Performance Review: McLaren F1 6.1 V12 - [1994]

Figures & Specs Summary:

McLaren F1 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the McLaren F1 6.1 V12 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1994. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12 and the 1995 Ford GT 90 6.0L V12.This particular McLaren F1 has a 6064cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The F1 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the F1's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1140 kgs (2513 lbs) this makes the McLaren F1 6.1 V12 in the same weight category as the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The McLaren F1 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (650 bhp)

In terms of power the 6064cc 48V V12 engine produces 627 bhp (467 kW) @ 7400 rpm similar to the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (650 bhp) or the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (651 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 480 lb-ft (650.7 Nm) @ 5600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the McLaren F1 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2020 McLaren Elva 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (574.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the McLaren F1.

The McLaren F1 has a Power to weight ratio of 550.0 bhp per ton and 421.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1994 F1 competing with the 2020 McLaren Elva 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (574.2 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged (570.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the McLaren F1 generating around 421.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (444.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2018 Ferrari 488 Pista 3.9 V8 Turbo (443.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.3 secs, this made the McLaren F1 6.1 V12 as fast as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.20 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Dakar 3.0 Turbo 992 II (3.20 secs) the 2021 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 982 (3.20 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring PDK 992 (3.20 secs). This McLaren F1 6.1 V12 is also faster than the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (3.30 secs) the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (3.30 secs) the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (3.30 secs) the and the 2022 Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12 (3.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the F1 and the 2012 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8

When talking about the performance of the McLaren F1 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.02 secs @ 136.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8 (9.98 secs), the 2012 Jaguar XF R-S 5.0 V8 (10.00 secs), and the 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible 6.0 W12 (10.00 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1994 version of the McLaren F1 6.1 V12 has a maximum speed of 240mph.

Top Speed of the 1994 F1 equals the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 (252 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 then how about the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 (252 mph), the 2008 Koenigsegg CCX R Special Edition 4.8 V8 S (254 mph), or the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo (255 mph).

Related Links:

1994 F1 Rivals List.

A Brief History of McLaren

Car Comparison