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 Edward Jones – July 27, 2017

Learn the Nurburgring Circuit With a POV Acura nSX Lap

The Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit is one of the most famous and grueling circuits out there. There are a total of 73 turns along the 12.9-mile circuit, with a max 17 percent gradient and 11 percent slope. The total difference in altitude is an incredible 984 feet. That being said, it's easy to see why its called the "Green Hell."Also Check Out: The Acura NSX - Then and NowIf you've never driven through Nurburgring Nordschleife in a video game or watched a POV video of a lap, below is a great video that will introduce the track to you. The video was uploaded by YouTube channel The argus, and it puts you inside the cabin of a new Acura NSX. Driving the car is an unknown driver who is as patient as ever and handles the course flawlessly. Because of this, the video gives us a great view of the track, and how it twists and turns between the trees.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 26, 2016

duPont REGISTRY's 2017 Acura NSX Built With New Configurator

Car customization is something we love (remember our custom Vipers?), and when we found out about the opportunity to completely customize the new 2017 Acura NSX, we couldn't say no. We put our heads together and, this is what we came up with:ExteriorIn keeping with duPont REGISTRY's signature colors, we chose the Berlina Black exterior option. We added a touch of red with Red Calipers atop Carbon-Ceramic Rotors. The team loves Carbon Fiber options, so we chose the Carbon Fiber Exterior Sport Package and added a Carbon Fiber rear decklid Spoiler and Carbon Fiber engine cover. Finally, we chose a Carbon Fiber roof with SiriusXM Antenna.InteriorBlack on black is sleek, stylish, and timeless, so the team agreed on an Ebony interior complete with Semi-Aniline Leather/Alcantara Power Seats. We added the Black Alcantara headliner and Carbon Fiber Interior Sport Package.Technology and AccessoriesThe more the better. We decided to deck out our Acura NSX with the ELS Studio Audio and Tech Package that includes SiriusXM Radio. We topped this already incredible NSX off with a few accessory options. We included cargo nets, the NSX carpet set in black and a car cover. We also included Door Sill Trim-Illuminated Carbon Fiber (never enough Carbon Fiber in our opinion). Finally, we chose black wheel locks and the Forged Wheel Set to complete our super-optioned out Acura NSX.Check out our full spec sheet below:Final price?$213,190.00(plus $1,800 destination charge)So what does your NSX look like? Build yours here and let us see it!Acura NSXs For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 01, 2016

First 2017 Acura NSX Sells to Rick Hendrick for Over $1 M...

Last Friday in Arizona for the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event, the world's first 2017 Acura NSX was sold to none other than Rick Hendrick. This doesn't come as much as a surprise to me if you're familiar with his previous purchases, including the first C7 Corvette and first C7 Corvette Z06.For this, his latest purchase, Hendrick dropped $1.2 million. Sure that's a lot of money when you consider the base NSX's price, but that money isn't going to the manufacturer, a seller or the auctioneers. Instead, Barrett-Jackson is donating 100% of the hammer price to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Camp Southern Ground. First 2017 Acura NSX Scores Record Auction Price of $1.2 Million at Barrett-JacksonThis first NSX comes with a number of options, including: Eight exterior colors Four interior color schemes Three different seating surface options Exterior and Interior features Three wheels designs, painted or polished Carbon-Ceramic brake options Carbon fiber interior sport package Carbon fiber roof More If you weren't able to drop the seven figures for the new NSX at Barrett-Jackson, not to worry-- Acura will be taking orders for the car starting on February 25.Acura NSX's For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 29, 2016

2017 Acura NSX Super Bowl Commercial With David Lee Roth

The Acura NSX might not have had a spot on stage with famous rock band Van Halen, but their ex-lead singer, David Lee Roth, is sharing some TV time with the sports car for an upcoming Super Bowl commercial.Uploaded to YouTube by Acura is the 2017 NSX's new 30-second TV commercial for the Super Bowl, featuring the classic sounds of "Running with the Devil" and David Lee Roth's famous vocals. You can view the video below.This new production model of the NSX is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine coupled with a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission. The NSX also receives power from an all-new, three electric motor Sport Hybrid (SH) system. The front wheels obtain power or braking from two electric motors while the third is inside the rear mounted transmission.Acura NSXs For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 21, 2015

