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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 – October 29, 2018

Porsche Classic's Project Gold Sells for $3 Million

Some of us thought it was crazy. Why would Porsche restore a car that is 20 years old? Project Gold is a statement to the world. Porsche Classic should be your first resource when looking for original parts. If you have wanted a new 1998 Turbo S, it was the highlight of RM Sotheby's 'The Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction 2018' in Atlanta over the weekend.Porsche 993 Specs, Photos, Prices & ReviewNo detail was overlooked in the year and a half build. Assembled by hand, it consists of 6,500 original parts that are available for every 993 series 911. In a press release this morning, we learned that it sparked a bidding war. Ten minutes of battle were silenced by the hammer. It signaled the net proceeds of 2.9 Million dollars are going to the (not-for-profit) Ferry Porsche Foundation.Painted in the same Golden Yellow as the 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series, it has two custom accents that are now available at your local dealer. The new aluminum gas cap and a blacked-out tailpipe will fit any 1980 to '98 example. This will serve as a statement to all owners and restorers of air-cooled classics. If you thought the market was a bubble, think again. Click the link below to find your Porsche 911 Turbo S and stay with us for all your Porsche news. View All Porsche 911 For Sale Here

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2018

Singer DLS Porsche 911 Revealed at Goodwood

Just when we though Singer had built the ultimate Porsche 964, they have outdone themselves again. In a press release earlier today, their "Design and Lightweighting Study" was revealed. Expanding their collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering, it was inspired by a client to see just how light and fast an air-cooled car can be. One will be on display and the other will participate in the Hillclimb.Singer Vehicle Design Joins Forces With Williams For New PowerThe Porsche 964 is the internal codename for the 1989 to 1994 model-year 911. Singer doesn't build new ones, their goal is to restore originals beyond what anyone thought possible. We saw an example of their workmanship at the Amelia Island Concours earlier this year, and it was a carbon fiber masterpiece. It was powered by Williams' latest 4.0L flat six. Top Gear already got their hands on it, so tell us what you think of the latest Singer in the comments below.Find Your Porsche 911 Here!

By Andrew Nabors – March 19, 2018

Porsche Opens "70 Years of Porsche Sports Car" Exhibition

Get ready for an unprecedented Porsche Party. In a press release early this morning, the first details of their 70th anniversary were outlined. Tomorrow will be the opening of the exhibit at "Drive: Volkswagen Group Forum" in Berlin. It will be divided into ten sections devoted to bringing the history of the brand to life.A look at their highlights includes the people and the cars that embody 70 years of innovation. Guests at the grand opening will include Walter Röhrl and Richy Müller, the actor known for his role as a police inspector in the German crime drama “Tatort”. The first Porsche 356 was certified for production on June 8th, 1948, so car #1 will greet attendees at the entrance. Free to the public, Berliners will be able to walk through racing and engineering highlights that culminate in the one-millionth Porsche 911.How To Sell A Ferrari 458 Italia"Sports Cars Today" showcases the Panamera Turbo S-E Hybrid Sport Turismo as their ultimate achievement to-date. Cars of the future include the Mission E and other concepts. If you are curious why they have such a loyal following, click the link below to find a Porsche 911 near you and stay with us for complete coverage of the festivities.Browse Porsche 911 For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 23, 2018

Next-Generation Porsche 911 (992) Gets Official Preview

An official sneak peek at the next-generation Porsche 911 (992) has been released by the German automaker. In the photos, we see a heavily camouflaged example of the new 911. While the camo does obscure out view of the car, we can at least see that the can does, of course, retain the iconic overall styling of the 911s before it.In the revealing article, there were also a few other interesting tidbits that were brought up. First is that Porsche is definitely considering electric power in a 911. August Achleitner, the engineer heading up the Porsche 911 line, said that he's had a "change of heart" regarding electric drive technology. “Two years ago I’d have said no way. Today I wouldn’t categorically rule it out.”Porsche Officially Unveils The 2019 GT3 RS

