On the 50th anniversary of McLaren winning its first Formula 1 World Championship, it is officially debuting its newest hypercar, the McLaren W1. The new McLaren W1’s arrival marks the latest entry into the brand’s legendary 1 series. The heart of the W1 is a plug-in-hybrid powertrain that uses a brand new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 combination with a power-dense E-module, forms the backbone of the W1’s hybrid powertrain, packing 1258 horsepower, the plug-in-hybrid W1 is the most powerful McLaren ever. The W1 will be built in extremely limited quantities just 399 total and they’re all already spoken for.
A small 1.4-kWh battery provides power to the e-motor. McLaren claims the Level 2 onboard charger can take the battery to 80 percent in 22 minutes. Despite a short electric-only range of about two miles, this PHEV is focused on maximum acceleration performance. The entire E-Module weighs just 44 pounds and mounts to the side of the transmission. McLaren says the W1 can hit 60 mph in as little as 2.7 seconds and 186 mph comes up in under 12.7 seconds.
To make sure the W1 sounds fantastic, the giant dual exhaust tips that exit from the center of the rear end have tubular manifolds and long equal-length runners. Aerodynamics are at the heart of the W1’s design, with features such as active front and rear wings that adjust based on the vehicle’s speed and driving mode. The McLaren Active Long Tail rear wing, extending up to 300mm, plays a crucial role in maximizing downforce, with the car generating up to 1,000kg of downforce in Race mode. These aerodynamic innovations, combined with ground-effect technologies, give the W1 unmatched stability at high speeds, both on the road and on the track.
The two-tone scheme is inspired by McLaren’s F1 cars. Inside, the W1’s cabin is a masterclass in driver-focused design. The seats are fixed in their position, but the driver can adjust the location of the pedals for comfort. The interior materials, including the innovative McLaren InnoKnit, provide a luxurious yet lightweight feel, further emphasizing the W1’s focus on performance without compromise. An 8.0-inch touchscreen on the dashboard features Apple CarPlay and both USB-C and USB-A ports are provided for device connectivity and charging. A Bowers & Wilkins stereo system is also available.
The McLaren W1 has a starting price of $2.1 million. The price can go up depending on the level of personalization the customer wants via McLaren’s MSO program.