Back in 1992, the McLaren F1 set the hypercar blueprint. Fast forward to 2012, and McLaren shattered expectations again with the P1, their groundbreaking hybrid hypercar. Now, more than 30 years after the F1 first turned the world on its head, McLaren is back to rewrite the rulebook once again with their most powerful road-going machine yet.

Introducing the McLaren W1.

At the heart of the W1 is a new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with electric assistance. It delivers a mind-bending 938 kW and 1,352 Nm of torque, propelling this beast from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 349 km/h matching the P1 in that regard.

But the raw numbers only tell part of the story, as jaw-dropping as they are.

The new engine, dubbed the "MPH-8" is a masterpiece engineered from the ground up. It churns out 683 kW from the internal combustion engine alone, boasting the highest output per liter of any McLaren engine ever at a monstrous 172 kW per liter. Thanks to a lightweight block, a rock-solid valvetrain, and plasma-sprayed cylinder bores, it revs all the way to 9,200 rpm, while the two twin-scroll turbochargers come to life as early as 2,500 rpm.

Joining forces with the petrol engine is McLaren’s “E-Module” a compact powerhouse comprising a radial flux electric motor, a motor control unit, and a 1.4-kWh battery pack. This adds an additional 255 kW to the V8’s output, allowing the W1 to run purely on electric power for a brief 2.6 km. Not much, but it's something

Amazingly, the entire E-Module weighs just 20 kg, and thanks to smart engineering, the hybrid components are 40 kg lighter than those in the P1. Overall, the McLaren W1 tips the scales at just 1,399 kg dry only 4 kg heavier than the P1 (1,395 kg dry).

All that immense power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through an electronic differential, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which even features an electronic reverse gear.

The W1’s design revolves around McLaren’s new "Aerocell" monocoque chassis. This includes a fixed seating position, with adjustable steering wheel and pedals for maximum weight efficiency and driver focus. McLaren’s new "Anhedral Doors" optimize airflow over the front fenders while adding drama to the car’s appearance. The shorter wheelbase, thanks to the integrated seating, helps with agility and precision.

McLaren has spent over 350 hours fine-tuning the W1 in the wind tunnel, testing more than 5,000 aerodynamic data points to make it their most slippery supercar yet.

The W1 also features an "Active Long Tail" rear wing inspired by the 1997 F1 GTR, which boosts downforce and reduces drag. This isn’t just some gimmick McLaren claims this car has true "shape-shifting abilities," and it’s easy to believe. A roof-mounted airflow diverter, a first for any street-legal McLaren, channels air into the engine bay, while active front and rear wings generate 350 kg and 650 kg of downforce, respectively, in Race mode. Total downforce comes in at a colossal 1,000 kg.

In Race mode, the ride height drops by 38 mm at the front and 18 mm at the rear, while the long tail spoiler extends by up to 300 mm, acting as an air brake when necessary. It’s something you have to see to believe.

Beneath its aerodynamic skin lies McLaren’s latest Race Active Chassis Control III system, with adjustable settings for Comfort, Sport, and Race. Stopping power is delivered by forged six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear, clamping down on carbon-ceramic discs. From 100 km/h, the W1 comes to a halt in just 29 meters, while from 200 km/h, it takes only 100 meters.

Keeping all that power firmly planted are Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires measuring 265/35 at the front and 335/30 at the rear. For more everyday driving, McLaren offers P Zero R tires, and for colder climates, P Zero Winter 2s are also available.

Inside the cabin, you’ll find an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, plus USB-A and USB-C connections. Behind the seats, there’s even a small shelf offering 116 liters of storage practicality in a hypercar? Believe it.

So, how much for all this engineering brilliance? A cool $2.1 million. And as expected, all 399 units are already spoken for.