The legendary McLaren F1 model is powered by a BMW engine and it’s already part of BMW’s history and museum. While the McLaren F1 might be over two decades old, it still is one of the fastest cars you can buy. Most of the credit goes to the S70/2 engine developed by the M division and we can’t be anything but grateful for what it achieved.
Its history is a bit complicated, as McLaren was adamant on using a naturally aspirated engine which would provide the control the driver would yearn for while behind the wheel of a supercar. While initially Honda was approached for this project, as they were dominating Formula 1 at the moment, the deal didn’t go through. Therefore, BMW was engaged, the Germans also being involved in F1 at that time. Legendary Paul Rorsche was behind the end product, a 6.1-liter V12 engine making 627 PS and 480 lb·ft (651 N·m) of torque. Weighing just 266 kg, the engine was a bit heavier than what McLaren wanted from the get go but considering the power output was also higher than expected, they went with it.
And we’re glad they did. The road-going McLaren F1 can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in just 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 242 mph (390 km/h), making a world-record holder for years. As you can see, even to this day, keeping up with an F1 is tricky business. Unfortunately for US customers, the car’s not legal over here and need some alterations to make sure it’s Okay to drive it on public roads.
And that’s exactly what the guys from Ameritech did, fitting it with removable bumper and reflectors to get it federalized. Of course, after the process was completed, they returned the car to its original condition and the 044 F1 will be up for grabs at the Bonhams auction held at Pebble Beach in August. Since this is the first F1 that’s road legal in the US, to our knowledge, and one of just 64 cars ever made, we reckon it’s going to be asking for a little fortune come this August, experts claiming it will be sold for over $10 million.
