McLaren introduces the W1, a $2.1 million hybrid hypercar

Another hypercar with an electrified powertrain. Stop me if you've heard that before.

But what about one that promises over 1200 horsepower and lots of Formula 1 technology sourced from its victorious racing team?

That's what the McLaren W1 promises, a hypercar that follows in the footsteps of two McLaren legends – the electrified P1 and the original hypercar, the F1. Like the P1 and the F1, the W1 is part of McLaren's Ultimate Series for its most exclusive and modern super sports cars.

The hybrid hypercar McLaren W1 (Source: McLaren) (McLaren)

“With our new Ultimate supercar, we are once again pushing the boundaries of true supercar performance with an epic hybrid powertrain featuring our all-new MHP-8 V8 engine, the most advanced aerodynamic platform of any McLaren road car and extensive use of advanced lightweight materials,” said McLaren CEO Michael Leiters in a statement. “This really is a car that only McLaren could build.”

The MHP-8 engine is an all-new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 916 horsepower. However, in conjunction with an electric motor, the output increases to 1,258 hp and a torque of 988 Nm. All this power results in a 0-60 mph time of 2.7 seconds, with the top speed of 186 mph reached in just 12.7 seconds.

The MHP-8's use of a race-focused flat-plane crank means the engine revs up to a blistering 9,200rpm, with an accompanying symphony of gears from the W1's exhaust.

The connected electric motor also comes from racing and weighs only 44 pounds, McLaren said. The electric motor and its control unit are connected to the transmission, so there is a direct connection to the purely rear-wheel drive car.

Reaching these speeds in such a short time is the result of immense aerodynamic work and a lightweight carbon fiber chassis, McLaren said. The 3,000-pound car, combined with F1-inspired ground effects and aerodynamic measures like an active rear wing, suggest the car handles like a race car on the track, as opposed to Grandpa's classic Corvette on Main Street.

Interestingly, McLaren opted for hydraulic steering and braking, which isn't exactly state-of-the-art but is a nod to enthusiasts willing to trade response time and weight savings for a more responsive ride.

The hybrid interior of the McLaren W1 (Source: McLaren) (McLaren)

Leiters told Yahoo Finance in August that McLaren wanted to follow Ferrari's plan for success. Leiters, a former Ferrari (RACE) employee, wants to limit the number of cars offered to customers and charge higher prices for exclusivity.

Ferrari's last hybrid hypercar was the LaFerrari, which combined a V12 and electric motors for 950 horsepower and a price tag of over $1 million. Ferrari stopped production of the LaFerrari in 2018 and auction values for these cars have shot through the roof.

Current auction values of the holy trinity of hybrid hypercars – LaFerrari, Mclaren P1 and Porsche 918 (Source: Hagerty) — Current auction values of the holy trinity of hybrid hypercars – LaFerrari, Mclaren P1 and Porsche 918 (Hagerty) (Hagerty)

Other competitors such as Porsche with the older 918 and Aston Martin with the Valhalla are also playing in the multi-million dollar hybrid hypercar game.

This all means that the W1, which has its sights set on cars like the LaFerrari and whatever comes next, won't be cheap. McLaren said the W1, the latest of the new hybrid hypercars, will start at a staggering $2.1 million, with just 399 models being produced.