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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 Andrew Nabors – February 08, 2021

2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Debuts February 16th

Something wicked is about to be unchained in Stuttgart. The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 will debut on February 16th in a live stream from the factory. Tune in to their YouTube page at 9am Eastern for an introduction by the Vice President and Brand Ambassadors. This will be the first 992-series 911 to be offered without forced induction so we hope it spawns a resurrection of the GT3 Touring. Will it spawn a manual transmission GT3 RS for sale? As with all GT cars, they are the centerpiece of our dealer's showrooms. Last week we showed you how the latest GT cars have evolved during testing, and the most anticipated details will be how much power they can squeeze from the naturally-aspirated flat-six. If you need a 9,000 rpm beast click the button below. Porsche 911 GT3 For Sale Image (C) Porsche A.G.

By Andrew Nabors – September 16, 2020

Porsche Previews LeMans 2020

Gaston, Arthur, and Louis Chevrolet were famous racers from France who also happened to start a car company. Dr. Porsche was locked up in France for being German. Nevertheless, Porsche and Chevrolet have been rivals since the beginning. With recent back-to-back wins at Sebring and Daytona, you might be looking forward to another battle royale, so here is how Porsche previews LeMans 2020. Unfortunately, Chevrolet Racing decided to skip the race this year. Not because they are not up for it, they are in the final testing phases of testing the 2021 Corvette Z06. It will feature the same 5.5-liter flat-plane V8 that won both races, it will be unrestricted by the "Balance of Performance" rules. Tell us who you would like to see on the podium and stay with us for all your LeMans updates. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 26, 2020

1991 Singer Porsche 911 "Malibu" For Sale by Graham Rahal

Commissioned as"Malibu", it is the 71st Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer. The entire car is carbon fiber and coated in a unique shade of "Mintarrini". Ordered with every option, it has the chrome gas cap, vintage-style (powered) Recaros, and a retro Becker radio loaded with the latest in connectivity. Next to it is a tachometer that literally goes to 11. That's because the 4-liter flat-six was designed and built by Ed Pink to deliver 400 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. It takes Singer 10 months to build each car and they among the most valuable Porsches on the market. These cars are rarely sold, so don't miss this opportunity. Click the button below for all the details and stay with us for more amazing Singer Porsches. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – August 25, 2020

Porsche Expands Subscription Service in Los Angeles

Buying or even leasing a Porsche is a major obligation, so why not subscribe? Now that rental car companies are falling like a house of cards, Porsche has announced an expansion of their subscription service in L.A. It is the same program offered in Atlanta, Phoenix, and San Diego. Subscribers will have access to the same Porsche for 3 months, at which point they can choose a different model. This allows members to take the ultimate test drive and its a brilliant move targeting a younger demographic to make them Porsche fans for life. See the New Porsche Panamera Premiere Here Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of PCNA says: “If California were a country, it would be our fifth-largest market in the world. After bringing Porsche Drive to San Diego last summer, Los Angeles was an obvious choice to allow customers to experience a variety of Porsche sports cars and SUVs at the touch of an app. Now, in addition to our Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles track, LA residents or those visiting LA have another way to enjoy a Porsche". If you live near these cities, the program officially starts on September 25th, so click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2020

Porsche 911 Magazine Explains Targa Details

Understanding your customer is the most important way to stay at the top of your industry. It might seem foolish for an automaker to offer a dozen distinct versions of their flagship, but Porsche has never conformed to industry trends. That is why each new version of the 992 Seris Porsche 911 for sale is greeted with open arms by enthusiasts around the world. Porsche Design Introduces the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition Chronograph Now that the new Turbo S is heading our way, we are delighted at the details of the Targa. From the return of its manual transmission to the Heritage Edition, it is unlike anything else on the market. We have touched on the details in previous posts, so now its time for Porsche 911 Magazine to explain the finer points of the new Porsche 911 Targa for sale. Browse Porsche Targa 4 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 07, 2020

Porsche 911 Turbo S Arrives With InnoDrive

Automation can be scary for those who enjoy interacting with their automobile. I was hesitant to engage SuperCruise on the latest Cadillac CT6, but it performed flawlessly on the interstate. Porsche unveiled a similar system on the Panamera in 2018, and now it has been perfected. So we're happy to see the Porsche 911 Turbo S will arrive with InnoDrive. This optional system uses 360-degree HD cameras, radar, and powerful graphics hardware to control several systems. When engaged, the driver allows the new Porsche 911 Turbo S to hold the center of the lane. Not only in traffic or in a straight line, but it will also maneuver through the corners on its own. Depending on driving mode, it will command the PDK transmission to shift up or down. Up if you are Eco mode to maximize fuel savings. When it sees no obstacles ahead, your friend will drop a gear in Sport mode. All the while, adaptive cruise will brake and accelerate to your desired distance. As soon as this situation clears we will have a thorough review, so stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 17, 2020

Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Unveils 2 New 911 Packages

With the development of the 2020 Porsche 911 Turbo for sale, they have learned a few aerodynamic tricks in the process. In the past, Carrera fans who wanted the Turbo body were forced into a GTS, or other mid-level trim. Thankfully Stuttgart is listening to us as Porsche Exclusive Manufactur has unveiled 2 new 911 packages. First off, they are mutually exclusive and can be ordered together. The most obvious is the SportDesign package. It has a more aggressive front end and rear bumper. The license plates are raised to dissipate turbulence, and allow more air to the radiators. Optional are the SportDesign rocker panels, which make the car appear much lower to the ground. The most striking upgrade is the Aerokit. It combines a Gurney Flap along with a massive rear spoiler. 2020 Porsche 911 (992): Price, Specs, Photos & Review These parts are the result of 56,000 miles of real-world testing, and they are available wherever new Porsche 911 for sale. Click the link below to order yours, and stay with us for all your Porsche 911 news. Browse All Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 08, 2019

Michael Fassbender: Road to LeMans

UPDATE 11/8: Michael's success has continued to blossom, therefore we have updated this post with the latest film at the bottom. As an accomplished star of several films, Porsche is documenting their newest driver: Michael Fassbender in his road to LeMans. This series will show the trials and tribulations of the season, which culminates at the Circuit de la Sarthe on June 13th. This will be the 88th running of LeMans, twice around the clock for a shot at immortality. His first challenge was conquering the famous tracks in his German homeland: First up was Hockenheimring " width="680"> Up next on the roster was one of the most loved and hated tracks in history: Nürburgring Nordschleife. It was repaved last year to smooth some of the rough pavement, but the idea of racing through the Eifel forests in a screaming 911 will humble any driver. Browse All Porsche 911 For Sale After following his teammates to find the perfect line. After missing 2 red flags, he was penalized to start in 19th place. The Porsche Racing Experience is a nail-biting series, so stay with us for continuing coverage from tracks around the world. " width="680"> After the ordeal of the Green Hell, it was on to Sachsenring. Lapping the track in a new Porsche 911 allowed him to preview the race. Walking the track with the team gave him a mental map of the curves and elevation. " width="680"> As Michael's goal is to race the Porsche RSR, he had to graduate from the Porsche 911 Cup Car. You will see and hear the differences in these two machines in Episode 4 below: " width="680"> Episode 5 takes place at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Friday was wet, so they practiced on older tires. This allowed him to learn the track and prepare for a stellar Sunday. " width="680"> Stay with us as we continue to follow his journey. Related: Porsche Gifts: New Porsche Drivers' Selection Apparel Porsche & Boeing Join Forces to Create Uber Air

By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2019

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport & 935 will Debut at Spa

One of the most famous races in history will take place this weekend. Nestled in the Ardennes forest of Belgium, the 24 hours of Spa dates back to 1924. It is viewed by millions around the world, so we're glad to learn that the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport and the 935 will debut at Spa. Both cars are prominent contenders in the GT2 class, but they are cut from a different cloth. We first saw the 935 when it was unveiled at RennSport Reunion VI at Laguna Seca in 2018. It was inspired by Moby Dick, the legendary 935/78 that was built for Le Mans. Under the long rear deck is a 3.8L 700 horsepower twin-turbo flat-six based on the GT2 RS. The carbon fiber body is optimized for high speeds, and Porsche is only building 77 examples. Alongside will be the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport. It is a track-only, hardcore version of the GT2 RS. Like the 935, it also has 700 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. It is more affordable than the 935, and production will be limited to 200 cars. While they are battling against the other GT2 series cars, nine examples of the 911 GT3 will be fielded by teams from around the world. Six cars will be GTE-Pro class and the other three will be the new 911 GT3 R fielded by Rowe Racing. Tell us which car you like the best in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Find Your Porsche 911 Here! " width="680">

By Edward Jones – January 03, 2019

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS in Mexico Blue In-Depth Review

Porsche West Palm Beach, part of Braman Motor Cars, have had the pleasure of hosting a gorgeous new 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS in their showroom. This specific example is finished in a vibrant paint-to-sample Mexico Blue paint that contrasts perfectly against the visible carbon fiber accents found across the car's body. View the Complete Porsche 911 GT2 RS Price & Horsepower It's also fitted with the Weissach Package. With both the Mexico Blue paint and Weissach Package included on this Porsche, it truly is one unique and exclusive vehicle. Be sure to check out the in-depth review of this 911 GT2 RS in the video below and see some detailed images of it in the gallery below. view braman motor cars inventory

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