Here’s the Reason the McLaren W1 Has a Slower Top Speed Compared to the 33-Year-Old F1.

      McLaren

      The McLaren W1, the brand's new flagship model, was unveiled in 2024 with more than double the power of the F1, which debuted in 1992, although it has a lower top speed. It also does not outperform the P1 in speed. The company clarified that during its development, the emphasis was placed more on driver engagement than on sheer performance numbers.

      The W1 is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 engine that collaborates with an electric motor to deliver 1,275 horsepower and 988 lb-ft of torque. These specifications position it among the most powerful cars available, and at a weight of 3,084 pounds, it is relatively light for a hybrid hypercar. For comparison, the Ferrari F80, which follows up on the LaFerrari, features a 1,184-hp hybrid system and weighs 3,362 pounds.

      Despite boasting an impressive power-to-weight ratio, the W1 has a limited top speed of 217 mph. In contrast, the P1, McLaren's previous hypercar, weighed 3,075 pounds, utilized a 903-hp hybrid powertrain, and also reached 217 mph. The F1, which weighed just 2,513 pounds and had a 618-hp output from its 6.1-liter V12, achieved a top speed of 240 mph. While it might appear that McLaren hasn’t made significant progress in constructing fast cars, the brand clarified that achieving a higher top speed was not a focal point for the W1. Instead, their goal was to create a flagship model that was enjoyable to drive both on roads and tracks.

      “Ultimate top speed—Top Trumps—is not a number that we’re chasing with this product,” said Alex Gibson, the W1’s vehicle line director, in an interview with Autocar. The term “Top Trumps” refers to a card game where the highest-valued card wins. Interestingly, the F1 was featured in one of the Top Trumps car editions, which inaccurately listed many of its specifications.

      Gibson noted that constructing a car capable of achieving 250 or 280 mph would require compromises that McLaren deemed unnecessary. He pointed out that stiffer tire sidewalls could help increase top speed; however, they would reduce daily driving comfort. Additionally, despite the significant horsepower rating, most W1s will likely spend most of their time on public roads rather than racetracks.

      How much faster could the W1 potentially go if the top speed restriction was removed? According to Marcus Waite, McLaren’s head of performance, the increase would be minimal. He explained to Autocar that the speed limiter was set at 217 mph to maintain a balanced performance. “It’s got so many roles to play: to be a car that can accelerate faster than a Speedtail, and that can be quicker around a track than a Senna. We had to find a place that the car settled well,” he concluded.

      McLaren prioritized driver engagement, which is much harder to quantify than horsepower or top speed. This decision explains why, unlike the F80, the W1 features rear-wheel drive. The company believes that all-wheel drive adds unnecessary weight, which would have to be borne even when additional traction isn’t needed, consequently affecting steering feedback. Waite also indicated that the integration of a hydraulic power steering system would not have been feasible if the W1 had a mechanical front axle or a front-mounted electric motor, suggesting that electric power steering was not a viable option.