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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 Tyler Rampersaud – February 22, 2023

BRABUS Announces Upgrades For The Mercedes-AMG G 63 4x4 S...

Mercedes-AMG’s wildest G-Wagon gets the BRABUS treatment.

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 22, 2023

NOVITEC Releases New Performance Upgrades For The McLaren...

The performance upgrade specialists at NOVITEC are harnessing more power and agility from the ultra-exclusive McLaren Elva roadster.

By Edward Jones – July 13, 2021

New 2021 Ford F-150 Black Ops Unveiled as a Stealthy Offr...

Ready for any mission. The new 2021 Ford F-150 Black Ops has been unveiled by Tuscany Motor Company as an off-road-ready truck that's as stealthy as they come. Its blacked-out appearance gives the new Black Ops truck a menacing appearance that will allow it to stand out in any crowd it towers over. Once again, Tuscany Motor Company has created a beautiful truck that's truly unique. " width="680"> While the new Black Ops F-150 may look incredible, it's more than just looks. A Tuscany Suspension Lift System by BDS gives it extra ride height while the Fox 2.0 Performance Series Tuned Shocks take care of rough terrain. Adding to the off-roading capabilities are the 20-inch Stealth Black Tuscany “Black Ops” wheels shod in BF Goodrich KO2 325/60R20 tires. Other exterior modifications include the active air front fender vents, black trim, Black Ops front bumper with large 40-inch LED Light Bar and two 6-inch LED Lights on each side, new dual ram air hood, "Black Ops by Tuscany" badging, and more. Inside, it also features factory leather seats with "Black Ops" embroidered patches, embroidered floor mats, carbon fiber trim, limited edition number plate, and, of course, windows with a deep tint. Each 2021 Ford F-150 Black Ops comes with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty and meets Federal Motor Vehicle Standards. For more information, be sure to click the button below. Visit TuscanyMotorCo.com Source: Tuscany Motor Company

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2021

2022 BRABUS B50 Price & Specs Revealed

Once saucy Sonderklasse What happens when the BRABUS gets their hands on the new S-Class? Well, our friend Constantin Buschmann and his team have done it again. Their interpretation of full-size luxury involves acres of new leather and plush amenities that Mercedes can't or won't offer. If you are wondering what's under the hood, you will have 500 horsepower and 435 lb-ft of torque from the 3-liter straight six. This allows it to reach 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds, the same performance as an AMG S63 with much more refinement. This comprehensive upgrade is offered for current owners of the S500, or they can build a new example using a body-in-white supplied by Mercedes-AMG. It will arrive on their forged 21" wheels after being lowered an inch at each corner. Yokohama supplies the 305/30 series rubber and all the interior brightwork is anodized in dark nickel. The suspension is all-new as is the machined metals and piano black wood. This rolling office keeps you connected and relaxed for years, and its all backed by their OEM-level warranty. All parts are TUV certified and Brabus is ISO 9001 certified. Allow their master coachbuilders to work their magic for you by clicking the button below and stay with us for all your Brabus news. Browse Brabus For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 29, 2021

Hennessey Mammoth 900 TRX Screams on the Dyno

This 4WD Demon Can Barely Be Held Back! How many safety straps does it take to contain a beast? All of them! The new Hennessey Mammoth 900 screams on the dyno in order to validate their latest offering, and it combines all the innovations unleashed on their Charger and Challenger packages. Starting with the top end, the team adds more fuel with new injectors to handle more boost. The supercharger is treated to a new snout with upper and lower pulleys before 200 miles of road testing. Once the tune was safe on the street the most successful dyno run yielded 728 horsepower and 679 lb-ft of torque. Almost 150 horsepower over what it made from the factory, you will keep Raptors in your rearview. Click the button to see what Hennessey Performance can do to your truck and stay with us to experience the Mammoth 100 and 1200 that are coming soon! Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – January 26, 2021

2021 Brabus B45 Packs A Big Punch

Never judge a book by its cover. The 2021 Brabus B45 packs a big punch in the world of compact luxury. After years of successful upgrades to the Mercedes-AMG four-cylinder engine, you will have 450 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque sent to all wheels. Based on the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, keeping the body mostly stock makes it a true sleeper. Their forged monoblock 20" wheels are lighter than stock, and they look perfect given the 1.2" drop of the adjustable coil-overs. Consistent runs to 62 mph only take 3.7 seconds, this is deep into supercar territory! All parts meet strict TUV certifications, and the car is backed by a 3 year/62k warranty. Click the button to order yours! Browse BRABUS For Sale Did you see our December Issue? It was a BRABUS double-header! Images (C) BRABUS

