The supercar market is small, in terms of number of manufacturers and units sold, but it can be very profitable, as demonstrated by the fact that Ferrari, probably the most emblematic brand in this segment, is among the most valuable on the market. . world. Traditionally, this type of vehicle struggled to differentiate itself from the competition at the expense of increasingly powerful engines and efficient chassis designed for sporty driving. However, in recent years, powerful engines have gained prominence at the expense of hybrid or plug-in hybrid solutions, to further increase power and, at the same time, reduce consumption and emissions. Now the Ferrari F80 and the McLaren W1 have appeared, both with around 1200 HP and announcing a top speed of 350 km/h.
The new McLaren W1 is a worthy successor to the latest P1the most revered model in the history of the British manufacturer, launched in 2013 with a 3.8 V8 biturbo engine that delivered 737 HP, combined with a 179 HP electric motor, adding 916 HP and 900 Nm. With these mechanical arguments, the P1 advertised 350 km/. h and 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, very respectable figures and difficult to match 11 years ago. The new McLaren W1 raises this bar in terms of power (359 HP more), using an engine even greater in nobility, but with a smaller displacement.
The interior of the McLaren W1
The McLaren W1 has a more modern biturbo V8, 4.0 liters and 929 HP, practically 200 HP more than its predecessor. The combustion engine is combined with a 347 HP electric motor, this electric motor being more powerful than the one fitted to the P1, limited to 179 HP. Only the P1’s battery was larger, since the W1 advertises a Battery with 1.38 kWh and a range in EV mode of only 2 kmaccording to the new European WLTP method, while the P1 claimed 20 km, according to the older and “optimistic” NEDC method, but still with a higher range.
The McLaren W1 requires an investment of 2 million pounds (about 2.4 million euros), already with taxes due in the United Kingdom, but the The value did not prevent the 399 units that will be produced from already having an owner before being manufactured..
Overall, the McLaren W1 has total power 1,275 HP and 1,340 Nm of power, compared to the 916 HP and 900 Nm of torque of its P1 predecessor, which explains why the W1 announces the same maximum speed of 350 km/h, in addition to 0-100 km/h in 2.7 secondscompared to 2.8 seconds for the P1. One slim advantage for a model that has 359 HP more power and 440 Nm of additional torque.
The new McLaren W1 mounts active “wings” at the front and rear
It is not easy to find an explanation for the “short” advantage of the McLaren W1 over the P1, in which both continue to rely solely on rear wheel drive and claim a weight over 1500 kg in homologation conditions (certified and with driver on board). It is evident, due to the aerodynamic appendages, the McLaren’s concern about gluing the W1 to the groundto optimize cornering efficiency, as well as traction when exiting corners and grip and stability when braking, as the manufacturer announced in a downforce of 1000 kilos.
Three of the most respectable McLarens in history: the F1, the P1 and, in the foreground, the new W1
At the front, the W1 has a dissident active that moves in such a way that it simultaneously increases the load on the front and reduces the airflow passing under the chassis, minimizing the raise from the front. At the rear, there is an even more complex movable spoiler, as it not only provides more or less support when necessary, but can also retract the spoiler to give the W1 an aerodynamic layout reminiscent of racing cars. in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with its versions low resistance.
Ferrari F80 is a monster with four engines, 1200 HP and a price of 3.6 million euros
If the new W1 has some difficulties in clearly improving the top speed and starting speed of the McLaren P1, a comparison with the also new Ferrari F80 does not do it much favor. The Italian model has a 3.0 V6 biturbo, instead of a 4.0 V8 biturbo as in the British model, but ends up reaching a similar power (900 HP). But the F80 uses three electric motors.one connected to the V6 and the other two installed in the front, each one associated with its previous wheel. In total, the Ferrari offers 1,200 HP and 1,137 Nm, guaranteeing all four engines all wheel driveto improve behavior and starting. Hence, the F80 advertises the same top speed as its rival (350 km/h), but claims to be capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.15 seconds. Now we just have to wait for a publication that brings these two supercars together and decides which of the two is the fastest on the track.
Source: Observadora
