Acura

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 – August 04, 2023

Acura Will Reveal Its First All-Electric Model At Montere...

The ZDX will be Acura's first EV, set to hit the road come 2024.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 08, 2023

Acura Brings "One And a Half" NSXs To One Lap Of America

The rear half of an Acura NSX becomes one of the best-looking trailers ever made.

By Gabriel Vega – March 11, 2023

This Acura NSX Spent 15 Years Underwater, Now It's Gettin...

Its new owner purchased it for $8,500 just a few days ago.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 25, 2023

This Man Bought A $29K, 400K-Mile 1995 Acura NSX

This supercar has a story to tell. It’s just about unheard-of to find an Acura NSX for a price anywhere near as low as $29,000, but this lucky new owner of a 1995 Acura NSX, YouTuber PogiCars, managed to find one through Facebook Marketplace, but there is, of course, a twist. This particular NSX, while a well-maintained example, has traveled an incredible 400,000 miles. Owned formerly by a retired architect, its use for a daily commute to Los Angeles made for an average usage of 25,000 miles per year, and after 13 years of ownership, this car covered over 325,000 miles in the care of the architect, which is incredible for any car, but just about unfathomable for a classic and revered supercar like the NSX. MUST READ: The Final Acura NSX Type S Rolls Off The Assembly Line While there is some damage from minor collisions, the car has been incredibly well-maintained, and features beautiful paintwork, leather interior, and aftermarket BBS wheels. The owner plans on making it a project car, and has already sought out modifications to install, promising future content on this unusual find. Regardless of the minor damage that the vehicle has incurred, the NSX still shines as one of the automotive world’s greatest masterpieces, and finding one at an unprecedented bargain price of $29,000 is special, and the high mileage is truly something to marvel at, especially in the supercar world. View All Acura NSXs For Sale Source: YouTube/PogiCars

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 17, 2022

The Final Acura NSX Type S Rolls Off The Assembly Line

It’s time to say goodbye to a legend… again. Few supercars, let alone cars in general, can match the splendor of the Acura NSX. For decades, the name was synonymous with an engineering marvel and a masterclass in automotive performance, which is what made the beloved car so hard to let go of nearly 20 years ago. When it came back, ti came back even better, with hybrid power, all-wheel drive, and daringly modern looks. However, it’s, unfortunately, time to wave the Acura NSX goodbye yet again, as Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center has seen the very last example of the car come off the assembly line. MUST READ: The Best 90’s Cars You Can Buy Today The final car is an Acura NSX Type S, meant to be the final version of the car, finished in Gotham Gray matte paint and serialized number 350 out of the 350 examples of the NSX Type S to be made. However, not all is lost, because Acura's TLX sports sedan will carry the NSX’s torch, as the Marysville, Ohio PMC facility has begun work on the limited run of the 2023 Acura TLX Type S PMC Edition. The sedan will be brought out in NSX colors like Curva Red, 130R White, and Long Beach Blue. The first two colors have already been fully reserved, while reservations for Long Beach Blue come available starting December 8. Only 100 examples will be made in each color, for a total of 300 cars. With the bittersweet farewell to Acura’s legendary pinnacle of performance, it’s time to look forward to seeing what the performance luxury brand will bring out next. View All Acura NSXs For Sale Source: Acura

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 23, 2022

The New ZDX SUV Will Be Acura's First Fully-Electric Mode...

Acura’s electric future will pay homage to its recent past. Acura unveiled the Precision EV Concept at this past Monterey Car Week, and the purpose it serves for the brand is to show off what future Acura design will look like as the brand enters a new era and begins to build its fully-electric portfolio. The Precision EV Concept takes signature Acura elements like the Chicane lights and grille and futurizes them for electric vehicles, turning the grille, which is no longer necessary due to the lack of a combustion engine into an illuminated piece, and making the lighting more dramatic and artistic. Other future visions in the concept include autonomous driving and modes that switch between performance and relaxation-oriented driving. The interior is also created with entirely-sustainable materials that remain luxurious. MUST READ: The New Acura ARX-06 LMDh Prototype Race Car Is Revealed Along with the reveal of the Precision EV Concept, Acura also announced that the electric future the concept previews will be real very soon and that the first fully-electric Acura model, coming in 2024, will be called the Acura ZDX. If that name sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Years ago, the Acura ZDX, the first vehicle styled from the ground up in Acura’s Los Angeles Design Studio, was an early and short-lived contender in what is now the incredibly popular segment of coupe-like luxury SUVs. Acura’s Type S name will be making an appearance as well, with Acura promising a performance variant of the ZDX to come as well. The vehicle will be co-developed with GM, and make use of GM’s Ultium battery technology, while Acura plans to launch more electric vehicles starting in 2026 with its own global e:Architecture. As a short moment in the brand’s history becomes the name of its first fully-electric model, the shocking new future of Acura is nigh. View All Electric Vehicles For Sale " width="680"> Source: Acura

