The McLaren F1 hit the supercar scene and took over. This incredible car from the 1990s still holds some records, which makes it an amazing classic.

From 1992 to 1998, McLaren built this amazing supercar for six years. It is remembered as one of the greatest models ever made and continues to be the fastest naturally aspirated production cars in the world. The top speed of 240 mph makes it a car that is hard to beat. The F1 stands tall in a world that includes the McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, and Porsche 918 Spyder. Let’s explore what makes the McLaren F1 special.

Track performance courtesy of an incredible suspension

The F1 has a suspension setup that is unique to this car. The damper and spring suspension gave this car the smooth ride and gentle grab necessary to be one of the top-performing cars on any track. In addition to being great on the track, the F1 could take to the road and handle some of the most abrasive qualities found on many highways. The LM model received race springs and dampers to ensure this car was tuned for the track.

Three seats: Why?

Many might ask why the McLaren F1 has a three-seat configuration, but very few can actually answer this question. The driver sits in the center, much like a racecar, while the two passengers sit behind the driver. This makes the car great for three people to head out for a ride together. It might not be the perfect date car because your date will be seated behind you, but I’ts still a cool car to discuss and makes for an interesting conversation when talking about the trio of seats.

Going lighter made this car faster

The F1 was made for the top of the supercar market, which meant McLaren could use high-tech, expensive materials to make this car lighter. Some of these materials include carbon fiber, titanium, Kevlar, and magnesium. This was one of the first supercars with a carbon fiber monocoque, which has become a staple in the supercar market. Even with a third seat, this McLaren supercar was lighter than others in its class, tipping the scales at 2,509 pounds.

This car is safer than you might expect

The F1 crash testing prototype passed its tests with flying colors, with the front wheel arch untouched and protective regions made to keep a driver and passengers from being hurt in a crash. Strangely, before the crash-test prototype was made, an unplanned crash occurred when a test driver rolled the first prototype while driving in Namibia. He was wearing only a T-shirt and shorts and came out of the crash unharmed. These tests tell us this McLaren supercar can keep everyone secure in a crash.

A cabin made for the most discerning driver

The McLaren F1 had to appeal to those looking for a high-speed drive on the track and at the top of the automotive world. This meant including some incredible luxury features that brought quality and comfort to the drive. The rich cabin includes air conditioning, soft seats, and impressive floor materials. The F1 also featured many desirable items for driving on the road, including power windows, remote central locking, and a Kenwood 10-disc CD stereo system. This is a supercar made for road trips from one track to the next.

The suspension does even more in the F1

The unique suspension build brought another trick for drivers of this supercar. Typically, a suspension system only allows the wheels to travel up and down, which means some bumps can still be felt in the cabin. The F1’s double-wishbone suspension also features rearward movement when the car hits a bump, allowing the wheels to absorb the bump and not send the energy into the cabin area. This improves the overall comfort of the ride.

Amazing power from McLaren

The McLaren F1 was powered by a BMW S70/2 6.1-liter V12 engine. This engine, produced by Paul Porsche, delivered 618 horsepower to the wheels. This allowed the F1 to reach a top speed of 240 mph. The engine features an aluminum alloy block and heads with new variable valve timing to ensure maximum control and flexibility while driving. This car’s top speed surpassed the previous mark of 217.1 achieved by the Jaguar XJ220, crushing that figure. Even today, this car is the fastest naturally aspirated supercar, making it a marvel to behold.

The McLaren F1 was only produced for six years, and only 106 models were ever made, making it one of the most limited cars on the planet. It’s still a fantastic supercar to discuss, and it holds many records.