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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 – August 07, 2020

Autumn Auto Show Updates: What You Need to Know

No matter your opinion on Covid, it is still screwing up our fun. Its always best to hear the bad news first, so SEMA 2020: Cancelled. The notion of having 200,000 gearheads in close proximity was too much for their board of directors. It will put a big dent in Las Vegas tourist revenue, but better safe than sick. Next up: Craig Jackson announces a scaled-back fall season for Barrett-Jackson Auctions. He said "Although we were looking forward to our traditional Las Vegas and Palm Beach Auctions this year, after careful consideration we determined that a live auction at WestWorld was an exciting and more feasible alternative,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “At this time, this allows us to better safeguard the health of our guests and team members and gives us the ability to deliver the high-quality experience for which Barrett-Jackson is known. A lot of thought went into the new procedures necessary for this to happen, which we will communicate over the coming weeks.” Their only scheduled event is in Scottsdale from October 22-24th. One of the highlights will be the low-mileage Lexus LFA seen above. There is light at the end of the tunnel, so Dana Mecum and Company have over 1,000 cars consigned for Kissimmee. The Silver Spurs Arena will once again be host to fast-paced bidding, and its only minutes from Orlando attractions. Their Summer Special will be August 27-29th, and it will be simulcast on their YouTube page and NBCSN. Its only 30 minutes away, so you might catch one of us in a live shot. Their Indy Auction topped $74 Million, their most successful event ever. Perhaps Kissimmee will be even bigger. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2020

Laguna Seca Gets Major Upgrades to Improve Racing and Spe...

Since Monterey Car Week has been postponed, the county has taken a few dollars set aside for the events to improve one of the world's best racetracks. Starting with the most important part of any track, Pit Road was widened and it has a larger entrance from turn 11. The fuel pumps were replaced for faster fills, and a new water well was dug to reach a cleaner part of the aquifer. A new security office will offer a respite for in-house dedicated guards and track officials. Those officials will be much safer thanks to a new electronic flagging system around the track. Spectators will enjoy improved bike trails, campgrounds, and a full repaint of the restrooms, showers, and an all-new BBQ Island. The Pit Road Suites were gutted and treated to modern furnishings, and the entire complex has new landscaping. WeatherTech also helped plan and execute these upgrades, so we're excited to watch racing return to this historic track. Tell us your best Monterey memory in the comments below and stay with us for all your racing news. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2020

RM Sotheby's Open Roads Auction Top 10 Sales

We were watching this one closely, as RM Sotheby's has allowed us to preview their events for over two decades. Open Roads was an online auction aimed at European enthusiasts. Their press release listed the complete results in Euros that included a 10% Value Added Tax. I converted them to US Dollars to give you an easier frame of reference. Total sales reached $ 9,558,774.65, thanks to bidders from 41 nations around the world. Needless to say, RM Sotheby's always finds the best consignments using methods I can't divulge, so that is why you should stay with us for all of their events. Lot 132 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy $1,660,880.65 Lot 240 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Rally $ 894,320.35 Lot 152 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster $ 702,680.27 Lot 255 1968 Sonny Levi "G. Cinquanta" $ 522,654.75 Lot 131 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta $ 504,652.20 Lot 1271976 Inaltera GTP-Cosworth $ 434,384.17 Lot 130 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB $ 313,012.12 Lot 138 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante 'X-Pack' $ 267,134.65 Lot 237 1954 Porsche 356 1500 Cabriolet $ 229,968.09 Lot 133 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster $ 178,864.07

By Andrew Nabors – June 19, 2020

Ronald McDonald House to Raffle Backdraft RT4 Cobra on Ju...

