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 Andrew Nabors – April 14, 2020

McLaren Senna by NOVITEC Offers 902 Horsepower

No matter how much power your car has, most of us will always want more. That is why NOVITEC has risen to the challenge of tuning the world's most exclusive cars. After a long development process, the McLaren Senna by NOVITEC offers 902 horsepower. The press release hit our inbox last night, loaded with impressive performance numbers. In addition to adding 102 horsepower, torque has jumped to 655 lb-ft. This is made possible by their plug-n-play N-TRONIC module and a new Inconel exhaust. You will reach 62 mph in 2.7 seconds. The speedometer will read 124 mph in only 6.5 seconds, and you are well on your way to a top speed of 208 mph. Optional goodies include Vossen wheels in 20"/21". The best part about NOVITEC is that these upgrades can be removed with a few hours of work. First you will need to find a Senna for yourself, so click the button below and stay with us for all your NOVITEC news. Browse All McLaren Senna For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 09, 2020

Novitec N-Largo McLaren 720S Spider Announced

Novitec, the German company behind some of the most stunning aftermarket supercar creations, has just announced their new N-Largo McLaren 720S Spider variant. If the standard 720S Spider didn't provide enough aggressiveness for you, you may want to look towards the N-Largo. You have to look quickly, though, because only 15 examples are currently planned. What makes an N-Largo 720S Spider? Quite a few things. First up is the redesigned widebody exterior which has been fitted with carbon components. To go with the new bold body are 20- and 21-inch staggered Vossen wheels that fit the widebody perfectly. Like Novitec's other N-Largo creations, there's more than just visual components here. The optional product range for the 720S Spider's twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine can bring the power up to 806 horsepower and 878 lb-ft of torque. This allows the supercar to launch from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.7 seconds. Novitec is also offering high-performance exhaust that adds a new note to the V8 engine's roar. SEE ALL MCLAREN 720S SPIDERS FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – October 09, 2019

Hennessey McLaren 600LT vs Stock 720S

Bigger numbers are faster right? In a normal world, this comparison would be a no-brainer. To surpass the abilities of their latest models, John Hennessey and his team have been tinkering with a Long Tail. To see if it can perform with the latest Super Series, this is the Hennessey McLaren 600LT vs a stock 720S. Starting at the most important specs, the 600LT is the grand finale for their 3.8L V8. It offers 600 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. After installing larger downpipes and a tune, it is now making 658 horsepower at the rear wheels. McLaren 720S For Sale The opponent sports their latest 4.0L V8, which is bored & stroked to spool the turbos at an early RPM. Tell us what you think in the comments below, and stay with us for the latest Hennessey Performance updates. " width="680"> Related: Hennessey Porsche Taycan Announced John Hennessey Explains the Chevy Goliath in Detail

By Edward Jones – August 27, 2019

New NOVITEC Range for the McLaren 720S Spider

Are you looking to take your new McLaren 720S Spider to the next level? Then you should check out the new range of products for the English drop-top by NOVITEC. Offering both form and function is a slew of body components that NOVITEC created and fine-tuned in the wind tunnel. Each component is crafted from forged carbon fiber, which looks visually stunning. These pieces include a new front spoiler, front blade, side flaps, rocker panels, side air intake covers, rear wing, rear spoiler lip, rear fascia, diffuser, diffuser fins and more. There are also wheels produced by Vossen that are exclusive for NOVITEC. NOVITEC also has three different tuning options for the McLaren 720S Spider. The most powerful out of the three options adds an extra 86 horsepower and 80 lb-ft of torque, bringing the total output up to 806 hp and 648 lb-ft. For more information, be sure to visit NOVITECgroup.com. Also Check Out: New McLaren Ultimate Series Model Announced in Pebble Beach McLaren 600LT by Novitec Includes Incredible Power

