The ground-breaking successor to two of the greatest supercars ever – the McLaren F1 and McLaren P1 – the new McLaren W1 elevates the McLaren 1 car lineage to new heights in every aspect of performance.
The new W1 has been created according to the McLaren ethos of class-leading performance, informed by the core principles that underpin every McLaren supercar.
These are: 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.
All of McLaren’s significant and renowned expertise in lightweight engineering and aerodynamic performance, inspired by years of racing innovation and the company’s World Championship mindset, was applied to the W1.
The engineering team behind the new McLaren Ultimate model have between them contributed to 16 McLaren Formula One World Championship titles across driver and constructor categories. This expertise as part of a bigger team has resulted in the most focused supercar that McLaren has ever built, but also one with a huge breadth of capability.
“The McLaren W1 is a celebration of both the excellence of the iconic McLaren F1 and McLaren P1and the manifestation of McLaren’s World Championship mindset,” said Michael Leiters, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive.
“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 One-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.”
W1 is a supercar for all occasions; more than any other McLaren, it is equally at home on road and track and as the fastest-lapping and fastest accelerating McLaren road-legal supercar yet, is exhilarating to drive whatever the circumstances.
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 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. 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.
Just as the W1 name celebrates McLaren’s World Championship mindset, the date of the public reveal of the car was also chosen with this in mind: October 6, 2024, is the 50th anniversary of Emerson Fittipaldi sealing McLaren’s first Formula One Drivers and Constructors World Championships.
Epic performance from V8 High-Performance Hybrid powertrain with pure RWD
At the heart of W1 is an all-new High-Performance Hybrid powertrain, comprising McLaren’s all-new MHP-8 V8 combustion engine, an all-new E-module (integrating a radial flux electric motor and motor control unit), and an eight-speed transmission with E-reverse. Power and torque are to the rear wheels only, through an E-differential.
The 928PS of the new V8 and 347PS of the E-module combine to produce 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.
This huge amount of power, together with total torque of 1340Nm and instant throttle response from the E-module, gives W1 astonishing acceleration figures: 0-100km/h takes 2.7 seconds, 0–200km/h (124mph) is possible in just 5.8 seconds and 0-300km/h (186mph) can be achieved in under 12.7 seconds.
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 One which exclusively deploys power through the rear wheels to reach the pinnacle of performance and ultimate steering precision.
Born from Formula One-inspired ground-effect aerodynamics
McLaren has been synonymous with aerodynamic innovation and excellence since its very beginnings, with Bruce McLaren himself always determined to push for any advantage offered by new ways of managing airflow to balance lift and drag in the most efficient way possible.
The 1967 championship-winning McLaren M6A Can-Am racecar employed ground effect aerodynamics with great success and while it was another decade before the technology came to Formula One – and the 1990s before the McLaren F1 showed how effective it could be in a road car – ground effect remains a significant advantage as part of an overall aerodynamic package for those car makers who can master it.
It is no surprise then that the new McLaren W1’s striking design is defined by aerodynamic requirements, with McLaren’s engineers focusing on combining the high downforce and low drag that ground-effect innovations provide to the foundations for the new Ultimate McLaren’s extraordinary abilities.
The aerodynamic platform of W1 is the most advanced ever in a McLaren road car, the result of 350 hours of wind tunnel sessions with 5000 points tested.
The concept begins with the Aerocell monocoque, which is shaped to facilitate full ground effect aerodynamics. Featuring integrated seating – which saves almost 70mm in wheelbase requirement – and raised footwells with an adjustable pedal box and steering to ensure the optimum driving position, the Aerocell is unique to W1, which also features the highest number of aerodynamic and active surface areas of any McLaren.
The key to W1’s duality of dynamic character – offering a sublime driving experience on road and track alike – is McLaren Race mode. When deployed, this engages shape-shifting aerodynamic technologies to enable world-best, radical ‘road to track’ character transformation. Uniquely in W1, much of the downforce is achieved using all of the underbody for ground effect, with this maximised when Race mode is selected.
Dynamic genius without compromise, driven by McLaren DNA
McLaren’s philosophy of Lightweight Engineering and the use of bespoke carbon fibre structures deliver a vehicle lightest dry weight of just 1,399kg for W1, which is key to the requirement for outstanding performance, everywhere – whether on the road or on the track.
The all-new McLaren Race Active Chassis Control III suspension with McLaren Race mode ensures huge breadth of capability, from road-legal compliance to fastest lap performance and pure driver connection.
The Comfort handling setting gives the occupants a smooth ride quality with increased body control at medium and high speeds, while Sport provides a more engaging, connected setup with focus on body control and agility at all speeds.
When Race mode is selected a stable aerodynamic platform is prioritised, with an active heave element deployed for superior track dynamics and consistent downforce.
The fastest lapping and fastest accelerating road-legal McLaren ever
Bettering even the super-lightweight and track-focused McLaren Senna – by an astonishing three seconds a lap at McLaren’s Nardo reference circuit – W1 is also the fastest accelerating road-legal McLaren ever.
Hugely impressive in isolation, these two parameters are even more incredible when you consider that you need both high downforce and very low drag to achieve them.
Inspired by the work of generations of Formula One Race Engineers, McLaren’s Race mode gives a choice of two suspension settings – Race and Race+, with the latter being the firmest available.
This allows drivers to select settings according to whether they are on undulating, bumpy tracks where consistent aerodynamic downforce is needed, or flat, smooth surfaces on which the ground effect platform is optimised.
Powertrain options in Race mode are a GP setting for consistency over a longer track session, or Sprint for maximum performance and E-module deployment over one lap.
buttons on the steering wheel, ergonomically positioned within easy reach of the driver’s thumbs, give the driver further options: Boost instantly deploys full E-module power available – the same principle as employed in Formula One – to give the driver everything for overtaking on track or additional speed out of corners as desired.
Tyre performance is intrinsic to mechanical and aerodynamic grip and W1 features three 265/35 front and 335/30 rear tyre options from McLaren’s technical partner, Pirelli. To fit the car’s extreme requirements, the Pirelli P ZERO Trofeo RS road legal track tyre is the standard fitment.
The perfect supercar driving environment
The excitement of driving W1 begins with the McLaren Anhedral Doors opening upwards to reveal recesses in the roof and the front lower opening that help to provide access to the innovative and comfortable cabin. The doors also feature a sculpted concave section on the inside to maximise occupant space.
As is core to the McLaren DNA, W1 has unmatched supercar ergonomics and best-in-class visibility, with remarkably spacious cockpit room for both driver and passenger.
Visually arresting engineering
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.
The side aspect of W1 is influenced by Formula One 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. Even the side mirrors have been designed with aerodynamics in mind; they are shaped to direct their wake away from the rear of the car.
Exceptionally individual and uniquely desirable
Virtually unlimited bespoke personalisation is available through McLaren Special Operations, giving owners freedom to create their very own unique supercar. A range of luxury and innovative interior materials are available, including the world-first use of McLaren InnoKnit, an infinitely flexible and super-lightweight material tailored to seamlessly integrate interior surfaces and components. This material is knitted to fit, removing any wasteful cutting or sewing requirements.
Ultimate warranty provision with servicing and maintenance to match
Every W1 comes as standard with a comprehensive warranty [four-year/unlimited mileage vehicle; six-year/75,000km HV battery] and a four-year inclusive service plan that complements a unique ownership experience.
The new hybrid powertrain has been developed to a maintenance cycle similar to the V6 hybrid powertrain and the service schedule for W1 will follow a 12-month cycle.
For more information, please visit https://cars.mclaren.com/en/W1.