McLaren W1 supercar to be unveiled on Oct 6

LONDON: McLaren Automotive confirmed on Friday the successor to the iconic F1, and P1 supercar would be called W1.

The W1 name celebrates McLaren’s World Championship mindset, with the public reveal date marking the 50th anniversary of McLaren winning its first Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship, and Emerson Fittipaldi winning the 1974 World Drivers’ Championship with McLaren.

The W1 would make its world premiere on Oct 6.

“The McLaren W1 is defined by real supercar principles and is the ultimate expression of a McLaren supercar," said McLaren Automotive CEO Michael Leiters.


"Born of our rich racing history and World Championship mindset, W1 pushes the boundaries of performance and is worthy of the ‘1’ name. Like its predecessors the F1 and P1, W1 defines the rulebook of a real supercar.”

To whet the appetite of the moneyed, Automotive News reported that its sources have revealed the W1 is a hybrid that uses an all-new V8 engine coupled to a lightweight battery to produce some 1,200hp.

Sources have said the W1 would be a mix of the Senna and P1. It is also said to have a roof air intake like the P1 to swallow more oxygen to produce more power. In addition, active shutters near the headlights improve aerodynamics.

Fewer than 400 units of the W1 would be made and it's expected to cost US$2.2 million (RM9mil) to own.