And so far, it doesn't seem to disappoint. Like the P1 that came before it, this new-age McLaren halo car makes use of hybrid technology in tandem with an eight-cylinder engine. Here, that takes the form of a 916-hp twin-turbo 4.0 liter V8 with a flat-plane-crank design, which can rev up to 9,200 rpm. It's paired with a single 342-hp electric motor, and together they send as much as 1,258 hp and 988 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an electronic differential. That's enough for a swift 2.7-second 0-60 mph sprint, and 186 mph is served up in as little as 12.7 seconds. With that being said, we can assume that the W1 will be able to reach its 217-mph top speed in the mere blink of an eye.
In addition to its impressive power figures, the W1 also borrows some active aero tricks from McLaren's Formula 1 racing program, all of which contribute to a claimed 2,205 pounds of downforce, along with optimal handling and stability. This pays dividends on the track, where the W1 is said to beat the McLaren Senna's lap time at Nardo by three seconds.
The active aerodynamics in question include a fascinating rear wing that can extend rearward by up to 11.8 inches. There's also a Race mode that lowers the W1's suspension by 1.5 inches in the front and 0.7 inches in the rear. This setting also enables two powertrain settings––GP and Sprint. The former maintains frugal power delivery from the motor for better efficiency during a race, while the latter spills out all the motor's power alongside the V8 for one lap. Aside from Race mode, the W1's standard Race Active Chassis Control III active suspension also offers Comfort and Sport settings with varied adjustments to suspension stiffness and steering feel.
The W1 is also said to weigh around 3,300 pounds, making for a power-to-weight ratio that McLaren claims is among the best in the supercar segment. To shed weight, McLaren refrained from installing an alternator or starter motor, as the hybrid system now does the job instead. The W1 also benefits from extensive carbon fiber construction, along with 3D-printed uprights and control arms for the front suspension.
When screeching to a halt, the W1 makes use of 15.4-inch carbon-ceramic brake rotors on all four wheels. The front discs are clamped by forged monoblock six-piston calipers, while the rear features four-piston calipers. The wheels themselves have a staggered setup, measuring 19 inches in front and 20 inches in the rear. They are all wrapped in Pirelli P Zero R tires as standard, though more hardcore Trofeo RS tires are optional.
The W1's single electric motor gets power from a tiny 1.4-kWh battery, which can fill up to 80 percent capacity in around 22 minutes using McLaren's Level 2 onboard charger. Since the motor's primary purpose is to assist the twin-turbo V8 in delivering its insane power metrics, electric-only range is limited to just two miles.
The W1's two-seat cockpit is quite basic, though we expect nothing less from a lightweight supercar like this. Both seats remain in a fixed position, though the pedals are adjustable. A weight-saving material called InnoKnit makes up most of the upholstery, and it can be had in a multitude of colors and textures. The dashboard resembles most modern McLarens, with a vertically-oriented, 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay connectivity along with both USB-C and USB-A charging ports. Buyers can also option for a Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Behind the seats, the four cubic-foot luggage shelf is enough for nothing more than two small bags or a pair of racing helmets.
Only 399 of these beasts will be produced for $2.1 million apiece, but each example has already been spoken for. Not that we could afford one anyway.
Image Credits: McLaren
Revealed
Oct 6, 2024
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McLaren W1 Breaks Cover With 1,258 HP And F1-Inspired Aerodynamics
The W1 is the brand's fastest and most powerful road car ever.
It appears that the holy trinity is making a return. While Ferrari and Porsche are still working on their respective LaFerrari and 918 successors behind the scenes, the McLaren W1––which succeeds the P1 and F1 as the brand's fastest and most powerful road car ever––has arrived as the first installment for the new-age supercar hierarchy.
With the legendary F1 and P1 being its ancestors, this new W1 has a lot to live up to. And so far, it doesn't seem to disappoint. Like the P1 that came before it, this new-age McLaren halo car makes use of hybrid technology in tandem with an eight-cylinder engine. Here, that takes the form of a 916-hp twin-turbo 4.0 liter V8 with a flat-plane-crank design, which can rev up to 9,200 rpm. It's paired with a single 342-hp electric motor, and together they send as much as 1,258 hp and 988 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an electronic differential. That's enough for a swift 2.7-second 0-60 mph sprint, and 186 mph is served up in as little as 12.7 seconds. With that being said, we can assume that the W1 will be able to reach its 217-mph top speed in the mere blink of an eye.
In addition to its impressive power figures, the W1 also borrows some active aero tricks from McLaren's Formula 1 racing program, all of which contribute to a claimed 2,205 pounds of downforce, along with optimal handling and stability. This pays dividends on the track, where the W1 is said to beat the McLaren Senna's lap time at Nardo by three seconds.
The active aerodynamics in question include a fascinating rear wing that can extend rearward by up to 11.8 inches. There's also a Race mode that lowers the W1's suspension by 1.5 inches in the front and 0.7 inches in the rear. This setting also enables two powertrain settings––GP and Sprint. The former maintains frugal power delivery from the motor for better efficiency during a race, while the latter spills out all the motor's power alongside the V8 for one lap. Aside from Race mode, the W1's standard Race Active Chassis Control III active suspension also offers Comfort and Sport settings with varied adjustments to suspension stiffness and steering feel.
The W1 is also said to weigh around 3,300 pounds, making for a power-to-weight ratio that McLaren claims is among the best in the supercar segment. To shed weight, McLaren refrained from installing an alternator or starter motor, as the hybrid system now does the job instead. The W1 also benefits from extensive carbon fiber construction, along with 3D-printed uprights and control arms for the front suspension.
When screeching to a halt, the W1 makes use of 15.4-inch carbon-ceramic brake rotors on all four wheels. The front discs are clamped by forged monoblock six-piston calipers, while the rear features four-piston calipers. The wheels themselves have a staggered setup, measuring 19 inches in front and 20 inches in the rear. They are all wrapped in Pirelli P Zero R tires as standard, though more hardcore Trofeo RS tires are optional.
The W1's single electric motor gets power from a tiny 1.4-kWh battery, which can fill up to 80 percent capacity in around 22 minutes using McLaren's Level 2 onboard charger. Since the motor's primary purpose is to assist the twin-turbo V8 in delivering its insane power metrics, electric-only range is limited to just two miles.
The W1's two-seat cockpit is quite basic, though we expect nothing less from a lightweight supercar like this. Both seats remain in a fixed position, though the pedals are adjustable. A weight-saving material called InnoKnit makes up most of the upholstery, and it can be had in a multitude of colors and textures. The dashboard resembles most modern McLarens, with a vertically-oriented, 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay connectivity along with both USB-C and USB-A charging ports. Buyers can also option for a Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Behind the seats, the four cubic-foot luggage shelf is enough for nothing more than two small bags or a pair of racing helmets.
Only 399 of these beasts will be produced for $2.1 million apiece, but each example has already been spoken for. Not that we could afford one anyway.
Image Credits: McLaren
