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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 Edward Jones – January 30, 2017

Koenigsegg's Art Director Designs Gorgeous Regera

We've already seen how two of Koenigsegg's employees would kit out their Regera, and now we get to see how the company's art director, Lisa, would customize her own hypercar. It's an interesting take on the car considering how much time she spends helping clients spec out cars of their own.(Also Read - Bordeaux Koenigsegg Regera is a Tall Glass of Wine)This is what she had to say about her spec in a Facebook post from Koenigsegg: "This is my classy, modern, architectural vision of the Regera. It's finished in Raven Black (metallic with a tiny bit of blue) and has our new forged web wheels with calipers in Draco red (metallic). It has a center stripe on the hood in carbon, along with a carbon stripe along the side. The interior features Lingonberry leather with weaved inserts and black French stitching along with a black anodized center console. Oh, and LOTS of interior carbon."

By Andrew Nabors – January 27, 2017

Aston-Martin Reveals the Vanquish S Volante

If you are in the market for a carbon fiber convertible, look no further. Aston-Martin have pulled the wraps off of the 2018 Vanquish S coupe and Volante convertible. Taking inspiration from the Vulcan and One-77, the aggressive front splitter and rear diffuser are needed to keep it on the ground. The body looks very similar to the normal Vanquish, but look closer and you will find perfection in the details. The front and rear are all new, along with the rocker panels. LED blade taillights using technology from the Vulcan are visible for miles, but others will hear you coming first.That's because the 6 liter V12 has been bumped to 595 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Screaming to 7,000 rpm, the CNC ported heads make use of a 11:1 compression ratio. With those numbers we hope is is flex fuel capable, because E85 would make it a monster. In order to extract every last ounce of power, the stainless exhaust has a tuned x-pipe for scavenging and quad tips for maximum flow. Mounted above the mufflers is the rear mounted 8 speed automatic transmission. A conservative differential ratio of 3.46 makes for great acceleration in any situation, but we think it would be a blast with 3.73 or 4.10 gears.A revised interior has black chrome and satin nickel trim controls with a fascia of iridium. More carbon fiber than you will ever need helps to lower the curb weigh to 3,834 lbs. The weight is amazing considering the amenities. A Bang & Olufsen audio system has 13 speakers and 1,000 watts of power. A big thanks to Aston-Martin for resisting the urge to go turbo. If you want forced induction, the DB11 is for you. Stay with us for updates when our dealers begin receiving this all-motor masterpiece.All Aston-Martin Vanquish Volante For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 27, 2017

2018 Bentley Continental Supersports Confirmed

Often times we are asked: "Of all the cars you have driven, which one would you choose for a daily driver?" My response is always the Bentley Continental Supersports. The response often causes people to remember the short lived model and wonder why I love it. Bentley have been building the Continental in roughly the same shape and configuration since 2003. Comfortable and classy, the easily recognizable design won't provoke the same reactions as a flashy supercar. A Continental is a polite and unassuming way to pay a little more for a much better automobile. Starting on the inside, every surface or control is substantial. Machined metal and hand stitched leather are not only built to last, they are relaxing after a long day. The coupe is a real hardtop with no pillar between the front windows and the quarter glass. Federal side impact and rollover standard have nearly eliminated this body style because it requires much more reinforcement in the quarter panels and doors. With all four windows down, it almost feels like a convertible. If you are looking for a drop-top the GTC is worthy of consideration. Back to why I would daily drive a Bentley: Supersports. Built from 2009 to 2013, the ultimate sleeper delivers 621 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque....Sent to a Torsen center differential, the AWD beast launches with the force of an ACME rocket. Built before turbos handed over all their functions to computers, brake-boosting the Bentley results in a jump to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. Acceleration out of the hole is one thing, but even from a rolling start above legal speeds it will scare you. Built in limited numbers, they originally had an MSRP close to $300,000. Many have wondered why the model was discontinued, but it will be making a return in the near future. Bentley has released the specs and images of the 2018 Continental Supersports, and it is almost unbelievable. Turbo technology has made great advances since 2013, so the new W12 engine produces 700 hp and 750 lb-ft of torque. Zero to sixty has been shaved to 3.4 seconds as long as you have race fuel (above 98 octane) and sticky tires. Extensive use of carbon fiber has trimmed around 200 lbs of weight from the body, so the gross vehicle rating of only 6,063 lbs. But if you don't want to wait for the new model, our dealers have amazing deals on the first generation cars. Stay with us for all your Bentley news and check out the listings in the link below. Bentley Continental Supersports For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 26, 2017