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 18, 2022

The New Acura ARX-06 LMDh Prototype Race Car Is Revealed

A new chapter of racing history is being written at one of the world’s most important automotive events. Acura has finally revealed the ARX-06, which is the brand’s new LMDh prototype endurance racing car, set to make its track debut at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona this coming January. With many brands revealing their own LMDh prototypes, the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech GTP SportsCar Championship has been highly anticipated for the new technology that will be shown off there. Acura’s race car features design and bodywork done by Acura’s own Acura Design Studio, and a chassis and hybrid power unit sourced from ORECA. MUST READ: BMW Fires Up The Engine Of Its LMDh Car For The First Time With The Hybrid Drive System The 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in the race car comes from Acura’s racing arm, Honda Performance Development, and it revs up to an incredible 10,000 rpm. With over 670 horsepower, the car is ready to work with its hybrid system to take on race tracks all over the world. Acura will be debuting the ARX-06 publicly for the first time on Friday, August 19 at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, and when it does, it’ll open a new chapter of racing history. View All Race Cars For Sale Source: Acura

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 12, 2022

Acura Will Reveal The New Precision EV Concept At Montere...

The future of Acura is being shown at Monterey Car Week. Precision is one of the biggest hallmarks of the Acura brand, and that’s why it's the name of Acura’s upcoming concept car, the Precision EV Concept, which will show what Acura’s electrified era will look, feel, and sound like. Acura says that the new concept car will preview the brand’s upcoming design language specifically for the electrified era of the brand with styling that has electric powertrains in mind. The concept will be revealed at Monterey Car Week on August 18, and the teaser photo that Acura has released shows a small preview of what it will look like. MUST READ: Acura Announces New LMDh Prototype Called The ARX-06 While we see many design elements that are featured on current Acura models, like the signature Acura Chicane headlights and pattern of the grille, much of it is more dramatic and changed to reflect the electric car, like the grille being illuminated. The countdown begins before Acura reveals its Precision EV Concept and shows its shocking new look, feel, and driving capability as a brand. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @acura View All Acuras For Sale Source: Acura

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 03, 2022

Acura Announces New LMDh Prototype Called The ARX-06

Starting in 2023, Acura’s new race car is taking to the track. The LMDh race car category has already seen manufacturers creating prototypes and getting them ready to race next year, and Acura has joined that list. The new ARX-06 prototype, standing for “Acura Racing eXperimental, generation 6,” is Acura’s newest race car, styled by the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles with Honda Performance Development and chassis-supplier ORECA. MUST READ: The Development Of Porsche’s LMDh Race Car Is In Full Swing With 6,000 KM Covered Acura’s Executive Creative Director, Dave Marek, says that the process for designing the ARX-06 involved a process no different than making an Acura passenger car. After initial sketches were created, a design was chosen through modeling, aerodynamics testing, and consultation from the performance experts who would know what’s best for racing success. Acura endurance racing prototypes date back all the way to 1991, only five years after Acura launched its brand in 1986. Racing success isn’t new to Acura, either. In 2019 and 2020, Acura swept all three major IMSA DPi championships and won the Rolex 24 at Daytona in both 2021 and 2022. With other podium finishes around the world, Acura has high hopes for this upcoming LMDh car to continue a legacy of motorsport success. View All Acuras For Sale Source: Acura

By Edward Jones – September 29, 2021

Watch the Acura NSX Type S Set a New Long Beach Productio...

The new Acura NSX Type S has proved its worth. While fans were excited to see the Grand Prix of Long Beach return after a cancelation in 2020 due to the pandemic. But while they were there to see the race cars, there was one production car making history on the track. Ricky Taylor, an IMSA prototype series champion and driver of the #10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 for Wayne Taylor Racing, took a Long Beach Blue Pearl a new NSX Type S around the course and managed to set a new lap record. Taylor managed to be out the previous record of 1:35.663 that was set by Peter Cunningham in a 2019 NSX. You can check out the record lap up above. "Long Beach is such a fun track, but definitely challenging with so little margin for error," said Ricky Taylor after the record-setting run. "Thankfully, the new Acura NSX Type S is not only crazy fast, it's also remarkably easy to control at the limit. It's a very special car and perfectly suited for a track like this." See Acura NSXs For Sale Source: Acura Source: Acura

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