The British marque, McLaren has once again locked up their engineers in an ultrasonic hyper mind chamber, brainstormed and developed another hyper car to rival their already bonkers line-up of the McLaren P1 and the legendary F1. Dubbed the W1, this hypercar is the successor to the aforementioned P1 and F1 in McLaren’s “1” lineage car models.
The W1 comes 10 –years removed from the introduction of the McLaren P1, a car that blew the mind of all motoring journalist in the world and from the press release, seems like the W1 is about to up the tempo set by the previous models by producing the highest horsepower per liter at 230bhp and a monstrous 9,200rpm rev limit.
The W1 Debuts An All New Hybrid Powertrain Unit
Unlike the McLaren F1, the car that started the brand’s supercar philosophy, all its successors have been powered by a hybrid powertrain instead of the 60-degree V12 raw internal combustion engine fitted in the F1. At the center of the W1 sits a new MHP -8 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine coupled with a new E-module radial flux electric motor and motor control unit. Power from both engines is delivered via an 8-speed transmission with E-reverse.
As individual units, the internal combustion V-8 engine produces 916bhp whiles the electric motor adds 342bhp for a combine power output of 1,258bhp, the highest horsepower vehicle ever produces by the British marque. McLaren says the W1 can sprint from 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds, 0–124mph in 5.8 seconds and 186mph in less than 12.7 seconds, impressive performance considering all 1,258 hp is directed to only the rear wheels. Unfortunately the W1 is electronically limited to a top speed of 217mph.
The W1 electric motor is powered by a 1.384kWh battery capable of delivering drive in electric only mode for a distance of just 2km (1.24 miles) and can be charged from 0 to 80 percent via McLaren’s onboard charger in just 22 minutes.
Motorsports Inspired aerodynamics
The 1 series supercars are synonymous for incorporating advance aerodynamics from the world of formula 1 to help improve down force performance. The McLaren W1 follows suite with over 350 hours of wind tunnel sessions designing the perfect curvature that results to a mammoth 2,205lbs (1000 kg) of downforce.
One of the core aerodynamic elements of the W1 is its active long tail rear wing that’s controlled by six electric actuators. The lower profile designed of the wing helps the W1 generate 20 percent less drag than McLaren Senna in DRS configuration.
According to Robin Algoo, McLaren Principal Aerodynamics Engineer, “The McLaren W1 is the perfect execution of a bold and ambitious aerodynamic philosophy that delivers impressive lap times through not only high downforce but optimal aerodynamic behavior and active control….”
Owning a McLaren hypercar doesn’t come cheap; the W1 will set customers back a cool $2.1 million (33,395,565.00 Ghanaian cedi). For many customers, it’s too late to put your name down for the car as all 399 units have already been spoken for, better luck next time I guess.
