Presentation and Design
A year has passed since the successor to the legendary P1 first revealed itself. Known as the W1, McLaren’s newest hypercar directly competes with the Ferrari F80, and although no one outside the factory has yet had the opportunity to test it, it seems destined for an extremely high level of performance.
Despite this, we cannot say that we were thrilled with its design, especially considering how good the P1 looks 12 years after its launch. However, after watching the new video of the W1, we might be starting to get used to it.
Track Testing
This video was recently published on McLaren’s YouTube channel and shows the W1 during dynamic testing at Silverstone circuit driven by test pilot Gareth Howell.
The car used for these tests bears the designation VP1532 – it is a development prototype, completely devoid of the camouflage that was on any W1 shown earlier this year. The exterior is executed in a combination of dark purple, black colors and carbon fiber accents.
It may not possess the timeless beauty of the P1, but it looks even more purposeful, largely thanks to the massive wing extending from the rear.
Technical Specifications
According to McLaren, the W1 is being honed on some of the most demanding tracks in the world, which is expected, as the company from Woking aims to win in the new chapter of the hypercar war.
When it was first announced, the company stated that deliveries of the new W1 to clients would begin in early 2026. However, no further information has been provided since then.
Performance
In terms of performance, the W1 seems ready to offer significantly more power compared to the P1. Using the latest version of the 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 engine and an electric motor, it produces 1258 hp and 988 lb-ft (1340 Nm) of torque. McLaren reports that it can accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.7 seconds and to 124 mph (200 km/h) in just 5.8 seconds.
Such figures are impressive on their own, but even more so when considering that the car delivers all its power only to the rear wheels. In contrast, the all-wheel-drive Ferrari F80 distributes power to all four wheels, making the W1’s approach even more impressive.
The increase in power and the ability to manage it only through rear-wheel drive indicate significant achievements in stability control technology and aerodynamics. This could set a new standard for hypercars, where not only raw performance figures become important, but also how this power is used on the track.