Isolation can help prevent contagious diseases, but family support is the best prescription for children with chronic illness. Ronald McDonald House has been supporting families in need since 1974. Facilities around the world offer a respite for parents and families. With 7,200 bedrooms spread across 368 locations, RMH offers the equivalent of $700 Million in hotel accommodations. We are blessed to enjoy the world's greatest cars, and it all started when we were young. Trying to comprehend what those formative years would be like from a hospital bed is near impossible, and that is why we have been sharing the Ronald McDonald House Charity Car Raffle with our fans for over a decade. Their latest supercar is a modern version of an American classic. Backdraft Racing combines the looks and sounds of a classic Cobra with the latest in suspension, composites, and performance. The RT4 is built by hand in Boynton Beach, Florida. Using laser-cut steel and forged aluminum, their Cobra is lighter, wider, stronger, and faster than anything you have experienced. Independent suspension and massive disc brakes allow you to dive deep into corners while the close-ratio 5-speed transmission offers crisp, rewarding shifts. This example was built-to-order in Porsche Dark Blue with silver stripes. Under the hood is a Roush 427 SRX offering 480 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Classic Instruments supplied the gauges, and the wheels are 18" knock-off replicas. Other standard equipment includes a wood steering wheel and black leather seats. As always, the more tickets you have increases your chance of winning, so here is how they are offered: $5 for 1 Ticket$10 for 5 Tickets$20 for 15 Tickets$30 for 22 Tickets + 10 Bonus $50 for 40 Tickets + 15 Bonus$100 for 100 Tickets + 25 Bonus$200 for 240 Tickets + 50 Bonus$500 for 600 Tickets + 150 Bonus USE COUPON CODE "DUPONT" WITH $30 MINIMUM DONATION ON A SINGLE PRIZE FOR BONUS TIX! Purchase Tickets Here

By Andrew Nabors – May 15, 2020

UPDATE Joe Bonamassa & VW Live Stream Concert

Update, if you missed last night's concert it is embedded below. Big thanks to Joe Bonamassa and Volkswagen for helping those in need. If you like good music, you will truly enjoy VW's latest press release. We learned this morning that they have joined forces with Fender Guitars to present Joe Bonamassa tonight at 8 pm Eastern Time. This live stream will take place on Facebook, with proceeds going to help musicians affected by the virus. Fender Premium Audio can be ordered in any Volkswagen for sale if you want the best in car audio. Joe Bonamassa opened for B.B. King at the age of 12, and he is an unparalleled guitar virtuoso. Click the button below and set a reminder for tonight, and you won't regret it. VW on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VW/videos/234640781176669/

By Andrew Nabors – May 13, 2020

Rally in the East: Stage 1

Stage 1 of the “Rally in the East” gathering took place on the East Coast of the United States on Saturday May 9, 2020. Observing all CDC guidelines and a social distant drive for those who loves homologation cars. People drove hours just to be there as nothing like this has ever been done ever before in North America. Photos by Dan Wagner @carsthatlookneat All guests wore masks and were excited to be out & unified for the purpose of homologation cars, driving and meeting new friends! This gathering of high cars is a series of events put on Evan Cygler of Miller Motorcars in Greenwich, CT and Matthew Ivanhoe and Tom Hale of The Cultivated Collector in New Canaan, CT. To join forces, they combined their passions to get great people together with Rally in the East. Stay tuned! View More Action on Instagram So far, the gathering has featured three Lancia 037 Stradales, Lancia Beta Montecarlo, Five Lancia Delta Integrales, Subaru Impreza WRX Sti 555 Edition and a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution. Rally in the East will gather enthusiastic homologation car owners on the East Coast of the United States. They love to drive, drift and celebrate cars of the past and present. For more information please send them email at RallyInTheEast@gmail.com Photos by Andrew Fierman @hudsonhorsepower

By Andrew Nabors – January 21, 2020

Volvo Will Give Away $1 Million in Cars if there is a Big...

