The mighty W1 is extra than simply an acknowledgment of McLaren’s hypercar previous, it defines the longer term applied sciences for its upcoming vary of fashions.
Have a look at any of the newest supercars, be it the McLaren Artura, the Ferrari 296 GTB, or the not too long ago unveiled Lamborghini Temerario, and also you’ll discover traces of their hyper predecessors. Eleven years in the past, the McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, and the Porsche 918 Spyder laid the muse for the way forward for the trendy supercar. Plug-in hybrids with monstrous energy outputs and infinitely adjustable aero stands out as the norm at present, however in 2013 they have been a rarity. Now, over a decade on, the Woking-based carmaker needs to present us a glimpse of the upcoming ten.
The 2025 McLaren W1 is a direct nod to its predecessors, the P1 and F1. And extra than simply paying tribute to the carmaker’s greats, the W1’s moniker signifies the start of a brand new period for the model. The tech unveiled on this $2.1 million hypercar, of which simply 399 items will ever exist, will encourage the marque’s future fashions.
As such, virtually each part on the 2025 McLaren W1 is new, beginning with its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. Though its displacement is similar to its predecessor’s, it’s an all-new engine designed to work alongside an electrical motor. A lightened block, cylinder heads, aluminum pistons, and new twin-scroll turbochargers spherical out the listing of serious adjustments. By itself, the W1’s V8 generates 916 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque whereas spinning as much as a 9,200-rpm redline. For context, the P1’s complete output, electrical motor and all, maxed out at 903 hp.
The W1 pairs its new V8 with a 342-hp radial flux electrical motor immediately built-in into its eight-speed automated transmission. Apart from bumping its complete energy output to 1,258 hp and 988 lb-ft, it replaces the necessity for a standard starter motor and reverse gear. Like its predecessors, McLaren’s newest sends all its energy to the rear wheels, with the carmaker citing insights from its System 1 workforce to handle traction and energy supply. The result’s a 2.7-second dash to 60 mph and a 5.8-second sprint to 124 mph. 186 mph is handled in 12.7 seconds, whereas its high velocity is electronically restricted to 217 mph.
In contrast to the P1, nevertheless, the McLaren W1 isn’t a standard plug-in hybrid with a usable vary. Its comparatively tiny battery pack holds simply 1.4 kilowatts, permitting it to cowl at most 1.6 miles on electrons alone (the P1 managed 19 miles EPA). As a substitute, the cells used on this utility serve purely efficiency functions. The selection to include a small pack, together with an electrical motor that weighs simply 44 lb, is how the W1 can declare the lightest attainable dry weight of three,084 lb.
The W1 encloses its new powertrain {hardware} in a novel carbon-fiber Aerocell monocoque. It’s distinctive to McLaren’s newest hypercar and incorporates what the carmaker calls its anhedral doorways, aka its new gullwing doorways. The carmaker cites aerodynamic constraints for his or her introduction because of a door hinged on the automobile’s roof permitting for optimized airflow from the entrance arches and into the side-mounted, high-temperature radiators. It additionally doesn’t damage that they’re splendidly theatrical and completely at dwelling in a multi-million greenback hypercar.
Inside, the McLaren W1 debuts built-in seating, primarily chairs carved into the monocoque. By eliminating standard buckets, the carmaker successfully shrinks the W1’s wheelbase by 2.8 inches whereas elevating its footwells. As such, its steering wheel, pedals, and first controls regulate as an alternative. The W1’s wheel is squared-off, that includes simply two buttons: “Enhance” and “McLaren Aero Deployment.” Its digital instrument cluster is mounted to the steering column and strikes with the wheel, making certain legibility. Its powertrain and chassis settings flank it, adjustable through two paddles. In the meantime, the solar visor above it’s now made from carbon fiber and simply 0.1-inch thick.
Just like the P1, the McLaren W1 will doubtless introduce us to the carmaker’s design language for future fashions. It’s distinct, angular, and formed primarily by wind tunnel testing. The W1’s aim to be each a highway and monitor automobile vastly informs its styling. It sits in a low-drag configuration when cruising, aiming to be slippery.
Nevertheless, have interaction race mode, and it squats by 1.5 inches up entrance and 0.7 within the rear. Concurrently, it deploys energetic entrance and rear wings working alongside the downforce generated by its floor impact. Its energetic rear spoiler alone can prolong by 11.8 inches. By incorporating these energetic components, the W1 generates as much as 2,205 lb of downforce, 772 lb coming from the entrance and 1,433 lb from the rear. Nevertheless, its wing can allow a drag discount system whereas doubling as an air brake relying on what’s being demanded.
On the suspension entrance, the McLaren W1 debuts Race Energetic Chassis Management III. It incorporates an inboard damper system to allow the aforementioned Race mode with out spoiling its journey. It contains titanium torsion bars upfront with an energetic heave factor crosslink. Within the rear, it incorporates a Z-bar setup with energetic drop hyperlinks. The W1 introduces this motorsport-inspired suspension setup whereas retaining the hydraulic energy steering system the model is well-known for.
Its customary carbon ceramic brakes measure 15.4 inches up entrance with six-piston calipers. The W1 wears bespoke 265/35 and 335/30 Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS rubber to make use of the extra stopping energy greatest. Nevertheless, P Zero R and P Zero Winter 2 can be found as optionally available extras. Combining these new energy, chassis, and aerodynamic applied sciences, the McLaren W1 laps the carmaker’s Nardo reference monitor three seconds faster than the Senna.
Setting its efficiency apart momentarily, McLaren goals to make the W1 considered one of its most customizable automobiles ever. The marque designed it with customization in thoughts, providing all 399 items nearly limitless choices. One of the fascinating is a brand new materials known as InnoKnit, successfully a knitted-to-fit material that covers the inside in giant items of supplies, decreasing the necessity for seams.
Though manufacturing is because of begin quickly, McLaren states that each one 399 items have bought with a beginning worth of $2.1 million.
This text appeared in our February 2025 Challenge.
Introducing the February 2025 situation of duPont REGISTRY, #477, starring the all-new McLaren W1. To get your palms on a replica, both purchase a single situation or subscribe.
