In 1963, Bruce McLaren, one of the most popular F1 competitors of that time, founded his new company. Since he was a famous racing driver and an engineer, he gave the brand the name Bruce McLaren Motor Racing. However, the company changed the name to just McLaren Cars in 1985, when Bruce partnered with Ron Dennis.

The brand manufactured its first road car, the McLaren F1, in 1992. The modern brand, McLaren Automotive, was founded in 2010 and is now one of the largest privately-owned companies in Europe with over GBP 2.2 billion in assets.

With the McLaren F1, the company wanted to replicate the feeling of driving one of their race cars, so the driver sits in the center of the car. The seat is fixed but the steering wheel and the pedals can be adjusted to the driver. Here are 15 facts and figures about the McLaren F1.

14 6.1L V12 Engine

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The 6.1L V12 engine was produced by Paul Porsche, head of the M division at BMW. He developed the naturally aspirated 627 hp motor which is considered to be one of his best creations. The F1 can reach a maximum speed of 240 mph and get from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds.

13 The World's Fastest Production Car

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The McLaren F1 had the title for the world's fastest production car from 1992 until 2005. The car got several special edition versions including the LM and the GT, and it was used as an inspiration for the GTR car. Besides, the F1 is one of a few million-dollar supercars built in the 90s.

12 F1 Race Car Inspired Design

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The McLaren F1 was inspired by prototype race cars. We can see some details that were popular in the early 90s: large doors, a huge rear deck, two large air intakes, a canopy-like roof, and a relatively short front hood. At the same time, its rounded design reminds us of Le Mans cars of that time.

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11 The Most Reliable F1 Car

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The car was designed by Gordon Murray, who didn't want to have any supercharged or turbocharged engines. Although they could increase power output, they would reduce reliability and put a lot of stress on the engine. That's why the McLaren F1 is known as one of the most reliable F1 cars.

10 Made Of Carbon Fiber, Titanium And Gold

roadandtrack.com

The McLaren F1was built with the best and the most expensive materials of that time. In order to maintain the lowest weight possible, the company had to use carbon fiber, magnesium, and titanium. There are even 0.8 ounces of gold that was used in the engine compartment for heat-reflective purposes.

9 Only 100 Units Were Made

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In 1993, you could by the F1 for $810,000, but only 100 units were made. Rumor has it, the last car was sold for over $11 million. In 1998, it set the world's top speed record of 231 mph with the rev limiter on. That was one of the reasons for its huge popularity.

8 Old-School Exterior Design

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If we look at the rear fascia, we can see some old-school details, including "big round taillights, a massive grille between them, and eight smaller mesh intakes underneath." The roof has a fin-like element, while the long-deck gives the car a race-like appearance. The F1 had an elegance that other cars of that time couldn't offer.

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7 3-Seat Configuration

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There are a couple of interesting features in the cabin, including its 3-seat setup. The driver sits in the middle, with 2 passenger seats side-by-side behind him. The center-mounted driver's seat is representative of McLaren's race cars. However, it's impossible to have 3 seats mounted like that anymore due to the new airbag system regulations.

6 A Plethora Of Luxurious Details

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Since the McLaren F1 was tailored to appeal to rich customers, it had to have luxurious details. That's why the floor was covered in soft carpets and many surfaces were wrapped in leather. Due to the seat setup, the steering wheel and the instrument panel were in the middle. The seats had a race-inspired look.

5 Unique Convenience Features

Things we know about the mclaren f1
via Motoring Research

The car got an air conditioning system, which was a rarity on the majority of luxury cars. Besides, it got a "SeKurit electric defrost/demist windscreen and side glass, electric windows, remote central locking system, and a Kenwood 10-disc CD stereo system." You also got branded luggage bags as a gift.

4 Double Wishbone Suspension

Fastest cars in the world
via McLaren

The then-new double-wishbone suspension offered more in terms of performance than suspensions of the Honda NSX, the Jaguar XJR16 and the Porsche 928S. The company manufactured unique bell cranks and steering knuckles to make them as lightweight as possible. The wishbones were made by CNC machines from a solid aluminum alloy.

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3 3,000 Hours Spent On The Chassis

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McLaren says they used a no-compromise approach while designing the car. It means spending over 3,000 hours making carbon fiber chassis. Engineers produced 6 pieces of titanium to make the throttle pedal. The instrument panel was hand-painted. Each needle was individually machined. Every piece was customized to the driver.

2 The Computer-Controlled Airbrake

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The computer-controlled Airbrake balances load across the car and ensures the F1 maintains poise when braking hard. Back in the 90s, this was the most advanced braking system. Absence of spoilers and wings enhanced aerodynamics and delivered absolute stability at high speed. The company could create a traction-enhancing load without adding weight.

1 Comfortable In Everyday Situation

motorauthority.com

Speaking of damper and spring specifications, the car got "3.5 in bump, 3.1 in rebound with bounce frequency at 1.43 Hz at the front and 1.80 Hz at the rear." It means that even though the car was sports-oriented, it could offer a soft relaxed ride suitable for everyday situations.

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