Another leap of advancement from the UK-Based performance car manufacturer with their latest offering with the McLaren W1. The hype has been going on for quite some time and it was unleashed to the global audience yesterday. The McLaren W1, with 1,285 horsepower, 988 pound-feet of torque, a 3,200-pound curb weight, and a 217 mph top speed, the W1 represents a new dimension in performance for both McLaren and the supercar segment.

The brand has pushed their level to achieve a worthy successor to the McLaren P1 which was introduced back around 2013 with the W1 being even more bombastic with its technical specification. The W1’s drivetrain starts with a 4.0-liter V8 engine that makes 916 horsepower. The engine is pared to a 44-pound, radial flux “E-motor” making 342 horsepower. I saw one of these E-motors in person during the McLaren Artura press launch last year, and trust me when I say the level of power and torque being produced by this disc-brake-sized module is truly amazing. A 1.38 kWh battery powers the E-motor, and McLaren says the hybrid components in the W1 have been reduced by 88 pounds compared to the P1, while making twice the power.

In the search of grip and manoeuvrability, the McLaren W1 has it all with the downforce comes from a combination of aggressive aerodynamics and a ride height that drops 1.46 inches in front and .7 inches in back when placing the car in race mode. The car then offer over 2,200 pounds of downforce when traveling at 174 mph. The W1 also features a McLaren Active Long Tail rear wing, which can extend rearward up to 11.8 inches to assist with downforce.

As for the looks, the McLaren W1 spot a design that fits what we are expecting a McLaren to be and it’s not just a simple spinoff from it’s predecessors. The car comes with an extensive carbon fiber construction which helps to make the car stands out in the finishing but also gives the car the weight reduction that it needs. Not that the car is too heavy but the pursue of power to weight ratio is truly important for the folks at McLaren.

The car then was engineered with pure performance in its core but the ultimate design intention of the car is focused towards being a road-going hypercar. It is stated that the W1 can lap its Nardo test circuit around 3-seconds faster than the McLaren Senna. Through all of it’s tech and performance, the car will not compromise in its comfortability and usability as a daily car with the W1 coming with an 8.0-inch touchscreen equipped with Apple CarPlay, along with USB-C and USB-A ports for convenient device connectivity and charging. For audiophiles, a Bowers & Wilkins stereo system is also available, enhancing the driving experience.