By Andrew Nabors – January 20, 2021

2021 Hennessey Mammoth 1000 Is The Ultimate Ram TRX

• 1,012 bhp• 969 lb-ft torque The first production vehicle from Hennessey Performance was a Dodge, and after a few decades, the team has released another beast. With 1,012 horsepower and 969 lb-ft of torque, the 2021 Hennessey Mammoth 1000 is the ultimate Ram TRX. Working as a Tier-1 supplier to Fiat-Chrysler has its perks. Post Malone Gets Massive Hennessey VelociRaptor 6×6 for Christmas For starters, they received one of the first production examples of the new Hellcat-powered pickup. Starting with their own 2.65-liter supercharger, extensive tuning at their quarter-mile track and on the street has yielded an increase of 310 horsepower and 319 lb-ft over the factory ratings. • 0-60 mph: 3.2 seconds• 1/4 mile: 11.4 seconds @ 120 mph Due to the comprehensive nature of each build, only 200 examples will be offered. Each will arrive with a 2.5" lift, 35" tires, and their iconic 20" wheels. The rocker panel steps and tonneau cover are powered, and their full-length stainless exhaust sings a menacing melody. Including delivery, all you need to offer is $135,350- making it one of the most affordable ways to reach 1,012 horsepower. The 2-year/24k warranty is a testament to their build quality, so click the button for all the details. RAM TRX FOR SALE Image (C) Hennessey Performance

By Andrew Nabors – October 05, 2020

EV West Offers Tesla Power For Any Chevy V8

Since it was introduced in 1955, Chevrolet has produced over 100 Million small block V8 engines. This doesn't include Mercury Marine or Volvo Penta who base their inboards around the indestructible engine. What's more, the LS Series that debuted in 1997 has been the foundation for all their late-model motivation. So, if you have considered rebuilding your old friend, EV West now offers Tesla power for any Chevy V8. Working with Revolt Motors, their high-voltage kit bolts to any Chevrolet small block motor mounts, from 1955 to today. While also replacing the transmission with a single gear reduction, all you have to do is figure out what differential gears you want. I am guilty of swapping my 3.23 rear gears to 3.73 for harder launches in my Camaro. But this would make me want to find a set of 2.73 so I can enjoy long-range cruising and battery life. Imagine an El Camino loaded with a bed of batteries and a 1,000-mile range? My personal choice would be a 39 Suburban for a silent, gangster cruiser. Click the button below to find your Chevy and stay with us for all your EV news. Find Your Chevrolet Here

By Andrew Nabors – August 25, 2020

1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud Electrified by Lunaz

David Lorenz and his company Lunaz have caused a stir in the automotive world. With a full blessing by the original manufacturer, a 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II has been electrified. This follows their previous builds of high-voltage Jaguar and Bentley classics. They are only building 30 examples, and customers can choose from a Phantom V or a Silver Cloud with prices starting at £350,000 ($457,000). For that, you will have a 120 kWh battery with over 300 miles of range. Of the project, David had this to say "The time is right for an electric Rolls-Royce. We are answering the need to marry beautiful classic design with the usability, reliability and sustainability of an electric powertrain. More than ever we are meeting demand for clean-air expressions of the most beautiful and luxurious cars in history. We are proud to make a classic Rolls-Royce relevant to a new generation.” Click the button below to find your Rolls-Royce and stay with us for all your classic car news. Browse Rolls-Royce For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 19, 2020

McIntosh & Alps Alpine Join Forces to Build Luxury Audio ...

Every 2005 Ford GT for sale has a supercharged 5.4-liter, perfect six-speed transmission, and the first McIntosh Audio system I had experienced. Aside from the exhaust, that sound system was incredible. Now it looks like history will be repeated, as they have joined forces with Alps Alpine to build bespoke systems for the world's best cars. Alps Electric is the parent company of Alpine Audio, leaders in high-end automotive sound for 53 years. Jeff Poggi, McIntosh Group Co-CEO and CEO of the Sonus faber said: "We expect simply the very best out of every product we bring to market. It’s the reason we joined forces with Alps Alpine to ensure our exacting standard of excellence will never be compromised. And now, consumers can enjoy our luxury audio experience in their cars, everywhere they go." Expect to see their collaborations appear later in 2021. Home Audio enthusiasts like me are happy that he recently unveiled the MC1502, the ultimate 2-channel tube amplifier that offers 150 watts of pure analog enjoyment. It is powered by eight KT88 output vacuum tubes, with four assigned to each stereo channel. It also has eight small signal tubes, consisting of four 12AX7A and four 12AT7 vacuum tubes; two of each of these vacuum tubes are dedicated to each audio channel. The 12AX7A vacuum tubes are for the Balanced and Input amps, while the 12AT7 tubes are for the Voltage and Driver amps. Learn More

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