It’s right here, the as soon as in a decade McLaren hypercar has landed and the headlines are staggering. As with the McLaren F1 & P1, the McLaren W1’s statistics are mind-boggling: Mixed 1,258bhp from an all new ‘MHP-8’ 4.0 litre 90-degree V8 (916bhp) and an ‘E-Module’ radial flux electrical motor (342bhp), with 1,340 Nm of torque all being despatched solely to the rear wheels. The electrical-only mode is predominantly designed to assist the ferocious efficiency because the 1.384kWh battery within the W1 will permit it to journey simply 2km (1.6 miles) in e-mode. The redline is as much as a staggering 9,200rpm, while nonetheless being twin-turbocharged. With equal-length runners we think about this McLaren to sound as particular because it seems to be.
The complete bundle weighs in at simply 1,399 kgs (dry) leading to a power-to-weight ratio of 899bhp/tonne. 0-60mph and 0-100km//h are each achieved in 2.7 seconds, 0-300km/h (0-186mph) in lower than 12.7 seconds and the highest velocity is proscribed to 350km/h (217mph). However there’s much more to the McLaren W1, the quickest lapping and quickest accelerating road-legal McLaren ever, than simply the stats. The philosophy of the W1, of which 399 items can be constructed, could be very completely different to that of P1 of F1 and it’s why the seems to be are so putting – this a automotive that works to push the boundaries of design with Components 1-inspired floor impact aerodynamics. The F1 hyperlink is the rationale the automotive is being unveiled on October sixth 2024, it’s the fiftieth anniversary of Emerson Fittipaldi sealing McLaren’s first Components 1 Drivers and Constructors World Championships.
Bettering even the super-lightweight and track-focused McLaren Senna – by a large 3 seconds a lap at McLaren’s Nardo reference circuit is sort of an achievement, notably when you think about that the McLaren W1 doesn’t have an enormous rear with just like the Senna and P1 did. The sleek, flowing higher floor contrasts with the aggressive, ground-hugging underbody, all working to reinforce floor impact aero.
The entrance options complicated decrease bodywork designed to channel air to key aerodynamic surfaces. The higher nostril contains intakes across the lights and wheel arches, with a central nostril on the bonnet. Behind that is an aerodynamic blade, which lifts to disclose the EVSE charging port, brake, and washer fluid reservoirs. Seen carbon fibre constructions and uncovered suspension parts function prominently all through.
From the facet, Components 1-inspired sidepods with a large cut-out door permit air to exit the entrance wheel arch. Two massive intakes forward of the rear part, one triangular in form, channel air to the radiators, rear diffuser, and brake ducts. Even the facet mirrors are aerodynamically optimised, positioned to keep away from disrupting airflow to the radiators and Energetic Lengthy Tail wing.
The rear design features a detailed engine cowl under the circulate diverter, housing the shark fin antenna and rear digicam, directing air to the Energetic Lengthy Tail wing and twin exhausts. The outstanding rear diffuser completes the muscular rear part. From above, W1’s design is clear and aerodynamic, with a hammer head-shaped nostril and teardrop cabin resulting in the Energetic Lengthy Tail wing, contrasting with the complicated decrease bodywork optimised for floor impact.
The W1’s consideration to aerodynamics extends to its powertrain, which is tilted by 3 levels to accommodate the rear diffuser. A serious focus throughout powertrain improvement was integrating the cooling methods with the automobile’s aerodynamic design to make sure constant excessive efficiency on the observe.
W1’s powertrain modes are optimised for numerous driving circumstances. Along with the near-silent Electrical mode, Consolation mode—the default on startup—presents relaxed cruising for metropolis and motorway driving, utilizing the E-module for torque infill. Sport mode absolutely deploys the E-module for hybrid energy, with sharper throttle response and ignition reduce gear shifts. Race mode contains a Dash setting for max energy from each the E-module and combustion engine, whereas Grand Prix mode balances E-module deployment and harvesting for sustained observe efficiency.
On the core of each McLaren, together with the W1, is a carbon fibre construction often called the Aerocell, designed with a robust aerodynamic focus. Its high-quality end integrates exterior and inside surfaces, lowering weight. The raised ground by 65mm, which will increase to 80mm on the entrance, optimises aerodynamics. Fixing the seat place inside the monocoque saves weight, reduces the wheelbase by 70mm, and introduces McLaren’s lightest seats but. The Aerocell additionally helps McLaren’s new Anhedral doorways, enhancing airflow from the entrance wheel arches to the high-temperature radiators, saving house and bettering cooling.
The chassis maximises floor impact, particularly in Race mode when the automotive is lowered. Airflow is conditioned by the decrease physique and structural diffuser, constructed from Intermediate Modulus Carbon Fibre (IMCF) for higher power, warmth resistance, and lighter weight. This additionally eliminates the necessity for a cross-car construction, saving weight and rising diffuser quantity.
W1 is the primary McLaren street automotive to make use of pushrods linked to inboard dampers. Impressed by Components 1, the entrance makes use of wishbones, torsion bars, and heave dampers to optimise aerodynamics. The rear depends on outboard springs and dampers the place airflow is much less vital.
The braking system is McLaren’s Carbon Ceramic-Racing+ with 390mm brake discs that embody an additional ceramic layer for sturdiness. The entrance brakes function 6-piston callipers, whereas the rear has 4-piston callipers, each in solid monobloc designs.
Tyres are key to W1’s grip, and it comes customary with Pirelli P ZERO Trofeo RS road-legal observe targeted tyres. Bespoke Pirelli P ZERO R for street use and P ZERO Winter 2 tyres for chilly climate are additionally out there.
Regardless of fastened seats and raised footwells resembling a sports activities prototype, W1’s driving place prioritises consolation. The anhedral doorways maximise house with a floating fin blade design, whereas the seats, built-in into the Aerocell, present superior thigh help and a reclined place. Totally upholstered, they improve driver and passenger consolation.
Storage between the seats features a sliding cupholder and a further house behind the armrest. The rear baggage shelf presents 117 litres of storage for weekend baggage or helmets, accessible by folding the headrests. The entrance trunk is sacrificed to prioritise aerodynamics.
“The McLaren W1 is a celebration of each the excellence of the long-lasting McLaren F1 and McLaren P1 and the manifestation of McLaren’s World Championship mindset. With our new Final supercar, we’re once more pushing the boundaries of actual supercar efficiency with an epic hybrid powertrain that includes our all-new MHP-8 V8 engine, essentially the most superior aerodynamic platform of any McLaren street automotive and in depth use of superior light-weight supplies. This permits us to engineer a supreme observe driving expertise from the identical automotive that offers unparalleled driving enjoyment on the street.
“Components 1-derived aerodynamics, pure rear-wheel drive and McLaren hydraulic efficiency steering showcase McLaren’s strategy to purposeful innovation as a racing firm that all the time delivers the absolute best efficiency. It’s due to this fact no shock that the brand new W1 is our fastest-lapping and quickest accelerating road-legal automotive ever. It additionally supplies the purest driver connection by remaining true to the rules that underpin the last word supercar driving expertise. This actually is a automotive that solely McLaren may create.” -Michael Leiters, Chief Government Officer, McLaren Automotive
