McLaren W1 Carries the Torch for the F1 and P1 with More Than 1250 Horsepower

Two of the most iconic vehicles that come to mind when you say “supercar” are the McLaren F1 and McLaren P1. Topping these two amazing sports cars is a tall order for the British automaker, and it looks like they pulled out all the stops this time. The McLaren W1 is a high-horsepower, rear-wheel drive beast with an all-new engine and hybrid tech copped from Formula 1 racing.

The design of the W1 fits right in with McLaren’s other current cars, like the 750S, Artura, and GTS, but takes things to another level in terms of horsepower and aerodynamics. It packs McLaren’s latest V8 engine – a mid-rear-mounted 4.0-liter twin-turbo unit that works with an electric motor unit to produce a total of 1258 horsepower and 988 lb-ft. of torque. That power heads exclusively to the rear wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and motor power, added after the clutches.

All that power is of no use without enough downforce to help stick the wheels to the tarmac. Thanks to active front and rear spoilers and underbody ground-effect aero, the W1 offers up to 2205 pounds of downforce, with 772 pounds over the front and 1433 pounds over the rear wheels. Straight-line performance numbers are impressive, zooming from 0 to 62 mph in 2.7 seconds, 0 to 124 mph in 5.8 seconds, and 0 to 186 mph in less than 12.7 sec. Its top speed is electronically limited to 217 mph.

The W1 is constructed using a carbon fiber monocoque with integral driver and passenger seats. And it’s quite light for a hybrid, with a dry weight of just 3084 pounds (1399 kg). Of course, it’s not a McLaren without billionaire doors. The W1’s “Anhedral” doors are reminiscent of the classic gullwing doors on the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and DeLorean DMC-12 but with McLaren’s modern, curvaceous styling.

Other notable features have been revealed, including Carbon Ceramic Racing+ brakes with massive 15.3-inch discs and forged monobloc calipers. The McLaren Race Active Chassis Control III suspension system is designed to go seamlessly from street driving to racetrack. It has visible titanium and 3D-printed components, which can be seen from the front of the car.

Pricing for the the McLaren W1 starts at £2 million, or about $2.62 million. Just 399 of these very special cars will be produced, and of course, they’ve all been spoken for by billionaire fat cats around the globe.