Next in line
Jan 20, 2025
Prices start at £2 million, but with 399 units planned and all already spoken for, the price tag attached to this hypercar is an irrelevance. As it would be if you were one of those enthusiastic 399. But we can still revel in the details of McLaren’s next ‘1’.
Following in the hallowed tyre tracks of the F1 and P1 isn’t a job for the faint of heart. When both previous ‘1’ series cars cannot be written about without the liberal use of the word “icon” in each of their narratives, there is plenty at stake.
But here we are – the next in line. This is the McLaren W1 and it’s the most powerful McLaren ever built.
At the heart of this stunning hypercar sits a groundbreaking V8 mild-hybrid powertrain. Combined output? A staggering 937kW. Needless to say, that exceeds available power in any of its closest competitors, positioning the W1 at the very top of the supercar hierarchy.
Breaking down that figure, the all-new MHP-8 V8 engine delivers 682kW alone, with a record-breaking 171kW per litre, while the hybrid E-module contributes an additional 255kW. McLaren says the combination not only optimises performance but also reduces weight and enhances the W1’s packaging efficiency.
And that packaging really is impressive. It boggles the mind to think the W1 weighs just 1,399 kg. It boasts extraordinary power-to-weight ratio of 670kW per tonne – the best in McLaren’s history. As you’d expect, the lightweight engineering all stems from McLaren’s deep motorsport experience, specifically Formula 1.
Take the W1’s aerodynamics for example. Inspired by Formula 1 ground-effect principles, the car features McLaren’s most advanced active aero system to date. Its revolutionary Active Long Tail rear wing, extending 300mm, is just one of several patented innovations on this marvel of a machine. When paired with its race mode, the W1 transforms from a road car to a track beast, lowering the ride height by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear while generating up to 1,000kg of downforce.
The car’s Race Active Chassis Control III suspension ensures adaptability for both road and track, while, says McLaren, the W1’s Hydraulic Performance Steering and hydraulic braking systems ensure pitch-perfect feedback. The new halo model also arrives with a new 8-speed transmission and a hydraulic electronic differential for seamless power delivery.
So, how does all that power and engineering translate into performance? We’re yet to see footage of the W1 “at work”, but the numbers on paper are impressive. Acceleration from 0 to 200km/h takes just 5.8 seconds, with the car capable of surging onward to 300km/h in 12.7 seconds. That means the W1 outpaces even the Speedtail and is three seconds faster per lap than the Senna on McLaren’s reference track. Top speed? A blistering 350km/h, electronically limited… for safety, of course.
Harking back to Formula 1, the car’s bespoke Aerocell carbon-fibre monocoque and aerodynamic Anhedral Doors highlight once again McLaren’s commitment to motorsport-grade craftsmanship.
Inside the cockpit, “driver precision” is the name of the game. Cabin ergonomics reach new heights, with pedals, steering wheel, and primary controls moving in harmony to embrace the driver. Unique integrated seating and McLaren InnoKnit interiors, offered through McLaren Special Operations (MSO), allow for nearly limitless customisation. So, expect 399 different interiors, perhaps.
A lucky few will get to drive the McLaren W1. But thankfully for the rest of us, there are no restrictions on marvelling at this latest hypercar masterpiece from a carmaker that specialises in the iconic.