McLaren W1 Arctic Trials Prove All-Weather Supercar
McLaren's comprehensive cold-weather testing programme for the W1 prototypes has wrapped up inside the Arctic Circle, validating every key vehicle system in temperatures far below zero. Engineers optimised the carbon-fibre chassis, torque-vectoring drivetrain, traction control, electronic stability program, and ABS for ultra-low-grip ice and snow, ensuring the 1,275PS, 1,340Nm hybrid V8 channels its power with authority on any surface.
During the campaign, the team repeatedly froze the HV battery, gearbox and new MHP-V8 engine, confirming durability and peak performance under the harshest loads. They even packed cooling vents with compacted snow to verify uninterrupted airflow. The winter phase concluded in early 2025, and McLaren has shared rare insights from what remains typically confidential. The data prove that the fastest-accelerating, fastest-lapping road-legal McLaren now also thrives in the planet’s most unforgiving climate.
Lead Test Driver Dani Marcos summarises the philosophy: "It's always been about pushing the limits with our '1' models, and I'm confident that's what we've achieved with the W1." He and the control-systems team spent long, dark days dialling in the calibration. "We're talking about a car with 1275PS, so to give traction in low-grip conditions is a big challenge," he explains. The crew refined torque vectoring, traction control, ESP and brake balance until the supercar responded crisply on glass-smooth ice.
Chief Engineer Andy Beale notes that the "short days and long test times" stretch both people and machines; yet, he believes that "proving the performance and calibrating for these conditions is an important part of our testing." For everyone involved, developing the successor to the F1 and P1™ carries weighty responsibility and immense pride. As Marcos concludes: "This car is powerful and the aero is mega – a great, great supercar to drive." The Arctic campaign underscores the pride, demonstrating that the McLaren W1 delivers peerless acceleration, control, and resilience, whether on track, on the motorway, or on the tundra.
