The Most Potent McLaren to Date Reveals Its True Character | Carscoops

      As we approach early 2026, when the W1's deliveries are set to begin, McLaren showcased its newest hypercar being tested at Silverstone.

      The company is putting the W1 through rigorous testing at challenging tracks around the globe, including Silverstone. This prototype features a sleek design with dark purple, black, and visible carbon fiber elements.

      It is powered by a twin-turbo V8 paired with an electric motor, generating a total of 1,258 horsepower.

      It has been a year since the eagerly awaited successor to the iconic P1 was unveiled. The W1, McLaren's latest hypercar, is designed to compete directly with Ferrari's F80, and while no one outside the factory has had the opportunity to drive it yet, it appears poised to deliver remarkable performance.

      However, we can't say we've been particularly impressed by its design, especially when compared to the timeless allure of the P1, which still looks fantastic 12 years after its introduction. That said, after viewing this new footage of the W1, we might start to appreciate it more.

      The track debut at Silverstone is captured in a recent video posted to McLaren's YouTube channel, displaying the W1 in dynamic testing with test driver Gareth Howell behind the wheel.

      The prototype used in these tests is VP1532, a development model unencumbered by the camouflage seen on other W1s earlier this year. The exterior features a mix of dark purple, black, and carbon fiber details.

      While it may not match the P1's classic beauty, it comes across as even more focused, particularly due to the large wing extending from the rear.

      McLaren states that the W1 is being fine-tuned at some of the world's most challenging circuits, reflecting the company's ambition to succeed in the evolving hypercar rivalry.

      Initially announced, customer deliveries of the W1 are slated to begin in early 2026, although no further details have been provided since.

      In terms of specifications, the W1 is positioned to deliver significantly more power than the P1. Equipped with McLaren’s latest 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor, it produces 1,258 hp and 988 lb-ft (1,340 Nm) of torque. McLaren claims it can accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.7 seconds and reach 124 mph (200 km/h) in just 5.8 seconds.

      These performance figures are striking by themselves, but they become even more impressive when considering that all power is directed solely to the rear wheels. In contrast, Ferrari’s all-wheel-drive F80 distributes power to all four wheels, making the W1's power delivery approach even more remarkable.