McLaren F1: Designed to compete against NSX

[Eclipsed]

Interesting read.

http://jalopnik.com/5162428/mclaren-f1-greatest-supercar-ever-built

While Gordan Murray prepares his hoping-to-be-revolutionary T.25 City Car, we thought it fitting to take an in-depth look at the development of his previous revolution — the awe-inspiring McLaren F1 supercar.

The McLaren F1 is considered one of the greatest (if not, the greatest) supercars of all time. It's quirky, driver-focused and fast. With a top speed of 242 mph, central driving position and complete carbon fiber reinforced plastic monocoque chassis structure set it apart from all other production road cars when it was released in 1992 and stills manages to stand tall in the crowd of almost cookie-cutter supercars today.

Its stunning BMW-sourced 6.1-liter 60-degree V12 featured an aluminum block and heads with an 86mm x 87mm bore/stroke, quad-overhead camshafts controlling four valves per-cylinder and a dry sump oil system. The bespoke engine was officially designated the BMW S70/2 and weighed in at 586 lbs while producing 627 horsepower at 7400 rpm and 480 lb-ft of torque at 5600 rpm. This same engine was used to power the BMW V12 LMR prototypes from 1998 to 2000.

A little known fact from the developmental story was that the famous BMW V12 may not have actually powered the McLaren F1, instead Murray looked to both Honda and then Isuzu to power his new supercar.

"During this time, we were able to visit with Ayrton Senna (the late F1 Champion) and Honda's Tochigi Research Center. The visit related to the fact that at the time, McLaren's F1 Grand Prix cars were using Honda engines. Although it's true I had thought it would have been better to put a larger engine, the moment I drove the Honda NSX, all the benchmark cars-Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini-I had been using as references in the development of my car vanished from my mind. Of course the car we would create, the McLaren F1, needed to be faster than the NSX, but the NSX's ride quality and handling would become our new design target. Being a fan of Honda engines, I later went to Honda's Tochigi Research Center on two occasions and requested that they consider building for the McLaren F1 a 4.5 liter V10 or V12. I asked, I tried to persuade them, but in the end could not convince them to do it, and the McLaren F1 ended up equipped with a BMW engine."

What better way to celebrate Gordon Murray's new venture than with a little history of one of his greatest achievements of his career. Enjoy

Eat that italy!

 

[sheldement]

that's interesting to know. Thanks for the post.

 

[Beef Supreme]

Shouldn't the title of this thread read: "McLaren F1: Influenced by the NSX"?

If it was designed to compete against the NSX, then I doubt Murray would have used the BMW V12.

 

[ChopsJazz]

It's very well known that Murray used the NSX as a benchmark when designing the F1, but you have misinterpreted the article. He never planned to compete against the NSX with his new car.

 

[Gansan]

Interesting read.

http://jalopnik.com/5162428/mclaren-f1-greatest-supercar-ever-built



Eat that italy!

I don't know what to make of the fact that my translation of that Honda website article by Murray has been quoted everywhere. The article was written by Murray, but they were translated to Japanese, then translated back to English by me. So the phrasing and wording is all mine, which makes it really weird to see it in various places. So far I have seen that quote in Wikipedia, 0-60 magazine (just saw it by chance on the newsstand), and now I assume jalopnik picked it up from Wikipedia as well.

 

[ExCfive]

I read that as saying that he loved the Honda engines...wanted a lower displacement (4.6L vs. 6.1L) higher hp engine and Honda would not do it. Thus the BMW engine is what they went with. But compete against...no.

 

[swerve2007]

cool article

 

[SuperCarnitas]

So far I have seen that quote in Wikipedia, 0-60 magazine (just saw it by chance on the newsstand), and now I assume jalopnik picked it up from Wikipedia as well.

I had just noted the amazing reach of your translation work on the original thread where you posted it. Since the Wikipedia entry cites your original Google Docs page, I would think a quick note on the Docs page will help the more conscientious editors to credit both the original source (Honda) and the translator (you).

I do think it's fantastic that you've left a lasting mark on automobiledom!

 

[Eclipsed]

Bad choice of words when I posted this. Didn't mean compete as much as "Used the NSX as his standard over the Italian ladies"

 

[jond]

Very nice!
The McLaren F1 is the only true Hyper-Super-Car in my eyes.