McLaren W1

We can now confirm that we will be developing an 1:18 scale model of the McLaren W1 following the completion of its larger counterpart at 1:8 scale. The first models will be anticipated in 2026.

The Ultimate expression of a real supercar, the W1 opens a new chapter in McLaren’s famous ‘1’ car lineage as the ground-breaking successor to two of the greatest supercars of all time – the McLaren F1 and McLaren P1. The W1 has been created according to the McLaren ethos of class-leading performance, informed by the core principles that underpin every McLaren supercar: epic power applied through cutting-edge aerodynamics and lightweight chassis technologies; the highest levels of dynamic excellence and the purest driver connection; the perfect driver environment, for all driving situations; and awe-inspiring visuals and aural drama. Just 399 customer cars will be produced, with a price of at least £2m each, and all are already customer allocated.

All of McLaren’s significant and renowned expertise in lightweight engineering and aerodynamic performance, inspired by years of racing innovation and the company’s World Championship mindset, was applied to W1. The engineering team behind the new McLaren Ultimate model have between them contributed to 16 McLaren Formula 1 World Championship titles across driver and constructor categories. This expertise as part of a bigger team has resulted in the most focused supercar that McLaren has ever built, but also one with a huge breadth of capability. W1 is a supercar for all occasions; more than any other McLaren, it is equally at home on road and track and as the fastest-lapping and fastest accelerating McLaren road-legal supercar yet, is exhilarating to drive whatever the circumstances. Just as the W1 name celebrates McLaren’s World Championship mindset, the date of the public reveal of the car was also chosen with this in mind: October 6th 2024 is the 50th anniversary of Emerson Fittipaldi sealing McLaren’s first Formula 1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships.

At the heart of W1 is an all-new High-Performance Hybrid powertrain, comprising McLaren’s all-new MHP-8 V8 combustion engine, an all-new E-module (integrating a radial flux electric motor and motor control unit), and an 8-speed transmission with E-reverse. Power and torque are to the rear wheels only, through an E-differential, to deliver scintillating speed. The epic power of this all-new 1275PS High-Performance Hybrid powertrain, and McLaren’s relentless dedication to lightweight engineering, has resulted in levels of performance previously only attainable by track-only supercars and race cars. Engineered for epic power delivery and breathtaking performance, the powertrain gives the highest-ever power output of any McLaren and, when combined with a vehicle weight of 1,399kg, delivers an astonishing power-to-weight ratio of 911PS/tonne for W1 – the highest-ever for any road-legal McLaren and more importantly, best-in-class. This huge amount of power, together with total torque of 1340Nm and instant throttle response from the E-module, gives W1 astonishing acceleration figures: 0-100km/h (62mph) takes 2.7 seconds, 0–200km/h (124mph) is possible in just 5.8 seconds and 0-300km/h (186mph) can be achieved in under 12.7 seconds. It is the fastest-accelerating and fastest-lapping road-legal McLaren ever, being quicker than a Speedtail to 300km/h (186mph) and 3 seconds a lap ahead of a McLaren Senna on McLaren’s Nardo reference track.

The aerodynamic platform of W1 is the most advanced ever in a McLaren road car, the result of 350 hours of wind tunnel sessions with 5000 points tested, building on the Formula 1-inspired aerodynamic innovation that first distinguished the McLaren P1. The Aerocell monocoque incorporates fixings for McLaren’s first-ever Anhedral doors, allows optimisation of airflow from the front wheel arches into the high temperature radiators, providing extra cooling space that allows the size of the radiators required to cool the powertrain to be reduced, optimising packaging and saving weight. The active front and rear wings and a roof-mounted air flow diverter W1 are among the most advanced aerodynamic features ever in a road-legal McLaren: the front wing is actuated by two E-motors and swings through an arc to create a full-width lower frontal area, feeding air under the car in Race mode via a Formula 1-style T-tray and keel. The two wings work in conjunction with each other and other elements of the design to allow fast and accurate management of aerodynamic requirements. The revolutionary McLaren Active Long Tail rear wing – arguably visually the single most dramatic element of the new W1 – is absolutely integral to the aerodynamic performance of the car.

The key to W1’s duality of dynamic character – offering a sublime driving experience on road and track alike – is McLaren Race mode. When deployed, this engages shape-shifting aerodynamic technologies to enable world-best, radical ‘road to track’ character transformation. Uniquely in W1, much of the downforce is achieved using all of the underbody for ground effect, with this maximised when Race mode is selected. The W1’s ride height lowers (by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear) and a heave system stiffens the suspension. Front and rear active wings are deployed, with the McLaren Active Long Tail extending rearwards by up to 300mm to assist in generating the 1,000kg of downforce available in W1.

This fine 1:18 scale limited edition model of the McLaren W1 has been handcrafted and finished in our workshops using detailed colour and material specifications, and reworked CAD data supplied directly from McLaren Automotive. Furthermore, it has undergone detailed scrutiny by both engineering and design teams to ensure complete accuracy of representation.

Note: This is a 'Kerbside' model and does not feature any moving parts.