Corvette Grand Sport Attacks Hockenheim

Who likes hot laps? We like hot laps! Especially in the latest from Chevrolet. If you like the looks of the Z06 but without the weight and complexity of a supercharger, the Corvette Grand Sport for sale is the answer. Making use of the same 6.2 liter V8 as the Stingray, it offers 460 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque to a seven-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Most of the chassis and aerodynamic parts are borrowed from the Z06, including the dry sump oil system. The Grand Sport is an amalgam of Stingray and Z06, and it is priced accordingly as the mid-level model.The name has been used on track focused Vettes since 1963, and we're glad it has returned. Grand Sport History To see how it compares to a Porsche GT3 RS, Auto Sport magazine filmed a comparison at the Hockenheimring. Corvettes are popular in Germany, even with fierce competition from the domestic brands. Filmed from a cockpit mounted camera, Grand Sport has the ability to record a front bumper view with the Performance Data Recorder. For $65,450 you will have a world class sports car rated at 26 mpg. Not bad considering the price and fuel mileage of others. Turn up the volume and stay with us for more Corvette action. For $65,450 you will have a world class sports car rated at 26 mpg. Not bad considering the price and fuel mileage of others. Turn up the volume and stay with us for more Corvette action. All Corvette Grand Sport For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 26, 2017

Dodge Demon's Wide Body Finally Revealed

Dodge has just graced the world with the first glimpse at the new Challenger Demon's wide body. In a press release and video perfectly titled "Wide Body," we see a new Challenger that is, you guessed it, wide.(Did Vin Diesel's Speech Just Leak the Dodge Challenger Demon?)In the press release, we learn that the new Demon rolls on 18 x 11-inch wheels that are shod with "Demon Branded" Nitto NT05R tires in the front and rear. These new drag radials were specifically created for the Demon and use a new compound and specific tire construction.These 11-inch wheels and fender flares add a total of 2.5-inches to the total width of the Demon, making it the widest Challenger yet. To see the body for yourself, click play on the video below and check out the featured image up top.All Dodge Challenger For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 25, 2017

Ford GT's Power Finally Revealed, Becomes Fastest Product...

It's been a long time since the new Ford GT was revealed, but we're just now learning how much power it's capable of producing.In a new press release issued by Ford today, we learned that the new GT is the "fastest Ford production vehicle on the track ever." This news comes after it beat out the McLaren 675LT and Ferrari 458 Speciale at the Calabogie Motorsports Park in Canada. Ford GT: 2:09.8 McLaren 675LT: 2:10.8 Ferrari 458 Speciale: 2:12.9 Now, on to the part we've all been waiting for. According to Ford, the new American supercar has 647 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque on tap, thanks its 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine, and has a top speed of 216 mph. Additionally, the dry weight of the car was revealed to be just 3.000 lbs. With this weight and power, the new Ford GT has a power-to-weight ratio of 4.72 pounds/horsepower.“The Ford GT is all about performance,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, global product development and chief technical officer. “We achieved considerable weight savings with the carbon fiber architecture. We then reinvested some of that savings into where it counts most – performance, specifically, the active dynamics. The result is an even faster car.”All Ford GT For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 19, 2017

