McLaren W1

About this model

New McLaren W1: the real supercar

Ground-breaking successor to two of the greatest supercars of all time the McLaren F1 and McLaren P1TM opens new chapter in McLaren’s famous ‘1’ car lineage

Created with McLaren’s World Championship mindset; underpinned by the principles that define a real supercar

Epic all-new V8 hybrid powertrain with 1275PS the highest power output of any McLaren ever and greater than all core competitors

All-new MHP-8 V8 combustion engine develops 928PS at 233PS per litre the highest-ever output from a McLaren engine and revs to 9,200rpm

Power-dense E-module develops 347PS; integrates electric motor and control unit for reduced weight and optimised packaging

World-beating McLaren lightweight engineering delivers vehicle weight of 1,399kg, enabling best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 911PS/tonne the highest ever for any McLaren supercar

Formula 1-inspired ground effect aerodynamics and McLaren race mode combine to deliver world-first, radical ‘road to track’ character transformation, lowering ride height by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear and engaging up to 1,000kg of downforce

The most advanced active aero features ever in a road-legal McLaren, with revolutionary McLaren Active Long Tail rear wing that extends rearwards by 300mm just one of multiple patents filed for aerodynamic innovations

New W1 is fastest-accelerating and fastest-lapping road-legal McLaren ever, achieving the astonishing combination of being quicker than a Speedtail to 300km/h (186mph) in a straight-line and 3 seconds a lap ahead of a McLaren Senna on McLaren’s reference track

Incredible acceleration of 0-200km/h (0-124mph) in 5.8 seconds and 0-300km/h (0-186mph) in less than 12.7 seconds; maximum speed electronically limited to 350km/h

Pure driver control and engagement from McLaren trademark rear-wheel drive with 1275PS and 1340Nm made possible by extraordinary Formula 1 know-how that only McLaren as a racing company can deliver

New McLaren Race Active Chassis Control III suspension with Race mode ensures unparalleled breadth of capability across both road and track

Supreme feel and feedback from McLaren Hydraulic Performance Steering and hydraulic braking to create real supercar sensation

New 8-speed transmission with E-reverse, coupled with new hydraulic electronic differential

Bespoke McLaren Aerocell carbon fibre monocoque and McLaren Anhedral Doors optimised for aerodynamic performance; constructed using motorsport techniques

Formula 1-inspired front suspension is mounted directly into the Aerocell with externally visible front arms and key components 3D-printed for weight optimisation, including the use of titanium components

Unmatched supercar driver ergonomics and best-in-class visibility on road and track

Unique seating design integrated into the Aerocell monocoque for the purest driver connection to the car

Pedals, steering wheel and primary controls move to fully embrace driver within the cockpit environment

Virtually unlimited bespoke options available via MSO, including new McLaren InnoKnit tailored interior material

Comprehensive warranty (4-year vehicle; 6-year HV battery) and 4-year service plan complement unique ownership experience

Pricing from circa £2.0 million including taxes in the UK, with the final cost dependent on the level of MSO personalisation

Just 399 customer cars will be produced and all are already customer allocated

About design

McLaren’s Performance by Design strategic approach centres on the five key principles of McLaren’s design DNA Epic, Athletic, Functional, Focused and Intelligent and the new W1 clearly meets this brief. The heavily sculpted form with almost every panel made from carbon fibre is immediately recognisable as a McLaren supercar and a bold visual demonstration of the W1’s duality of character, the smooth, flowing upper surface contrasting with the extreme and uncompromising ground effect underbody.

The front aspect of W1 showcases its aerodynamic brilliance, with a large amount of lower bodywork layering designed to condition the flow of air towards aerodynamic surfaces heading towards the rear of the car. The upper nose section features intakes around the lights and upper wheelarches, with a large single nostril in the centre of the bonnet. At the rear of this is an aerodynamic blade that lifts to reveal the EVSE charging port, brake and washer fluid reservoirs. Visible carbon fibre aerodynamic structures and exposed suspension components are also a theme that echoes throughout the car.

The side aspect of W1 is influenced by Formula 1 sidepod design, with a wide cut-out for the convex-shaped door that creates space for air to exit the front wheel arch via two outlets through which the front suspension arms can be seen - and two large intakes ahead of the rear section. The most prominent of these, which feeds the high temperature radiators, is triangular in shape and provides an undercut in which the second intake is located ahead of the rear wheel and features a channel that feeds the rear diffuser and brake ducts. Even the side mirrors have been designed with aerodynamics in mind; they are placed as far outboard as possible on a support blade and are shaped to direct their wake away from the rear of the car so as not to disrupt efficiency of the radiators or the Active Long Tail wing.

The heavily-haunched rear bodywork includes an intricately detailed engine cover that sits below the flow diverter, which also houses the shark fin audio and navigation antennae and sits above and forward of the central stop light and rear-view camera. This directs clean air towards the twin-element Active Long Tail wing, which sits above the large twin centre-exit exhaust. Completing the muscular rear section is the prominent multi-fenced rear diffuser.

Seen from above, W1’s form is remarkably clean for an aerodynamically-led design, with a pronounced hammerhead-shaped nose and tight teardrop cabin form, which then opens up to the McLaren Active Long Tail wing. This is contrast to the strikingly complex lower bodywork, which is intentionally detailed to fully optimise ground effect.