McLaren F1 is the world's first production road car to feature an all carbon composite monocoque and body structure. The unique material is low weight and has exceptional strength. The low-weight is necessary for performance and the exceptional strength ensures that the safety standards are met.McLaren F1 is powered by 6.1 litre, quad-cam, 48-valve V12 engine,
which produces a peak power of 627 bhp and can attain a maximum speed of 240.14mph. Some of the salient design features of McLaren F1 are: Central driving position, ground-plane shear suspension geometry, intelligent brake cooling, and fan-assisted ground-effect aerodynamics. The McLaren F1 was designed as the ultimate road car. It was to have minimum weight, maximum driveability, practicality, and lots of driver appeal.It was designed in 1990 with the concept already laid down but still without the team knowing what engine to use. Whatever it was, it had to be large in capacity yet light in weight and also compact. Turbo or Supercharging was out of the question - it had to be naturally aspirated but still with a power output of 500+
bhp. Eventually the team decided on BMW's unleaded 6 Litre V12 with quad overhead cams operating four valves a cylinder with variable valve timing. The engine block and heads are cast Aluminium alloy. The cam carriers, housing for the variable valve timing, and the casing for the sump are all a magnesium alloy, bringing the engine's weight to just 573lbs. The engine develops 550bhp @ 7000 RPM and 440 lb/ft of torque from 4000 to 7000 RPM giving the car a top speed of 242 mph.The McLaren F1 has a composite monocoque chassis and double wishbone suspension all round. Vented Brembo brakes give the F1 the ultimate in stopping power aided
by a break and balance foil on the back of the car which is extended by electronic sensors during heavy breaking.which car has the better power to weight ratio: the Bugatti Veyron or the McLaren F1? Answer: the car with the carbon monocoque that was designed to take it into account. The F1 might no longer be the fastest supercar ever made but it clearly remains the car that does the most with its power. The Bugatti’s 521bhp/ton is impressive but the McLaren’s 559bhp/ton is more telling, especially when you consider that the Veyron has 1000bhp at its disposal and the Macca a ‘mere’ 627bhp. So, even though the Bug has twice the torque of the
Mac (479 plays 922lb ft), it’s just 12mph faster flat out and 0.8sec quicker to 100mph. Let’s look at it another way. Each of the Bugatti’s bhp delivers 0.25mph and each of the McLaren’s 0.38mph.But then the F1’s prodigious performance was a consequence of its sublime design and engineering and not the starting point. And that’s why the F1 still delivers such a pure and exhilarating driving experience that reaches far beyond the initial hit of its fabulous acceleration. The central driving position requires effort and a certain gymnastic dexterity to access but that’s only right.Specification:
ENGINE:V-12, aluminum block and heads
Bore x stroke:3.38 x 3.41 in (86.0 x 87.0mm)
Compression ratio:10.5:1
Power - 618 bhp @ 7400 rpm
Torque - 479 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Redline: - 7500 rpm
Transmission: - 6-speed
Length - 168.8 in
Width - 71.6 in
Height - 44.9 in
Top Speed:231mph/372kph
Price:$1.13 million
