Nichols Cars N1A: A Tribute to McLaren's Legacy

Breaking Records in Formula 1

Oracle Red Bull Racing broke the record for most consecutive race wins in F1 history at the Hungarian GP last weekend. The RB19, driven by F1 champ Max Verstappen, surpassed McLaren's 1988 record of 11 consecutive wins, achieving its 12th victory in a row. However, avid F1 fans still argue that the RB19 hasn’t quite surpassed the MP4/4’s legacy, which is still regarded as the greatest F1 car of all time.

Introducing the Nichols Cars N1A

So when the McLaren MP4/4’s creator, Steve Nichols, unveiled his very own creation, we were all ears. Meet the Nichols Cars N1A, a 7.0-litre V8 tribute to the original McLaren M1A.

Performance and Powertrain

The Nichols Cars N1A boasts a powerful 650 horsepower V8 engine, developed from an LS3 block with a dry sump, drive-by-wire throttle bodies, custom pistons, conrods, and new steel liners. The powertrain is meticulously assembled by hand by experts at Langford Performance Engineering (LPE), which is also restoring old V8 and V10 F1 engines. As standard, the engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission from Dana Graziano, with additional transmission options to be announced later.

Chassis and Suspension

The N1A features independent front and rear suspension, double wishbones, and anti-roll bars as standard. Additionally, traction control is included, while power steering and switchable ABS are available as extras.

Design and Aesthetics

The design of the Nichols Cars N1A pays homage to the classic McLaren Can-Am racer; however, the N1A is wider and has a longer wheelbase. It is equipped with 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

Driver-Focused Interior

The driver-focused interior is refreshingly uncomplicated, featuring only the essentials to ensure a distraction-free experience behind the wheel. The chassis is constructed from a blend of carbon fibre and aluminium.

Final Thoughts

“Having experienced amazing racing cars over the decades, I’ve never been able to implement those quirky qualities into a road car, until now,” said Nichols. “Taking into account all the people that have worked on the N1A, I’m incredibly proud that the car is part of the next chapter in sports car history and is the next step for us and Nichols Cars.”

Only 100 cars will be produced, with pricing yet to be announced. Given how bespoke and beautiful it is, don’t expect the N1A to come cheap.