A Bulgarian genius – Alex Alexiev, is behind the creation of McLaren’s most powerful hypercar in history.
Alexiev is the chief designer of the British company and has also “drawn” the new mega-creation of the British – the McLaren W1.
He has been chief designer at McLaren Automotive for over 11 years now, working on more than 13 automotive programs for the brand.
“McLaren W1 required the highest level of interplay between design and aerodynamics. With a holistic approach to maximizing airflow throughout the car, including the interior – both teams have been collaborating since day one. This is a car that is extreme, but still usable every day. The process of transforming an extreme concept into a fascinating and complex design is extremely satisfying,” says the Bulgarian designer.
37-year-old Alex was born in Sofia, but since 1996 he has been living in the USA, where his parents went to work. Graduated from California College of the Arts in Automotive Design.
He moved to London 11 years ago to work for McLaren.
Introduced in 1992, the McLaren F1 laid the foundation for all hypercars. Then, in 2012, the English company revolutionized the sector alongside Ferrari and Porsche with its first hybrid supercar, the P1. Now, more than 30 years after the original F1, comes the McLaren W1.
McLaren W1 prices start at 2 million euros. 399 units will be made and all are already prepaid.
The McLaren W1 is powered by an all-new twin-turbocharged 4-liter V8 engine combined with an electric motor. The total power is 1241 hp. and 1353 Nm of torque.
Thus, the new English hypercar can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 350 km/h. The W1 reaches 200 km/h in 5.8 seconds and 300 km/h in under 12.7 seconds.
This McLaren can also stop in a flash. The braking distance from 200 km/h to rest is 100 meters, and from 100 km/h – only 29 meters.
The new gasoline engine, called MPH-8, has a power of 904 horsepower, i.e. 226 hp per litre, the highest ratio ever recorded by McLaren.
The new V8 is supported by an “E-module”, which consists of a radial-flow electric motor, a control unit and a 1.4 kWh battery. A system that adds another 337 horsepower and allows the McLaren W1 to travel approximately 2.5 km in electric mode. Better than nothing.
So the new English hypercar is not a plug-in hybrid unlike rivals Ferrari SF90 and Lamborghini Revuelto.
The design of the McLaren W1 is centered on the new monocoque Aerocell chassis developed by the company, which combines a fixed seat while the pedals and steering wheel are adjustable. Access to the compartment is provided by spectacular doors that open upwards, called Anhedral Doors.
To create the W1, McLaren engineers spent more than 350 hours in the wind tunnel testing more than 5,000 individual points to ensure it is the most aerodynamic supercar in the brand’s history.
McLaren’s new Race Active Chassis Control III chassis is configured in three different modes: Comfort, Sport and Race.
Connecting the W1 to the road are Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires measuring 265/35 at the front and 335/30 at the rear. McLaren also offers P Zero R tires for more regular road use and Pirelli P Zero Winter 2.
It’s a track car, but with a license plate that doesn’t give up technological innovations and a luxurious interior. Inside, there’s an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.