Nichols N1A – Ultra-Light 650 HP V8 Supercar Inspired by McLaren’s Racing Legacy

The automotive world is no stranger to lightweight sports cars or thunderous V8 engines, but combining both into a single package that channels Formula 1 heritage is a feat reserved for visionaries. Enter the Nichols N1A—a radical creation from Nichol Cars, the independent engineering firm spearheaded by former Formula 1 chief designer Steve Nichols. Unveiled at Monterey Car Week in North America, the N1A is not just another boutique supercar; it’s a love letter to McLaren’s racing roots and a tribute to one of the most dominant eras in F1 history.

With just under 2,000 pounds of curb weight—lighter than a Mazda Miata—and powered by a 650 HP 7.0-liter V8, the Nichols N1A blends old-school engineering purity with modern performance enhancements, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 700 HP per ton. That figure places it in the rarified air of hypercars, yet it arrives wrapped in a design deeply connected to motorsport history.

Inspired by McLaren’s First Race Car and F1’s Greatest Season

The N1A isn’t a random styling exercise—it’s steeped in motorsport DNA. Its design pays direct homage to the McLaren M1A, the very first race car built by Bruce McLaren in 1964 for Group 7 sports car competition in North America. Slightly larger and wider than its predecessor, the N1A mirrors the same aerodynamic curves and minimalist silhouette, making it as much a modern racer as it is a historical tribute.

The “Icon 88” launch edition is equally symbolic. Its name honors the legendary 1988 Formula 1 season, in which McLaren’s MP4/4—designed by Nichols himself—won 15 of 16 Grands Prix, piloted by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Only 15 examples of the N1A Icon 88 will ever exist, each representing one of those record-shattering wins. Production of the N1A overall will remain extremely limited, with fewer than 100 cars built worldwide, cementing its status as a true collector’s item.

Lightweight Engineering: Graphene-Infused Carbon and Race-Bred Chassis

At the heart of the N1A’s magic is its obsessive pursuit of lightness and rigidity. The chassis is a carbon-aluminum spaceframe, while the body panels are crafted from graphene-infused carbon fiber, an advanced material known for being ultra-light yet exceptionally strong. Thanks to this construction, the car tips the scales at just 1,984 pounds—a figure that undercuts the featherweight Mazda Miata by a margin, despite packing more than eight times the horsepower.

This weight reduction isn’t just for bragging rights—it translates directly into agility and razor-sharp dynamics. Add to that a hand-fabricated double-wishbone suspension system, motorsport-derived brakes, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires (19-inch front, 20-inch rear), and you have a machine designed to slice through corners with surgical precision.

Inside, the N1A continues its minimalist ethos. The driver-focused cockpit features an F1-inspired reclined seating position, analog dials, aluminum switchgear, and a “Senna-inspired” gear knob. The cabin avoids gimmicks, focusing instead on raw, tactile driving engagement.

The Heart of the Beast: A Corvette-Derived 7.0L V8

Beneath the flowing carbon bodywork sits a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter LS3 V8, sourced from Chevrolet but thoroughly reengineered for this project. This is no ordinary crate motor—Nichol Cars worked with Langford Performance Engineering, known for their Formula 1 pedigree with Ligier and Tyrrell, to create a bespoke version of the LS3.

Upgrades include custom pistons, conrods, a dry-sump lubrication system, and reengineered steel linings, resulting in a thunderous 650 horsepower. Positioned just behind the driver, the V8 breathes through velocity stacks that echo the McLaren Can-Am cars of the 1960s. Power is delivered exclusively to the rear wheels via a Nichols-developed six-speed manual gearbox, ensuring a purist driving experience.

The numbers speak for themselves: with just under a ton of weight and a colossal V8, the N1A achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 700 HP per ton. That’s on par with or even beyond established hypercars like the McLaren P1 or Ferrari LaFerrari—but here, it’s achieved through simplicity and lightness rather than hybrid trickery.

A True Driver’s Car: Raw and Unfiltered

The Nichols N1A doesn’t rely on electronic wizardry to deliver thrills. In fact, its philosophy borders on rebellious in today’s tech-heavy automotive landscape. Anti-lock brakes and power steering are optional extras, not standard. Traction control is wisely included, but otherwise, the N1A keeps the driver firmly in control.

This mechanical purity is part of what makes the N1A so alluring. It doesn’t chase Nürburgring lap times or 0–60 records—it chases connection, feedback, and unfiltered driving excitement. It’s a car built not to outnumber competitors on paper but to out-feel them on the road and track.

Exclusivity and Legacy

With fewer than 100 units set for production, and only 15 for the Icon 88 edition, the Nichols N1A isn’t just rare—it’s historic. Every detail, from the design inspiration to the limited numbers, is a deliberate nod to motorsport’s golden age. For collectors, this car isn’t just about ownership; it’s about possessing a piece of racing history engineered by one of Formula 1’s great designers.

At an era when supercars are becoming increasingly digital, automated, and electrified, the N1A feels like a time capsule—a machine that carries the soul of the 1960s into the present, with enough modern engineering to keep it brutally fast yet refreshingly analog.