Nichols N1A
"Racing from the Past ...... Driving into the Future"
"Having headed the design team at McLaren during arguably their most successful period ever, I'm a McLaren man through and through. With the Nichols N1A I've gone back to the very first McLaren for inspiration, combining elements of its classic lines with modern engineering for a car of extraordinary performance and presence."
Steve Nichols, Co-founder and Technical Director, Nichols Cars Limited
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Inspiration
The design is a modern interpretation of the "McLaren M1A" - the car built by Bruce McLaren in 1964, but using modern components and materials. Wider and longer, the N1A is a stunning piece of automotive art .... linking the past to today .... modern reliability, but lacking none of its racing pedigree and character.
Performance
In a modern World of over-saturated computerisation, the N1A offers the chance to experience real 1960's race-car excitement .... weighing in at 850kg with 530bhp and 500ftlb of torque, the performance is visceral. There is also a sound-track to stir the soul......... if you are the type of person who turns their head to the roar of a Merlin flying overhead, then you will appreciate our creation.
The Car
The new Nichols N1A is a stunning piece of sculpture which brings M1A design language thoroughly up-to-date. Not a single panel is the same. The N1A has a significantly more aggressive stance from its ground stroking nose to its abrupt and purposeful tail. It is wider, longer and roomier; yet compare the elegant simplicity of the MP4-4 with the visual presence of the Nichols N1A, and its not hard to see the hand of the same designer at work.
Under the skin the N1A is thoroughly modern featuring a bonded extruded aluminium and carbon-fibre chassis. Suspension features classic wish-bones all round. Power steering and traction control are available. Wheels and tyres are 19 inch clad with 245-section rubber on the front, and 20 inch 305-section on the rear.
Sat in the fully relined driving position, you get an idea of what Senna and Prost experienced in the MP4-4; the main difference being that it is possible to experience the N1A on the open road.
...... and what an experience!
The product of a man and a lifelong obsession with light weight, the N1A is targeted to come in below a scarcely believable 900kg, including fluids.
Power is from a 6.2 litre V8 engine available in various stages of tune which start at 500BHP. Drive to the rear wheels is via a Nichols developed Porsche gear box with a beautifully weighted manual shift topped by a gear knob inspired by the one used by Ayrton Senna to win the 1989 Monaco Grand Prix.
Acceleration is brutal. Grip and handling familiar only to those who have driven racing cars of the highest calibre.
Seated at the wheel you are met with a stunning view forward across and extremely low scuttle framed by the towering profile of the sweeping front wings. Every surface and control is there to serve a purpose; to put you at the centre of the driving experience in this most focused of cars. The beautifully trimmed seats are finished in the material of the owners choice.
For a little extra you can be fitted for your own bespoke seat, hand made by the same people who makes seats for many of the current F1 grid. The process is an experience in itself taking several hours, working with the fitters to arrive at the perfect, most supportive solution.
All this assembled by the same group of people who built the cars for Senna and Prost during McLaren's most successful era.
