A new hypercar from McLaren is on the horizon, and this isn’t just any hypercar – it is the successor to the renowned P1.
On Friday, McLaren announced that the vehicle will be called the W1, with its unveiling scheduled for October 6.
The naming convention, featuring a letter followed by the number one, connects this new model to the illustrious P1 and F1, and is designated for the highest tier of the manufacturer’s road car lineup.
The letter “W” signifies what McLaren refers to as its “World Championship mindset.” This launch coincides with the 50th anniversary of McLaren’s inaugural victory in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, as well as Emerson Fittipaldi’s triumph in the F1 Drivers’ Championship in 1974. Although the F1 designation is straightforward (it’s derived from Formula 1), the P1 title indicated both pole position and leading the race, or P1.
Previously referenced by its internal code name P18, the W1 is set to be the upcoming model in McLaren’s Ultimate Series, following the Speedtail grand tourer. According to reports from last year, deliveries could commence in 2026.
The W1 is anticipated to incorporate a plug-in hybrid powertrain featuring a newly designed twin-turbo V-8 as its internal combustion element. While this setup mirrors that of the P1 introduced over a decade ago, the new hypercar is expected to utilize a significantly lighter hybrid system. Performance is also projected to exceed the Speedtail’s output of 1,055 hp, which was also a V-8 hybrid, offering a notable enhancement over the P1’s 903 hp.
Additional attributes are expected to include a newly engineered carbon-fiber chassis, gullwing doors (replacing the standard butterfly doors commonly seen on McLarens), and styling inspired by F1 race cars. Production is predicted to be limited to fewer than 400 units, similar to the P1’s limited run of 375 units.
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