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McLaren W1, F1 & P1 modern successor, only 399 units on Earth

Welcome McLaren W1, the modern heir to the “1” series models McLaren F1 and P1.

The McLaren W1 is powered by a flat-plane V8 engine with a 90-degree angle and a 4.0-liter twin-turbo twin-turbocharged unit (MHP-8 code) that redlines at 9,200 rpm.

Paired with the 342 hp E-Module borrowed from IndyCar and Formula One, the McLaren W1 is capable of generating a total output of 1,258 hp and 1,340 Nm of torque, mated with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

This makes it the most powerful McLaren supercar ever produced.

Weighing around 1,399 kg, the W1 also boasts the best power-to-weight ratio in its class, at 899 hp/ton.

This power is transferred to the rear wheels to achieve acceleration times of 2.7 seconds (0-100 km/h), 5.8 seconds (200 km/h), and 12.8 seconds (300 km/h) before reaching a top speed of 350 km/h.

The aforementioned E-Module is lighter than the unit found in the P1 model.

The battery pack has a capacity of only 1,384 kWh for emission-free travel up to 2.6 km, which is more than adequate considering the motor and battery are also used for reverse mode.

The active aerodynamic features on the W1 model draw inspiration from their F1 racing machines, with over 350 hours spent in the wind tunnel.

During racing mode, the McLaren W1 can ‘shape-shift’ where the Active Long Tail rear wing can act as an air brake component and DRS wing.

Additionally, the vehicle can be lowered by 37 mm at the front and 17.8 mm at the rear in the same mode.

With active wing systems and Active Chassis Control III, the McLaren W1 is capable of generating up to 350 kg of downforce at the front and 650 kg at the rear, with a total downforce of up to 1,000 kg in high-speed corners.

This 1,399 kg vehicle uses a carbon ceramic brake system with six-piston calipers at the front axle, followed by four-piston calipers at the rear.

Stopping distance is only 29 meters from 100 km/h to standstill, or 100 meters from 200 km/h.

As standard, the McLaren W1 comes equipped with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires sized 265/35 at the front and 335/30 at the rear.

For street use, McLaren offers P Zero R or P Zero Winter 2 tires.

The W1 cabin is equipped with a compact steering wheel, followed by an eight-inch central screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, USB-A and C charging ports, and a small storage space behind the seats.

Only 399 units of the McLaren W1 will be produced, each priced from $2.1 million (RM8.87 million) and all units have already been sold out.

NEWS

McLaren Artura Spider arrives, with 690hp, 0-100 in 3 secs, hardtop opened in 11 secs

Two years ago, McLaren Kuala Lumpur introduced the Artura, the first hybrid supercar from the British sports brand. Today, the model receives a convertible version, the Artura Spider. This new model comes with enhancements involving powertrain, chassis, and aerodynamics aspects, which will also be provided to the coupe version for the 2025 model year.

Firstly, McLaren has redesigned the 3.0-liter V6 hybrid engine to increase power from the previous 680hp to 700hp. Torque remains at 720Nm but with electronic mapping adjustments, it is delivered to the wheels more efficiently. The engine receives assistance from an electric motor placed inside the gearbox. This motor generates 95hp and 225Nm, paired with a 7.4kWh battery providing an electric range of up to 33km.

With recalibrated 8-speed transmission, the Artura Spider can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 3.0 seconds and 0 to 200km/h in 8.4 seconds. Despite being a convertible, it can reach a top speed of 330km/h. McLaren adds that the car also features a new, stiffer engine mount to control powertrain movement, enhancing stability, steering response, and overall vehicle agility.

The Artura Spider uses a hardtop roof that can be opened and closed in 11 seconds with the help of eight electric motors. Despite this, it weighs 1,560kg, only 62kg heavier than the Artura Coupe. To ensure drivers fully enjoy the engine sound when the roof is down, McLaren includes a new exhaust system with retuned resonators and cone-shaped tailpipes.

If that’s not potent enough, customers can also opt for a sport exhaust system offering a clearer tone by directing sound waves from the exhaust into the cabin. Ride and handling are improved by enhancing the Proactive Damping Control system’s response rate by 90 percent, making it more responsive to driver inputs and road surfaces.

For brakes, the Artura Spider features 390mm ceramic carbon discs at the front, 380mm at the rear, each paired with six and four-piston aluminum monobloc calipers. The McLaren Artura Spider can be yours with prices starting from RM3.4 million including duties, before options.

NEWS

McLaren is now fully-owned by Bahrain

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THIS is official, McLaren Group has announced that it has a new owner. The Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the government investment arm of the country, now has full control over the sports car manufacturer.

Previously, Mumtalakat held a 60% stake, which has now been increased to 100%.

Paul Walsh, Chairman of McLaren Group, stated that this change “will help us to be more focused on achieving our long-term business plans.” This includes investments in new products and technologies.

