A new chapter in the British marque’s illustrious ‘1’ car history, the W1 defines a “real” supercar, McLaren says. “The W1 is a celebration of both the excellence of the iconic F1 and P1,” said McLaren Chief Executive Officer Michael Leiters.
“With our new ‘Ultimate’ supercar, we are again pushing the boundaries of real supercar performance with an epic hybrid powertrain, featuring our all-new MHP-8 V8 engine, the most advanced aerodynamic platform of any McLaren road car and extensive use of advanced lightweight materials. This allows us to engineer a supreme track-driving experience from the same car that gives unparalleled driving enjoyment on the road.”
The W1 is endowed with McLaren’s “all-new” MHP-8 powertrain, a petrol-electric setup comprising a 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 and “power-dense” E-module, the latter of which is coupled with a 1.384 kWh battery pack, which, when fully charged, allows for an all-electric range of 2 km.
The mid-mounted internal combustion unit and E-module produces 683 kW/900 N.m and 255 kW/440 N.m, respectively, which, combined, results in peak power and torque outputs 938 kW and 1 340 N.m, the latter of which exclusively sent to the rear, 20-inch alloy wheels, via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, as soon as the rev needle edges the 4 500 r/min marker.
McLaren quotes 0-100 km/h, 0-200 km/h, and 0-300 km/h sprint times of 2.7 seconds, 5.8 seconds, and “less than” 12.7 seconds, respectively. The W1 tops out at an electronically governed 350 km/h. The distances in which the W1’s carbon-ceramic braking setup brings the 1 399 kg supercar to a halt is equally impressive — 29 metres (100-0 km/h) and 100 metres (200-0 km/h).
Enhancing the W1’s “spine-tingling” driving performance, McLaren’s halo supercar features a “revolutionary” new high-downforce, low-drag, ground-effect aerodynamics design. Activating ‘Race’ mode, lowers the W1’s fore and aft ride height by 37 mm and 17 mm, respectively. At the same time, the active front and rear wings are deployed, with the firm’s ‘Active Long Tail’ extending by “up to” 300 mm to provide increased downforce … of up to 1 000 kg (at 280 km/h)! In this driver setting, a heave system also firms up the suspension.
