911

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 24, 2024

TOYZ autoart Showcases Matching PTS Porsche 911 GT3 RS & ...

This is a matching pair of the most desirable Porsche 911s on the market. There is something of a hierarchy of Porsche desirability, and at the top resides the 911 lineup. However, within the realm of Porsche 911s, the current two most coveted and unique models are the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the pinnacle driver-focused track performance machine, and the 911 Dakar, the unique, off-road capable variant of the Porsche 911. TOYZ autoart, known and celebrated for its amazing inventory and customization potential, is showcasing a matching pair consisting of both a 992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS and a Porsche 911 Dakar. However, what sets them both apart even further from other Porsche 911 examples is the fact that they are finished in a unique Paint to Sample color: Stone Grey. The bespoke color distinguishes the two cars as an ultra-exclusive matching pair which shows off the Porsche 911’s versatile character as a sports car: one is a force of nature on the race track, while the other is ready to take on desert rallies and off-road adventures. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Avo Aboulian (@toyzautoart) The Porsche 911 Dakar example is listed for sale, one of only 2,500 examples of the off-roading high-performance car. Not only is it one of only a handful of all-terrain sports cars like it, but with its unique Paint to Sample color, it’s also set apart as a bespoke example and part of a stunning pair of two of the most desirable Porsche 911s on the market right now. View Price And Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 07, 2024

Bidding Ends Soon: 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring Listed Fo...

Bidding ends soon on this quintessential driver’s car. There are few cars remaining in the automotive world that are quite like the Porsche 911 GT3. With a powerful, naturally-aspirated engine, rear-wheel drive, and lightweight construction, the Porsche 911 GT3 is one of the most enjoyable cars on the market for a purist enthusiast to drive, whether that’s on the road or on the track. However, the Touring spec of the 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 is perhaps one of the best. It swaps much of the GT3’s racing-inspired kit including the iconic and immense swan-neck spoiler, and adopts a subtle, pared-back, and understated look, along with a luxurious interior, making it the perfect driver’s car, both for everyday usability and high-performance driving thrills. Listed for online auction on Sotheby’s Motorsport, this 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring is a beautiful example. It features plenty of optional extras, like the iconic Shark Blue Color, Porsche Carbon Ceramic brakes, a Front Axle lift system, carbon fiber roof, and more, totaling to over $31,000. With 1,977 miles on its odometer, a beautiful configuration, and the makings of one of the best driver’s cars available, the opportunity to own a car like this 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring for auction is a rare one. Click below to bid for this piece of automotive excellence on SoMo. View Auction Listing & Bid Now Image Source: Sotheby's Motorsport

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 05, 2024

Ultra-Rare Black & Green 2016 Porsche 911 R For Sale

Own a rare, exclusive driver’s car masterpiece. The Porsche 911, for good reason, is one of if not the world’s most ubiquitous and celebrated sports car, and with that prestigious title comes an important responsibility to preserve the joy and feeling of driver’s cars. As such, Porsche has continued to make incredible driver-oriented versions of the 911 throughout the years, and one of the biggest highlights in that legacy is the Porsche 911 R. Based on the 991.1 generation of the 911 in 2016, just before the 991.2 was introduced, the 911 R was produced in a strictly limited run of just 991 cars. However, rarity is far from its only quality. It combined ultra-lightweight construction with the 500-horsepower, naturally-aspirated engine from the contemporary GT3 RS, and a six-speed manual transmission. For many Porsche enthusiasts, the 2016 911 R is a love letter to the long-standing legacy of the 911, and the ultimate collector-grade driver’s car, and this one, available for sale at Canepa in Scotts Valley, California, is one of the greatest ones yet. It boasts over $33,000 in optional upgrades, and is finished in an ultra-rare and exclusive paint finish, combining a black exterior with green stripes and accents. Inside, you’ll find a beautiful interior, finished elegantly in black leather with motorsport-inspired carbon fiber accents, making for the perfect sanctuary to get behind the wheel and take on open roads with a purist driving experience. Whether you want the perfect driver’s car, an ultra-rare automotive masterpiece, or simply an incredible example of one of the greatest Porsche 911s ever made, this 2016 Porsche 911 R for sale at Canepa in Scotts Valley, California is an incredible opportunity. View the listing by clicking below. View Listing Image Source: Canepa