McLaren Automotive is also likely to have the necessary financial support for the development of new models, including electric vehicles.

The supercar manufacturer has faced financial challenges in recent years, and in 2022, it sold some of its historic vehicles to make way for the delayed Artura.

A year earlier, McLaren also sold its headquarters and Formula One factory. The company appointed a new CEO in 2022 and launched the 750S in 2023.

There are rumors indicating that McLaren will unveil their hypercar towards the end of this year. Reportedly, it has been “refined” and is said to feature a V8 plug-in hybrid engine with over 1,000hp.

It is reported that the hypercar will not feature McLaren’s signature dihedral doors but instead will have gullwing doors, in addition to a new carbon fiber chassis and 3D-printed suspension components.

NEWS

McLaren Artura Spider has 700 PS and a hardtop that opens in 11 seconds

THREE years ago, McLaren took the covers off the Artura, its first series-production High Performance Hybrid supercar. Now, the range has been further expanded with the introduction of the convertible version called the Artura Spider.

McLaren says the Spider has significant upgrades over the original model, including more power, more performance and greater driver engagement.

First and foremost, the 3.0-litre V6 hybrid engine has been reworked to bump up the total system output by 20 PS to 700 PS. Torque remains at a healthy 720 Nm but its delivery has been optimised thanks to minor changes to electronic mapping.

The engine is paired with an electric motor housed in the gearbox. The motor generates 95 PS and 225 Nm, and is coupled with a 7.4 kWh capacity battery that provides an electric range of up to 33 km.

With a recalibrated eight-speed transmission, the Artura Spider can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.4 seconds. Despite being a convertible, it can reach a maximum speed of 330 km/h.

The powertrain benefits from new mounts that are tuned to improve control within the chassis. This limits powertrain movement, especially when under load and in turn improves stability, steering feel and overall vehicle agility.

The Artura Spider uses a retractable one-piece hard-top that operates electrically in just 11 seconds, at speeds of up to 50km/h. It has a kerb weight of 1,560 kg, just 62 kg more than the Artura coupe.

To provide a full convertible experience, McLaren has fitted a revised valved exhaust system incorporating a tuned resonator and upward conical shape to the tailpipes to further refine the engine note at the middle and higher points of the rev range.

An optional sports exhaust system is available, should the buyers want an enhanced, clearer tone overall. This system uses an exhaust symposer that channels authentic sound waves from the tailpipe into the cabin.

Ride and handling is enhanced through revised response rates of the Proactive Damping Control suspension system. The rates have been increased by up to 90%, improving reaction to driver input and changes in road surface.

For braking, the Artura Spider utilises carbon ceramic discs measuring 390 mm at the front and 380 mm at the rear. Each are coupled with six- and four-piston aluminum monobloc calipers, respectively.

NEWS

McLaren GTS replaces the GT with more power, less weight

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AFTER nearly five years on the market, the McLaren GT makes way for its replacement, known as the GTS.

The newest offering from Woking boasts a number of enhancements, which cover areas such as the design, equipment, and perhaps more excitingly, performance.

While the overall shape of this grand tourer remains unchanged, the front fascia now incorporates wider, more pronounced air intakes to channel more air into the radiator system.

On the rear fenders, new, taller air scoops sit on the shoulders to enable greater airflow into the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine.

Alongside new colour options such as Mantis Green, Tanzanite Blue and Ice White, the GTS can be had in an exclusive colour called Lava Grey. It incorporates a shimmering red fleck that catches the light to create a distinctive effect.

There are two alloy wheel designs to choose from, both of which can be fitted with titanium bolts said to be 35% lighter than standard bolts. The wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubbers developed specifically for the GTS.

As for the interior, customers can now opt for Softgrain Aniline leather upholstery with double piping and contrast stitching.

In addition to the visual upgrades, McLaren has reduced the weight of the GTS through the use of composite roof and upper structure at the rear, both made of carbon fibre. This makes the car 10 kg lighter, with a kerb weight of 1,520 kg.

With an output of 635 PS, which is 15 PS higher than its predecessor, and 630 Nm of torque, the GTS only takes 3.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h and 8.9 seconds to reach a speed of 200 km/h. The maximum speed is 326 km/h.

Higher output does not necessiate that practicality has to be compromised. In fact, the GTS is more practical than the model it replaces as the lift system can now raise or lower the nose in only four seconds – more than twice as fast as before.

Additionally, the GTS has a boot space of 420 litres accessible via a front-hinged, electrically-operated glass tailgate. It also has a 150-litre storage space within the nose, giving it a total cargo space of 570 litres.

The electro-hydraulic steering system has also been retuned to deliver a more accurate level of feedback. The steering’s level of assistance is also increased at low speeds for easier low-speed manoeuvres.