Viewpoint: This is the new McLaren W1; the 1,275bhp, Formula 1-inspired hypercar with one hell of a family tree

Here it is: The brand-new McLaren W1 (Photo credit - McLaren Press Room)

This is the all-new McLaren W1; the Woking manufacturer's latest out-and-out, 'let's see what we can really do' Ultimate Series flagship, boasting an all-new powertrain, F1-derived technology seldom seen on a road car before, and, for the first time on a McLaren, Gullwing doors. More than that, though, the W1 is only the third ever '1' series model in McLaren's history, meaning that the new kid on the block has some very, very large shoes to fill.

This is because McLaren have previously only reserved the '1' model designation for their really, really special cars; the cars that, simply put, are able to define the future of the company upon release - an event that has only happened twice before. Therefore, the W1 is in the unique position where its predecessors happen to be two of the most legendary cars of all time: The F1 and P1. This can be seen as either a blessing or a curse; a blessing in that, in terms of heritage, the W1 could not wish for anything better. But, this also comes with its downsides - with such a legendary family tree, the W1 will be carrying a weight of expectation atop its sculpted haunches equating to nothing short of perfection. So, will it be?

The '1' Series family, with F1, P1, and now, W1. Can it live up to the name? (Image credit - McLaren Press Room)

Well, there's certainly a lot to unpack, but things definitely look promising after a delve into the numbers. For starters, the W1 will be debuting an all-new powerplant; dubbed the MHP-8, the new engine retains the same configuration as we've come to expect from McLaren, being a 4-litre, twin-turbo V8, mated to an 8-speed transmission . However, this is where the similarities end. Utilising features such as a lightweight block and cylinder heads, aluminium-forged pistons, a set of twin-scroll turbochargers, a 350bar Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) system and port fuel injection, the MHP-8 is capable of producing 930bhp all on its own - or, if you'd prefer, 233bhp per litre. Also, thanks to the MHP-8 being designed as a flat-plane crank V8, as opposed to a cross-plane crank, the W1's crankshaft doesn't need any large and ungainly counterweights attached to it - meaning a smaller size, less inertia, and ultimately, faster revs. This is helpful, as the W1, due to plasma-coated cylinder bores, can rev up to 9,200 rpm - so hearing that presumably amazing redline will take no time at all.

The W1 and its new 'Anhedral' doors - or Gullwings, to you and I (Photo credit - McLaren Press Room)

However, the W1 also employs the services of a 350bhp, motorsport-derived E-Module in addition to its shiny new V8 - bringing the total output to 1275bhp and 1340Nm, making the W1 the most powerful McLaren road car ever. Weighing 20kg, the E-Module, which revs to 24,000 RPM, produces 23PS/kg, which McLaren says is directly comparable to F1 e-motors. As well as allowing the W1 to be driven on electric-only mode for up to 2km, the E-Module increases throttle-response and is located as low as possible within the W1's carbon tub for the sake of it's centre of gravity. Oh, and speaking of the carbon tub, the W1's lightweight construction also extends to hybrid components that are 40% lighter than those found on the P1, and key suspension components that are made out of 3D-printed titanium, which help to contribute towards a total dry weight of 1,399kg - only 4 kg heavier than the P1 - and a power-to-weight ratio of 911bhp/tonne.

Therefore, as you would imagine with a combined 1275bhp, and a body that weighs just 30kg more than the latest Mini Cooper S (seriously), the W1 possesses some pretty alarming performance figures. 0-60 will happen in 2.7 seconds, which isn't all too impressive today, but 0-200 km/h in 5.8 seconds, and 0-300 in less than 13, definitely are. In fact, its very hard to even comprehend just how fast those last two figures are, but let me try: the W1 will hit 124 mph in the same time a 2024 Honda Civic Type R will take to do half that. Wild.

The W1 uses several all-new major components, including the new MHP-8 powerplant, and the Aerocell monocoque that facilitates ground affect and allows the W1 to be very aerodynamic (Photo credit - McLaren Press Room)

To be a successful '1' Series car, though, out-and-out performance isn't quite enough, as every McLaren has a focus on speed. Instead, the W1 has to be innovative as well as stomach-churningly fast to warrant it's inclusion into McLaren's most exclusive club - but, don't worry , as the W1 has innovation covered, too. For instance, as mentioned before, the W1 is the first McLaren ever to use 'Anhedral' - or Gullwing, to you and I - doors, due to the aero benefits of having hinges attached only from the roof. This, in conjunction with the W1's unique 'Aerocell' monocoque, makes its aerodynamic platform 'the most advanced ever in a McLaren road car.'

