Aftermarket

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 18, 2023

Hennessey's New 'H850' Is An 850-HP Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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By Tyler Rampersaud – June 07, 2023

How The New RENNtech RIIIx Has Over 1,000 Horsepower

This upgraded Mercedes aims to be the ultimate four-door performance machine.

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The New BRABUS 930 Is The Most Powerful BRABUS Ever

With this incredibly powerful machine, BRABUS reaches a new performance peak.

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 03, 2023

LOKI Expedition's 20ft Habitat Discovery Series Build Is ...

The Discovery Series expedition truck brings LOKI back to its roots of converting shipping container shaped structures into living spaces.

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 25, 2023

Hennessey Reveals The 700-HP V8-Powered VelociRaptoR 6x6

Hennessey adds two wheels to Ford’s wildest performance truck.

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 28, 2023

Mansory Builds 1-of-8 Custom Coupe G-Wagon With Coach-Sty...

Adding its unique flare to the iconic luxury SUV, Mansory completely transforms the look and feel of Mercedes' adventurous G-Class.

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 07, 2023

The LOKI Expedition Habitat Is Ready To Take Adventure To...

Push the boundaries of off-grid exploration with a fully independent expedition truck. As LOKI Expedition continues to evolve off-grid personal travel with its series of bespoke builds, the innovative professional has decided to revisit its roots of fabricating shipping containers for its next project. LOKI’s Discovery Series focuses on converting everyday structures into functional ergonomic living spaces using the latest technology in energy conservation and vehicle management. The adventurous Habitat builds start with choosing from an extensive list of medium-duty truck chassis, whether it be a new truck customized by LOKI Expedition with all accessories or installed directly on a pre-owned vehicle. MUST-READ: LOKI Expedition’s Next Turn Key Icarus Build Is Available For Delivery This August Scaling its fully-capable interior cabins on a spacious new level, the LOKI Habitat comes available in 15 and 20-foot configurations for those looking to live on the road for longer periods of time. Each build is assembled by LOKI Expedition’s passionate team using materials that are impervious to water, super strong, fire resistant, and lightweight. Travelers can expect a larger living space, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and storage when diving into all that the LOKI Expedition Habitat has to offer. The premium composite panels feature R15.5 - R17.4 insulation, maintaining a comfortable temperature no matter the season or the destination. Discover the new LOKI Expedition Habitat and the rest of the Discovery Series by clicking on the link below. Discover LOKI Expedition Source: LOKI Expedition

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 07, 2023

Watch Hennessey's New 708-HP C8 Corvette On Track & Dyno

Hennessey helps the C8 Corvette realize its supercar potential. Having finally delivered on the decades-long promise of a mid-engined Corvette, the C8 generation of the Chevrolet Corvette, at long last, takes the Corvette name to supercar levels, and opens the door for more performance potential than the Corvette has ever had before. With this being the case, it should come as no surprise that Hennessey couldn’t wait to get its hands on the all-American performance hero. Known for being one of the foremost experts in American performance, Hennessey has earned a reputation for taking cars that already have impressive performance and imbuing them with the extra dose of speed and power to transform them into unthinkably powerful machines, and that’s exactly what Hennessey did with the C8 Corvette. MUST READ: Watch Hennessey’s Dodge Durango Race A Lamborghini Aventador Based on the Corvette Stingray, Hennessey tunes the engine, and also adds an intercooled supercharging system, as well as a new exhaust. When all is said and done, the “H700” Corvette delivers 708 horsepower and 638 lb/ft of torque. This eclipses even the amazing Corvette Z06’s 670 horsepower and 460 lb/ft. The full upgrade package is available from Hennessey at a price of $49,950, and Hennessey’s confidence in the engineering and build quality of the package includes offering a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty on the upgrade. For those with a seemingly insatiable need for speed, the H700 upgrade for the C8 Corvette from Hennessey may well be the answer. View All Vehicles For Sale From Hennessey " width="680"> Source: Hennessey

By Edward Jones – January 23, 2023

Tour the Grech RV Strada-ion, A $250k Luxury Motorhome

The Grech RV Strada-ion is the brand's largest, most luxurious motorhome. Grech RV has an absolutely incredible inventory of luxury motorhomes, each of which offers up different options and features. Recently, we were able to take out one of these luxurious RVs out for a road trip across California. During our time with the Grech RV Strada-ion, we put together a tour video of the motorhome so that we could show off just how incredible it is. The Strada-ion is Grech RV's flagship Sprinter Motorhome and it's absolutely loaded with amenities. Additionally, the Strada-ion comes equipped with a lithium-ion battery energy storage system that provides clean and quiet energy when it's needed most. In fact, this system can run the AC of the motorhome for 12 hours by itself. If you click play on the video up above, our own Gabriel Vega Cortes will take you through the ins and outs of the Strada-ion. This includes its ample storage space, kitchen, intuitive control system and more. If you'd like to learn more about Grech RV, be sure to click the button below. View All Grech RVs For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 18, 2023

Mansory Reveals A New Front-Engined Lamborghini Coupe

This unique take on the Lamborghini Urus is stranger than fiction. It might sound absolutely ridiculous, but it’s true: the new Venatus Coupe Evo C from aftermarket house Mansory is real and it is absolutely bonkers. It started life as Lamborghini’s popular and powerful Urus, the SUV that defied convention and took the Lamborghini brand to places it’s never gone before. However, Mansory decided to take the Urus where it’s never gone before, as it does with plenty of the most powerful and luxurious vehicles it can get its hands on. Known for tuning, body kits, and a very distinguished sense of style, Mansory has quite the portfolio of zanily wondrous and exorbitant automobiles, and this one manages to stand out even among that crowd. MUST READ: The BLACKLAKE XT1: An Off-Road Masterpiece Once you manage to comprehend the Venatus Coupe Evo C’s pairing of iridescence with exposed carbon fiber, you’ll notice that unlike its original Lamborghini, it features only two doors. The front doors are lengthened, and the B-pillar moved back, and paired with that is an aggressive, widening body kit and new Mansory wheels. However, Mansory didn’t just have crazy looks to offer to the Urus, but also crazy performance. The powertrain achieves 900 horsepower and 811 lb/ft of torque, and Mansory says that it’ll reach 200 mph. It’s quite safe to say that the new Mansory Venatus Coupe Evo C is like few other vehicles on the road, especially since only 8 will be made. View All Lamborghini Urus For Sale Source: Mansory

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