McLaren F1 reunion
McLaren F1 is a true legend. Still, after 20 years there is no faster normally aspirated production road car in the world. F1 GTR is the only car, which won Formula 1 World Championship, Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans 24 Hours. Furthermore, this was the first production road car to use a full carbon fibre monocoque.
The first McLaren F1 car was launched on 28th May 1992 and delivered to its happy owner in December 1993.
McLaren is a pioneer in carbon fiber technologies. They used carbon fibre chassis in 1981 for the first time. Nine years later, the carbon monocoque for the McLaren F1 was created and it weighs only 100kg and still has the highest levels of strength and safety.
The F1 launched at a price of £540 000 in 1994, and over the course of the next four years 64 F1, 5 F1 LM and 3 F1 GT road cars were produced, together with 28 F1 GTR race cars. An additional six prototypes were produced.
These day, McLaren F1 is one of the most expensive cars in the world, even more expensive than Veyron. In October 2008, F1 car was sold at auction for £2.53 million.
On 27th April 2010, McLaren Automotive celebrated their 20th Anniversary. F1 owners were invited to a celebration dinner at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. Totally 21 McLaren F1 road and race cars assembled in one place.
"The F1 is a technological tour-de-force and a real triumph in terms of packaging and design. Whether endurance racing or on road, it is supremely fast, agile and yet comfortable. Its styling is enduring and will never fade. I enjoy driving mine more today than ever before because I find its technical purity highly satisfying; the F1 remains one of McLaren's proudest achievements.", said Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive Executive Chairman.
McLaren's celebration of the 20th anniversary of the F1 will continue throughout the year.
McLaren enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see both the F1 and the new model MP4-12C together at this summer's Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place at the famous English motorsport venue from 2-4 July 2010.
Technical Data
Model |
F1 Roadcar |
F1 GTR Racecar |
F1 LM Roadcar |
Year of production |
1993-98 |
1995 |
1996 |
Examples built |
64 |
9 |
5 |
Engine |
BMW V12 |
BMW V12 |
BMW V12 |
Cubic Capacity |
6064 cc |
6064cc |
6064cc |
Engine Management |
TAG 3.12 Ignition/Injection |
TAG 3.12 Ignition/Injection |
TAG 3.12 Ignition/Injection |
Power output (bhp) |
627 |
600 |
680 |
Transmission |
Transverse 6-speed Limited Slip Differential |
Aluminium case transverse 6-speed, LSD |
Transverse 6-speed Racing Unit, LSD |
Chassis |
Carbon fibre reinforced composite monocoque |
Carbon fibre reinforced composite monocoque |
Carbon fibre reinforced composite monocoque |
Body |
Carbon fibre composite panels |
Carbon fibre composite panels |
Carbon fibre composite panels |
Front Suspension |
Double wishbones, Ground Plane Sheer centre sub-frame light alloy damper/co-axial coil spring, anti-roll bar |
Double wishbones, light alloy damper/co-axial coil spring, anti-roll bar |
Double wishbones, light alloy damper/co-axial coil spring, anti-roll bar |
Rear suspension |
Double wishbones, Inclined Axis Sheer mounting, light alloy damper/coaxle coil spring, toe-in/toe-out control links |
Double wishbones, light alloy damper/coaxle coil spring |
Double wishbones, light alloy damper/coaxle coil spring |
Brakes F/R |
Outboard 13/12in ventilated discs |
Outboard 15/14in ventilated carbon discs |
Outboard 13/12in ventilated discs |
Wheels: Diameter x Width F/R |
17x9/17x11.5in |
18x10.85/18x13in |
18x10.85/18x13in |
Tyres F/R |
Goodyear F1, Michelin SX-MXX3 |
Michelin |
Michelin SX-MXX3 |
Length |
169in/4292mm |
169in/4292mm |
171.8in/4365mm |
Width |
71.6in/1820mm |
71.6in/1820mm |
71.6in/1820mm |
Height |
44.8in/1140mm |
44.8in/1140mm |
44.1in/1120mm |
Wheelbase |
107in/2718mm |
107in/2718mm |
107in/2718mm |
Track F/R |
61.7/58in / 1568/1472mm |
61.3/58.6in / |
61.8/57.6in / |
Weight |
2502lb/1140kg |
2315lb/1050kg |
2341lb/1062kg |
Model |
F1 GTR Racecar |
F1 GT Roadcar |
F1 GTR Racecar |
Year of production |
1996 |
1997 |
1997 |
Examples built |
9 |
3 |
10 |
Engine |
BMW V12 |
BMW V12 |
BMW V12 |
Cubic Capacity |
6064 cc |
6064cc |
5990cc |
Engine Management |
TAG 3.12 Ignition/Injection |
TAG 3.12 Ignition/Injection |
TAG 3.12 Ignition/Injection |
Power output (bhp) |
600 |
627 |
600 |
Transmission |
Magnesium case transverse 6-speed Limited Slip Differential |
Transverse 6-speed, Limited Slip Differential |
Magnesium case transverse 6-speed |
Chassis |
Carbon fibre reinforced composite monocoque |
Carbon fibre reinforced composite monocoque |
Carbon fibre reinforced composite monocoque |
Body |
Carbon fibre composite panels |
Carbon fibre composite panels |
Carbon fibre composite panels |
Front Suspension |
Double wishbones, light alloy damper/coaxle coil spring, anti-roll bar |
Double wishbones, Ground Plane Sheer centre sub-frame light alloy damper/co-axial coil spring, anti-roll bar |
Double wishbones, light alloy damper/co-axial coil spring, anti-roll bar |
Rear suspension |
Double wishbones, light alloy damper/co-axial coil spring |
Double wishbones, Inclined Axis Sheer mounting, light alloy damper/co-axial coil spring, toe-in/toe-out control links |
Double wishbones, light alloy damper/co-axial coil spring |
Brakes F/R |
Outboard 15/14in ventilated carbon discs |
Outboard 13/12in ventilated discs |
Outboard 15/14in ventilated carbon discs |
Wheels: Diameter x Width F/R |
18x10.85/18x13in |
18x10.85/18x13in |
18x10.85/18x13in |
Tyres F/R |
Michelin |
Michelin |
Michelin |
Length |
172in/4367mm |
194in/4928mm |
194.2in/4933mm |
Width |
74.8in/1900mm |
76.4in/1940mm |
75.6in/1920mm |
Height |
42.9in/1090mm |
47.2in/1200mm |
47.2in/1200mm |
Wheelbase |
107in/2718mm |
107in/2718mm |
107.2in/2723mm |
Track F/R |
61.3/58.6in / 1558/1488mm |
63.3/62.3in / |
63.7/62.3in / |
Weight |
2231lb/1012kg |
2469lb/1120kg |
2017lb/915kg |