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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 – March 01, 2016

Revealed: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport at Geneva

There is no denying that Corvette's seventh generation is a force to be reckoned with. We told you why the Z06 should be your next car, but bringing a machine gun to a knife fight might get old after awhile. Seeing the need for a sensible alternative between their top model and the C7 Stingray, Chevrolet has unleashed the new Corvette Grand Sport at the Geneva Auto Show. In a press release earlier this morning, we learned that the new GS will feature most of the Z06's potent hardware except the supercharged LT4 engine. This translates into a potent track machine with a fitting name. Grand Sport pays homage to its predecessors with Tension Blue hash marks above the headlights and a satin black center stripe. Watkins Glen gray will be reserved for the Grand Sport Collector's Edition, with an interior almost identical to the Z06. Power comes from the 6.2-liter 460 hp LT1 found in the Stingray and Camaro SS. Paired with either the seven-speed manual or eight-speed automatic, this new model will be as close as you can get to the C7.R that dominated the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Team Corvette is not allowed to use the supercharged engine from the Z06, because it would simply outclass the competition. Grand Sport will offer the best of both worlds. The increased cooling abilities of the Z06 along with the efficiency of almost 30 mpg. Don't expect the track-ready Michelin rubber to last more than a few races, because the downforce of the Z07 aero package will keep them planted to the pavement. Being lighter and faster than the Stingray, Grand Sport is the best Vette yet. As soon as pricing and availability are released we will let you know. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more news from Geneva. Corvettes For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 25, 2016

Going Grocery Shopping in a Pagani Huayra

Just like a domestic sedan owner, Pagani Huayra owners are people, too. They're people that need to drive to get gas and even get groceries. But, does the Huayra have what it takes to be a grocery getter? It sure looks like it. Sppedracer38 had the chance to ride in the Huayra "Gemini Uno" while the owner went to get groceries. After picking up a few goods they walked back out to the car, which drew a crowd, with grocery bags in hand. But where'd they stow them? Right behind the doors and in front of the rear tires are two compartments that can be opened for storage. After shoving the groceries in, they were on their way home. In conclusion, the Huayra can carry groceries, but definitely not as well as your average sedan, coupe, SUV or truck. Check out the video below to see what I'm talking about. Paganis For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 24, 2016

Revealed: The ICONA Vulcano, The Titanium Supercar

With inspiration from the "world's fastest plane", the Blackbird SR-71, in the backs of their minds, the design team at ICONA manifested the world's first titanium body car: the ICONA Vulcano. ICONA design director, Samual Chuffart states in a press release that the Blackbird SR-71's, "sharp and dramatic silhouette complimenting its sensual surface transitions was key to the styling of the Vulcano.”The Vulcano is hand-crafted, clocking in 10,000 hours of manpower and is revered by ICONA as a true work of art. Built by Italian coachbuilder, CECOMP, the body of the Vulcano is made for racing with a "strongly sculpted body side and voluptuous shapes" fashioned to "evacuate hot air from the engine and reduce air turbulence generated by the wheels," according to the press release.Under the hood, the Vulcano features a "mid-front engine calibrated for homologated roda and race use." The supercharged V8 pushes 670 hp with a 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds. The Vulcano is truly a step into the future and as Chuffart states in the video below, the Vulcano was built in Italy "by people not afraid to take a new path and to explore new direction."Check out the full video below and tell us what you think of the completely titanium Vulcano.

By Edward Jones – February 22, 2016

2,080 hp Arash AF10 Supercar Headed to Geneva

A new supercar is coming straight out of Great Britain. Actually, hypercar is a more fitting name considering its power. The new Arash AF10 will be making its debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show come March, bringing over 2,000 horses with it.The new hypercar has a powerplant that consists of four electric motors and one supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Each of the electric motors put out 295 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, with the V8 producing 900 hp and 886 lb-ft of torque. That makes for a grand total output of 2,080 hp and 1,682 lb-ft of torque. Yeah, the AF10 is going to be one heck of a monster.Arash says in their press release that the car will be able to run 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. This acceleration is made possible thanks to the aforementioned power, 6-speed automatic transmission (or manual), AWD created through the electric motors and an incredibly lightweight carbon fiber tub. They also note that the AF10 will have a top speed of over 200 mph.Its price is set at £1,100,000, which is approximately $1,555,700 USD at today's current exchange rate. For a little more money, you can get a lighter race car version, seen below. Stay tuned for more info that is sure to be released at Geneva come March 3.Supercars For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 18, 2016

Apollo Automobil GmbH Announces the Apollo N

Ever since Gumpert went out of business, I've been pretty upset that I might never see a new Apollo in production. Even though it wasn't the most insane car-- performance wise-- it was once of the most aggressive looking cars out there and one of my favorites. Heck, I have a model of it sitting right on my desk.The story of Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur ended when they filed for bankruptcy in 2013. They then went into liquidation after the backer that was supposed to bring them back to life backed out. In January of this year, Gumpert was acquired by Team Venture, who also happens to own De Tomaso. With this purchase they renamed the company Apollo Automobil GmbH.And now, just a month later we already have good news. In a Facebook post today, the new Apollo N was announced with a new picture (seen above). The post's description states: ‪#‎Today‬ we are still building the ‪#‎fastest‬ road car on the ‪#‎planet‬, we are and we will always be a force in the restive advance of performance, and for us as ‪#‎engineers‬, this is reason enough. Here we present to you‪#‎ApolloN‬. #ApolloN will mark the first milestone of ‪#‎apolloautomobil‬‪#‎staytuned‬ for the ‪#‎newchapter‬ Excited? Me too. Stay with us to learn more as it's released.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 11, 2016

