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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 – January 16, 2017

1965 Mustang Turned Into 1,000 HP Monster

According to Jason Pecikonis of Timeless Kustoms, it took 10,000 hours to build this 1965 Mustang called 'Vicious'. That's a lot of time spent on one car. But, the results in a pretty outlandish pony car that's capable of 1,000 hp.(Also Check Out - Jay Leno Drives V8 BMW 1M Clone and it Sounds Like a Dream)In the latest edition of Jay Leno's Garage, Leno invited the Vicious Mustang to his house for a rundown. The engine block started out as a GT350R block, which was then heavily modified and even had its flat-plane crankshaft removed. But it's not just the engine that was changed in this Mustang. Pecikonis notes that the electronics were all changed to MoTeC products, and as far as the exterior and interior goes, one look at the car will tell you that they definitely modified the look of the car. While some will say it's a blasphemous car, everybody is allowed to modify their car the way they want to-- as long as its legal.Check the car out for yourself in the video below and let me know what you think about the Vicious Mustang in the comments below.All Ford Mustangs For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 05, 2017

Ferrari-Powered GT4586 Drifts on Track for the First Time

Not too long ago, Ryan Tuerck, an American professional drifting driver, decided he wanted to build one heck of a project car: a Toyota GT86 powered by a Ferrari 458 engine. This was no easy task, considering the difference in engine sizes. But, after months of building, the car was finished and the GT4586 was created.Back in November, we saw the car being driven for the first time. Now, in lovely 2017, we get to see the GT4586 drifting on the track for the very first time.What you're going to witness in the video below is a little Toyota that's hooked up to a 4.5-liter V8 engine, capable of 570 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. This power on the GT86 results in spinning tires, smoke and a lot of smiles. Check it out for yourself and try not to smile.All Ferrari 458 Italia For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 20, 2016

ZipTuning USA: Three Stages of Performance

ZipTuning is one of the largest Master Tuning Companies with over 12 years experience providing performance enhancements. ZipTuning has partnered with the Team at HyperCar Development to found ZipTuningUSA.They offer 3 stages of performance tuning to Unleash the Power of your vehicle. Whether you prefer Street Performance, Race Performance or Tuning for Upgraded Components, they have the ability to customize each tune per customer.Models include: Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Ferrari, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Pagani, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Subaru, Tesla, Volkswagen, Volvo and more... Stage 1: Street Performance TuningStage 1 consists of calibrating the engine management system (ECU). This results in increased power, better fuel efficiency, and an enhanced driving experience overall. They adjust different parameters in the engine management system while maintaining values within the safe zones defined by the manufacturer so your car is as safe and reliable as it was originally designed.By carefully adjusting the fuel, air and throttle tables, the engine increases output with the proper balance of these parameters. By using data logging during the adjustments of the software, ZipTuning USA will measure air/fuel ratio, turbo pressure, ignition and temperatures. Data logging ensures that all these values remain within the OE safe zones for the engine. Stage 2: Race Performance TuningAre you looking for even more power in a reliable way? ZipTuningUSA also offers Race Performance Tuning. With this level of calibration, they further optimize various elements in your car that increase the efficiency and output of the engine, along with personalized options such as catalytic converter delete. Data logging is essential in this stage of further optimization. ZipTuning USA is partnered with Performance Shops nationwide that can log values through dynamometer (dyno) testing. Dyno testing not only provides measured wheel power and torque, but also insight for additional calibration of the ECU. Adjusted parameters include upgraded fuel maps, boost deviation, ignition timing and more! Stage 3: Race Performance Tuning For Upgraded ComponentsZipTuning USA will deliver Race Performance Tuning for upgraded components. This stage is for customers who want to get the most power out of their vehicles. Installing a larger turbo and intercooler requires further remapping of the ECU. ZipTuningUSA can assist with tuning for aftermarket enhancements. Diagnostics testing in Stage 3 is crucial for successful tuning.They can measure lambda values, turbo pressure, intake and exhaust temperatures to eliminate potential errors. Our tuning experts utilize Dynamometer data to methodically analyze (at speed and acceleration) the AFR to ensure the proper injector parameters are balanced for optimal performance.For example, with ZipTuning's Stage 1 upgrade, the BMW M4 gains 71 hp and 76 lb-ft of torque, the Porsche 911 gains 82 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque and the Lamborghini Huracan gains 57 hp and 61 lb-ft of torque.Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – December 16, 2016

