Remembering the McLaren F1

Por Chelsea Jay – Their work – With permission, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81984018

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The McLaren F1 is a super sports car, built from 1993 to 1998. It twice broke the record for the fastest naturally aspirated road vehicle in the world, reaching a top speed of 386.7 km/h. This record was made possible thanks to its revolutionary aerodynamics and its lightweight of 1140 kg, due to the chassis made of carbon fiber and the aluminum engine.

History

In 1989, McLaren founded the McLaren Cars brand. The main goal was to create an advanced supercar that would provide a unique experience for the driver. Then, in 1991, Gordon Murray began to create this car. To start its design, several wind tunnel tests were conducted to see which shape would have the best aerodynamic performance. The position and size of the radiator, intake, positive aerodynamic pressure, brake cooling, etc., were also tested. After that, Gordon decided to design the car.

Interior

A characteristic of this car is that the McLaren, unlike the two seats that used to be in cars “of this category,” has 3 seats where the driver is in the middle and the 2 passengers are next to him. It also has luggage space, and the driver can open the doors without getting out of the seat; however, getting into the car is “a bit complicated.”

Por Eliot from Las Vegas – McLaren F1 interior, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2435752

BMW Engine 6.1 V12 DOHC 48v de 627 hp

The engine was made by BMW and it has 627hp the compartment part of the exhaust system were coated with pure 24-karat gold. The application of gold, in this case, is not due to extravagance: this material is an excellent thermal conductor and cools easily, which is necessary when the engine is a true powerhouse.

By Beemwej – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9689184

Versions

McLaren F1 GTR LM

A version created solely for racing. It was less powerful as it exceeded the regulations of its category. There was also a version with an extended rear. It has a 6.1 DOHC V12 engine from the street versions, but with 608 hp. It won the 24 Hours of Le Mans once and finished in second and third places.

Por Tony Harrison from Farnborough, UK – Gulf Team Davidoff Mclaren F1 Donnington 1997, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3883955

Basic McLaren F1

The most basic version of all, 64 units were produced. This was the version that twice broke the world record for the fastest car in the world. It had 636 hp at 7500 rpm, torque of 69.3 kgfm at 5,600 rpm, and reached 391 km/h.

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85462

McLaren F1 LM

The F1 LM is a version created to celebrate the 24 hours of Le Mans. Only 5 units and one prototype of this version were produced. The car weighed 1,062 kg and had 689 hp at 7,800 rpm with a torque of 71.9 kgfm at 4,500 rpm, reaching a speed of 362 km/h. Even so, it was slower than the original McLaren F1 due to its aerodynamics (spoilers and wing) that were designed to corner faster than the original McLaren F1.

Por robad0b – https://www.flickr.com/photos/robadob/195998261/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1809859