- McLaren W1 hypercar is successor to the P1
- “W” in the name stands for McLaren’s World Championship mentality
- Plug-in hybrid powertrain features flat-plane crank V-8 engine and 1,258 horsepower of total system power
- Pricing starts at $2.1 million
A new hypercar seems to appear every few months, but McLaren’s new W1 is a different breed.
W1 is the successor to P1one of the original hypercars of the holy trinity launched a decade ago and which included the equally iconic Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder.
It is known that Ferrari is working on a successor to the LaFerrariwhile Porsche is still considering what path to take for the 918 Spyder’s successor, although the automaker has already toyed with the idea of an electric hypercar with last year’s reveal Mission Concept.
McLaren took the gamble and launched its successor first, and the improvement in performance over the P1 is significant.
The W1 follows a similar path to the P1, combining a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with an electric motor in a plug-in hybrid configuration. Traction goes only to the rear wheels, via an electronic differential. The V-8 is a newly developed design with a flat crankshaft and a 9,200 rpm limit. It delivers 916 hp alone, or 13 hp more than the total power of the P1. The mid-mounted unit also sits at a 3-degree tilt to accommodate the W1’s massive diffuser at the rear.
The W1’s electric motor, a radial-flow design chosen for its compact, high-power properties, adds 342 hp to bring total power to 1,258 hp, or more than any previous McLaren. The electric motor is mounted on the side of the transmission, in this case an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic, with its torque fed into the transmission downstream of the clutches. This allows the W1 to deliver combined torque from the V-8 engine and electric motor of 988 lb-ft to the input shaft, McLaren says.
The electric motor draws power from a 1,384 kWh battery located in the vehicle’s floor to help lower the center of gravity. The battery’s small size means weight is kept low, although electric range is severely limited, coming in at just 2.5 kilometers.
The powertrain has its own modes in addition to the W1’s standard driving modes. There is a Boost mode that provides a temporary increase in total electrical power, which, as in Formula 1 racing, can help the driver during overtaking or corner exit. There are also GP and Sprint modes. The GP offers consistent power for longer track sessions, while the Sprint takes things to the max for a fast lap.
McLaren W1
The W1 needs just 2.7 seconds to reach 60 mph from rest, 5.8 seconds to reach 190 mph and 12.7 seconds to reach 186 mph, according to McLaren. Top speed is set at 217 mph.
The W1 weighs 3,084 pounds (dry), which is helped by lightweight construction that includes a newly developed carbon fiber tub called Aerocell. The front of the tub sits higher than normal to integrate lower front suspension brackets. This eliminated the need for a front subframe, helping to save weight and allowing airflow under the car to be optimised.
The taller front of the tub means the driver and passenger sit with their feet raised, a similar position to what you’d find in an F1 race car. In the W1, the seats are mounted directly to the tub to save even more weight, and finding the correct driving position is achieved by adjusting the position of the pedals.
McLaren fans will notice that the W1 swaps the brand’s traditional butterfly doors for a gullwing design. McLaren said the gull wings were chosen for their aerodynamic benefits, as they allow air leaving the front fenders to flow unimpeded into the rear fender inlets and reach the internal radiators. Gull wings also improve entry and exit.
McLaren W1
Moving to the rear, the design takes inspiration from the P1 and introduces a new active wing concept, which, like the P1, also functions as an air brake. McLaren calls the new wing the McLaren Active Long Tail, as the wing is capable of extending rearwards by up to 11.8 inches, resulting in extra downforce. When the car is configured in McLaren Race mode, which reduces ride height by 1.5 inches at the front and 0.7 inches at the rear, and activates the active wings at the front as well as extending the rear wing, maximum downforce of 2,205 pounds is generated.
McLaren Race mode also stiffens the suspension, which, like the aerodynamics, is inspired by F1 racing. It employs rods that connect to internal shock absorbers and also integrates torsion bars and lift shock absorbers. In the quest to reduce weight, certain components, such as the front pillars and wishbones, were 3D printed using technology from America’s Divergent 3D.
Stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic brake rotors in addition to the air brake mentioned above. The rotors feature an additional ceramic layer that McLaren says improves durability and allows the use of higher friction pads. According to the automaker, the W1 needs just 95 feet to stop from 62 mph and 328 feet to stop from 190 mph. The rotors are activated with six-piston monobloc calipers at the front and four-piston at the rear.
Brakes reside on 19-inch wheels at the front and 20-inch wheels at the rear. These wheels come wrapped in Pirelli tires, measuring 265/35 at the front and 335/30 at the rear. Pirelli’s OP Zero Trofeo RS is standard, but serious track riders can opt for the P Zero R tires. A winter tire is also available.
McLaren W1
Lifting the gullwing doors reveals recesses in the roof, as well as a lower front void space for easier entry into the cabin. Glazed sections in the rear three-quarter view of the roof and optionally at the top of the doors provide an airy feel to the interior.
The cabin design is relatively spartan, with only upholstery for the seats and some fabrics used to cover the carbon fiber surfaces that form part of the center tub. Even the sun visors are designed with lightness in mind; Made from carbon fiber, they are just 0.1 inch thick. A steering wheel with a flat bottom and top greets the driver and features a gear shift indicator light. The only buttons on the steering wheel – of which there are two – control the powertrain boost mode and active aerodynamics.
Other controls are also within the driver’s reach, including the infotainment system’s 8.0-inch touchscreen, which features a portrait layout and faces the driver. The system supports Apple CarPlay and has multiple USB ports.
Pricing for the W1 starts at around $2.1 million and McLaren will build a total of 399 examples. Deliveries begin in 2026 and all construction slots are already allocated, according to the automaker.