| McLaren W1 |
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<< Prev Page 2 of 2  McLaren’s philosophy of Lightweight Engineering and the use of bespoke carbon fibre structures deliver a vehicle lightest dry weight of just 1,399kg for W1, which is key to the requirement for outstanding performance, everywhere – whether on road or on track.The all-new McLaren Race Active Chassis Control III suspension with McLaren Race mode ensures huge breadth of capability, from road-legal compliance to fastest lap performance and pure driver connection. The Comfort handling setting gives the occupants a smooth ride quality with increased body control at medium and high speeds, while Sport provides a more engaging, connected setup with focus on body control and agility at all speeds. When Race mode is selected a stable aerodynamic platform is prioritised, with an active heave element deployed for superior track dynamics and consistent downforce. W1’s suspension system works in combination with the front and rear active aero features integrated into a unique underfloor design delivering ground affect aerodynamics. This allows the required levels of load and grip to deploy the torque through the driven axle, mitigating the need for all-wheel-drive and therefore the additional weight required on the front axle. The ability to manage such a high level of torque on rear axle only is a key enabler to preserve McLaren’s best-in-class McLaren Hydraulic Performance Steering feedback and feel on the front axle. Continuing the Formula 1 influence, the front suspension setup also includes titanium torsion bars and an active heave element crosslink, while the rear has a Z-bar with active droplinks to control heave. In the relentless pursuit of light weight, 3D printing was used for the front uprights and wishbones of the advanced suspension system. Braking on W1 is a further advance on McLaren’s renowned high-performance hydraulic system, enhanced to meet the differing demands of flawless road and track response and feel while delivering Ultimate stopping power. W1 will come to a standstill from 100km/h in 29 metres and from 200km/h in just 100 metres. The front brakes are activated with 6-piston calipers and the rear by 4-piston calipers, both of a forged monobloc design. The 390mm discs in the McLaren Carbon Ceramic Racing+ (MCCR+) system are unique to W1, featuring an additional ceramic layer compared to previous carbon ceramic discs. This provides greater durability while allowing for a more aggressive brake pad and higher friction levels to further increase braking efficiency. Brake performance is further optimised with aerodynamic features to keep the system cool. Directly inspired by Formula 1-style ducts, these have been designed to also increase downforce and radiator cooling by managing the wake of the tyres, while the brake lines have been routed to minimise airflow disruption under the car. The electronic parking brake is integrated on the rear calipers, saving weight while at the same time improving component stiffness. Bettering even the super-lightweight and track-focused McLaren Senna – by an astonishing 3 seconds a lap at McLaren’s Nardo reference circuit – W1 is also the fastest accelerating road-legal McLaren ever. Hugely impressive in isolation, these two parameters are even more incredible when you consider that you need both high downforce and very low drag to achieve them. Inspired by the work of generations of Formula 1 Race Engineers, McLaren’s Race mode gives a choice of two suspension settings – Race and Race+, with the latter being the firmest available. This allows drivers to select settings according to whether they are on undulating, bumpy tracks where consistent aerodynamic downforce is needed, or flat, smooth surfaces on which the ground effect platform is optimised. Powertrain options in Race mode are a ‘GP’ setting for consistency over a longer track session, or ‘Sprint’ for maximum performance and E-module deployment over one lap. Two buttons on the steering wheel, ergonomically positioned within easy reach of the driver’s thumbs, give the driver further options: ‘Boost’ instantly deploys full E-module power available – the same principle as employed in Formula 1 – to give the driver everything for overtaking on track or additional speed out of corners as desired. This can be combined with the Aero button for an on-demand Drag Reduction System (DRS) effect from the rear McLaren Active Long Tail wing. Tyre performance is intrinsic to mechanical and aerodynamic grip and W1 features three 265/35 front and 335/30 rear tyre options from McLaren’s technical partner, Pirelli. To fit the car’s extreme requirements, the Pirelli P ZEROTM Trofeo RS road legal track tyre is the standard fitment. The tyre has a compound specially developed to maintain the highest performance and consistent grip over a track session. Pirelli P ZEROTM R and Pirelli P ZEROTM Winter 2 tyres – again both bespoke to W1 – are also available, the former being a road-focused solution and the latter delivering outstanding cold weather performance. The excitement of driving W1 begins with the McLaren Anhedral Doors opening upwards to reveal recesses in the roof and the front lower opening that help to provide access to the innovative and comfortable cabin. The doors also feature a sculpted concave section on the inside to maximise occupant space. As is core to the McLaren DNA, W1 has unmatched supercar ergonomics and best-in-class visibility, with remarkably spacious cockpit room for both driver and passenger. Glazed sections in the rear three-quarter view and optionally in the upper doors provide an airy feel to the interior. Forward vision is exceptional, with the W1 incorporating McLaren’s narrowest A-pillars yet. Even the sun visors are designed with lightweighting in mind; made from carbon fibre, they are just 3mm thick. Seating is uniquely integrated into the McLaren Aerocell carbon fibre monocoque, directly connecting the driver – and passenger – to the chassis. Both seats are fully upholstered for optimal support and comfort and provide a driving position that is more reclined than usual, with a high level of thigh support. The pedals, steering wheel and primary controls move to fully embrace the driver within the cockpit environment, with a perfect driving position easily found by adjusting the floor-mounted