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 28, 2023

1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Art Car Listed For Sale

This is a prize for art collectors and car collectors alike. The Porsche 911 is incredibly ubiquitous in the car world: an instantly recognized and loved piece of automotive excellence that makes anyone who sees it think of performance, style, luxury, and driving joy. Being something of a universal cultural icon, the Porsche 911 has served as inspiration for all manners of art and artistry, and Art Cars use the Porsche 911 itself as a canvas. The rare opportunity to own one of these art cars is here, as Heritage Cars has listed a rare 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera art car for sale. The car was made in collaboration with Canada’s Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, and painted by Yves Thibeault under the direction of artist Jean-Pierre Lafrance. The white exterior serves as a blank canvas for a splash of colors, while the artwork is complemented by the 911’s classic trappings: Fuchs wheels, a Mahogany leather interior, and more. The oil-based paintwork was done in great detail, using airbrushes, spray-painting, markers, finger-painting, sanding, and traditional hand-brushing as well. The artwork on the car is an abstract impressionist-inspired piece, and its vivid colors and iconic performance car basis is sure to stand out as a beautiful addition to any car collection. If you’re interested in this artistic masterwork of Porsche 911, view the listing by clicking below. View Listing Image Source: Heritage Cars

By Edward Jones – August 04, 2022

Enjoy The Joy of Driving In This 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Tou...

Experience a pure Porsche driving experience behind the wheel of this masterpiece. Automotive enthusiasts are fond of Porsches for many reasons, but one of the most important of them all has to be the driving experience that they offer. If you want to know what I'm talking about, then you need to get behind the wheel of this 911 GT3 Touring that's currently listed for sale by Porsche Grapevine. This 911 GT3 Touring offers up an incredible amount of performance, while also providing a luxurious cabin for the driver and passenger. In terms of performance, this 911 GT3 Touring can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds thanks to a 4.0-liter flat-six engine that provides 502 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque. This power is then all routed through the 7-speed PDK transmission. As far as this example's personalization, it's finished in the beautiful Agate Grey Metallic finish and has an Exclusive Manufaktur Leather Interior. Other options include a carbon fiber roof, under-door puddle light projectors, Chrono Package, Porsche ceramic composite brakes, front axle lift system, LED-matrix Design headlights in black, Exclusive Design taillights, and so much more. To learn more about this Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned 911 GT3 Touring, be sure to click the button below to view its listing. View Price And Listing

By Edward Jones – October 27, 2015

One-of-a-Kind 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo S For Sale

Available at Park Place LTD in Bellevue, Washington is a very rare example of the 993 Turbo S. Only 182 examples of the 1997 911 Turbo S were produced, and this one just so happens to be the only one with a Cobalt Blue finish and a Midnight Blue leather interior. It's only belonged to one owner, who has clocked just 17,917 miles on the odometer since new.The Turbo S stands out among the 911s thanks to its vented rear fenders, yellow brake calipers, unique rear wing, quad-exhaust tips and an Aerokit front spoiler. Adding to this Turbo S' already hearty list of features were options selected by the original owner. These include the Cobalt Blue Metallic paint, full-leather Midnight Blue interior, racing style sport seats, carbon and leather steering wheel, 18-inch factory-painted wheels and much more.(Also Read: Stunning and Rare 1967 Toyota 2000GT For Sale)Since it was delivered, Park Place LTD states in the car's description that the "fastidious owner" has "carefully preserved, garaged and maintained" the car. It comes with its original window sticker, literature, both sets of keys, tools in roll, an unused air compressor, spare assembly and the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.To learn more about this fantastic Porsche, including its price, be sure to click the button below.View Listing and Price Gallery

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