/McLaren F1’s 20th Anniversary

McLaren F1’s 20th Anniversary

maclaren fw 20th 1 at McLaren F1s 20th Anniversary

Yesterday was the birthday of one of the greatest cars of all time. The McLaren F1 belongs to 20 years ago, but even today only a few cars are capable of matching its level of performance and speed. It really is an engineering marvel, the F1 was the first car in the world with a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, and it still hold the record for the fastest normally aspirated supercar.

It is also one of most characteristic cars ever made. With its unique carbon fiber body, amazing three-seater cabin with the driver in the middle, and its magnificent V12 BMW engine, McLaren F1 is definitely the most refined supercar, well until Bugatti Veyron arrived. But remember the F1 is a production of the 20th century.

Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive Executive Chairman, said:
“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.”

It’s not likely that we see a successor to the F1 anytime soon, since McLaren has changed its strategy and is now expanding business by making more affordable sportscar such as the new MP4-12C. And honestly how is it possible to make a car better than the F1?!

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Here’s technical specs of all McLaren F1’s models:

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 17×9/17×11.5in 18×10.85/18x13in 18×10.85/18x13in
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 /

1558/1488mm

61.8/57.6in /

1570/1464mm

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 18×10.85/18x13in 18×10.85/18x13in 18×10.85/18x13in
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 /

1620/1582mm

63.7/62.3in /

1617/1582mm

Weight 2231lb/1012kg 2469lb/1120kg 2017lb/915kg

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(Founder / Chief Editor / Journalist) – Arman is the original founder of Motorward.com, which he kept until August 2009. Currently Arman is our chief editor and is held responsible for a large part of the news we publish.