McLaren’s W1 supercar arrives with a 1,258-hp V8 hybrid powertrain and F1-inspired technology

McLaren has launched the successor to its iconic F1 and P1 supercars: the W1.

Built “in the world championship spirit of McLaren,” the W1 Hybrid arrives with a number of Formula 1-inspired touches and next-level technology designed to help it go as fast as possible.

Limited to just 399 vehicles, the W1 will cost £2 million in the UK and all models are, according to McLaren, already allocated to owners. The car’s release date – October 6, 2024 – coincides with the 50th anniversary of McLaren’s first Formula 1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships with Emerson Fittipaldi at the wheel.

A 4.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine is combined with McLaren’s E-module electric motor and battery pack to develop a total of 1,258 hp that is sent to the rear wheels only. Combined with a low weight of 1,399 kg, it allows the W1 to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds and reach an electronically limited speed of 217 km/h. In fact, McLaren claims it will only take 5.8 seconds for the W1 to reach 124 mph from a dead stop. This is the W1 McLaren’s fastest road car to date.

The small 1,384 kWh battery is also enough to allow the W1 to travel 1.6 miles on electric power alone.

Thanks to F1-inspired ground effect aerodynamics, the W1 can go from a road to track-focused setup in an instant, lowering the ride height by 37mm at the front and 17 mm at the rear. In this mode, McLaren claims the W1 can generate up to 1,000kg of downforce. A clever “Active Long Tail” rear wing can also extend rearward by 300mm.

As with previous McLaren models, the W1 retains a hydraulic steering and braking system to ensure maximum driver feel, while the special seating position gives the person behind the wheel a magnificent view of the area ahead. The doors are also McLaren’s first Anhedral-type units, with a design that sees both sides only hinged from the roof. This helps the W1 maintain its aerodynamic efficiency.