Revealed: Full Top Gear Cast Announced

Top Gear fans rejoice! The full cast lineup has been officially revealed. So whose joining Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc, you ask?Sabine Schmitz- There's been speculation for a while now that Schmitz would join the show, and it looks like that speculation was true. Schmitz, also known as Queen of the Nürburgring, is an esteemed racer in her own right, known best for her VLN times and her stint as a BMW "Ring taxi" driver.Eddie Jordan- He ran his own Formula 1 team. He's the owner of Jordan Grand Prix. He's worked alongside famed drivers Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill. Basically, he's been an industry staple for a long time.Chris Harris- You know, the YouTube sensation? He's a British journalist that couldn't let go of his love for drifting. He's most well known as the host of Chris Harris on Cars-- his YouTube Channel full of reviews and test drives.Rory Reid- Reid was pretty sure he wouldn't get the job, which makes this announcement just a little sweeter. He's a motoring journalist and according to his website, "loves the smell of burning clutches in the morning." He's also mastered the skill of rapping his car reviews.Welcome team! We're stoked for the new season, which airs in May. What do you think of the lineup? Let us know in the comments below.

By Edward Jones – February 09, 2016

LaFerrari For Sale at Fort Lauderdale Collection South

Fort Lauderdale Collection South has just taken delivery of one of the rarest, fastest and most stunning Italian cars ever created. Finished in the iconic Rosso Corsa is this 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, ready for a new owner.As FLCS puts it: "Here are Fort Lauderdale Collection South, we think all of our cars are special. This one takes special to another level."We agree. Buy Now: LaFerrari For Sale This is just one of 499 examples ever built, making it one of Ferrari's most exclusive cars ever, as well as one of their most powerful cars. Powered by a 6.3-liter V12 engine and some electric motivation, the hybrid hypercar can rocket from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds and 0-100 mph in 4.8 seconds.But, even with the ability to travel long distances in short amounts of time, this LaFerrari has only 388 miles clocked on its odometer. With barely any LaFerraris on the market, this may be the closest to new example that you'll be able to find on the market right now.To learn and see more about this rare opportunity to own Ferrari's most futuristic car, be sure to click the button below.View Price and Listing

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 08, 2016

The Rezvani Beast on Jay Leno's Garage

Ferris Rezvani, president and founder of Rezvani Motors, stopped by Jay Leno's Garage to talk with Leno about the boutique company's supercar, the 2016 Rezvani Beast. After a brief discussion about the affordability of the car (Rezvani stated that his Beast embodies all of the elements of a traditional supercar but has a price point more accessible to a broader population), Leno gets right to what's on the minds of car enthusiasts everywhere-- give us the specs. Rezvani states the Rezvani Beast offers 500 hp and weighs only 1,600 lbs. The supercar is based off the skeleton of the Ariel Atom and fully customizable. Rezvani goes on to say that the consumer chooses everything from the color and interior options to the color of the stitching. The body is completely carbon fiber, which lends to the amazing lack of weight. Thanks to this lightweight, aerodynamic body, the Beast boasts an acceleration of 0-60 mph in a mere 2.7 seconds. In an effort to make the Rezvani Beast the ultimate in driving experience, Rezvani states the car is completely manual-- and in the age of automatic transmissions, such a feature is quite unique. The 6-speed close ratio manual makes you "feel like your racing at 30 mph" as Rezvani states in the video. Check out Leno's full info sesh and review of the car in the video below. What do you think about the Rezvani Beast? Future of supercars? Let us know in the comments below.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 01, 2016

Top 10 Sales at RM Sotheby's Scottsdale 2016 Auction

The RM Sotheby's 2016 Arizona auction brought in $62.8 million and sold 85% of its lot, which means the 2016 auction season is off to a roaring start. According to RM Sotheby's, the number one sale, the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster, brought in an amazing $9.9 million, which makes the sale the most valuable motorcars ever sold in Arizona auction week history.10. Lot 254 - 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe (Chassis 536253053) Final Price: $1,430,000 9. Lot 126 - 1962 Maserati 5000 GT Coupe (Chassis AM103 040) Final Price: $1,540,00 8. Lot 148 - 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder (Chassis WP0CA2A13FS800804) Final Price: $1,595,000 7. Lot 149 - 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II (Chassis 2153 GT) Final Price: $1,650,000 6. Lot 232 - 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS (Chassis 07935) Final Price: $1,760,000 5. Lot 132 - 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV (Chassis 4912) Final Price: $2,000,000 4. Lot 145 - 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB (Chassis 07053) Final Price: $2,117,500 3. Lot 140 - 1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra (Chassis CSX 3010) Final Price: $2,255,000 2. Lot 133 - 1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Torpedo Convertible Coupe (Chassis 2199) Final Price: $3,000,000 1. Lot 242 - 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster (Chassis 130894) Final Price: $9,900,000 Results are listed in USD. You can view these and more at the RM Sotheby's website.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – January 29, 2016

Uber Delivers Puppies- Need We Say More?

Wednesday, February 3, will mark another annual UberPuppies event in an effort to encourage shelter adoption. On this day, customers will actually be able to request the delivery of a puppy to their homes for play time. This encounter will last 15 minutes and will cost customers $30.Uber features this and an UberKitten event each year and its effort has proven effect. A reported 100 dogs and 300 kittens were adopted last year as a result of the Uber pet initiatives. Not to worry, though-- these furry friends cannot be adopted on the spot, as Uber recognizes the importance of the shelter adoption process.We dig Uber's idea, and we wanted to celebrate in our own way. Below, check out our version of UberPuppies, which we'll call DogDayExotics. We've compiled some pics of the internet's coolest dogs in some of the hottest rides.

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