Nichols Begins Production of Can-Am-Inspired N1A Supercar

Called the N1A, it's the work of Steve Nichols, McLaren's Chief Designer during the MP4/4's all-conquering 1988 Formula One season. Despite such pedigree, Nichols has avoided the usual F1-inspired tropes. Instead, the N1A looks to an earlier chapter of McLaren history: the M1A Can-Am racer, the first car to bear the name.

All the period-correct cues are in situ. The low silhouette is free of wings or oversized vents – let alone a windscreen – save for a ducktail spoiler and roll cage, with eight individual throttle trumpets sitting directly behind the driver, at ear level. The materials involved, however, have been modernised: carbon replaces glass fibre, while the aluminium chassis is now bonded rather than welded, keeping weight below 900kg while improving structural rigidity.

Two flavours of V8 are offered. The standard car uses a 6.2-litre Chevrolet small block producing 475bhp at 6,000rpm and 470lb ft at 4,600rpm. The more extreme option is a hand-built, dry-sump LS7-derived 7.0-litre making 700bhp at 6,500rpm and 600lb ft at 5,200rpm – resulting in a claimed power-to-weight ratio of up to 780bhp per tonne. Both drive through a Nichols-developed open-gate six-speed manual gearbox, complete with a gear knob inspired by Ayrton Senna. In keeping with the theme, power steering and ABS are available to order rather than fitted as standard.

Production is being carried out in partnership with RML Group, the Northamptonshire-based engineering consultancy behind projects such as the Nissan DeltaWing, ZEOD RC and RML's own GT Hypercar.

Fewer than 150 N1As will be produced in total, and the first 15 cars are reserved for the Icon 88 launch editions. Each commemorates one of the McLaren MP4/4's 15 victories during the 1988 season. Icon 88 cars are priced from £500,000 before taxes; the standard production car starts at £450,000. Customer deliveries begin later this year.