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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 – October 12, 2017

Verde Bronte Lamborghini Centenario Lands in Hong Kong

Deliveries of the Lamborghini Centenario hypercars continue to progress nicely, with the latest one being the meanest and greenest of them all.View Lamborghini Centenario For SaleLamborghini Hong Kong has posted images of their latest delivery, a Centenario coupe finished a custom Verde Bronte matte-green paint. With this paint, its the only Centenario to feature an all-green exterior. Golden carbon-fiber finishes can be found on both the exterior and interior, giving the mean car an added luxurious flair.Check out the images of the car below, posted on Lamborghini Hong Kong's Instagram profile.

By Edward Jones – July 10, 2017

First Lamborghini Centenario Roadster in Canada Delivered...

Two weeks ago, the United States' first Lamborghini Centenario Roadster was delivered by O'Gara Coach. Now, it seems as though Canada had their first Centenario Roadster delivered not too long after.According to a press release from Newswire.ca, Grand Touring Automobiles has "quietly" delivered a stunning Centenario Roadster to a private owner in Toronto. This example has a naked carbon fiber body with red brake calipers and red trim on the inside."The world's finest automobiles are the stock and trade of the staff at Grand Touring Automobiles," said dealership President and Chief Executive Paul Cummings in the press release; "but, the Centenario really got everyone excited. The remarkable technology of the car, its arresting design and physical presence; and, the honor of delivering such a rare car to one of our very special customers, made this a real occasion."Additionally, the owner of the car wanted to delivery and transaction of the car to be private. This reason is why we just recently learned about the hypercar's delivery. Cummings noted that his "staff goes to great lengths to ensure their expectations of discretion and privacy are met." Seems he was correct on that notion.The photos in this article were taken by Instagram account @ali_autobathelite, who appears to have taken care of the Lamborghini's delivery prep. Be sure to check out his Instagram for more incredible pictures of supercars.https://www.instagram.com/p/BWWUf5ol9mW

By Edward Jones – May 18, 2017

First Lamborghini Centenario Arrives in the United States...

Today, at Lamborghini Newport Beach, the United States' first customer Lamborghini Centenario was delivered. This example is unlike any we've seen thus far. Exposed carbon fiber covers the body, while blue trim is found on the aero components. The car was delivered in a crate, which the dealership cracked open on Facebook Live. The video of the car's unveiling can be found below.The Centenario is powered by a naturally aspirated V12 engine that produces 770 hp, making it Lamborghini's most powerful engine that they've ever produced. With a weight of 3,351 lbs and the aforementioned power, this hypercar will run 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds and 0-186 mph in 23.5 seconds. Its top speed is said to be over 217 mph. There will be, in total, 20 versions of the Coupe and 20 versions of the Roadster made during the Centenario's production.https://www.facebook.com/LamborghiniNB/videos/1527692270608025/

By Edward Jones – February 24, 2017

First Customers Lamborghini Centenario Leaked

We've only seen the Lamborghini Centenario finished in a gray paint with yellow trimming. And that's because Lamborghini chose that exact car to be the debut model.Because the Lamborghini Centenario will be a customer car, we've known that different variations of the hypercar would be created over time. Now, it looks like the first customer versions of the Centenario has been leaked from the factory.Related - Lamborghini Centenario Spotted in Transformers: The Last Knight TrailerIn a new YouTube video, we get the chance to see two customer versions of the Italian hypercar, one in an orange/red color with black trim and another in black with orange/red trim. Check out the pictures in the video below to see for yourself.Lamborghini For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 19, 2016

