On October 17, 2024, according to the Resource Library, McLaren Automotive Company, headquartered in Woking, England, officially launched a new supercar, the McLaren W1. This model is not only the successor to the classic and legendary McLaren F1 and P1, but also represents the brand’s latest pinnacle in the field of high-performance sports cars.
The W1’s front suspension system is inspired by the design concept of Formula 1 racing cars and is directly integrated into the carbon fiber monocoque. Its forearm and key components are visible from the outside, and some components use a titanium alloy additive manufacturing process to achieve ultimate lightweighting.
Official data shows that the W1’s front pillars and wishbones are made by titanium alloy additive manufacturing (3D printing) as part of the Active Chassis Control III (PCC III) system. This system includes active inner undulating suspension, rear active drop-down linkage and adaptive damping control, allowing the W1 to maintain excellent handling and stability whether on the road or track, especially during extreme cornering.
It is worth noting that McLaren previously announced that it would use its additive manufacturing technology to produce chassis components for the next generation of super sports cars in cooperation with Divergent. Divergent’s DAPS (Divergent Adaptive Production System) injects highly complex and innovative design concepts into the vehicle’s architecture, which is particularly evident in the W1’s suspension system. Additive manufacturing not only enables lightweight design of complex structures, but also significantly improves production efficiency and further supports the development of green supply chains.
According to McLaren, DAPS technology helps them reduce the weight of key components while improving manufacturing flexibility and sustainability, laying the foundations for more innovative models in the future. The W1 is expected to be produced in a limited edition of 399 examples, with a starting price of around £2 million each. Currently this model is out of stock.