By Andrew Nabors – July 09, 2019

McLaren 600LT by Novitec Includes Incredible Power

Every automaker is guilty of sandbagging. It is the practice of limiting horsepower on their mid-level cars to protect the sales of their flagship models. It also allows for years of reliability since the drivetrain is not stressed to its full potential. Aside from their latest models that use a 4.0L V8, every other McLaren since the 12C has used a version of their twin-turbo 3.8L engine. Knowing there was room for improvement, the McLaren 600LT by NOVITEC includes incredible power. Although they are a German company, the Novitec team has been unlocking more power for all brands of exotic cars since 1989. Their latest masterpiece took many late nights and extensive 3D modeling to create, and the wait was worth it. Starting with wheels, Vossen builds the MC3 series exclusively for them. They measure 20" x 8.5" front and 21" x 11.5" rear, and are available in 77 distinct colors. They look great thanks to a 1.1" drop from Novitec springs. Not only are the carbon fiber body upgrades appealing to the eye, but they are also functional. Feeding more air into the intake and brake coolers allows this 600LT to compete with cars twice its price. It has a soundtrack to match the looks thanks to an all-new exhaust. It is fabricated by hand and thermally insulated to prevent damage under the hood. You might be wondering why it is hotter, and that brings us to the most important part of this transformation. Their Stage 2 package includes twin Novitec N-Tronic performance modules. At the touch of a button, your car will offer 688 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque. Not only will you reach 62 mph in 2.8 seconds, but you will also have a top speed of 207 mph. If you need something this appealing and powerful, you will first need a McLaren 600LT. Click the link below for great offers from our dealers and stay with us for all your NOVITEC news. McLaren 600LT For Sale Related: NOVITEC Unveils N-Largo Ferrari 812 Superfast NOVITEC Unveils the N-Largo McLaren 720S

By Andrew Nabors – February 28, 2019

McLaren 600LT vs Hennessey HPE1000 Jeep Trackhawk

Two opponents meet in the middle of Texas. One was born in Detroit and educated in Houston. The other comes from Woking, a town on the outskirts of London. We've seen some unlikely quarter-mile face-offs, but this one will blow your mind. You are about to witness a McLaren 600LT versus a Hennessey HPE1000 Jeep Trackhawk. Let's look at the power-to-weight ratios. The carbon fiber contender offers 592 horsepower to its 2,989 lbs. This means each horsepower pushes 5 lbs of weight. The American has 1,012 horsepower and weighs 5,363 lbs. This means each horsepower must move 5.3 lbs, a slight disadvantage. Both vehicles have launch control, but aerodynamics come into play well before the finish line. Tell us which one you would choose in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance Updates. Shop McLaren 600LT Shop Jeep Trackhawk Related: Hennessey Performance McLaren 600LT Upgrade Hennessey Trackhawk: Fastest SUV in the World

By Andrew Nabors – September 12, 2018

McLaren 570GT is a Gorgeous Flamethrower!

Designed by McLaren to be the ultimate daily driver, the 570GT has room for groceries and a comfortable ride. Just because it has a leather-lined package tray doesn't mean it lacks the potential of the other Spors Series cars. That's why Excel Racing in Boca Raton, Florida decided to turn up the boost. Their XR700 package is a comprehensive series of McLaren upgrades along with dyno tuning. After a series of runs, they achieve their goal.Sending 631 horsepower and 563 lb-ft to the ground is quite impressive, especially considering their V8 is only 3.8-liters. So to make sure it is reliable, the tune is programmed to dump extra fuel when the turbos and exhaust gets hot. This seems counterintuitive, but gas does cool the system. Without oxygen, it can't burn until it reaches the tailpipes! Congrats to the team at Excel Racing on this achievement, and click on the link below to find a 570GT for yourself.Browse McLaren 570GT For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 15, 2016

Widebody Liberty Walk McLaren 650S Kit Revealed (w/ Price)

Liberty Walk, the aftermarket company famous for their body kits, has done it once again and made a supercar widebody kit. This time, it's for the McLaren 650S.The kit itself consists of a new front bumper, side diffuser, rear bumper, rear wing and, of course, the wide fenders. Altogether, this complete body kit costs $42,380, according to Liberty Walk's website. This page on their site also states "New Body kit Mclaren 650S LB☆WORKS Release in August," meaning this kit has been released or will be released very shortly.What do you guys think of this new kit? Worth the extra money or would you keep yours stock? Let me know in the comments below!View All McLaren 650S For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 29, 2016

FAB Design's VAYU GTR Coupe: Inspired by McLaren

With the McLaren MP4 12C and 650S on the brain, Swiss manufacturer, FAB Design, fashioned a super-sportcar complete with exposed carbon fiber and aerodynamic optimization.Last year, the manufacturer presented the VAYU RPR Spider at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, and this year, they wanted to appeal to McLaren enthusiasts and owners. VAYU, according to a press release from FAB Design, is the "vedish god of wind, air and life." VAYU is noted for his "unrivaled speed and his peerless beauty," and is thus used as a source of inspiration for the VAYU RPR Spider.Fashioned for speed and handling, the VAYU RPR Spider employs a slew of carbon fiber parts including, "behind the windwos, on the sides, and front and rear wing," according to the press release. The supercar also focuses on downforce optimization, which also translated into visual aesthetics in the form of all-new fenders and rear bumper.The price for the vehicle has not been released to the public. Check out the photos of the VAYU RPR Spider below.McLarens For Sale

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