By Andrew Nabors – February 21, 2018

Porsche Officially Unveils The 2019 GT3 RS

They did it again. Porsche engineers in Stuttgart have outdone themselves by offering 520 horsepower without turbos. The 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS will arrive with a top speed of 193 mph, and without any unnecessary weight. Torque is also improved with 346 lb-ft available at almost any RPM. In a press release this morning, they remind us that it is the 3rd street-legal GT car to be released in a year.Acceleration is even more brutal. The current 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 hits 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, and this new beast does it in 3 seconds flat. All suspension tuning and even their mounts have been optimized for the increased power. Even the smallest details inside the engine were revised to make more power. The cylinders are now lined in plasma to offer less friction to the piston rings. The oil galleries are larger, as are the crank & rod bearings.The seven-speed PDK transmission returns with slightly shorter gear ratios to make use of the increased power. If you opt for the Weissach package, the forged magnesium wheels and other light parts work to keep the curb weight at 3,153 lbs. For a base price of $187,500, you will have the most efficient naturally-aspirated car in the world. The Weissach Package for the sports car at a price of $18,000 and magnesium wheels for $13,000. Click the link below to find a dealer near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 19, 2018

Is This The Next Porsche 911?

It seems like only yesterday we were introduced to the current Porsche 911. The second phase of the 991 series is known as 991.2 to Porsche enthusiasts, and it arrived in 2016 for the '17 Model Year. Turning the world upside down, every 911 model features turbos except the GT3 series. This helps emissions and fuel economy ratings by coupling a tame 3.0 liter flat-six to a pair of small variable-geometry turbos.Hitting 221 mph in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS on the AutobahnPurists cried foul, as only the sacred 911 Turbo models should actually arrive with forced induction, but the rest of us cheered the availability of 370 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque in the base model cars. Naturally aspirated fans have embraced the GT3 and its wild RS version thanks to 500 horsepower and 9,000 rpm. And if you want the biggest turbos, the GT2 RS offers 700 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. So where does Porsche go from here? The answer is in a new 911 series which will be known as the 992. We don't know much at this point in terms of engine or chassis innovations, but a curious image was uploaded to Instagram this morning by @ptsgt4. Could this be the new Porsche 992 911? Claims are this is the real deal and has leaked on the internet. (Source: @ninastegmaier) It looks a lot like the new Panamera. Wether this is true or not; what do you think about it if this is true? Let me know in the comments down below. // Via: @exclusive_porsche_models // #PTSGT4 #992 #Porsche992 #992911 A post shared by @PTSGT4 - Robin (@ptsgt4) on Feb 19, 2018 at 2:24am PST Speculation on their innovations includes more carbon fiber, less weight, and it looks like styling could be influenced by the Panamera. Save this image before it disappears, and tell us what you are looking forward to in the Porsche 911 Series 992.

By Andrew Nabors – October 30, 2017

Porsche Heads To Shanghai With the 911 RSR

Only two races remain in this year's World Endurance Championship. The GTE-Pro class is a battle-royale on wheels, as the world's most capable drivers compete in factory-built cars. The Porsche 911 RSR was built from scratch by Porsche Motorsport in Weissach. Driven by Richard Lietz and Frederic Makowiecki, they are fighting for Porsche, and for the GT Drivers' World Championship titles. Shanghai is a 6-hour race at their International Circuit. The 3.4-mile course was built to give China a Formula 1 venue that demonstrated the economic power of the nation. This season's RSR cars are an evolution of the 911 GT3 RS. The only part that carries over is the intake restrictor. Each manufacturer has a specific restrictor plate to maintain a "balance of performance". Much like the plates used on NASCAR's two big tracks, they force teams to extract every ounce of aerodynamic efficiency while keeping weight to a minimum. The engine was moved slightly forward of the rear axle, and it is rated at 510 horsepower. LOUD Liberty Walk Ferrari 488 GTB The press release says Shanghai will be the 2nd hottest race of the year, with Austin, Texas taking the record temperature record. It will force everyone to be on their A-game. The race will be streamed on several channels, so watch the race online and click the link below for closeout deals on 2017 models. View Porsche For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 16, 2017

