McLaren continues to push the boundaries of performance and driver engagement with W1. It is a machine that embodies our commitment to excellence, capable of thriving both at the track and out on the open road. The promise is performance, everywhere – even in the most challenging of climates. So, in the countdown to customer delivery, our team travelled to one of the hottest places on earth for a final series of gruelling tests.
W1 HOT WEATHER TESTING
TURNING UP THE HEAT
A Word from McLaren
"After completing our hot-environment testing, I'm confident that W1 is at the pinnacle of its capability for operating in extreme temperatures."
Andy Beale
Chief Engineer
GOING TO EXTREMES
From the outset of development, peak performance in high-temperature environments was a central consideration for the McLaren W1. "Using a McLaren in hot conditions presents different challenges than at normal ambient temperatures," says Andy Beale, Chief Engineer. "We have to ensure the car performs as well as intended, looking closely at the cooling systems during full engine load, the impact of environmental conditions such as road debris, or even the functionality of climate in the cabin for occupants."
ROUND-THE-CLOCK DEVELOPMENT
During two intense weeks in the Arizona desert, with temperatures in excess of 40°C (104°F), the team covered more than 5,000km with two validation prototype vehicles, and completed hundreds of hours of wheel time as well as countless repeat tests. "Our team in the US would run exhaustive tests during the day and send data over to the team at the McLaren Technology Centre to analyse during the night," says Jonathan Beaumont, Senior Vehicle Engineering Manager. "Thanks to the eight-hour time difference, we were running round-the-clock development cycles."
A Word from McLaren
"One of the standout things about W1 is driver engagement. The incredible downforce and power, twinned with the delicacy and precision of the handling, means you can really exploit the limits of this incredible supercar."
Jonathan Beaumont
Senior Vehicle Engineering Manager
TESTING AT THE LIMITS
Vikram Shah, McLaren Vehicle Development Engineer, likens the conditions in Arizona to a "torture chamber" – in other words, a perfect environment in which to challenge W1’s resilience. "It is our job to test the car to its absolute limits. The temperature was extremely harsh – but it’s not just about the temperature. It's the vibrations over the kerbs, the G-forces, the braking loads… it was a very good test to ensure it can handle these conditions."
SURPASSING EXPECTATIONS
The McLaren team were always confident W1 would excel in the Arizona tests – but even their high expectations for the car were surpassed. "W1 has proven itself to be unique in the way you can spend hours exploring its remarkable performance on the track, then immediately revert to driving it on Route 66 in perfect comfort," says Andy Beale. "It has also confirmed that we’ve succeeded in not having to compromise between aerodynamics and optimal cooling performance."
1 / 7
W1 STORIES
McLaren W1 Hot Weather Testing in Arizona
Discover how we pushed the W1 to balance its world-beating supercar performance with capability in the most challenging conditions.
McLaren W1 Aerodynamics: Formula 1™ ground effect reimagined for the road
Discover McLaren W1’s aerodynamics. Advanced Aerodynamics Architect Robin Algoo reveals how Formula 1™-inspired ground effect delivers unprecedented grip, balance, and downforce.
McLaren W1 Interior: Optimised, Focused, Innovative
Explore the personal stories behind McLaren W1's interior - innovative seats, new steering wheel, and bespoke McLaren InnoKnit material.
McLaren Aerocell: Meet the team behind W1's monocoque
Explore the personal stories behind McLaren W1's Aerocell, the most advanced lightweight carbon monocoque inspired by Formula 1™.
McLaren W1 Winter Testing in the Arctic
Discover how we pushed the W1 to balance its world-beating supercar performance with capability in the most challenging conditions.
Five with Lando
Lando Norris has firmly established himself as a top Formula 1 driver, but he also has a passion for beautiful automotive design and engineering. We take five minutes to talk to Lando about his favourite bits of our Real Supercar, the W1.
The New McLaren '1' Car: McLaren W1
The W1 continues the incredible innovation and engineering legacy of the F1 and P1™, shaped by the same real supercar design principles that forged the F1 and the P1™.
Announcement New '1' Car, McLaren W1, as a successor to the F1 and McLaren P1™
Today we have confirmed the next chapter in the extraordinary story of its legendary ‘1’ car lineage. Our new supercar, named McLaren W1, will be revealed at 13:00 BST on Sunday, 6 October 2024.
What makes a '1' car: An icon that redefines what's possible
In 1992, the McLaren F1 supercar was born, our first-ever McLaren roadcar. The F1 was the icon of its generation. Two decades on, the McLaren P1 supercar arrived.
McLaren F1: The birth of the real supercar
The McLaren F1 is considered by many to be the greatest supercar ever built. With a mind-blowing power-to-weight ratio and a production run of just 106 cars, this exclusive powerhouse remains one of McLaren’s most compelling success stories to date.
