McLaren W1 Breaks Cover, Its Most Powerful Road Legal Car Ever

Further pushing the limits of performance by adopting technology from its successful F1 team is McLaren’s latest road-legal hypercar called the W1. Launched at a whopping £2 million, with taxes, (which translates to ₹22.05 crores), it is the brand’s successor to its much famed ‘1’ lineage of supercars, which comprises the McLaren F1 and P1 before. Just like the latter two, the new McLaren W1 is now the brand’s latest halo car with some mind blowing numbers that will set the precedent for all the other McLarens in the future. 

McLaren W1: Powertrain And Transmission

So, starting with the heart, the McLaren W1 is powered by an all-new 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine called MHP. The longitudinally placed mid-engine comes paired with a radial flux electric module. The cumulative output of this hybrid powertrain is a whopping 1,258 bhp produced at a sky-high 9,200 rpm, and 988 Nm delivered between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm—making it the most powerful McLaren production car ever. Yes, it is more potent than the track-focused McLaren Senna. 

The twin-turbocharged engine alone produces 916 bhp, while the hybrid module further adds 342 bhp to the mix. Transmission duties are carried out by an 8-speed DCT gearbox with a unique E-reverse gear, which means reversing the car can be done in electric mode only. To keep the weight of the hybrid powertrain under check, McLaren integrated the electric motor and control module into one unit, which also helped saved space.

McLaren W1: Performance

With so much power at tap, it’s no surprise that the new W1 is the quickest and fastest McLaren ever. For reference, it completed a lap around the McLaren test track 3 seconds quicker than the Senna. 

McLaren claims that the W1 can accelerate from 0 to 97 kmph in just 2.7 seconds, from 0 to 200 kmph in just 5.8 seconds, and reach 300 kmph from a standstill in just under 13 seconds. Sadly, this epic hypercar's top speed is electronically limited to 350 kmph.

McLaren W1: Design, Chassis And Suspension

The McLaren W1 might not look as smooth and sensual as the F1, or the voluptuous-looking P1. It’s sharp, and with that extensive aero work all around in turn has quite an aggressive appeal. Underneath that visually striking body sits a bespoke carbon-fibre monocoque chassis. McLaren is calling it the Aerocell, and just like an F1 car, the front suspension is directly mounted to it, and the titanium torsion bars are externally visible. The Woking-based manufacturer has further optimised the carbon-fibre doors, now called Anhedral. These gullwing units are designed to aid more downforce and channel cool air down to the radiators, which, in turn, helps save space that the radiators would ideally occupy. 

Aerodynamics is the name of the game here. The new McLaren Active Long Tail rear wing, which can further extend rearwards by 300 mm for more added downforce, and the new aggressive diffuser gives the rear fascia of the W1 quite a sporty stance.. As for its kerb weight, without any fluids, the W1 tips the scales at 1,399 kg. 

McLaren W1: Brakes

With so much performance and pace, McLaren obviously had to rework the brakes and the W1  gets brand new, again bespoke, carbon ceramic brakes. These unique 390 mm discs, called McLaren Carbon Ceramic Racing+ (MCCR+), feature an additional ceramic layer compared to standard carbon ceramics, allowing for more aggressive brake pad compounds and higher friction levels. As a result, the McLaren W1 can come to a standstill from 200 kmph in just 100 m. 

McLaren W1: Interior And Features

The monocoque cabin of the McLaren has been designed with racing in mind. Thereby, the pedals, steering wheel, and primary controls are all positioned to embrace the driver. Further making the experience all the more engaging is that the seat is integrated into the chassis. McLaren says that the ergonomics of the W1 will give the best-in-class visibility both on track and road. For some opulent indulgence, several bespoke options are available as part of McLaren’s MSO division, including a unique Innoknit-tailored interior which will see unique materials being used to wrap the dashboards, door pads, etc. 

As for its features, hydraulic performance steering and braking aim to deliver a surreal supercar sensation. There’s a new fully digital driver and infotainment displays. The new McLaren Active Chassis Control III suspension with a dedicated Race mode further enhances its traction. In race mode, the McLaren W1 ride height lowers by 37 mm at the front, and 17 mm at the rear, which in turn helps produce up to 1000 kg of downforce. 

McLaren W1: Availability

McLaren will produce 399 units of the W1, and sadly, all of these units have already been allocated to customers. Those who will get the W1 will be privy to an exclusive ownership experience that includes a comprehensive 4-year vehicle warranty, a 6-year HV battery warranty, and a 4-year service plan.