McLaren W1 world premiere: McLaren’s latest ultimate supercar

McLaren has just released all the details and images of its new ultimate supercar: the McLaren W1. With 1,285 horsepower, 988 pound-feet of torque, a curb weight of 3,200 pounds and a top speed of 217 miles per hour, the W1 represents a new dimension of performance for both McLaren and the supercar segment.

This level of McLaren supercar doesn’t happen every day or even every decade. The first time this happened was in 1992 when the legendary McLaren F1 was introduced. The F1 produced over 600 horsepower and weighed less than 2,800 pounds, requiring the engine to move about 4.5 pounds for every horsepower, and had the best power-to-weight ratio of any road-legal supercar at the time. Due to its performance and the location of the central driver’s seat, it remains a unique automobile, with only about 100 examples made.

The next time McLaren introduced an ultimate “1” model was in 2013, when the P1 supercar entered production. The P1 used a hybrid powertrain and produced 903 horsepower while weighing about 3,400 pounds. While curb weight increased by about 25 percent compared to the F1, the P1 also gained about 50 percent horsepower, giving it an even better power-to-weight ratio. The P1 only needs to drive about 3.6 pounds for each of those 903 horsepower.

Now comes the McLaren W1. The basic specs: 1,258 horsepower, 988 pound-feet of torque, a curb weight of about 3,200 pounds and a power-to-weight ratio of about 2.5 pounds per horsepower suggest breathtaking performance. McLaren says 0-60 will take 2.7 seconds, 0-124 5.8 seconds and 0-186 12.7 seconds. The W1’s top speed is 217 miles per hour. The W1 is also said to offer over 2,200 pounds of downforce when traveling at 174 miles per hour.

This downforce comes from a combination of aggressive aerodynamics and a ride height that drops 1.46 inches at the front and 0.7 inches at the rear when the car is put into race mode. The W1 also features a McLaren Active Long Tail rear wing that extends up to 11.8 inches rearward to aid downforce.

The W1’s powertrain starts with a 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 916 horsepower. The engine is stripped down to a 44-pound radial-flow “e-motor” that produces 342 horsepower. I saw one of these electric motors in person at the McLaren Artura press launch last year and believe me, the level of power and torque that this disc brake-sized module produces is truly astounding. A 1.38 kWh battery powers the electric motor, and McLaren says the hybrid components in the W1 have been reduced by 88 pounds compared to the P1 while delivering twice the power.

Speaking of performance: The W1 transfers all of its power to the rear wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Forgoing the W1’s all-wheel drive probably costs it a few tenths in 0-60 and quarter-mile acceleration, but it also saves weight and improves steering feel. That perhaps brings up the exciting aspect of the W1. Far more exciting than the horsepower or power-to-weight ratio, at least from my point of view: hydraulically assisted steering! Thanks McLaren!

The design of the W1 is clearly reminiscent of a McLaren without looking like any other McLaren. That’s the ideal balance that an automaker, especially a supercar maker, should strive for. says the W1 will start at $2.1 million and only 399 W1s will be produced. The company also informed us that all 399 W1s have already been taken.

The W1’s style, performance and advanced technology appear to be in line with its two predecessors in redefining street-legal performance. I look forward to seeing them on the road next year.