Final 2017 Ford Raptor to be Auctioned for Charity

At the 46th annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, the final 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is set to be auctioned off to one lucky bidder. The news comes from Ford, today, who states that the proceeds of this auction lot will benefit JDRF, an organization that funds type 1 diabetes research.With no reserve, the lot will give the winning bidder a chance to receive the final Raptor produced and will be able to choose from a "unique one-of-one Raptor color."(Related - Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Preview: Dale Jr's 1970 Chevelle SS)“The new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is by far the most off-road-capable vehicle on the market today, boasting some of the best performance technology to come from Ford,” said Jim Owens, marketing manager, Ford Performance. “Raptor serves as a testament to our passion for creating vehicles that are designed to tackle the toughest obstacles on earth. We’re really looking forward to auctioning off our custom creation to help support JDRF.”Additionally, Mark Fields, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company, is also looking to announce Raptor Assault. What's that? Ford says it's a new opportunity for 2017 Raptor buyers, allowing them to attend the Ford Performance Racing School starting in April. Ford will provide a one-day course for free, which will include instruction on how to rock crawl and more.All Ford F-150 For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 19, 2017

This is the Final Hennessey Venom GT, Ever

Well, it's official: the last Hennessey Venom GT car has been produced.In a press release from Hennessey Performance, they announced that production of the American supercar has concluded. The final example of the car is dubbed as the "Final Edition" and is finished in a gorgeous "Glacier Blue" paint with white stripes running down the center. Powering the car is the same twin-turbo 7.0-liter V8 engine found in preview examples, each of which are capable of 1,451 hp.Additionally, Hennessey did note in the press release that fans of the car can bid on the Venom GT that was built for Steven Tyler of Aerosmith at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. The car will be crossing the block this Friday evening.“We’ve attained some pretty incredible achievements with the Venom GT,” said company founder & CEO, John Hennessey. “It was always my dream to build the fastest car and we did just that. Our Venom GT retires as one of the fastest cars on the planet along with being one of the most exclusive. I’m so grateful to our customers, employees, suppliers, and our technical partners, Pennzoil & Shell V-Power, who have helped make this special car a reality. We look forward to introducing our next car, the Venom F5, sometime later this year.”You read that correctly, the Venom F5 will be revealed later this year.In the meantime, here is a breakdown from the press release of the achievements that the Venom GT has made over the year. January 2013 – Guinness World Record for the fastest 2-seat sports car from 0-300 kmh in 13.61 seconds. February 2014 – World’s fastest 2-seat sports car by attaining a top speed of 270.4 mph on the Shuttle Landing Runway at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. March 2016 – World’s fastest open top vehicle by attaining a top speed of 265.6 mph at the United States Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California. This record beat the previous record holder, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, by 11 mph. All Hennessey Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 19, 2017

New Dodge Demon Teaser Reveals More

The Dodge Challenger Demon is set to become more powerful than the Hellcat, but the American automaker hasn't divulged any details...until now.Alright, so the latest press release doesn't have the detail we've been wanting, but they'll do for now. Dodge announced in the press release that the Demon will be more than 200 pounds lighter than the Hellcat.That's it.That's all the press release stated.But, that's still some cool information. Accompanying the press release is a new video that shows "adjustments" made to the wheels, steering, suspension, brakes, interior and other components. The specifics aren't there, as it's quite vague.If you're really interested in this car, as you should be, Dodge notes: "Fans are encouraged to watch the 24-second “Reduction” video multiple times at www.ifyouknowyouknow.com for clues to follow the story of what’s next from Dodge and SRT."All Dodge Challengers For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 18, 2017

McLaren 650S Predecessor Teased in New Photo

The McLaren 650S is on its way out thanks to a new model that will be taking its place. While facts and specs regarding the car have been lean, McLaren has just released a teaser photo of the rear of the car, along with some details. Aside from the photo, McLaren notes that the new model will be revealed on March 7th at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show (Happy Birthday to me!). They also tout the fact that this new car will be twice as aerodynamically efficient as the current 650S model. (Also Check Out - McLaren P1 GTR Actually For Sale in USA) “The second-generation McLaren Super Series will be as aerodynamically impressive as it is visually beautiful,” commented Mark Vinnels, Executive Director of Product Development at McLaren Automotive, in the press release. “A range of advanced aerodynamic technologies contributes to maximum generated downforce over 50% greater than that of the McLaren 650S and ensures truly outstanding levels of grip and stability. We have also markedly improved cooling efficiency, with a 15% gain overall and a particular focus on airflow to the engine’s high temperature radiators through a unique new design of dihedral door.” All McLaren 675LT For Sale

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