Lamborghini Centenario Roadster Officially Revealed

Just unveiled during Monterey Car Week is the incredibly anticipated Lamborghini Centenario Roadster. On Lamborghini's website, the automaker goes into brief detail on the new car, detailing everything from its exterior to its engine.Powering the car is the same V12 engine found in the coupe version, capable of 770 hp and 507 lb-ft of torque, which will rocket the car from 0-62 mph in just 2.0 seconds. Its top speed? More than 217 mph.The exterior is finished in a specially developed paint by Lamborghini called "Argento Centenario," a matte finish that was created through a process that dissolves "the metal while diluting and diminishing the appearance of the metal grain giving it a silky and rich exterior finish. Inside is a cabin that has been optimized for a top-down drive. A channel in the rear wall allows air to flow from the cabin to the rear with minimal turbulence in the cabin.It comes with a €2 million price (approx. $2,264,600 at the current exchange rate). Only 20 Centenario Roadsters will be made, which are all spoken for.View All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 02, 2016

Lamborghini Centenario Formally Unveiled at Nardo Ring

Last week we found footage of AutoBild behind the wheel of the Lamborghini Centenario. It was a quick glimpse of the formal unveiling, which saw journalists from around the world converge at Italy's famed Nardo Ring. Used as a proving ground for many European manufacturers, the facility takes its name from a 7.8-mile circular track which contains a road course and a drag strip. Alongside the Huracan and Aventador SV, the Centenario was filmed in action, with the active rear spoiler working hard under braking.(Related - Afrojack Pulled Over in his Lamborghini Aventador SV)With the eyes of the world upon them, Lamborghini engineers were probably nervous about how the new model would perform for the press, and the drivers were probably hesitant to push the incredibly rare car in the manner it was designed for. The exterior has more exposed carbon fiber than any predecessor, and it is symmetrical at every axis. Inside is a sharp departure from previous models, with a 10" touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay integration. Looking to the future while celebrating Mr. Lamborghini's 100th birthday was a tall order to fill, so stay with us for updates on this Italian masterpiece.Aventador SV For Sale|Huracan For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 19, 2016

Lamborghini Centenario Hot Laps at the Nardo Ring

Sprechen sie Deutsch? Our German speaking fans have always asked why we don't publish more content in their native tongue, so here we go. As a celebration of Mr. Lamborghini's 100th birthday, the Centenario LP 770-4 is based on the Aventador, and it might be a foreshadowing of their next flagship. Auto Bild is celebrating their 30th Anniversary as Germany's authority on everything automotive, so the decided to test the new Lamborghini in Italy at the famous Nardo Ring.(Also Check Out - Lamborghini Centenario On The Road For The First Time)I wish we could offer more in terms of a translation, but the performance speaks for itself. Power is rated by Lamborghini at 770 ps or metric horsepower, which is equivalent to 759 hp when converted to SAE. Only 20 coupes and 20 roadsters will be produced, and they have all been spoken for. Stay tuned to Autofluence, because we hope to find the opposite video next week. Who wants to see an Italian driver flogging the latest Huracan at Nürburgring?View Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 13, 2016

Forza Horizon 3 Trailer Revealed, Release Date

Even those who drive the cars like to race them digitally. This is why I'm here to present our readers with the latest from Microsoft Studios' Turn 10 Studios: Forza Horizon 3.If you've played the first or second release in the spin-off series, you would know that this game is an open-world masterpiece that has you driving some of the world's most exotic cars. If you didn't, well, now you know. In each game there is always some sort of event going on, which blends both pop culture and the automotive world. I'm not exactly sure what the premise will be for third release in the series, but I do know that it will all take place in the Australian Outback. As a rally enthusiast, the sight of dirt has been excited.(Also Read: Cars of Transformers 5: The Last Knight) The star of the new Forza game is none other that the cover car of our May issue, the Lamborghini Centenario. This looks to be the first time the $1.9 million supercar has been featured in a video game, making the inclusion of it a bit of a big deal. If you need any further info to build hype, the Centenario is powered by the most powerful engine Lamborghini has ever produced. In the description of the just-released trailer for the game, it's noted that there will be over 350 cars included in the game. The trailer can be viewed below.Another neat "little" feature that Turn 10 Studios has added is four-player cooperative play. So, those who like to race together can do so across the Outback in Forza Horizon 3. Just don't get mad at them when your friend steers your car into a kangaroo...All of this will be available come September 27, with early access starting on the 23rd.Lamborghinis For Sale

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