The McLaren F1 used real gold on its engine
Published on Jun 27, 2025 at 6:11 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jun 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The incredible McLaren F1 supercar used real gold in its engine, and it is still considered one of the greatest automobiles ever made.
McLaren designer Gordon Murray had wanted to create the world’s greatest road car and eventually convinced boss Ron Dennis that they should do so.
The F1 made its debut in 1992, and it was an instant success, selling out rapidly and becoming a super valuable car.
Incredibly, gold was used in the engine bay of the F1, with Murray and his design team choosing it for a very specific reason.
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Why was gold used in the McLaren F1?
Each of the F1s built used around 16 grams of pure gold.
The gold was used to line the entire engine bay, equating to around $1,900 worth of gold per supercar.
While that was nothing compared to the total cost of the car’s development, it was still a fascinating material to use.
McLaren actually used the gold to aid with cooling the engine in the bay.
Under the hood, the gold reflected infrared rays, with McLaren also using it in its current Formula 1 cars.
The gold also helps to divert heat away from the car’s fuel tanks and keeps everything at an optimal temperature.
Under the hood of the F1 was a 6.1-liter BMW S70/2 V12 engine.
That engine produced 618hp and 479lb-ft of torque.
At the time, it was the world’s fastest production car with a top speed of 240mph.
It remains the fastest naturally-aspirated non-turbocharged car in the world in 2025.
The British supercar has an incredibly high value
In total, 106 units of the car were made, with some used for testing purposes.
McLaren also raced it in sports car racing, and it remarkably won the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The incredible engineering behind the car, with its low weight and high power, is still marveled at today.
It even had a central driver’s seating position to mimic that of a Formula 1 car.
Several celebrities, such as Mr Bean’s Rowan Atkinson, have owned McLaren F1s.
In 2025, the F1’s value can be as much as $20 million.
Finding any for sale is almost an impossible task.
Even over 30 years after its debut, the F1 is still seen as the greatest supercar ever made.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
