The production-ready N1A, a 900 kilogram British supercar with Can-Am influences that pays homage to one of the most recognizable racing machines ever built—the original McLaren M1A—has been unveiled by Nichols Cars. The road-going N1A is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports vehicle with few driver aids and a naturally aspirated V8 engine, developed by Nichols Cars under the direction of famous motorsport engineer Steve Nichols.

When Steve Nichols and John Minett founded Nichols Cars in 2017, they set out to design a real driver’s car that would deliver an intense, addictive, and highly emotional experience. The N1A, which boasts precise visual and performance improvements, intends to grab the interest of car lovers everywhere by celebrating the core purpose of driving—being in control—with a classic design and amazing engineering features.

The N1A, named after its co-founder and inspiration, Steve Nichols, and inspired by racing vehicles from the golden age of naturally aspirated engines, has reached the end of its development journey and is now being unveiled in its production-ready launch specification.

Nichols and Minett embarked on a mission to develop a car that uses the most recent in automotive technology, is inspired by vintage racing cars, and is built to be enjoyed on the open road with the help of incredibly talented people they have met over the years from all facets of the automotive industry.

Steve Nichols, a well-known figure in the world of motorsport, particularly in Formula One, worked with McLaren in the late 1980s and early 1990s and is credited with exposing Formula One to the use of carbon fibre, a substance that is now present in the majority of racing vehicles today. When Nichols took over as head designer at McLaren in 1987, Alain Prost was driven by the first vehicle he created for the illustrious manufacturer, the MP4/3, which helped the team finish second in the Constructors’ Championship that year to Williams.

The second vehicle Nichols supervised, the formidable McLaren MP4/4, was driven at the height of the rivalry between the two renowned drivers, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Senna’s first of three Driver’s Championship victories and an amazing 15 out of 16 victories in the 1988 season helped the MP4/4 establish itself as one of the most dominant Formula One vehicles ever.

Nichols’ magic touch followed him throughout his career, taking him to teams like Ferrari, Jaguar, Jordan, and Sauber before he ultimately returned to McLaren at the conclusion of the 1990s during the Mika Häkkinen era. Nichols is now applying his engineering skills and appreciation for automotive heritage to the N1A. He is a firm believer that the racing cars of the 1960s are among the best vehicles ever made and that the early ‘60s cars had a different kind of appeal as it was the last time a racing vehicle bore any kind of resemblance to something that was seen on the road.

The N1A’s svelte bodywork panels are constructed from carbon fibre with a graphene infusion of Formula One-grade, drawing inspiration from the original McLaren M1A. The N1A’s construction incorporates the famous headlamps and design elements of the M1A with care, ensuring that its sweeping body is not only stunning to look at but also aerodynamically effective owing to well-planned details.

The McLaren M1A, sometimes regarded as the first “real” McLaren, served as inspiration for the M1A, which marketed itself as a light, open-top, mid-engined racing vehicle. With a weight of only 551 kg and an excellent power-to-weight ratio, the M1A was a tough competitor on the track. The M1B and M1C, the car’s successors, raced in the famous North American Can-Am racing series, solidifying the foundation for the Nichols Cars N1A’s Can-Am-inspired styling.

The N1A also has hints of the McLaren MP4/4 throughout, from its arresting aesthetic presence to its intense driving feedback. The N1A has survived into the present day because of the DNA of these vehicles, Steve Nichols’ extensive understanding of the automotive industry, and the combined efforts of such an informed crew.

John Minett, CEO of Nichols Cars, said: “The Steve Nichols name is one that needs no introduction in the motorsport world. To be able to work with Steve as well as a number of talented industry professionals is an absolute honour, and the N1A is an excellent example of the incredible work done by everyone involved. We always strived to make the N1A an unforgettable car, both to experience from afar and from the driver’s seat, and from the N1A’s aerodynamics to its fully-customisable interior, we have now reached that point, and it’s incredible to see.”

Both Steve Nichols and John Minett had the pleasure of working with several manufacturers and suppliers on the project, ultimately replicating the M1A development process, albeit with access to far more advanced technology.

