McLaren has officially debuted the W1, the successor to its iconic F1 and P1 hypercars, and it’s engineered to push the boundaries of automotive performance. Drawing inspiration from their “World Championship mindset,” McLaren designed the W1 to redefine speed and agility, making it one of the most formidable machines on the road.
At the heart of the W1 is a revolutionary four-liter MHP-8 twin-turbo V8 engine, crafted from lightweight aluminum with advanced plasma-coated cylinder bores, allowing the engine to reach a staggering 9200 rpm. The powertrain features both port and direct fuel injection, enhancing efficiency and power delivery. This engine alone produces 928 horsepower, but that’s only part of the story.
Augmenting the combustion engine is a cutting-edge Formula E-inspired electric motor, positioned alongside the eight-speed transmission. Weighing just 44 pounds, this electric module contributes an additional 347 horsepower and spins at an astonishing 24,000 rpm. Powered by a compact 1.384 kWh battery, the W1’s hybrid setup ensures blistering acceleration while maintaining a relatively low weight.
With a combined 1,275 horsepower, the W1 rockets from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.7 seconds and reaches 186 mph in under 12.7 seconds. The top speed is electronically capped at 217 mph. Its performance figures are complemented by its aerodynamic design, featuring McLaren’s “Active Long Tail” technology, which extends the rear wing by 12 inches for maximum downforce or retracts for a low-drag configuration, controlled via a DRS system.
The lightweight all-carbon Aerocell construction keeps the W1’s weight just over 3000 pounds, allowing it to maintain agility and balance while delivering record-breaking track performance. Notably, only 399 units will be produced, each priced at approximately $2.6 million.
McLaren’s release of the W1 coincides with its return to dominance in Formula 1, aligning the hypercar’s launch with the team’s renewed success on the track.
Shawn Henry