Like most things I write about, this is a topic I hold a deep passion for, and as always, it is related to modern advances in manufacturing technology. Like many automobile enthusiasts, I believe the McLaren F1 sports car to be the greatest of all time. While it's old enough for antique plates, having been produced from 1992 to 2000, only recently has the masterpiece from designer Gordon Murray started to develop crow’s feet. So, could there be a newer GOAT? Let's take a look.
Why Was the McLaren F1 the Greatest?
Naturally, the F1 was fast. McLaren built it with a Swiss watch of an engine (technically a German bespoke BMW V12 – Murray originally wanted Honda to build the engine for him – but you get my point) mated to a six-speed dog box with either an H-pattern or, in the 1997 GTR Longtail trim, a sequential shifter; great options as long as the buyer knew how to work with three pedals. I wouldn’t dare mention the “A” word (automa – shhh!) in an article unless I’m talking about watches, firearms – or manufacturing technology.
More(less?)over, the car weighed well under 3,000 pounds with all its required operating fluids; this is inconceivable with the modern battle tanks (aka “commuter vehicles”) that are tearing up our country's innocent tarmac. But what made the McLaren truly special, other than the spec sheet, were its avant-garde materials, architecture (including seating position and luggage capacity), design, and pedigree – both of the chief engineer and the car’s global motorsport accomplishments.
Is Gordon Murray Living in the Past?
Today, a quarter-century after the last F1 was produced, the mastermind behind the McLaren F1 is back at it with the 2023 Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) T.50.
While some think Murray’s living in the past, I prefer to think that he’s refining and modernizing his original vision. In 1988, Murray pitched "the ultimate road car" to McLaren CEO Ron Dennis, a car that would be heavily influenced by McLaren's Formula One experience and technology. The rest is history.
The GMA T.50 is a modern remastering of the F1, rather than a true successor. It maintains the analog, driver-focused experience of the F1 while addressing its predecessor's limitations, demonstrating Murray's commitment to evolving his vision of the ultimate driver's car rather than simply cashing in on his earlier work. With a 0-62 mph time of 2.8 seconds, a top speed of 226 mph, and a dry weight of 2,176 pounds (much lighter than a new Mazda Miata), it’s hard to argue with him.
A Challenger Appears
Czinger is an American hypercar manufacturer founded in 2019 by Kevin Czinger, and the 21C is their flagship/halo (and only) model. It's stupid fast, as we've seen in recently published lap times from several legendary international racetracks. With 1,350 horsepower wrung from its hybrid powertrain, it set new records at Laguna Seca Raceway, Circuit of the Americas, and the Goodwood Hillclimb. But does Czinger and their 21C have what it takes to win the 24 Heures du Mans? Is Czinger really up for achieving the practical greatness the F1 achieved?
I’ve said it in other work that the 21C is the next F1, but despite the 21C’s impressive performance, I admit that such a declaration may be premature. After all, winning Le Mans requires more than speed alone. Factors such as reliability, fuel efficiency, and team infrastructure are crucial for endurance racing success – factors yet to be tested.
Czinger’s parent company, California-based digital manufacturer Divergent Technologies, which was also founded by Kevin Czinger, has had a profound influence on the Czinger’s innovative manufacturing approach to the 21C. The 21C extensively uses 3D printed components, with approximately 350 parts per vehicle primarily printed of aluminum, nickel, and titanium alloys.
Problem is: Advanced manufacturing is still constrained by, well, advanced manufacturing constraints. Sure, Czinger only plans to make about 80 units of the 21C – but that’s still “mass produced” in the world of multimillion-dollar hypercars. While exclusivity is a major factor here, let’s not get it twisted. As many AMT members and other manufacturers can attest, supply chain bottlenecks and additive manufacturing limitations – including speed of production, the manufacture and quality control of powders, and more – will surely dampen the number of units delivered. However, if Czinger, a car company that’s never made any other vehicle before, has what it takes to really leverage advanced manufacturing, shouldn’t they overcome these issues? Do they really have the means for mass production? I’ll wait patiently at the finish line to see.
Could the New McLaren W1 Be the True Successor?
In a hypercar ring that’s quickly growing crowded, the upcoming 2025 McLaren W1 could be the true successor to the legendary F1 (and its spiritual follow-up, the McLaren P1). Czinger/Divergent is working with McLaren to develop the W1, focusing specifically on the car’s advanced suspension system. This partnership combines McLaren's automotive expertise and pedigree with Divergent's innovation and advanced manufacturing capabilities, potentially creating a synergy that could lead to groundbreaking advancements in hypercar design and performance.
And the W1’s eye-popping specs reinforce its claim as the true heir to the throne. It boasts 1,258 horsepower, has 1,000 pound-feet of torque, weighs less than a top-of-the-line Toyota Corolla, and hits 62 mph in just 2.7 seconds before stopping from that speed in just 29 meters – the length of about 1.5 bowling lanes! Best of all, it backs up the numbers, lapping the Nardo Ring test track an astonishing three seconds faster than the McLaren Senna – the company’s third entry in their Ultimate Series (the other two entries? The F1 and P1). Putting it mildly, the W1 embodies McLaren's "world championship mindset" and commitment to pushing performance boundaries while building on the legacy of its predecessors.
So, what do you think? Who is the one true heir to the F1’s carbon fiber throne? It's difficult to declare, as the T.50, 21C, and W1 each bring unique innovations to the hypercar kingdom. Will they live up to the hype? Or be relegated to last place? I don’t know, but it’s a good time to be a manufacturing nerd and a gearhead!
To read the rest of the Emerging Technology Issue of MT Magazine, click here.
