Amalgam has unveiled an exact scale replica of the McLaren W1 hypercar in 1:8 scale. This news may interest those who were unable to purchase the real car, which costs over $2 million.
Available Alternative
If you were short a few million for a real McLaren W1, there is now an alternative. For approximately $20,000, you can become the owner of its exact replica. Of course, it’s a model the size of a large 80s radio, and it doesn’t drive itself, but it looks exactly like the original.
Art Instead of a Toy
The masters at Amalgam have created not just a model, but a true automotive sculpture. This is not a toy. Development took over 3,000 hours using original CAD data, paint color codes, and material specifications from McLaren. The result is impressive in its detail and accuracy.
Amalgam’s 1:8 Scale McLaren Senna Costs As Much As A New Toyota Corolla
Each model is over 570 mm (22 inches) long, and its hand assembly by the team in Bristol takes over 300 hours. The doors open in a scissor fashion, the rear wing is controlled via a remote control, and the interior meticulously replicates the cabin of the real car.
Standard or Individual Version
There are two options for purchasing this miniature McLaren. The starting specification is finished in Papaya Spark, the color in which the W1 debuted in October 2024. This version is limited to 199 units and costs $19,995. For those seeking uniqueness, a Tailor Made custom order is offered. It precisely reproduces a specific client configuration using McLaren’s factory sheets and costs from $27,995.
Value as a Collectible Object
The price of the model may seem high for an object you cannot drive. However, compared to the million-dollar cost of the real McLaren W1, produced in a limited series of 399 units, it no longer seems so significant, especially for those who already own the real car. It all depends on the point of view.
Amalgam notes that such models are increasingly considered part of a car’s history. Collectors treat them as a physical record of the production process, placing them alongside original documentation and luggage sets. In some cases, the models themselves become alternative investments. That is, a coffee table decoration may appreciate in value over time.
The emergence of such highly detailed models opens a new dimension for car enthusiasts and collectors. These are no longer souvenirs, but serious artifacts illustrating the peak of engineering thought and design. They allow not only viewing but also physically feeling the forms and solutions hidden in exclusive cars, access to which is limited to a select few. The market for collectible models imitating the auto industry demonstrates how the perception of value is changing: from functionality to art, history, and investment potential.