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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 – May 24, 2017

Pagani Designs a New and Luxurious Private Jet

We all know that Pagani Automobili can make some incredible supercars. Take the Huayra, for example. The Huayra is a rolling piece of artwork that will be the highlight of auto shows for years to come. From its lavish interior to its beautiful designed exterior, the Huayra is just stunning. So, now that Pagani has had their hand at cars, they've decided to take their capabilities to the skies.In cooperation with Airbus Corporate Jets, Pagani has announced a cabin design for the ACJ319neo and have called it Infinito.(Also Check Out - Pagani Huayra BC Delivered in Miami, Florida)“Art and Science can walk together hand in hand: this is the Pagani philosophy. The combination of state-of-the-art composite materials never used before in an aircraft, such as CarboTitanium, with the typical design language of Pagani Automobili, has always represented our signature. Applying our Reinassance touch into the wider spaces of Airbus corporate jet cabins is the beginning of an exciting new venture for us,” says Horacio Pagani, founder & Chief Designer of Pagani Automobili SpA in a press release from Airbus.Within the cabin is luxury that you'd find in a Pagani hypercar. This includes the leather carpets, wooden flooring, carbon fiber furniture, gorgeous sculpted metal and more. Essentially, flying in Infinito will be as luxurious, probably more so, than sitting passenger in a Huayra.(Read About - Jay Leno's 2017 Ford GT Has Been Delivered)https://www.facebook.com/PaganiAutomobili/videos/1771435342883597/

By Edward Jones – May 23, 2017

New Bentley Continental 24 Edition Inspired by Nurburgring

Bentley is heading back to Nurburgring 24 Hours for a third consecutive year in a row, and to celebrate they have created the new Continental 24. This limited edition model is based on the Continental Supersports.This new edition will be available in two color schemes: Monaco Yellow over Black Crystal or St James' Red over Black Crystal. These colors draw inspiration from three Bentley Team ABT Continental GT3 race cars that will be competing in this year's Nurburgring 24-hour race. Joining either of these color schemes are a set of black 21-inch forged wheels that can be finished with either red or yellow to match the paintwork that was chosen for the body. Inside is a race-themed cabin with diamond quilting, Alcantara, and accents match the exterior paint. Underneath the hood is the same 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine found in the Continental Supersports. This means that the Continental 24 edition will have 700 bhp and 738 lb-ft of torque on tap. Power of this kind will give the Continental 24 enough juice to run 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 209 mph.Related - Why Oil Spills are Bad: BMW Crashes Hard on NurburgringNow, here are the facts those who are interested in picking one of these up. As far as price goes, it starts at €250,000 (around $280,000 USD). Deliveries of the 24 planned examples will start in July, but those in the United States will be sad to hear that this model is destined only for the European market. 2016 Nurburgring 24 hour

By Andrew Nabors – May 23, 2017

Dodge Releases Pricing for the Demon

What would you pay for the luxury of lifting your front wheels? Drag racers spend countless dollars and hours trying to perfect their launch, but Dodge's new Demon is capable of a wheelie right out of the box. When the Hellcat hit the market, unscrupulous dealers made tidy profits by gouging buyers. The manufacturer has stated that this practice will be kept under control by the order process. Jalopnik discovered production is limited to strictly 3,000 cars, so Dodge is winding back the clock and building them to order. Only four options exist, and they cost $1 each.A base price of $84,995 is a bargain for such performance, but a Demon at that price will arrive with 808 horsepower, one seat, only front carpet and without the crate of performance parts. Inside the $1 magic box are the parts needed to unleash 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque to the factory mounted drag radials. The crate's most powerful tool is an engine computer tuned for race fuel. It has optimized ignition advance and fuel injector settings to handle more boost.If you can spare the extra price, a fully loaded Demon will be $84,999. This will probably go down as the best kept automotive secret because Motor Trend VP David Freiburger said the Demon was finalized almost two years ago, and Dodge made everyone involved sign a strict confidentiality agreement. On paper, the Dodge Demon is $500 cheaper than a new Porsche 911 Carrera. They are not exactly competitors, so tell us which one you would choose and stay with us for Demonic updates from Dodge & SRT.

By Edward Jones – May 19, 2017

Pagani Huayra BC Delivered in Miami, Florida

While we just covered the delivery of the first Lamborghini Centenario to reside in the United States, we're right back on the delivery train. At Pagani Miami, part of Prestige Imports, Kris Singh took delivery of his brand new Pagani Huayra BC. Singh's new Huayra BC has a blue-tinted carbon fiber/naked carbon fiber exterior with blue trim. It's most definitely a one-off Pagani, with no other one like it in the world.The Huayra BC is not just any normal Huayra. It comes in as the most technologically advanced one yet, welcoming a fine selection of new features that will be used in future Pagani vehicles.Watch the Facebook Live Videos of the Delivery Powering the car is a twin-turbo V12 engine that has been exclusively developed for Pagani by Mercedes-AMG. It creates over 750 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a seven-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). Pagani states that the weight of the gearbox, including a brand new electronic active differential, is just about 40% lighter when compared to the dual-clutch of the current generation Huayra.We want to take this time to congratulate Kris Singh on his new addition, which is one of the coolest cars for sale, and can't wait to see him driving it around town!

