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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 Jordan Aquistapace – February 28, 2023

Triple F Collection Takes Two New McLaren 570S GT4s Out O...

Now having a matching truck, trailer, and two McLaren racecars, The Triple F Collection is ready to battle it out on the racetrack!

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2020

2021 McLaren 620R Represents The End Of An Era

What you see is not the beginning of the end, merely the end of the beginning. It seems like a decade ago when we saw the first McLaren 570S for sale at the 2015 New York Auto Show. It was the first model of their "Sports Series". Designed as a more conventional and affordable alternative to their Super Series, the 570S arrived without the complex hydraulic active suspension. Instead, it has coil springs and traditional sway bars. Call me a purest, but this setup is easier to control at the limit, without a computer. But sadly, supercars like this are becoming obsolete. That is why the 2021 McLaren 620R represents the end of an era. McLaren 600LT Spider Price, Specs, Photos & Review To put it into perspective, the 570S was so popular, they built a hardtop convertible as the 570S Spider. This one also wowed the public, so they built a hatchback model with more interior room. The 570GT is one of the most practical and comfortable supercars I have driven. Pushing the chassis to the limit, the 600LT was a resurrection of their famous Long Tail. Offered as a coupe along with the 600LT Spider, it reaches 62 mph in 2.9 seconds and 124 mph in 8.4 seconds. This shocking performance spawned the 570 GT4, which was fielded by the fastest teams around the world. But like all good things, the party is about to be over. Carbon fiber molds require constant maintenance, so the 620R was built as a street-legal conversion of the GT4 race car. " width="680"> Only 350 cars are being built for the world, with a fraction of them heading here. They offer 612 horsepower, 457 lb-ft of torque, and double-adjustable coil overs at each corner. With 32 settings for each shock, you can tailor the car for your local track, or a Sunday drive in the countryside. Because our dealers sell more McLarens than even ones in the Old Country, we have several of them to choose from. With performance figures that rival big brother Senna, the 620R is a fitting end to the timeless 570 lineup. Browse McLaren 620R For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 09, 2019

2021 McLaren 620R is Street-Legal Perfection

We had a chance to showcase the McLaren 570S GT4 several times. Our friends at McLaren Philadephia service and deliver these race cars to teams around the nation. If there could be one improvement on this hardcore track machine, it would be a VIN and title. The factory has heard our pleas, so the 2021 McLaren 620R is street-legal perfection. Life imitates are, which imitates life. What we have here is a legal version of a race car based on the 570S. Instead of active aerodynamics, your dealer can dial in the spoilers and double-adjustable coil-over shocks. This cuts 13 lbs from the suspension along. The engine remains race-tuned, offering 610 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. Browse All McLaren 570S For Sale U.S. buyers can even add a gloss carbon roof and intake scoop from MSO. If you want to reach 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. this is for you. Being capable of consistent low 10's in the 1/4 mile, this is the one we've been waiting for. Only 350 cars are planned, so click the button above to find our dealer near you. " width="680"> Related: McLaren 570S Spider: Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – January 25, 2018

McLaren Special Operations Delivers 10 Wild 570S Coupes

The Rolex 24 at Daytona is almost here, so endurance racers from around the world are heading to Florida. In order to pay homage to their 570S GT4 program, McLaren Special Operations have built ten 570S coupes inspired by their race team.Known as MSO X, some of them are sporting liveries last seen on the F1 GTR in the mid 90's. On the roof is a carbon fiber "gooseneck" which is an air intake for the engine. Other historical tributes include the front dive planes, the MSO titanium sports exhaust, and a GT4 hood with functional intakes.McLaren 570S GT4 and 570S Sprint Added to LineupJoylon Nash is the Executive Director of Global Sales, and he said: “The MSO X collection is the perfect example of the rich vein of bespoke service offered by McLaren Special Operations. Customers come to us with their thoughts and ideas and MSO works with them to set boundaries within which they can then let their imaginations run wild. What could be better than a McLaren buyer playing the role of ‘race engineer’ in briefing the MSO team and directing them to test and validate those ideas to create a race-bred road car such as this?”On the inside, the track-oriented interior is unlike anything in their Sport Series cars. From the exposed carbon fiber Monocell to the carbon shell racing seats, it is ready for the track. All ten cars have a color-matched harness bar to hold the 6-point harnesses. And of course, the normal seat belts are included. That is because they are still street legal, and have lost none of their conveniences. The parking sensors, front-end lift, and air conditioning are all standard.Project MSO X was commissioned by McLaren Newport Beach, and the cars were delivered to their owners at a private event in Las Vegas. Being the most successful McLaren dealer in the US, take a look at their inventory in the link below, or allow them to unleash the talents of McLaren Special Operations. Which car looks the best? Tell us why in the comments and stay with us for all your McLaren news.Check Out McLaren Newport Beach

