Gordon Murray created a sensation at Pebble Beach this year by unveiling the S1 LM, an obvious tribute to the legendary McLaren F1. As the creator of the original, it makes sense that Murray, at the helm of his own company GMA, would design a spiritual successor with the T.50, a three-seater V12 hypercar. But this raises a question: does McLaren, still active in the supercar world, perceive GMA as a threat?
McLaren Sees GMA as a Tribute, Not Competition
According to Nick Collins, the CEO of McLaren, the answer is no. When asked by The Drive during Monterey Car Week, he compares the work of Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) to that of Singer with the Porsche 911: a celebration of the past, not an appropriation of McLaren’s heritage.
“Gordon is a great guy,” said Collins. “We spend a lot of time with him. We have a lot of affection for Gordon and what his team is accomplishing, and we love the fact that they are celebrating McLaren’s heritage. It shows how strong our heritage is.”
A Valuable Heritage but Focused on the Future
While heritage is crucial for supercar manufacturers, McLaren has a more recent road history than its rivals. The F1, its first production model in 1992, remains a milestone. Collins, however, does not feel threatened by GMA’s recent creations.
He explains: “Part of the heritage is very relevant to some people, but for other, younger consumers around the world, it doesn’t mean much. The [Lamborghini] Countach means something to those of us who had a poster of it on our bedroom wall. Maybe it means nothing to a 20-year-old in China today, right? So I’m not intimidated by it at all.”
The W1, McLaren’s New Technological Pinnacle
For Collins, McLaren’s philosophy is not to dwell on the past but to push technological boundaries. The F1 was the pinnacle of technology at its launch, just as the P1 was in its time. The next halo hypercar, the W1, will follow the same logic.
“What is the W1 going to be? It will be the pinnacle of technology at its launch. Every car has set a new standard.”
Developing a hybrid power output of 1,275 horsepower, the W1 relies on blistering acceleration and aerodynamics generating up to 1,000 kg of downforce. While its top speed is limited to 349 km/h (compared to 391 km/h for the F1), it embodies McLaren’s forward-looking vision.
A Unique Heritage That Defines the Future
Collins concludes: “Why do people still love the F1? For good reason, it was and remains the fastest naturally aspirated road car, but it redefined the landscape. The P1 did exactly the same thing, and the W1 will do the same. Our heritage is ours, undeniably ours and no one else’s. Our heritage helps define our future.”