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/

First Retail 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE to be Auctioned by Barrett-Jackson

By Andrew Nabors – May 17, 2017

Chevrolet Releases 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE Extreme Track Pack

If you need a new track car, you should consider the Camaro ZL1 1LE. We saw the first example in person earlier this year, and its ready for a fight. The 650 horsepower LT4 V8 is the same 6.2-liter small block found in the Corvette Z06 and the Cadillac CTS-V. Yes, we've mentioned it before, but now Chevrolet has given it a price an option code. ZL1 buyers will need to add$7,500 to their order and select the A1Z package.On top of the already potent ZL1, the 1LE will arrive with much more carbon fiber and less weight. New forged wheels are an inch shorter and an inch wider all around. They are wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R tires. Multimatic DSSV shocks on all corners will adapt to any situation. Caster and ride height are adjustable on the front, and the rear sway bar has 3 settings. A fixed rear seat along with thinner glass and the new wheels give the 1LE a 60-pound weight advantage over the ZL1. Get your racing shoes ready, because automatic transmissions are not an option. The Tremec six-speed manual is the only gearbox offered, and it has active rev-matching. That feature has divided us on the fun factor. We first experienced it in the ATS-V and it took some getting used to. I am all for lighter flywheels in the name of fuel economy, but it would be nice to control the engine speed between shifts. Thankfully it can be disabled after start up.Other included luxuries are dual-zone climate and Bose audio for a grand total of $69,995. That makes it the most expensive Camaro ever offered, but also the most capable. With a skidpad rating of 1.1g, it will be able to keep up with cars several times its price. As soon as they hit our dealers you will see them here. But until then, check out these great offers on Chevy Camaros for sale.

By Andrew Nabors – May 17, 2017

Elextra: New Electric Supercar Boasting 0-60 in Under 2.3...

Battery powered cars have been around since the beginning of the automobile, but only recently has technology allowed them to be competitive. And now that the charging technology is widespread, a group of Swiss designers have unveiled a sleek new sedan. Only 100 examples of the new Elextra are planned, and they will be assembled by hand in Stuttgart, Germany. Two electric motors allow for all-wheel-drive and a combined output of 680 horsepower. This will launch the carbon fiber body to 62 mph in less than 2.3 seconds. With a 370 mile range at highway speeds, it is perfect for city commutes or road trips. The top speed is limited to 155 for insurance reasons, and more details will be released later this year.By using composites for most of the structure, the manufacturer claims a 25% weight savings compared to aluminum bodies. It will face competition from pre-owned Karma Reveros and Tesla Model S. Each new player in the electric game forces the others to sharpen their pencils, so we hope the Elextra is a success. Stay with us for more updates and electrifying news.

By Edward Jones – May 17, 2017

New Koenigsegg Agera RS Crashes During Testing

Koenigsegg Automotive AB has confirmed that a new Agera RS crashed during testing. They say that the new supercar, known as Agera RS Gryphon, was undergoing shakedown testing when the driver lost control due to wet conditions.As to who was testing the car, Koenigsegg noted this in a blog post regarding the crash: "The testing was being performed at facilities owned by National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS). Koenigsegg is using NEVS facilities for testing, test driving and to prepare its cars for the US market, in parallel with its own testing facilities in Ängelholm." Koenigsegg Agera RS Gryphon

By Andrew Nabors – May 16, 2017

BMW Unveils Limited Edition M240i M Performance Edition

For those who couldn't wait for the new BMW M2, it was preceded by the fun M235i. And now that the M2 has a few miles under its belt, some of its most popular features will be shared by the new M240i M Performance Edition. Finished in Alpine White, only 750 examples will be produced. Carbon fiber and black accents make for a classy and confident look. Two-tone 19" wheels have 225 tires up front and 245 on the rear. They are potent and nimble machines, which makes a new BMW M2 for sale a very worthwhile adventure.The unmistakable dual grilles are finished in gloss black along with the rocker panels. A giant trunk-mounted rear spoiler will keep the rear tires on the pavement, as the carbon fiber exhaust tips sing a story of straight-six power. It will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission or a dual-clutch automatic. All-wheel drive is optional on automatics, which allows them to leap to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 to keep the lawyers happy, but it would be fun to bury the needle. Big brakes and all the stability goodies are standard equipment so it will be a nice addition to your collection. We have several new BMW M240i coupes for sale, so check with our dealers for great incentives.

By Edward Jones – May 15, 2017

Elon Musk's "Boring Company" Releases Video of Insane Und...

Elon Musk has recently turned the space and automotive industries on their head with the growing success of both Tesla Motors and SpaceX. Now that he's conquered both space and the surface of Earth, he's going underground...literally. The Boring Company is a Musk company that's not "boring" by any means but is actually a company that is looking to change the way we travel in our cars.New and Used Tesla Model S For SaleTo give the public a better idea of what they have in store, they've released a new video on their YouTube channel. In this video, they show off a network of underground tunnels that would be created for the sole purpose of transportation. While tunnels are not groundbreaking, the complexity of this system is. Additionally, the video shows off new "sled" technology. These sleds would allow cars to drive up on them, where they would then be taken underground and transported through the tunnel system without having to actually drive the car. It's quite interesting but very far-fetched. Would something like this be a good idea in a crowded city? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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