By Andrew Nabors – June 14, 2017

McLaren Unveils New 570S Spider

In the old days, coupes and convertibles versions of the same car were alike only in name. But now that McLaren have perfected the carbon fiber "monocell" chassis it is possible to lose the roof without compromise. The master plan is known as Track 22, in which they aim to release a slew of new models by 2022. Convertibles are not new to the brand, and we've ample seat time in the 12C Spider and the 650 Spider. Both of those are part of the upper echelon Super Series which is aimed at all-out performance. For those who want a more conventional conveyance, the Sports Series is a more conventional daily driver.In a press release early this morning, the first convertible in the Sports Seres was revealed. The new 570S Spider trades in the hard top for a two-piece composite roof. Stowing neatly away, the convertible mechanism operates in 15 seconds at speeds up to 25 mph. McLaren CEO Mike Flewett said “The McLaren 570S Spider is the most attainable McLaren Spider to date and adds yet another dimension to the McLaren Sports Series family. This is a convertible without compromise; its mid-engined layout and carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis guarantee the same thrilling dynamic performance and exceptional driver involvement enjoyed in a 570S Coupé, but with the added attraction of a retractable hard-top that delivers the extra exhilaration of roof-down motoring.”Ahead of the deck lid, a glazed wind deflector can be raised to keep your hairstyle intact. The powertrain was untouched, because 570 metric horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque are plenty for this lightweight. In order to stay on the slim side, the convertible mechanism only adds 101 lbs to the car for a dry weight of 2,895 lbs. The first 400 examples will be launch edition models, and you will see them here as soon as they cross the pond. Stay with us for all your McLaren updates.

By Andrew Nabors – November 29, 2016

McLaren Unveils Track Pack for 570S

To many manufacturers, support of racing can be a nightmare for the bean counters and attorneys. But McLaren has had a history of listening to customer feedback in order to build the ultimate supercars. As the premier model of their Sports Series, the 570S is powered by a 3.8-liter twin turbo V8. Sharing the same architecture as engines in the other models, the turbos are tuned to deliver torque progressively to entice the driver to wind it out to a screaming 8,400 rpm red line.(Related - Battle of the McLarens: 675LT vs 650S Spider)Torque management, as it is known in racing is the act of limiting the engine's power in order to keep the tires on the track. The stability control system known as active dynamics combines this along with braking and shocks to make the 570S a dominant force on the track. But for those who demand the ultimate from their investment, a new Track Pack has been released. In a press release this morning, McLaren highlights the advancements included in the package. Leather doesn't seem too heavy, but Alcantara is definitely lighter. Hides are dispensed for synthetic suede and power seats are swapped for carbon racing buckets. Pulling on recent wins in GT3 and GT4 classes, new wheel forgings are super light to reduce un-sprung mass. A subtle extended rear spoiler and Dark Palladium roof panel are dead giveaways of the Track Pack. Available for order now, it carries a premium of $20,600 to the window sticker. Considering the relative bargain price of the 570S, we can't wait to see the Track Pack in action. Stay with us for all your McLaren news.570S For Sale

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By Edward Jones – November 22, 2016

New McLaren 570S Design Editions Created by Designers

Today, McLaren announced five exclusive 570S Design Editions that take the brand's customization to a whole new level.Each of these Design Edition were created by McLaren's own designers, which are the people who know these cars inside and out. In a press release from McLaren, they note that these cars take "the popular ‘By McLaren’ personalization themes a stage further with combinations of color, trim and finish that is guaranteed to showcase the Sports Series coupe at its stunning best."(Related - McLaren Officially Announces World's First Hyper-GT Car, F1 Successor) The example described in the press release is Design Edition 1. This edition has an exterior that has a Vermillion Red finish, five-spoke wheels with a diamond-cut finish, Stealth exhaust and red brake calipers. Inside is Carbon Black Alcantara, apex Red Nappa Leather seats, Jet Black Nappa Leather upper fascia, Apex Red Nappa Leather lower fascia, Slate Grey stitching, two-tone steering wheel and a branded leather sill finisher.However, if clients want to make their Design Edition even more customized, they are free to make any other choices and can add their own carbon fiber options. The other body colors of the Designed Editions include Onyx Black, Storm Grey, Ventura Orange and Silica White.All McLaren 570S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2016

Ben Collins Thrashes McLaren 570S Around Goodwood

Former Stig, Ben Collins, knows a thing or two about driving.By now you have probably seen reviews of the McLaren 570S, but having a proper British driver flog the newest McLaren around Goodwood is entertainment at its finest. In a YouTube video uploaded Wednesday, Collins extols the virtues of the new supercar. I had the opportunity to drive one around Baltimore's Inner Harbor back in January, so I am only slightly jealous.He doesn't mention it, but the door sills of the 570 are much lower than previous McLaren models, and the 12-speaker audio system by Bowers & Wilkins is unreal. If you have an opportunity to drive one, don't pass it up. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more McLaren news.McLaren 570S For Sale

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