aluminium pedals, which have a unique adjustment action. The unique-to-W1 wheel is smaller and flatter than previous McLaren steering wheel designs. Integral shift lights that prompt the driver to select the next gear as the 9,200rpm redline approaches, are optionally available. True to the McLaren supercar principle of a pure driver-focused interface, the only two buttons on the steering wheel are Boost and McLaren Aero Deployment controls. Inspired by Formula 1, these have been ergonomically designed to be easy to reach and activate by the driver moving their thumbs and not their hands from the wheel. Chassis and powertrain modes are adjusted via rocker controls on the instrument binnacle, which moves with the steering column to allow mode adjustments within easy reach of the wheel. The W1’s driver display has been engineered to ensure the full screen remains visible to the driver despite the smaller steering wheel and even doubles as an aerodynamic flow diverter for air from the compact HVAC system – which efficiently provides cool or warm air as desired in all driving modes, including EV-only operation. Further theatre is provided by overhead start/stop, gear selection and Race mode switchgear together with the window controls. These are housed by the digital rear-view display; designed to resemble a conventional rear-view mirror for driver familiarity, the camera position and angle is deliberately placed to discreetly display a small section of the Active Long Tail wing in order to give context and perspective to the driver’s rear view to ease vehicle positioning in traffic and low-speed manoeuvring including parking. Further information and adjustments can be found on the high resolution 8” touch screen McLaren Infotainment System (MIS II) located between the driver and passenger. This has Apple CarPlay with USB C connectivity, with USB A also provided for device charging and storage access. Between the fixed seats there is a storage area with a sliding cupholder, while there is a second area for small items behind the armrest. The W1 also has a luggage stowage shelf behind the seats, accessible by moving the headrests, which fold flat forwards to provide a loading platform. With up to 117 litres of storage space, two weekend bags or two crash helmets can be accommodated. McLaren’s Performance by Design strategic approach centres on the five key principles of McLaren’s design DNA – Epic, Athletic, Functional, Focused and Intelligent – and the new W1 clearly meets this brief. The heavily sculpted form – with almost every panel made from carbon fibre – is immediately recognisable as a McLaren supercar and a bold visual demonstration of the W1’s duality of character, the smooth, flowing upper surface contrasting with the extreme and uncompromising ground effect underbody. The front aspect of W1 showcases its aerodynamic brilliance, with a large amount of lower bodywork layering designed to condition the flow of air towards aerodynamic surfaces heading towards the rear of the car. The upper nose section features intakes around the lights and upper wheelarches, with a large single nostril in the centre of the bonnet. At the rear of this is an aerodynamic blade that lifts to reveal the EVSE charging port, brake and washer fluid reservoirs. Visible carbon fibre aerodynamic structures and exposed suspension components are also a theme that echoes throughout the car. The side aspect of W1 is influenced by Formula 1 sidepod design, with a wide cut-out for the convex-shaped door that creates space for air to exit the front wheel arch via two outlets – through which the front suspension arms can be seen - and two large intakes ahead of the rear section. The most prominent of these, which feeds the high temperature radiators, is triangular in shape and provides an undercut in which the second intake is located ahead of the rear wheel and features a channel that feeds the rear diffuser and brake ducts. Even the side mirrors have been designed with aerodynamics in mind; they are placed as far outboard as possible on a support blade and are shaped to direct their wake away from the rear of the car so as not to disrupt efficiency of the radiators or the Active Long Tail wing. The heavily-haunched rear bodywork includes an intricately detailed engine cover that sits below the flow diverter, which also houses the shark fin audio and navigation antennae and sits above and forward of the central stop light and rear-view camera. This directs clean air towards the twin-element Active Long Tail wing, which sits above the large twin centre-exit exhaust. Completing the muscular rear section is the prominent multi-fenced rear diffuser. Seen from above, W1’s form is remarkably clean for an aerodynamically-led design, with a pronounced hammerhead-shaped nose and tight teardrop cabin form, which then opens up to the McLaren Active Long Tail wing. This is contrast to the strikingly complex lower bodywork, which is intentionally detailed to fully optimise ground effect. Virtually unlimited bespoke personalisation is available through McLaren Special Operations, giving owners freedom to create their very own unique supercar. A range of luxury and innovative interior materials are available, including the world-first use of McLaren InnoKnit, an infinitely flexible and super-lightweight material tailored to seamlessly integrate interior surfaces and components. This material is knitted to fit, removing any wasteful cutting or sewing requirements. InnoKnit can be tailored to many and multiple colours, textures and shapes with precision patterns and has also been integrated into audio and visual elements, with the use of graphic elements to diffuse and project ambient cabin lighting. The material can also be incorporated into the speaker grilles of the W1’s high-specification Bowers & Wilkins bespoke audio system. The W1’s exterior details, including the use light and dark body surfaces partly inspired by its aerodynamic styling but also current Formula 1 livery design, also creates limitless opportunities for customers to personalise their own car with McLaren Special Operations (MSO) using visualisation tools including virtual reality and augmented reality to create their own unique W1. << Prev Page 2 of 2 |
| Article | Image gallery (23) | Specifications |
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