McLaren W1 skids in!

• McLaren W1 - new pics revealed
• Sub-zero testing in the Arctic Circle
• It’s the most powerful production McLaren ever
• First deliveries early 2026

McLaren has revealed some jaw-dropping new pics of its incoming W1 as it enjoys some sub-zero testing in the Arctic Circle ahead of customer deliveries.

The W1 isn’t just a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid hypercar, it’s also McLaren’s most powerful and fastest-accelerating road car ever.

Oomph of 1,275 PS and 1,340 Nm of torque allows it to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 2.7 seconds, making it a worthy successor to the McLaren P1.

All of that get-up-and-go required the people in white coats at McLaren to optimise the chassis, traction control, torque vectoring and electronic stability programme systems to provide extreme levels of grip.

And here’s the proof that the W1 can cope with all manner of surfaces, as it’s pictured monstering the snow and ice of the Arctic tundra.

McLaren tells us: “The cold weather stages of the McLaren W1’s exhaustive test and validation programme concluded earlier in 2025, and elements of the development activity – which usually takes place in secret – are being shared publicly.”

The McLaren W1 is priced from £2m, including taxes, and all of the 399 examples that will be built have already been earmarked for discerning customers.

The powertrain itself mates a 4.0-litre V8 engine with a small 1.384 kWh battery which provides a range of up to 1.6 miles. That’s tiny in the grand scheme of plug-in hybrids.

But what the W1 offers that other PHEVs can’t is the ability to sprint from 0-124 mph in 5.8 while taking just 12.7 seconds to reach 184 mph. The top speed is electronically-limited to 217 mph.

Rival plug-in hybrid hypercars include the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Lamborghini Revuelto. Unlike the Lambo and Ferrari, however, the McLaren W1 is rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive, which will appeal to certain driving aficionados.

Clients can also enjoy gullwing doors, a carbon fibre monocoque, and active aerodynamics - including an F1-derived DRS (Drag Reduction System) - that aids 1,000 kg of downforce.

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