The Millionth Porsche 911 Arrives in NYC

Next year will mark 55 years of the Porsche 911. In order to celebrate in style, they are taking car #1,000,000 on a world tour. The first Porsche in the USA landed in New York almost 70 years ago, so it makes for a perfect starting point for the US part of the tour. The car rolled off the assembly line in Zuffenhausen back in May, and enthusiasts have been waiting to see it in person. The iconic scenes of New York City haven't changed much over the years, and they are as easy to identify as the 911. If you were to park a prototype next to this 2017 example, it is easy to see they have stayed true to form. Porsche Unveils The Millionth 911 The press release from the celebration makes note that 70% of all Porsche 911 are still registered. Their popularity has no signs of wearing off, as Porsche delivered 32,365 911s last year. This car is inspired by the earliest examples. It is painted in a classic shade of Irish Green and of course, the seats are houndstooth. Instead of carbon fiber, the dash and steering wheel have natural carbon, in the form of wood. No PDK super complex dual-clutch transmission. It has a shifter, six gears, and three pedals. The price? Not for sale. After the tour it will be resigned for a life of leisure in the Porsche Museum. We hope Dr. Wolfgang takes it out on occasion to keep the battery charged. If you are wondering who gets to drive it, check out the video below. If you are looking for the same experience, check out these Porsche 911s for sale and stay with us for all your Porsche updates.

By Edward Jones – June 30, 2017

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Revealed: Most Powerful 911 of Al...

It's here. The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS has finally been revealed after all of this time and does not disappoint. In fact, the new 911 GT2 RS is the most powerful 911 that Porsche has ever created.The source of this power is the same twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-six engine founds in the 911 Turbo S. However, Porsche has turned up the power exponentially. When compared to the 2011 911 GT2 RS, the 2018 model has 80 more horsepower and 37 more lb-ft of torque. The result is an astonishing 700 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque (911 Turbo S comes with 580 hp and .553 lb-ft).Mated to the proven engine is a customized GT seven-speed double-clutch Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK). With the efficiency that this transmission provides, the new 911 GT2 RS will rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds, reaching a top speed of 211 mph (911 Turbo S has a 0-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds).Weighing in at 3.241 lbs, the car is already very lightweight. However, the optional Weissach package ($31,000) can drop the weight by an additional 40 lbs. This package includes magnesium wheels (25 lbs reduction), carbon fiber components (roof, anti-roll bars, and end-links on both axles). Another feature in the Weissach package is the carbon fiber weave of the luggage compartment lid that is left mostly exposed, with a decorative strip in the vehicle color running centrally along it.Customers of the 2018 911 GT2 RS can also exclusively order a special-issue Porsche Design 911 GT2 RS Chronograph. This timepiece is made of titanium and took three years to create. The tungsten winding rotor was designed after the rims of the new GT2 RS, while the carbon fiber clock face was created to match the instrument cluster and tachometer of the new German supercar.2018 Porsche GT2 RS Prices, Specs & Review The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is available to order with a base MSRP of $293,200, not including the $1,050 delivery fee.

By Andrew Nabors – June 21, 2017

2018 Porsche GT2 RS Production Numbers, Already Sold Out

How many 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS will be made?The big news from Germany is that Porsche is only building 1,000 examples of the new 911 GT2 RS, according to an article by AutoBild. If your air-cooled cruiser needs a rebuild, maybe its time to update your collection. However, every example has been spoken for, and they will arrive with 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Launch mode in the PDK transmission will have you at 100 kph (62 mph) in 2.9 seconds, but it's the only transmission offered. Making use of carbon fiber body panels and limited insulation, a curb weight of 3,300 lbs is light for any twin-turbo car. Those who opt for the Weissach package will save an additional 44 lbs thanks to titanium and magnesium goodies.Official 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Specs, Price, Photos, & Review A top speed of 211 mph is achieved thanks to clever aerodynamics. The spoilers generate the same dowforce at that speed as the GT3 RS does at 187, but who's counting at this level? For those that don't intend on racing, Air Conditioning and leather seats are optional pleasantries. Weight distribution is 39/61, and only the rear tires are powered. Hopefully, the electronic safeguards are easy to disable to make for fun in the corners. If the notion of twin-turbo tomfoolery is overwhelming, the GT3 isn't going anywhere. The 500 horsepower naturally aspirated 911 is going back to basics with a manual transmission, so choosing between them might be tough. Stay with us for more updates as the 2018 cars arrive at our dealers.Also, Check Out: 2018 Porsche GT2 RS Startup

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