Alfa Romeo

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 – March 02, 2020

UPDATE: 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA Has Arrived

Although it was scheduled to be unveiled in Geneva, the 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA will arrive tomorrow. For a bit of historical perspective, it was the highest performance version of the Giulia. Raced around the world from 1965 to 1969, they were offered in Corsa (Racing), and Stradale (Street) Versions. Considering the Giulia Quadrifoglio already has 505 horsepower, the GTA is a potent machine. In the press release minutes ago, we learned that two versions will be built in limited runs of 500 cars each. The Giulia GTA is a the revival of a classic name built to celebrate the brand's 110th anniversary. It is 220 lbs lighter than the Quadrifoglio, and the 2.9L V6 Twin Turbo has been bumped to 540 horsepower. If you want the ultimate street-legal Italian sedan, the new Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm will arrive with only 2 seats, extensive carbon fiber by Sauber, roll bars, and 6-point harnesses. Stay with us for all your Alfa Romeo updates. Browse All Alfa Romeo For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – July 24, 2018

2018 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Review

If there's one car I've driven over the years that truly feels like a sports car, it's the 2018 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. It has the maneuverability, speed and looks that one would want out of a true sports car. Last year, I had the chance to test out the 2018 4C Coupe, and now I've taken some time up behind the Spider variant.This car's engine is the same as the '17 Coupe's, meaning it's powered by a turbocharged inline-four engine. This little engine puts out 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers may not be large but with a small car, they're immediately noticeable. When the pedal is smashed down, the car will run 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds and it will hit a top speed of 160 mph. I didn't test out the top speed claim, but the 0 to 60 time seems spot on and it felt great in action. What's better than zipping around town in a small sports car?Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Designed for Best Power to Weight Ratio 2018 Alfa Romeo 4C SpiderThe 2018 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is a fantastic little sports car that's fun by all means. The one major downside? It costs a pretty penny with an MSRP of $65,900.

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2018

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Debuts in Beijing

If you are in the market for a luxury SUV with twin-turbo power, Alfa Romeo has something for you to consider. The Stelvio is a rarity in the US, an Italian Compact Crossover with grace and efficiency. Based on the Giulia sedan, they have offered two flavors of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, until yesterday.Fastest Quarter-Mile Production CarA press release from the Beijing Auto Show has confirmed the new Stelvio Quadrifoglio. It arrives with the same 2.9-liter twin turbo V6 as the Giulia, offering 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. The best news is that the torque is available from 2,500 rpm all the way to 5,000. This is thanks to the same turbo technology pioneered by their cousins at Ferrari. The variable geometry units have a lightweight turbine and compressor wheels for instant boost. Feel it for yourself in the California T or the 488 GTB!An 8-speed automatic sends power to the Q4 All Wheel Drive System. It will have you at 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, on your way to a top speed of 176 mph. To keep it thrifty, the V6 becomes a three-cylinder when max power is not needed. To keep you safe, Alfa Chassis Domain Control includes the latest stability control with 4-corner torque vectoring. You might not expect to see lightweight Sparco seats and carbon ceramics brakes on a compact crossover, but they are options on this mean machine. Our dealers have all the info, so click the link below for more info.Browse Alfa Romeo Stelvio For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 01, 2016

First Top Gear Chris Harris Review: Alfa Romeo Giulia Qua...

I've got to say that Chris Harris is one of the most enjoyable people to watch drive a car, and I'm so thankful that Top Gear is starting to give him more attention. That being said, Top Gear has released their first episode of Chris Harris' new series: "Chris Harris Drives."In this first episode, Harris takes his expertise behind the wheel of Alfa Romeo's competitor to the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63, the Giulia Quadrifoglio. In it, he gives his personal review of the car, as he slips and slides around the track. The car's twin-turbo V6 engine drops a mighty 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque between 2,500 and 5,500 rpm to the rear wheels, making it easy for Harris to whip the rear out. Even if he didn't provide his on-point commentary, it would be enjoyable just to watch him drive the car.Alfa Romeo Giulia For SaleCheck out his review by clicking the button below.View The Episode

By Caitlin Duffy – June 24, 2015

Alfa Romeo Giulia Introduced for Marque's 105th Anniversary

On June 24, 1910, the Lombard Automobile Factory, Public Company, or Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (ALFA) in Italian, opened its doors and began producing some of Italy's most recognizable models.Today, June 24, 2015, that company is recognized internationally as Alfa Romeo, and in honor of its 105th anniversary, the marque has launched their new top-of-the-range model: the Giulia. An event at their museum, which has been closed since 2011 and won't be officially reopened until June 30, previewed this stunning new car to media and the world, as a press release issued today states.A Ferrari-inspired six-cylinder engine will come in the Giulia, capable of creating a reported 510 hp and reaching 62 mph from a standstill in 3.9 seconds. Lightweight materials were used in construction, including carbon fiber, aluminum and aluminum composite. But what Alfa Romeo loves most about the Giulia is its design.The marque prides itself on five elements of design that set them apart from the rest: distinctive Italian design; state-of-the-art, innovative engines; perfect 50/50 weight distribution; unique technical solutions and the best power-to-weight ratio. These combine to create "la meccanica delle emozioni", loosely translated to mean "the mechanics of emotions;" the aim is to create the ultimate driving experience in every way possible, rather than create a car capable of one amazing feat but falling short in the realms of comfort or excitement.Take a moment to get a closer look at the Giulia in the video above, added to YouTube by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles today, then browse our listings of Alfa Romeos to see the past models that lead up to this new top-of-the-line model with the Quadrifoglio badge.Alfa Romeos For Sale (Source: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) See More Automotive Videos

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