[invisiblewave]

I'm sure I'll see one next month in Monterey.

We'll need pictures.

 

[Tumbleweed]

We'll need pictures.

Absolutely

 

[eMcL]

I'm sure I'll see one next month in Monterey.

Maybe this?

 

[Tumbleweed]

Hey - eMcL. You'll be there also! I know the McLaren display, similar or the same, from Goodwood will be at the Quail. Then a few of the cars (maybe just the Ones) will be at the McLaren private evening event.

 

[aorta]

 

[Jonathan19]

 

[Jonathan19]

McLaren W1 VIN 053 Owner Mr Ahmed Amwell

 

[aorta]

He should’ve just done this…kidding…lol…

 

[Iron5]

I find it difficult to see the point of racing-style test drives on snow and ice. After all, the coefficient of friction on snow or ice is so poor that the quality of the car and its technical tuning are actually irrelevant.
I would argue that a 540S drives just as fast over a blanket of snow as a W1, provided they have the same tires fitted. The driving performance is probably more or less the same. There is certainly a difference between different drive types (rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive). But at McLaren, everything always goes to the rear axle. Of course, you have to test whether the technology works at the lowest temperatures. But one can safely do without this ridiculous sliding around on ice and snow.
Is it just for show? Cool pictures and videos for marketing purposes?
Help me out here, what am I missing?

 

[f4ker]

we did a pure mclaren event on ice where it was so warm that the cars shut down as they got water into the petrol tank... that was on a mclaren GTS.
so in general the more testing under weird environments the better.
because customers will always do something really stupid with the cars..

 

[TougeSpirit]

I find it difficult to see the point of racing-style test drives on snow and ice. After all, the coefficient of friction on snow or ice is so poor that the quality of the car and its technical tuning are actually irrelevant.
I would argue that a 540S drives just as fast over a blanket of snow as a W1, provided they have the same tires fitted. The driving performance is probably more or less the same. There is certainly a difference between different drive types (rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive). But at McLaren, everything always goes to the rear axle. Of course, you have to test whether the technology works at the lowest temperatures. But one can safely do without this ridiculous sliding around on ice and snow.
Is it just for show? Cool pictures and videos for marketing purposes?
Help me out here, what am I missing?

huh? The point is to test in 1. cold conditions and 2. on slick surfaces.
Most manufacturers setup their traction control strategies and intervention levels in the arctic. You don't want your customers spinning the car into a wall if it just so happens to snow on a drive. But at the same time, you don't want the car to pull power to the point of it being a Honda Fit in the slush, either

 

[Iron5]

Sure, good points, makes sense.

Something else occurred to me. I used to drive BMWs a lot, 5 Series with rear-wheel drive. They were terrible in the snow. Once, I got stuck in a flat car park with my 5 Series.
Then I had two Maserati Granturismos, also with rear-wheel drive. Everyone warned me that these cars were a nightmare in winter. I can report that the Masi was far better than the 5 Series. Then I looked at the weight distribution, and everything became clear. The 5 Series had rear-wheel drive, with most of the weight on the front axle, while the Masi had rear-wheel drive with a very balanced, almost 50/50 distribution and thus significantly more weight on the rear axle. From this perspective, rear-wheel drive is not just rear-wheel drive; there are differences.

 

[f4ker]

Sure, good points, makes sense.

Something else occurred to me. I used to drive BMWs a lot, 5 Series with rear-wheel drive. They were terrible in the snow. Once, I got stuck in a flat car park with my 5 Series.
Then I had two Maserati Granturismos, also with rear-wheel drive. Everyone warned me that these cars were a nightmare in winter. I can report that the Masi was far better than the 5 Series. Then I looked at the weight distribution, and everything became clear. The 5 Series had rear-wheel drive, with most of the weight on the front axle, while the Masi had rear-wheel drive with a very balanced, almost 50/50 distribution and thus significantly more weight on the rear axle. From this perspective, rear-wheel drive is not just rear-wheel drive; there are differences.

