Performance Review: McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12 - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

McLaren F1 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1998 Mercedes CLK GTR 6.9 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 1220 kgs (2689 lbs) this makes the McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12 in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The McLaren F1 shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp)

In terms of power the 6064cc 48V V12 engine produces 618 bhp (460 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp) or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 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 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo (531.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the McLaren F1.

The McLaren F1 has a Power to weight ratio of 506.5 bhp per ton and 393.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 F1 competing with the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo (531.0 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 (530.1 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 393.4 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 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6 (412.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Ferrari LaFerrari 6.3L V12 (411.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.1 secs, this made the McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12 as fast as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (3.00 secs) the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (3.00 secs) the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (3.00 secs) the or the 2021 McLaren Artura 3.0 V6 Turbo Hybrid (3.00 secs). This McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12 is also faster than the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992 (3.10 secs) the 2022 Lamborghini Urus Performante Twin Turbo (3.10 secs) the 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.10 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Cayenne GT 4.0 V8 Bi-Turbo (3.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the F1 and the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 427 V8 Convertible

When talking about the performance of the McLaren F1 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.28 secs @ 133.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 427 V8 Convertible (10.24 secs), the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 (10.24 secs), and the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (10.25 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12 has a maximum speed of 206mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 F1 equals the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (217 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12 then how about the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (217 mph), the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (217 mph), or the 2019 Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 6.5L V12 (217 mph).

Related Links:

1997 F1 Rivals List.

A Brief History of McLaren

Car Comparison