2017 Acura NSX Price, First One Not Going to Seinfeld or ...

Last year, Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld visited the new 2017 Acura NSX. During the visit, Leno pointed out that he's glad he got the first one, and how he'll give Seinfeld a ride in it when he gets it.Well, according to a December 18 press release from Honda, someone attending the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2016 auction will actually be receiving the first NSX. What's more, the proceeds from the auction will be going to both the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Camp Southern Ground. 2017 Acura NSX"The very first production NSX will be such a special and historic vehicle, so we wanted to make sure we treat the sale of it in an equally special way," said Jon Ikeda, Vice President and General Manager of the Acura Division, in the press release. "It will be available for purchase by anyone – anyone that is, who submits the highest bid for VIN number 001 at the world famous Barrett-Jackson auction. And we're pleased to be able to support two incredible children's charities, Camp Southern Ground and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, with the NSX."When the bidding starts, bidders will be going up against the newly announced MSRP of the car. According to the press release, the 2017 Acura NSX price in the U.S. is set at $156,000. Customers who want all options available will be looking at a price tag of $205,700. These options include: Eight exterior colors Four interior color schemes Three different seating surface options Exterior and Interior features Three wheels designs, painted or polished Carbon-Ceramic brake options Carbon fiber interior sport package Carbon fiber roof More For those wanting to buy American, you'll be pleased to know the 2017 NSX was designed, developed and manufactured in America. It's also Acura's first "build-to-order" vehicle."The NSX is the pinnacle expression of Acura precision crafted performance and we're thrilled to take the next step toward bringing it to market," said Ikeda. "We're creating new space within the supercar realm, pushing the envelope beyond the conventional thinking about supercars – just like the original NSX."If you're interested, orders for the NSX will begin on February 25, 2016.NSXs For Sale Gallery (Source: Honda)

By Andrew Nabors – October 27, 2015

2017 Acura NSX Technical Details Revealed

It’s finally happening; the Acura NSX is ready for launch. 2017 Acura NSXThe finalized performance numbers and technical highlights were confirmed by parent company Honda in a press release yesterday, Oct. 26. Staying true to form, the new NSX will arrive with a mid-mounted V6 in a lightweight body, but that is where the similarities end. This new 3.5-liter V6 uses two turbochargers to make 500 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.A new nine-speed dual clutch automatic transmission is paired with a direct drive hybrid motor/generator. Power is stored in a lithium-ion battery mounted low in the chassis. This energy is channeled to the front wheels by a Twin Motor Unit (TMU). Powering each front wheel independently, it can induce yaw while cornering to provide incredible lateral grip.In addition to more traction, Acura added 73 hp to the acceleration equation. This will make for blistering acceleration and an estimated top speed of 191 mph. The chassis and space frame are mostly aluminum, with high strength steel used in critical safety areas.(See Also: 2016 Acura NSX Seen During #AcuraNSXontour)Production is about to begin at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio. If you aren’t in the market for a new sporty hybrid, we have a few classic examples to choose from.Stay tuned to Autofluence for more NSX updates.Gallery (Source: Honda North America) See More Acura News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 20, 2015

2016 Acura NSX Seen During #AcuraNSXOnTour

The beginning of deliveries for the 2016 Acura NSX is an event more than a decade in the making, and enthusiasts everywhere are excited for the chance to see this new revival in person. But there's no need to wait until later this year to see it - the #AcuraNSXOnTour is your chance to see it sooner.Announced July 12 on Acura's social media accounts, the #AcuraNSXOnTour is the marque's way of both showing off the fantastic new creation and completing road tests across the United States. Though they haven't announced the locations where the tour is headed, it's already been seen in quite a few cities and states - including Chicago, St. Louis, New Mexico, Dallas and more.Muller Acura posted photos to Facebook July 11 of the NSX's first stop at the American Honda Center in Illinois, while Mungenast St. Louis Acura shared photos from Missouri July 16. Photos from each can be seen in the gallery below.Pricing and set production and delivery dates are expected to be announced later this summer, but our eyes and ears at the January North American International Auto Show when the NSX was unveiled, heard a price starting around $150,000.(See Also: Acura NSX Set the Pace at Pikes Peak Hill Climb)Check out the images from the #AcuraNSXOnTour stops below, and if you see it in your neighborhood, share your shots with us using #duPontREGISTRY. Find yourself an original NSX from our exclusive listings.NSXs For SaleGallery (Source: Facebook) See More Acura News

By Edward Jones – June 25, 2015

2016 Acura NSX Pace Car for Pikes Peak Hill Climb

For the 93rd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the new 2016 Acura NSX will be serving as the official pace car. This news comes to us in a press release issued today by Acura.As the event starts, the NSX will lead 140 entrants to the top of the 14,110-foot Colorado mountain. The 12.4-mile path taken includes 156 turns, which is more impressive than the insane Dragon's Tail road in Tennessee.The NSX is a great choice because it comes equipped with a three motor Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, allowing the car to power through corners on the famous hill climb.(Related: Tailor Made Ferrari California T to be Showcased at Goodwood)"The Acura NSX is the ultimate performance vehicle and a novel way to promote its capabilities is the iconic race up Pikes Peak," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president and general manager of the Acura Division, in the press release. "As the pace car, the beast that is NSX will not be fully let of its cage, but fans and drivers will still get a first glimpse of the unique character, performance and handling of the NSX in a one-of-a-kind racing environment."Stay with us for images from the NSX's trip to the top, as Acura will be installing 24 cameras along the course in order to capture the run. The run is scheduled for June 28 at 7:40 a.m. MDT.NSXs For Sale(Source: Acura) More Acura News

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