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In the lineage of the “1s” at McLaren, there was the F1 and its variations, but also the P1. This W1 opens a new chapter. It features an all-new hybrid V8 that develops 1,275 combined horsepower! But, on its own, the combustion engine already develops 928 horsepower, or an impressive 233 horsepower per liter! And at 9,200 rpm. Yum!
The torque reaches 1,340 Nm. Obviously, from now on, it is difficult to create a super/hypercar without using electricity which fills the gaps in thermal engines. But we will come back to this later.
This McLaren is indeed a McLaren. Although it loses the comma-shaped front lights, it generally retains the look of the other vehicles in the range. But, it is more stretched and less compact than its sisters. The problem is undoubtedly its front which could have any prestigious mark. However, aerodynamics and efficiency dictated their laws and the shape of the car.
We therefore have a stack of usual aerodynamic “stuff” like a splitter blade with different air inlets. This leads to a hood that is both grooved and pierced by an air duct. We can note air intakes at the top of the front fenders. On the side, the sides are hollowed out. Air ducts guide the flow towards the rear and, again, improve penetration by limiting turbulence. There are air intakes at the top of the rear wings. The rear is the closest thing to a McLaren, with its “Papaya” body cutout.
We are entitled to a huge broadcaster. This desire to flatten the car requires, as always with McLaren, to put the exhausts very high. They are in the middle of a grid to ventilate the mill well. The rear wing has a dual kinematic that causes it to stretch back for high speeds. An active “long tail” of sorts.
The doors of the McLaren W1 are “gull wings”. This opens the cabin wider and helps get in and out of tight spaces. The interior is quite bare. Two screens and that’s about it. The central screen is positioned at the bottom and facing the driver (or driver, after all). No armchair for this McLaren W1, but bucket seats placed directly on the carbon shell, like in a racing car. The pedals, steering wheel and all dashboard components adjust into position.
This W1 is not just a plastic. It is a fully active chassis with, for example, Race Active Chassis Control III controlled suspensions, the “long tail” wing which moves back 300 mm! But McLaren also uses a lot of track-derived components and manufacturing processes. For example, we have suspensions mounted directly on the hull, carbon in abundance, but also 3D printed parts.
Lighter than a Renault 5 E-Tech
McLaren W1 2024+24
McLaren’s tour de force is to offer a car that weighs only 1399 kg! Already with a classic “powerful” engine it would be interesting. But with the madness of 1,275 kg we come close to 1:1 with 0.91 horsepower per kilogram. In the end, we have a car that is several seconds faster than a McLaren Senna on the track, and which is capable of going to 300 km/h faster than a Speedtail. 0 to 200 km/h is done in 5.8 seconds and 0 to 300 km/h in 12.7 seconds. Yes, the time for a normal cushy car to reach 100 km/h. The vmax is electronically limited to 350 km/h.
On the other hand, you have to hurry if you want one for Christmas. Already from 2 million pounds, you have to contribute, but in addition there will only be 399 copies. No, we’re kidding, the 399 already have a customer who will now personalize his McLaren W1 with the MSO department.
Among the little things to note about this W1 (non-exhaustive list), we have the radial flow electric motor, like for the Koenigsegg Quark. Power goes through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with electric reverse. The brakes are carbon-ceramic with 6- and 4-piston calipers between the front and rear. Finally, if the battery only has a capacity of 1,384 kWh, it is rechargeable with a type 2 cable. You can travel 2 km on electric power…
118 liters of trunk space (87 DIN) allows you to take a city break for a trip alone or in pairs. To access the trunk, lower the passenger or driver headrest. No tailgate, you access from the inside, the old-fashioned way. Note a reminder of the windows of the McLaren F1.
Our opinion, by leblogauto.com
Visually, it doesn’t tear this McLaren W1 apart. But, after all, showing off was not the McLaren F1’s strong point either. This is also what means that 30 years after its release it remains timeless. This W1 is 160 kg heavier than an F1 elsewhere. It takes a lot of carbon and skinning to get to this weight. It’s “scary”.
There remains a machine that we are, unfortunately, more likely to see stopped in front of the Monaco Casino than on flat-out tracks.
Technical characteristics of the McLaren W1
| Engine configuration | MHP-8 90° 4.0L (3988cc) twin-turbocharged V8 – hybrid drivetrain with radial flux electric module |
| Drivetrain layout | Longitudinal, mid-engined, RWD |
| Power PS (bhp/kW) @ rpm | 1275 (1258/938): |
| Torque Nm (lb ft) @ rpm | 1340 (988) @ 4500-5000rpm: |
| Transmission | 8-speed DCT with E-reverse |
| Steering | McLaren Hydraulic Performance Steering Electro-Hydraulic Power Assisted |
| Chassis | McLaren Aerocell with high footbox, integrated seating, integrated front subframe, integrated single piece upper structure |
| Suspension | McLaren Race Active Chassis Control III with visible inboard active heave suspension, 3D printed and titanium suspension components, rear active drop links and adaptive damping. Front and rear double wishbone |
| Brakes | McLaren Carbon Ceramic Racing+ (MCCR+) system with Front: 390mm brake discs with 6 piston Forged Monobloc Front Calipers. Rear: 390mm brake discs with 4 piston Forged Monobloc Rear Calipers and Integrated EPB |
| Wheels (inches) | F19 x 9.5J / R20 x 12.0J |
| Tyres | Pirelli P ZERO™ R Tyres & Pirelli P ZERO™ Trofeo RS Tyres F 265/35/R19 R 335/30/R20 |
| Length, mm (inches) | 4635 (182) |
| Wheelbase, mm (inches) | 2680 (106) |
| Height, mm (inches) | 1182 (47) |
| Width, with mirrors, mm (inches) | 2191 (86) |
| Width, mirrors folded, mm (inches) | 2074 (82) |
| Track (to contact patch centre), mm (inches) | Front: 1676 (66); Rear 1624 (64) |
| Lightest dry weight, kg (lbs) | 1399 (3084) |
| Power-to-weight (PS/tonne) | 911 |
| Fuel tank capacity, litres (UK/USA gallons) | 62 (16/19) |
| Battery capacity (KWh) | 1.384 |
| Battery charge time (minutes) | 22 (via EVSE cable) to 80% |
| Electric-only range (km/miles) | 2/1.6 |
| Luggage capacity, litres (wet/DIN) | 118/87 |
To summarize
A new McLaren is already a small event. But when it comes to a “1”, heir to F1 and P1, it’s a big event. This new supercar is full of power with 1,275 horsepower from a thermal V8 and an electric motor.
Hybridization makes it possible to have a car capable of lightning acceleration. 399 examples will be built. Already all reserved, they will exceed 2 million pounds each!
