A billionaire says they cannot wait to hide their new McLaren W1 hypercar away for the next 20 years. The owner told TopGear.com that despite spending more than £2 million on the vehicle, they plan to ignore its performance capabilities entirely. The billionaire expressed a desire to keep the car in storage, specifically to avoid ever driving it. This decision is likely due to the fact that the McLaren W1 is an extremely high-performance vehicle, and its owner may be trying to avoid reducing its value by putting mileage on it.
The plan to ignore performance
The owner described the £2m+ McLaren as a “road-going distillation” of technical expertise in aerodynamics and powertrains. They said they are “chomping at the bit” to completely disregard these features. The plan involves putting the car in a “big, dark storage room” for two decades. The owner noted that they are looking forward to the car’s value skyrocketing by leaving its “performance envelope” well alone. The “performance envelope” refers to the range of speeds and conditions in which the car can operate, and by not using the car, the owner is essentially keeping it in pristine condition.
“1,258bhp and a redline of 9,200rpm sounds amazing, but do you know what sounds even better? Never once using any of that as it was intended,” the owner said. “Might not even turn it on.” The owner also mentioned that “Race mode” looks “ridiculously cool when activated,” but they will not use it. They admitted they are “tempted to ask McLaren to wrap it up in a big airtight box” to make it even easier to never use the car. This level of protection would ensure that the car remains in its current state, without any risk of damage or depreciation.
A future of zero miles
While the W1 weighs only 1,399kg, making it quite light, the owner said the trailer they will use to transport it will not struggle too much. This ensures the car will have zero delivery mileage. The owner claimed that “Zero miles on the odometer is the new benchmark.” They also mentioned that the car is “Three seconds a lap faster around Nardo than the Senna,” but they added that they will never attempt to drive it that fast. The Nardo test track is a well-known location for testing high-performance vehicles, and the fact that the W1 can outperform the Senna there is a sign to its capabilities.
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The owner admitted they once used their McLaren Senna on a track. Since that experience, they said the car became “worthless to me now.” They offered the Senna for sale with only 37 miles on the clock, asking for £20m. The billionaire seems intent on replicating this “zero-mile” status with the new W1. By keeping the car in storage and not driving it, the owner is essentially creating a rare and valuable collector’s item. The fact that the Senna was considered “worthless” after being driven on a track suggests that the owner values the car’s condition and originality above its performance capabilities.
The decision to store the McLaren W1 for 20 years is likely driven by the desire to increase its value over time. As the car remains in pristine condition, its value will likely appreciate, making it a valuable asset for the owner. The fact that the owner is willing to pay over £2 million for the car and then store it away suggests that they are willing to invest in the car’s future value, rather than enjoying its performance capabilities. This approach to car ownership is unique, but it highlights the complexities of the luxury car market, where rarity and condition can be just as important as performance.
The storage of the McLaren W1 also raises questions about the nature of car ownership and the relationship between owners and their vehicles. In this case, the owner is prioritizing the car’s value and condition over its intended use as a high-performance vehicle. This approach may be seen as unusual, but it reflects the diverse motivations and priorities of car owners in the luxury market. As the car is stored away for 20 years, it will be interesting to see how its value appreciates over time and whether it becomes a sought-after collector’s item.