The N1A’s exterior is where Steve Nichols’ work really stands out. The N1A’s bodywork pays homage to the M1A’s history while still being a wholly contemporary rendition. It is made from carbon fibre with graphene infusion of the same quality used in Formula One, which helps to make the car stiff and lighter. Drivers of the N1A may feel completely immersed in the authentic May-Am racing experience because of its featherweight driving sensation, which has a power-to-weight ratio of over 700 horsepower per tonne (depending on the engine specification). The N1A is also offered in a variety of liveries, each of which may be customised to meet the needs of the customer.

The N1A has been shaped in the MIRA wind tunnel, enabling rigorous aerodynamic testing to ensure it is as aerodynamically efficient as possible. Maintaining the excellent form while increasing drag and downforce, both of which have been accomplished, was a problem.

The bodywork of the N1A is well executed, emulating the classic M1A’s uncomplicated design while paving the way for future British sports car manufacturers.

The cockpit’s interior mimics a race car’s pared-down design, emphasising the dashboard with instruments from the sport’s bygone heyday. However, the execution is flawless, with premium leathers and textiles and components made of solid billets of aluminium. The completely reclined sitting posture of the N1A is similar to that of the MP4/4 and features an Ayrton Senna-inspired gear knob, offering drivers an opportunity to feel what Senna and Prost witnessed.

It is clear that the N1A is intended for motorsport purists who prefer the enjoyment of driving away from the distracting touchscreens that are all too popular in today’s automobiles. Traction control is standard, while power steering and switchable ABS are available.

The 7.0-liter, all-alloy V8 engine that powers the top-of-the-line N1A was created by Nichols Cars and serves as its “heart.” It was originally an LS3 block from General Motors, but it has been bored out to suit new steel liners and has also been fitted with unique pistons and conrods. The amazing engine was created in collaboration with top UK engine engineers and will sit atop a dry sump system with drive-by-wire throttle bodies. The combined power output of these major engine enhancements is 650 bhp, giving the N1A in this form around 700 horsepower per tonne.

Experts at Langford Performance Engineering (LPE) will hand-assemble each N1A engine, in the same location as the storied V8 and V10 Formula One engines that are presently undergoing repair and race preparation. Each Nichols Cars V8 will be overseen by Richard Langford, one of the major figures in the creation of the famed Cosworth DFV engine (a motor that was found in the rear of many Formula One cars in the 1970s).

The N1A is a capable racing vehicle for the road that is compatible with a variety of gearboxes from Dana Graziano (previously Graziano Transmissioni). It has a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.

When it comes to the chassis of the N1A, decades of expertise and knowledge are clearly obvious. The N1A’s rack-and-pinion steering, multi-piston front and rear brakes, and optional power steering all work to keep the driver as closely connected to the road as possible while creating a visceral driving experience.

The N1A’s aggressive posture is the consequence of using contemporary design elements and giving it a broader body and longer wheelbase than the original McLaren M1A. In order to fully utilise contemporary advancements, the N1A will also be equipped with low-profile Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres that measure 19 inches up front and 20 inches down back.

The N1A’s hand-crafted independent front and rear suspension, which includes double wishbones and anti-roll bars as standard equipment, can handle any surface.

As stunning as the N1A’s look is its chassis, The cutting-edge materials utilised in the construction of the N1A are unmatched and include next-generation carbon fibre and lightweight yet sturdy aluminium.

Founder of Nichols Cars, Steve Nichols, said: “Having experienced amazing racing cars over the decades, I’ve never been able to implement those quirky qualities into a road car, until now. Taking into account all the people that have worked on the N1A, I’m incredibly proud that the car is part of the next chapter in sports car history and is the next step for us and Nichols Cars. The process from pencil to production model has been extremely gratifying; this should be a reminder to the entire automotive industry that combining the past, present, and looking to the future, is the way forward for this entire community.”

The launch run of vehicles will be top-of-the-range versions with 7.0-litre (427 cubic inches) engines, limited to 15 cars, each commemorating a victory of the MP4/4. The total production of N1A models won’t exceed more than 100 vehicles, adding to its exclusivity.

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