The new McLaren W1 is the ground-breaking successor to two of the greatest supercars ever – the McLaren F1 and McLaren P1TM – and elevates the McLaren ‘1’ car lineage to new heights in every aspect of performance.
The W1 was created according to the McLaren ethos of class-leading performance, informed by the core principles that underpin every McLaren supercar: epic power applied through cutting-edge aerodynamics and lightweight chassis technologies; the highest levels of dynamic excellence and the purest driver connection; the perfect driver environment, for all driving situations; and awe-inspiring visual and aural drama.
“The McLaren W1 is a celebration of both the excellence of the iconic McLaren F1 and McLaren P1TM and the manifestation of McLaren’s World Championship mindset. 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.
“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. It also provides the purest driver connection by remaining true to the principles that underpin the ultimate supercar driving experience. This really is a car that only McLaren could create.”
Michael Leiters, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive
McLaren has challenged convention by choosing to retain the purity of a rear-wheel-drive chassis in a car with this much power and torque, at a time when competitors are turning to front-wheel-drive assistance. Only McLaren could successfully achieve acceleration of this magnitude with dynamic performance to match in a rear-wheel-drive supercar, thanks to its extensive heritage in Formula 1 which deploys power exclusively through the rear wheels to reach the pinnacle of performance and ultimate steering precision.
The spine-tingling driver enjoyment ensured by the W1’s revolutionary new high-downforce, low-drag, ground-effect aerodynamics design is further enhanced by the unique transformation process from Road mode to Race mode for track driving: W1’s ride height lowers (by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear) and a heave system stiffens the suspension. Front and rear active wings are also deployed, with the McLaren Active Long Tail extending rearwards by up to 300mm to assist in generating the 1,000kg of downforce available in W1.
The all-new MHP-8 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that debuts in W1 is coupled with a power-dense E-module to deliver scintillating speed and theatre, and revs to 9,200rpm. The epic power of this all-new 1275PS High-Performance Hybrid powertrain and McLaren’s relentless dedication to lightweight engineering has resulted in levels of performance previously only attainable by track-only supercars and race cars.
The new V8 develops 928PS and combines with the 347PS of the W1’s all-new E-module to produce a total power figure of 1275PS, giving W1 the highest-ever power output of any McLaren and putting it above all core competitors. Engineered for epic power delivery, and breathtaking performance, the powertrain combines with a vehicle weight of 1,399kg to deliver an astonishing power-to-weight ratio of 911PS/tonne for W1 – the highest-ever for any road-legal McLaren and more importantly, best-in-class.
Engine configuration |
MHP-8 90° 4.0L (3988cc) twin-turbocharged V8 - hybrid drivetrain with radial flux electric module |
Drivetrain layout |
Longitudinal, mid-engined, RWD |
Power PS (bhp/kW) @ rpm |
1275 (1258/938): |
Torque Nm (lb ft) @ rpm |
1340 (988) @ 4500-5000rpm: |
Transmission |
8-speed DCT with E-reverse |
Steering |
McLaren Hydraulic Performance Steering Electro-Hydraulic Power Assisted |
Chassis |
McLaren Aerocell with high footbox, integrated seating, integrated front subframe, integrated single piece upper structure |
Suspension |
McLaren Race Active Chassis Control III with visible inboard active heave suspension, 3D printed and titanium suspension components, rear active drop links and adaptive damping. Front and rear double wishbone |
Brakes |
McLaren Carbon Ceramic Racing+ (MCCR+) system with Front: 390mm brake discs with 6 piston Forged Monobloc Front Calipers. Rear: 390mm brake discs with 4 piston Forged Monobloc Rear Calipers and Integrated EPB |
Wheels (inches) |
F19 x 9.5J / R20 x 12.0J |
Tyres |
Pirelli P ZERO™ R Tyres & Pirelli P ZERO™ Trofeo RS Tyres F 265/35/R19 R 335/30/R20 |
Length, mm (inches) |
4635 (182) |
Wheelbase, mm (inches) |
2680 (106) |
Height, mm (inches) |
1182 (47) |
Width, with mirrors, mm (inches) |
2191 (86) |
Width, mirrors folded, mm (inches) |
2074 (82) |
Track (to contact patch centre), mm (inches) |
Front: 1676 (66); Rear 1624 (64) |
Lightest dry weight, kg (lbs) |
1399 (3084) |
Power-to-weight (PS/tonne) |
911 |
Fuel tank capacity, litres (UK/USA gallons) |
62 (16/19) |
Battery capacity (KWh) |
1.384 |
Battery charge time (minutes) |
22 (via EVSE cable) to 80% |
Electric-only range (km/miles) |
2/1.6 |
Luggage capacity, litres (wet/DIN) |
118/87 |
0-97km/h (0-60mph) |
2.7 seconds |
0-100km/h (0-62mph) |
2.7 seconds |
0-200km/h (0-124mph) |
5.8 seconds |
0-300km/h (0-186mph) |
<12.7 seconds |
Maximum speed km/h (mph) |
350 (217) (electronically limited) |
200-0km/h (124mph-0) braking, metres (ft) |
100 (328) |
100-0km/h (62mph-0) braking, metres (ft) |
29 (95) |
Downforce kg (lbs) |
Limited to 1000 (2205) @280km/h (174mph): Front: 350 (772) max Rear: 650 (1433) max |
CO2 emissions, g/km WLTP EU (combined) |
<310 |
Vehicle (years/miles) |
4 unlimited |
HV battery (years/km/miles) |
6 75,000/45,000 |
Roadside assistance (years) |
4 |
Service plan (years) |
4 |