McLaren’s new W1 hypercar, debuting October 6, promises cutting-edge performance and celebrates 50 years of the brand’s first F1 Constructors’ Championship win.
McLaren has finally announced its latest hypercar—the W1—set to make its debut on October 6. The W1 will be McLaren’s new halo car, following in the footsteps of the iconic P1 and the 1990s-era F1.
As McLaren CEO Michael Leiters explains, “The McLaren W1 embodies true supercar principles, representing the pinnacle of our engineering and racing heritage. Born from our rich racing history and World Championship mindset, W1 redefines performance and is truly worthy of the ‘1’ moniker. Just like the F1 and P1, the W1 sets a new benchmark for what a real supercar should be.”
While McLaren has kept most of the details about the W1 under wraps, they have revealed that the name “W” celebrates the brand’s World Championship mindset. The public unveiling of the W1 coincides with the 50th anniversary of McLaren’s first Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship and Emerson Fittipaldi’s 1974 World Drivers’ Championship win with McLaren—hence the significance of the “W” name.
As for the technical aspects, the new W1 is expected to push the boundaries of performance, and its layout could draw inspiration from the P1. The P1 used a twin-turbo V8 and a hybrid system, delivering 903 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque—numbers that, while impressive, have since been surpassed by today’s hypercars. Even McLaren’s current offerings, like the 750S, boast outputs of 740 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.
The W1 is expected to feature further hybridization, potentially incorporating electric assistance on the front axle—a departure from the P1 and F1, which were both rear-wheel drive. The new hypercar’s power output could well exceed four figures, combining extreme weight reduction and advanced aerodynamics. Movable wings, dive planes, and other active aerodynamic elements are likely, building on the P1’s active rear wing and suspension system that could lower the car for enhanced handling.
More details will be revealed on October 6, when McLaren officially unveils the W1—an exciting moment for supercar enthusiasts around the world.