probably more to do with what type of differential they had. an open diff would transmit all the power to the wheel with the least amount of resistance, i.e. the one that is already spinning... advantage with open diff is sharper turnin and less understeer.
and of course the tyres. the more performance oriented tyres you have the worse they will be in cold and wet temperatures.
But yes weight distribution matters.
i'm old enough to have had to reverse FWD and front engined cars up hills in the winter (like various Saabs)

 

[Jonathan19]

 

[Jonathan19]

We have here, the 8th W1 in the registry and this one will be commissioned by @mclarenhou

This 2026 McLaren W1 (Chassis No.010) features a MSO Bespoke Exterior in Gulf Blue, paired with a Gulf Orange Stripe, forged Ultra-Lightweight 5-Spoke Wheels in Gloss Black and Carbon Ceramic Brakes with Gulf Orange Brake Calipers. Other exterior details are the Gulf Orange Front Air Intakes, the Gulf Orange Door Mirror Arms and the Carbon Fibre Reat Active Wing.

The Interior of W1 010 is upholstered in Pure Gulf Orange Alcantara and fused with extensive Gloss Finished Carbon Fibre Elements. The Integral Seats on the Monocoque are wrapped in Gulf Orange Alcantara with White “W1” embroidered Headrests, while the Driver holds a Gulf Orange Alcantara Steering Wheel which comes with a Gloss Carbon Fibre Top and Bottom Section and a White 12 o’clock stripe.

 

[Roxind]

Shame for the wheels color, I can’t see them 😭

 

[theMcLarenfan]

Looks epic, I love it👍

 

[Roxind]

Not my pictures, but I saw that coming the other way, and of course, couldn’t find my phone 😭 in time.
Anyway, that is in Tarragona, where McLaren has a testing compound near Sitges.

 

[Jonathan19]

This 2026 McLaren W1 features an unknown MSO Bespoke Exterior Paint inspired by the owner's father's old car which was finished in Royal Atmospheric Blue, very similar to McLaren's Namaka Blue. Forged Ultra-Lightweight 5-Spoke Wheels in Gloss Black and Carbon Ceramic Brakes with Gold Brake Calipers. Other exterior details are Gold Accent Stripe, the Gold Front Air Intake Housings and the Golden Door Mirror Arms. The Interior is upholstered in full Orange Leather and features gloss Carbon Fiberthrougohut the Interior, Super-Lightweight Racing Seats which are integrated into the Carbon Tub, wrapped in Orange Leather with Black Seatbelts, a Orange Leather Steering Wheel with Carbon Fiber Top and Bottom Section, branded floor mats and a Bowers & Wilkins Sound System.

McLaren W1 Registry on Instagram: "The 10th McLaren W1 in the registry, and this one will be commissioned by @mclarentroy1 This 2026 McLaren W1 features an unknown MSO Bespoke Exterior Paint inspired by the owner's father's old car which was finished in Royal Atmospheric Blue, very similar to McLaren's Namaka Blue. Forged Ultra-Lightweight 5-Spoke Wheels in Gloss Black and Carbon Ceramic Brakes with Gold Brake Calipers. Other exterior details are Gold Accent Stripe, the Gold Front Air Intake Housings and the Golden Door Mirror Arms. The Interior is upholstered in full Orange Leather and features gloss Carbon Fiberthrougohut the Interior, Super-Lightweight Racing Seats which are integrated into the Carbon Tub, wrapped in Orange Leather with Black Seatbelts, a Orange Leather Steering Wheel with Carbon Fiber Top and Bottom Section, branded floor mats and a Bowers & Wilkins Sound System. 📷: @samsunggeek99 🔑: @samsunggeek99 #mclaren #mso #McLarenW1 #W1 #mclarenw1registry #w1registry #mclarenp1gtr #mclarenauto #mclarensenna #765ltspider #mclarenlifestyle #supercars #mclarenlife #750s #cars #luxury #carporn #mclarenp1 #mclaren720s #senna #mclarenf1 #mclaren570s #mclaren675lt #mclaren600lt #supercar #mclarentalk #monaco #london #mclaren765lt #mclaren750s"

 

[Trevor90]

this car either looks insanely beautiful, or completely horrendous... depending on color. That blue one above is nice, the grey one on the road is awful.