McLaren is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its legendary F1 this year, and has released this video (with never before seen footage) that tells the story of the car’s record-breaking 386.4 km/h (240.14 mph) top speed.
It starts in 1998, when McLaren asked Le Mans winner, Andy Wallace if he would like to drive the F1 “really fast.” Naturally, the younger and “stupider” Wallace of the day, agreed to the request and proceeded to join the team in Germany at the Ehra-Lessien test track.
Of course, this wasn’t his first time in an F1, as he had previously competed in Le Mans driving the F1 GTR in 1995 and 1996. Backed by a team of McLaren engineers, as well as the presence of Gordon Murray, the designer of the F1, Wallace set off in the F1 to get the three-seat supercar to as fast as it’ll possibly go.
By the end, on that day (March 31, 1998), the McLaren F1 managed to set a final combined record speed of 386.47 km/h (240.14 mph). This record will remain unchallenged for several years, until the Bugatti Veyron arrives in 2005 with a top speed of 408.47 km/h (253.81 mph). For a bit of info, to be officially ratified by Guinness World Records requires two runs in opposite directions to obtain an average speed.
One of the key aspects of the F1’s incredible performance is its engine – a bespoke 6.1 litre naturally-aspirated V12 from BMW M, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with an AP carbon triple-plate clutch.
The engine developed 636 PS at 7,400 rpm and 651 Nm of torque at 5,600 rpm, and as you can tell from the video, is capable of accelerating the car to a maximum top speed of 390.7 km/h. This also makes the F1 the fastest naturally-aspirated production road car ever built after two decades. Truly, one of the all-time greats.
GALLERY: McLaren F1
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The best NA engine ever build
Msians say Campro better than this la
Ferrari F50’s V12 engine is still the best sounding N.A V12 engined-road car. And Ferrari was in fact , was very close to field a hardtop Ferrari F50 GT1 car to challenge Mclaren F1 GTR in the BPR GT/FIA GT series as a semi-factory effort in 1996/97. But sadly, pull out the plug of the project..
Yeah still the fastest NA car in the world without the turbocharged
Hopefully our Prootn can learn how to make a good car that succeeds. McLaren started making consumer cars much later than Proton. And yet, all their cars are a success.
Time for Proton to wake up
Boring comment, samloo kintak dupe kind