THEY SAY: "The McLaren W1 is a celebration of both the excellence of the iconic McLaren F1 and McLaren P1 and the manifestation of McLaren’s World Championship mindset," says McLaren CEO Michael Leiters.
"Formula 1-derived aerodynamics, pure rear-wheel drive and McLaren hydraulic performance steering showcase McLaren’s approach to purposeful innovation as a racing company that always delivers the best possible performance. It is therefore no surprise that the new W1 is our fastest-lapping and fastest accelerating road-legal car ever."
WE SAY: The name, badge design, and even launch colour might be curiously similar to that of an HSV – that's a hotted-up Holden for the non-Aussies reading – but the latest McLaren halo is more refined and even more extreme in the performance department as its namesake.
The more I analyse this design, the more I come to like it, particularly when you see the similarities in its silhouette compared with the F1 and P1 that came before it. Undoubtedly, it's utterly extreme in some areas – just look at the air channels around the doors – but so it should be as Woking's automotive apex.
What's most remarkable is that even with the inclusion of a hybrid system, it weighs only an eyelash under 1.4 tonnes, which is remarkable when you consider what batteries and motors can weigh. An absurd 1275PS output also means it's not too far off that magic 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. All 399 were sold before us commoners could even lay eyes upon it, and I'm not surprised one bit.
Powertrain, brakes, and tyres
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8
Electric motor: "Radial flux electric module"
Hybrid battery pack: 1.384kWh
Transmission: 8-speed DCT with E-reverse
Drivetrain: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Brakes: McLaren Carbon Ceramic Racing+
- Front: 390mm brake discs with 6-piston forged Monobloc calipers
- Rear: 390mm brake discs with 4-piston forged Monobloc calipers and integrated electronic parking brake
Tyres: Pirelli P Zero R, P Zero Trofeo RS, or P Zero Winter 2
- Front: 265/35 R19
- Rear: 335/30 R20
Performance and weight
Engine power: 683kW (928PS)
Engine torque: 900Nm (664lb-ft)
Electric module power: 220kW (300PS)
Electric module torque: 440Nm (324lb-ft)
Combined system power output: 938kW (1275PS)
Combined system torque output: 1340Nm (988lb-ft) from 4500-5000rpm
Weight (dry): 1399kg (3084lbs)
0-100km/h (0-62mph): 2.7 seconds
0-200km/h (0-124mph): 5.8 seconds
0-300km/h (0-186mph): 12.7 seconds
Top speed: 350km/h (217mph) electronically limited
200-0km/h (124-0mph): 100 metres
100-0km/h (62-0mph): 29 metres
Safety, economy, and price
ANCAP: N/a
Fuel economy: TBC
Price (GBP): Approximately £2,000,000 before options and taxes
Production: 399 (all sold)
Other
- Electro-hydraulic power steering
- 3D-printed titanium suspension components
- Only 2km (1.6mi) pure electric driving range
- Four-year unlimited kilometre warranty and six-year battery warranty means you can rack up the miles without worrying... except perhaps about your resale value