RENNtech Lowering Kit For Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Lowering a car by easily pushing a switch – sounds simple. However, even though car manufacturers have equipped their vehicles with computer controlled suspension systems for years, they limit the adjustability of their suspension to just a few preset settings. But you’re out of luck if you want a lower, sportier and more aggressive stance. RENNtech has now released an all new plug 'n' play solution for the latest generation of S-Class Sedan and Coupe models. The user can load fully customized ride height settings onto the HSM, Hand-held Suspension Module. From there the HSM gets plugged into the OBDII port just beneath the dashboard and with the simple toggle of a switch, the custom adjusted ride height will be uploaded into the vehicle.The factory adjustments remain fully functional, based on the customized ride height. The user is still be able to raise the car if road conditions require it. Pre-loaded with a RENNtech recommended setting which lowers the car about ¾ inch, the ride height can be fully adjusted in 1mm increments through the free software for use with either personal computer with windows or smartphones and tablets with Android OS. After adjusting the ride height, the upload process takes less than 5 seconds and your car will immediately adjust to the new settings. The RENNtech HSM | Hand-held lowering is now available through RENNtech and their authorized distributors. The kit is applicable for the C217 – S-Class Coupe/Convertible, W222 – S-Class Sedan and the Mercedes-Maybach Models.Learn More

By Edward Jones – December 14, 2016

Nissan GT-R With Over 2,400 HP Sets Out to Break Records

Think back to the 90's when the McLaren F1 was the king of cars, partially because of its incredible top speed of 240.1 mph. Nowadays, a modified Nissan GT-R running 200 mph in just a quarter-mile is becoming more commonplace, putting us into an era of insane speed. Who knows how fast these cars could go if they were given the room.(Related - Old Meets New: Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 vs 2017 GT-R)One specific car, the T1 GT-R, packs over 2,400 horsepower and is looking to break into the 6 second quarter-mile time. Tony Palo and his team at T1 Race took their GT-R out to Texas Speed Syndicate's Quick 30 event to see if they could break the GT-R world record. They came close, but unfortunately running 7.430 @ 204.82 mph isn't good enough anymore.After checking his time slip, Palo told 1320video that he's going to put all the pieces together, drive it into the trailer and try again. Will he break the record? Only time will tell, but if he does, you know we'll have the video of his run here on Autofluence.All Nissan GT-R For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 12, 2016

Thousand Horsepower Lamborghini Makes Snow Donuts

Dashing through the snowIn a thousand horsepower LamborghiniO'er the fields we goDrifting all the way!Alright, good, now you're all in a more merry mood. In a video by Rosten, we get to see how a 1,000 hp 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo celebrates snowfall and the holiday season. This car is packing an Underground Racing Stage 3 twin-turbo system, which translates to 900 whp on 93 octane and 1,250 whp on VP C16 race gas.Do you think you could handle 1,000 hp on the snow? Check out the video below and let us know in the comments below if you think you could do better.All Lamborghini Gallardo For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 29, 2016

