British automaker reveals fastest road-legal supercar ever

British luxury automaker, McLaren, sets a new benchmark with next-generation supercar that only they could create.

The new McLaren W1 road-legal supercar comes with a hefty price tag, starting at 2 million euros. Picture: McLaren Automotive

The McLaren W1 might share its name with the iconic Holden GTSR W1, but that’s about where the similarities end.

One’s a true-blue Aussie car while the other is a crown jewel of the supercar world.

With a starting price of 2 million pounds, with the final cost pending the MSO personalisation, and a limited run of just 399 cars produced, with all already customer allocated, the W1 is a ticket to an exclusive club that only a handful will ever experience.

Not only is it destined to be one of the most exclusive supercars in the world but it also boasts the title of the fastest lapping and fast accelerating road-legal McLaren ever, out performing the McLaren Senna by 3 seconds.

The W1 looks set to go on sale as part of a new generation of “holy trinity” hypercars by McLaren, Porsche and Ferrari. The McLaren is the first to be unveiled in production form, arriving ahead of a road-going version of the electric Porsche Mission X and a range-topping Ferrari rumoured to be unveiled in coming weeks.

The McLaren W1 encapsulates decades of motorsport and supercar innovation. Picture: McLaren Automotive

McLaren Automotive chief executive officer Michael Leiters describes the W1 as a “celebration of both the excellence of the iconic McLaren F1 and P1 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,” he said.

The W1 is a supercar that encapsulates decades of motorsport and supercar innovation.

The successor to two of the most legendary supercars in the industry - the McLaren F1 and McLaren P1.

The McLaren W1, the successor to two of the most unique supercars in the industry. Picture: McLaren Automotive

At the heart of the W1 is McLaren’s all new MHP-8 V8 hybrid powertrain which produces a staggering 938kW - the highest output ever for a McLaren and greater than core competitors.

McLaren Automotive chief engineer of powertrain Richard Jackson said they designed the W1 to be much more “power-dense” than the previous V8.

“To build the most authentic next-generation supercar requires an all-new powertrain,” he said.

The W1 twin-turbocharged V8 engine offers 682kW, and revs to 9,200rpm, and its electric motor offers 255kW.

With a vehicle weight of 1,399kg - the result is an incredible power-to-weight ratio of 660kW/tonne, the highest of any McLaren supercar.

McLaren Automotive head of attributed and performance and former Formula 1 race engineer Marcus Waite said the “W1 is a supercar that embodies all of the fundamentals of performance”.

The McLaren W1 is the fastest McLaren road-legal supercar. Picture: McLaren Automotive

It is capable of accelerating from 0-200km/h in just 5.8 seconds and hitting 300 km/h in under 12.7 seconds.

The McLaren W1 performance is further enhanced by the Race Active Chassis Control III suspension which adapts seamlessly to road or track conditions.

Drivers can switch between Comfort, Sport and Race modes for optimal control and performance.

It also offers a new 8-speed transmission with E-reverse.

The Formula 1-inspired aerodynamics is clearly the standout innovation.

The development process involved over 350 hours in wind tunnel testing, with 5,000 points evaluated and more than 3,000 CFD simulations conducted, the result - several patent applications.

The McLaren W1 is inspired by Formula 1 aerodynamics and is clearly a standout in innovation. Picture: McLaren Automotive

The W1 includes a bespoke carbon fibre Aerocell monocoque and features McLaren’s signature Anhedral Doors, doors that are vital to the aerodynamics as they allow for optimal airflow from the front wheel arches into the radiators, reducing the size needed to cool the powertrain.

Mclaren’s patented aerodynamic Active Long Tail rear wing which extends rearwards by up to 300mm and boosts speed.

It can lower its ride height by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear in Race mode, deploying up to 1,000kg of downforce.

The vehicle also uses several 3D-printed components to reduce weight and increase performance.

The McLaren W1 offers integrated seats with adjustable steering, pedals and controls for the driver. Picture: McLaren Automotive

McLaren Automotive principal aerodynamics engineer Robin Algoo said the W1 is the “perfect execution of a bold and ambitious aerodynamic philosophy”.

“Thanks to numerous innovations, we have succeeded in incorporating elegantly F1-inspired vortical flow field to an uncompromised road car,” he said.

Inside, you’ll find a unique integrated seating design that saves almost 70mm in wheelbase.

The seats are aided by an adjustable steering wheel, pedals and controls offering the best possible driving position.

The McLaren W1 has a new material called InnoKnit which can personalised to the customer. Picture: McLaren Automotive

McLaren are also offering a new level of customisation is also available, offering bespoke options via McLaren Special Operations (MSO).

A new material is also being offered, InnoKnit can be personalised to multiple colours, textures and shapes, while also being incorporated into the audio and visual elements of the car.

The vehicle comes with a 4 year vehicle warranty, 6 year HV battery warranty and a 4 year service plan.

Originally published as British automaker reveals fastest road-legal supercar ever