Yahoo Autos 1258-HP McLaren W1 Is the P1 Successor and Most Powerful McLaren Ever
The 2026 McLaren W1 is the brand's latest halo model, an homage to the F1 and P1 models that came before it.
The plug-in-hybrid hypercar has a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 paired with an electric motor, which together produce 1258 horsepower.
The W1 also features aero elements developed from McLaren's Formula 1 racing program and can provide up to a claimed 2205 pounds of downforce.
McLaren has a history of building boundary-pushing performance machines, as evidenced by the iconic F1 and the hybrid P1. The new McLaren W1's arrival marks the latest entry into the brand's legendary 1 series. Packing 1258 horsepower, the plug-in-hybrid W1 is the most powerful McLaren ever. Like its P1 predecessor, the W1 will be built in extremely limited quantities—just 399 total—and they're all already spoken for.
McLaren has pulled out all the stops to give the W1 impressive performance chops. In addition to its sky-high horsepower figure, the company has adopted technology from its Formula 1 racing program to improve handling and high-speed stability. Its active aerodynamic elements include a rear wing that extends backward by 11.8 inches, adding up to a claimed 2205 pounds of downforce. A Race drive mode activates the W1's most aggressive setup, lowering the front suspension by 1.5 inches and the rear by 0.7 inch to put the car as close to the track surface as possible. We think the W1 will weigh around 3300 pounds in its lightest form, creating what McLaren claims to be a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio.
Plug-In-Hybrid Power
The W1's twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 is a new engine for McLaren. The power-dense powerplant features a flat-plane-crank design, revs to 9200 rpm, and produces 916 horsepower on its own. The gas engine is coupled with a 342-hp radial-flux electric motor, and together they make 1258 horsepower and 988 pound-feet of torque. That's sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and an electronically controlled differential; there's no all-wheel drive here. McLaren says the W1 can hit 60 mph in as little as 2.7 seconds and 186 mph comes up in under 12.7 seconds. We should point out that the 671-hp McLaren Artura raced to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. The latter time is said to be quicker than the McLaren Speedtail. Oh, and the new car tops out at 217 mph.
A small 1.4-kWh battery provides power to the e-motor. McLaren claims the Level 2 onboard charger can take the battery to 80 percent in 22 minutes. Despite a short electric-only range of about two miles, this PHEV is focused on maximum acceleration performance. McLaren has taken some surprising steps to save weight too. For instance, there's no alternator or starter motor in the W1's engine bay, as those duties are handled by the hybrid system's electric motor.
Chassis Magic
Extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the W1's construction also helps to save weight. An active suspension system called Race Active Chassis Control III comes standard and features Comfort, Sport, and Race driving modes, all with varying levels of suspension stiffness and steering feel.
McLaren says the front suspension features titanium bars as well as 3-D-printed uprights and control arms, the latter of which is designed to save even more weight. The rear suspension's heave bar features active links for precise control. The W1 has 15.4-inch carbon-ceramic brake rotors at all four corners. The front discs are pinched by forged monoblock six-piston calipers, and the rears are clamped by four-piston units. A set of 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are wrapped with standard Pirelli P Zero R tires, and they can be swapped for stickier Trofeo RS rubber.
Track Time
While the W1 is a road-going hypercar, it has been developed with racing in mind. McLaren says the W1 has lapped its Nardo reference circuit an entire three seconds quicker than the Senna, the company's most recent lightweight supercar.
In Race mode, two powertrain settings are provided: GP and Sprint. While Sprint engages maximum performance of the e-motor for one lap—think qualifying—the GP setting is said to deliver consistent, repeatable performance for the duration of a race by balancing the energy deployment and harvesting of the electric motor. The W1's racing-inspired steering wheel has two buttons, one that boosts acceleration for a short time and one that temporarily reduces drag by adjusting the rear wing.
Inside Story
The two-seat cockpit is rather spartan, but it doesn't look like it will be a penalty box should you decide to take the W1 on a long drive. The seats are fixed in their position, but the driver can adjust the location of the pedals for comfort. Lightweight upholstery called InnoKnit covers most of the interior surfaces and comes in several colors and textures which can be customized through McLaren's MSO personalization program.
An 8.0-inch touchscreen on the dashboard features Apple CarPlay and both USB-C and USB-A ports are provided for device connectivity and charging. A Bowers & Wilkins stereo system is also available. McLaren says the four cubic-foot luggage shelf behind the seats can accommodate two weekend bags or two racing helmets. Hopefully, the W1's 399 lucky owners are light packers.
They're certainly no lightweights when it comes to spending money, though, as the W1's base price starts at a lofty $2.1 million. Customization through the McLaren MSO program will certainly add an extra chunk of cash to that outlay, but with a car as rare and as performance-oriented as the W1, we suspect many buyers will be happy to pay extra to make it their own.
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