The Aerocell may be aerodynamic on the surfaces where you can see, but it's another story entirely on the surfaces that you can't. This is because the monocoque for the W1 was designed from the outset to facilitate 'full ground affect aerodynamics' underneath the car, inspired by past McLaren racers in Can Am and Formula 1. In Race Mode, the front of the car lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear thanks to McLaren's new Race Active Chassis Control III suspension, and in conjunction with the lowered ride height, the sculpted, chiselled underbody aero and the active front and rear wings - features that are said to be 'amongst the most advanced ever in a road-legal McLaren' - the W1 can produce a staggering total of 1000kg of downforce. The result? The W1 was able to lap McLaren's Nardo reference circuit 3 seconds a lap faster than even the Senna.

McLaren's new 'Active Long Tail' rear spoiler in its Race Mode setting, where it will extend by 300mm (Photo credit - McLaren Press Room)

The active wings on the W1 are worth talking about further - especially the rear one. McLaren calls it the 'Active Long Tail' rear wing, and it is capable of extending by 300 mm outwards behind the rear of the car, while also functioning as an airbrake and even allowing for a formula 1-esque DRS mode to be deployed if 1275bhp isn't enough to satisfy. It also looks ridiculously cool too, which is always helpful on a hypercar. In terms of drama, the W1 certainly doesn't lack any.

Speaking of which: the looks. This was always going to be one of the W1's main struggles, given how highly its predecessors are regarded; the F1 demonstrates Gordon Murray design genius and simplicity, whereas the P1 still looks spectacular and contemporary now, not ageing a day since it was unveiled 11 years ago. No pressure for the W1, then. Well, I'm not going to say I like it more than the other two, but I'm immediately a huge fan of the way the W1 looks. The front end is sharp and angular in comparison to the smiley P1 that came before, while the lines get progressively more flowing and sculpted towards the rear - aero was clearly the top priority, but the design language has remained elegant rather than being crazily aggressive, like that of the Senna. I think there is more than a hint of P1 in the side profile, which is no bad thing, and special shout outs go to the partially exposed rear wheels that bring pure motorsport vibes to the design, as well as the spectacular Active Long Tail. Overall, I think the W1 is a very, very good looking thing, while also fitting the bill for a '1' series car, as it doesn't quite look like any other McLaren that has come before it - while still being recognisable as a McLaren at the same time.

With exposed rear wheels and the dramatic Active Long Tail spoiler, the rear of the W1 looks amazing (Photo credit - McLaren Press Room)

What else is there to say about the W1? The interior deserves a mention, as it has been uniquely designed around the carbon tub, so the seats are fixed and instead the pedals and wheel move towards you to create the perfect driving position - which, being a McLaren, really will be perfect. McLaren have also promised fantastic driver ergonomics and visibility from the W1, and have even introduced a new interior material called InnoKnit, that has 'virtually unlimited' bespoke options, courtesy of a visit to the MSO office in the MTC, of course. Expect a similarly unlimited selection of other options, too, from a colour palette that extends to basically anything you want, to maybe even the option of having your W1 with no paint over it's carbon body at all. However, options will presumably come at a price; especially given that the W1 starts at £2 million. Ouch. Oh, McLaren have also specified that the W1 - and I'm not joking - comes with a 6 year warranty on its hybrid system. So, if that sways your opinion on whether or not to go for one, then there you go. Good luck if you have only now made up your mind, though; only 399 units of the W1 are to be produced, and every single one is already accounted for.

The W1's interior is 'integrated' into the Aerocell Monocoque. Looks particularly good in Macchina Media Orange (Photo Credit - McLaren Press Room)

Where does this leave us, then? Well, to be completely honest, I was sceptical about the W1, and whether it would be able to live up to the legacies of the rest of the '1' series family. Afterall, the F1 is undeniably an icon and, to many, the greatest car ever built, and the P1 is a masterpiece that will forever be a personal favourite of mine. However...I was so wrong to doubt McLaren, as now, at first glance, I really do think the W1 deserves to be included amongst such sacred company. The main things it had to achieve to be a worthy '1' series car - look amazing, be insanely fast but also be innovative and set a precedent for the next generation of McLarens to follow - are all checked. It does look amazing. It is insanely fast. It definitely is innovative. And, much like the P1 before it, I can see many of the features it pioneers ending up in future, more accessible McLarens down the line. Of course, the biggest test for the W1 will be when people actually drive it, hopefully back-to-back with the F1 and P1, which would be a truly epic group test. However, right now, the W1 (on paper, at least) looks set to carry the '1' Series legacy into a very fast, innovative and exciting future, with a 1,275bhp, 9,000rpm V8 screamer as its soundtrack. As a result, I think that the W1 will be able to do its family proud.

The W1 has a huge weight of expectation upon its haunches. It looks as though it'll be more than capable of meeting them (Photo credit - McLaren Press Room)

Photo credit and information source: New McLaren W1: the real supercar | Releases | Official Media Site NEWSROOM