If you’ve ever wondered what ex-Formula One designers do in their spare time, then the Nichols Cars N1A revealed at this year’s Monterey Car Week is a fair clue.
Created by legendary Formula One designer Steve Nichols – renowned for his work on the McLaren MP4/4, widely regarded as one of the most dominant F1 cars ever built – and debuted at the illustrious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the N1A is billed as a Can-Am-inspired British supercar.
Promising an analogue driving experience that rewards skill and engagement, the N1A combines a 7.0-litre 650bhp (485kW) naturally-aspirated V8 with Formula One-grade graphene-infused carbon fibre construction in top-spec ICON 88 guise.
All that horsepower packaged into the N1A’s svelte 900kg frame results in an incredible power to weight ratio of almost 700bhp (522kW) per tonne, which we imagine would be sufficient to shift the Brit supercar at astonishing velocity.
Only 15 ICON 88 models will be built, each individually tailored to commemorate one of the 15 Grand Prix victories of the McLaren MP4/4, campaigned in 1988 by legendary drivers Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
In creating the N1A Nichols went even further back to the very first McLaren M1A for inspiration, focusing on combining its classic lines with modern engineering to create a top-tier driving experience and without aesthetic compromise.
While the car’s flowing silhouette captures the spirit of one of McLaren’s earliest racing successes, but its execution is thoroughly modern. The body is constructed from Formula One-grade graphene-infused carbon fibre, giving it exceptional rigidity and strength at a remarkably low weight. Meanwhile, aerodynamic development in the MIRA wind tunnel has ensured a balance of drag and downforce that complements the car’s purity of form.
Power comes from a hand-built, 7.0-litre naturally aspirated V8, developed from a GM LS3 block and extensively re-engineered with steel liners, custom pistons and con-rods, a dry sump system, and drive-by-wire throttle bodies. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a Nichols-developed six-speed manual gearbox, chosen for its precision and mechanical connection.
Unsurprisingly, the chassis reflects the eponymous founder’s decades of motorsport expertise, with hand-fabricated independent suspension, double wishbones, anti-roll bars and motorsport-derived multi-piston brakes. Tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 units on staggered 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels.
The cockpit mirrors the minimalism of a racing car while offering bespoke craftsmanship. The fully reclined seating position recalls the McLaren MP4/4, and the Senna-inspired gear knob, classic analogue dials and billet-machined aluminium switchgear all provide a tangible connection to motorsport’s golden age.
Upholstery is crafted from top-grade leather and fabrics, tailored to the customer’s specification. But keep walking if you’re looking for driver aids, which are deliberately limited to maintain the purity of the experience. Traction control is standard but ABS and power steering are available only as options.
Pricing for the N1A is estimated to be around US$880,000.
About Nichols Cars
Nichols Cars was founded in 2017 by Steve Nichols and CEO John Minett, with the goal of building a true driver’s car – immersive, emotional and timeless – which combines extraordinary performance and presence.
The pair back to the very first McLaren M1A for inspiration, focusing on combining its classic lines with modern engineering to create the best driving experience possible without any aesthetic compromise.
With total production of the N1A capped at 100 cars worldwide, and the first 15 forming the ICON 88 series, the company aims for it to become one of the most exclusive and desirable British performance cars of the decade.