Bugatti on a Budget? Quad Turbo LS-Powered Camaro

Imitation is the best form of flattery, so what happens when a Camaro enthusiast bestows his classic ride with four turbos? Quad turbo builds are nothing new, a decade ago my friend Mike Moran added a four pack to his pro-mod 2002 Camaro to make 2,139 hp and 1,926 lb-ft of torque. Taking inspiration from one of the fastest door slammers in the world along with Bugatti's approach to forced induction, the team at 1320 video shows us a 2nd Generation Camaro in the quest for a 10-second pass. Junkyard builds have become lately due to the durability of the late-model LS series V8 engines and the abundance of turbocharged cars piling up for salvage. The Borg Warner K03 turbo is a conservative 48 mm unit that is found under the hood of many small sporty cars. It is stock equipment on GM's EcoTec series of four-cylinder engines that inhabit everything from the Fisker Karma to the Vanderhall Laguna.Some of the fastest street cars on earth showed up at Lonestar Dragway, owned by Hennessey Performance. Street car take over Houston 2016 was an exciting showcase of late-model muscle and classic quarter-mile machines. This low-budget build was complete with Shop-Vac hose for the intakes and a used 6.0 liter V8 that was probably donated from a Silverado or Escalade. Essentially a cast iron version of the Corvette's aluminum block, it is the most popular choice in late-model engine swaps. Spinning up four small turbos is easier than two big ones, and having four waste gates allows for more precise boost control. This Camaro is obviously a force to be reckoned with, so we hope to see it deep into the 10's in the near future. Consistency is the name of the game in bracket racing, so you might be shocked at how this classic ride delivers proven performance. Stay with us for more wild drag racing action.Veyron For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 12, 2016

Ferrari F12berlinetta Novitec N-Largo Gets Loud and Wild

The Ferrari F12berlinetta is one of the finest berlinettas that the Italian company has ever released. It has a massive 6.3-liter V12 mounted in the front that can pump out 730 hp and 509 lb-ft. It can run around the Fiorano test circuit in 1:23, which is only three seconds slower than the LaFerrari hypercar, but two seconds faster than the Enzo.(Also Check Out - Ferrari Not Making Anymore Manual Cars)However, there are some people who think that all of the information I previously mentioned isn't enough, and that's where the Novitec N-Largo comes in. The V12's horsepower has been tuned up to 781 hp and its exhaust has been also been ramped up to be insanely loud.Ferrari For SaleRecently, Gumbal was on hand to see an N-Largo strut its stuff down a drag strip and show off its beautiful exhaust note. Click play on the video below and let me know if you'd rather have a stock F12berlientta of the N-Largo in the comments below.Ferrari F12berlinetta For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 16, 2016

Twin-Turbo Lamborghini Huracan Sets New 1/2 Mile Record

It seems like I write about the 1/2 mile record being broken just about every month and it's not a bad thing. Heck, if I could write about this record being broken every day, I'd be okay with that because it means someone out there is willing to push themselves and a car to the limit. And also with the records we get epic videos of these cars breaking the record.(Also Check Out - Koenigsegg One: 1 Breaks Three Records in One Day)The latest record breaking run comes from Underground Racing at the Shift Sector half mile event. The car in question is a UR X Version Twin Turbo Lamborghini Huracan that reportedly set and reset records all weekend. The record speed this Huracan hit during its run was 247.25 mph, which was about 7 mph faster than the previous record set a few months ago. What's more, this Huracan is 100% street legal.Check out the video below to see the record run for yourself. Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 26, 2016

Bizarre Maserati Ghibli Hearse: Going Out With Style

For those who spent their lives in luxury, there's no better way to head to the cemetery after they've passed than in a luxury hearse. Ellena Autotrasformazioni, an Itlalian company that makes some of the world's fanciest hearses. Their latest cemetary-bound ride is based on the Maserati Ghibli and is named the Autofunebre Ellena G 3.0.Under the hood of this massive Maserati is a 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine. This powerplant moves a massive car that's 260.6 inches long and 76.5 inches wide. The length of a normal Ghibli? 195.7-inches. This hearse is LONG.(Related: Spotted: Porsche Panamera...Hearse?)If it looks odd to you, it should as its a luxury sedan that's been chopped, lengthened and had its back half redesigned. Frankly, when was the last time you saw a hearse and thought: "That's a good looking hearse. I'd drive it!" That kind of thought has probably never crossed your mind. But, there will always be companies like this one that aim to make the hearse a more visually pleasing vehicle.If you could pick your own hearse, what would it be? For me? Lamborghini Countach, of course.View All Maseratis For Sale

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