by McLaren has published photos and videos of its W1 model undergoing testing in the Arctic Circle. The hybrid V8 engine, producing 1,258 hp and 988 lb-ft, is the most powerful production car from McLaren. The W1 model can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds and reach 200 km/h in 5.8 seconds. We haven’t heard much about the McLaren W1 since its debut last fall, but despite the P1 successor not making headlines, the team at Woking is still working on it. The British brand has just released a video and a set of photos showing the W1 undergoing winter testing in preparation for its market launch at a very unfavorable time.
Scandinavian snow and frost are not the best conditions to demonstrate acceleration, braking, and enhanced stability of the W1, which was designed for dry tracks. However, it’s a great way to fine-tune traction and stability control systems. Unlike some competitors, McLaren has decided to keep the W1 rear-wheel drive, avoiding an all-wheel-drive setup. Yet, with paired Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 tires, proper stability and torque distribution settings, testers managed to impress with the W1’s speed on snowy tracks. The cold conditions also help test the durability of the engine, transmission, electrical system, and hybrid battery, and engineers checked the impact of compacted snow on the cooling system, which most W1 owners won’t need to worry about.
Despite McLaren’s claims that the W1 is its fastest production car, some enthusiasts express disappointment that the W1 doesn’t represent a radical leap in innovation compared to what was launched ten years ago. But the situation worsened for the W1 in December when Aston Martin unveiled the Valhalla. Indeed, the W1 is more exclusive, as McLaren has promised to produce only 399 units, compared to Aston’s 999, and the W1’s hybrid V8 with 1,258 hp and 988 lb-ft outperforms the Valhalla’s V8, which has two electric motors and produces 1,064 hp and 811 lb-ft. However, the W1’s 0-100 km/h time of 2.7 seconds falls short of the Aston’s, and then there’s the price. The W1 costs $2.1 million before taxes, twice as much as the Valhalla, priced at $1.1 million.
Which of these two hypercars would you choose?