1972: First rearward-facing child safety seat concept 1991: Side-Impact Protection System (SIPS) 1998: Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) 1998: Inflatable Curtain airbags 2002: Roll-Over Protection System (ROPS) 2003: Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) 2008: City Safety collision sensing system 2010: Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake 2013: Cyclist Detection 2014: Run-off Road Protection What you see here are safety innovations pioneered by Volvo. Aside from the usual beer, soda, and snack commercials, a famous Swedish car manufacturer has announced something unprecedented. Find Your Volvo Here In a press release this morning, Volvo announced they will give away $1 Million in cars if either team scores a safety. All you need to do is click the link below to register and stay with us for all your car news from the "Big Game" Volvo Safety Sunday Volvo Safety Sunday Volvo Safety Sunday Volvo Safety Sunday Volvo Safety Sunday

By Andrew Nabors – January 20, 2020

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2020: By The Numbers

As soon as the last car sold, our friends at Hagerty began calculating the results. after pulling an all-nighter, here is Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2020: By The Numbers Starting the week off strong was a classic 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer with 8,000 miles for $110,000. The iconic Ford GT (2005-06) are also regaining their rightful value. A low mileage example finished in Midnight Blue with silver stripes hammered for $451,000. We keep telling you to buy old Toyota Supra for sale because a 1990 MKIII Turbo went for $88,000. The Paul Walker Collection was comprised of five 1995 M3 Lightweights, and the lowest-mileage car sold for $385,000. We regained our coveted booth space amid the entry aisles, and it allowed our clients to interact with over 5,600 bidders and thousands of spectators. Craig Jackson and his team enjoyed their highest-grossing week in the company's history, despite many charities receiving 100% of the hammer price on several million dollars in donation bidding. With a cumulative total of $137.1 Million, 1,909 lots sold, with only 1 car not finding a new home. With a sell-through rate of 99.9%, the average sale price was $71,833. So without further adieu, here are the top 10: Overall Top 10 Sales: 1. 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe sold for $3,000,000* 2. 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible sold for $2,000,000* 3. 2017 Ford GT Coupe sold for $1,485,000 4. 2017 Ford GT Coupe sold for $1,182,500 5. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO Sport Coupe sold for $1,094,500 6. 2019 McLaren Senna Coupe sold for $946,000 7. 1963 Aston Martin DB5 Saloon sold for $660,000 8. 1974 Ford Bronco Custom SUV sold for $650,000* 9. 2020 Chevrolet Camaro COPO John Force Drag Car sold for $600,000* 10. 2003 Saleen S7 Coupe sold for $467,500 Tell us your favorite part of Scottsdale this year, and stay with us for all your Barrett-Jackson news.

By Andrew Nabors – January 20, 2020

Leake Auction's Scottsdale 2020 Top 5 Friday Sales

Sometimes its not easy being the new kid in town. But every once in a while, the new guy appears with swagger and confidence, and it revitalizes the neighborhood. Such was the case on Friday, as we glimpse at Leake Auction's Scottsdale 2020 top 5 sales. Backed by the full force of Ritchie Bros, their inaugural event saw some amazing cars change hands. Our friend John Staluppi decided to thin out his "Cars of Dreams" collection, so here are the overall top 5: 5. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6 Coupe sold at $75,000 Browse All Chevrolet Chevelle For Sale 4. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible sold at $77,000 Browse All Camaro For Sale 3. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible sold at $78,500 2. 1996 Lamborghini Diablo Coupe sold at $95,000 Browse All Lamborghini Diablo For Sale 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible sold at $100,000 Not bad for their first year! Tell us which one you like most in the comments below and stay with us for more Leake Auction updates. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 17, 2020

Ferris Bueller's Ferrari to be Auctioned at Barrett-Jackson

From the iconic movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is Serial #GTC001 Modena Spyder California built by Modena Design and Development. A total of three cars were built for the film by Modena Design. This is GTC001 and has received a recent body-off restoration by Modena Design founder Neil Glassmoyer. Powered by a 427ci V8 engine fed by a 750 CFM Demon 4-barrel carburetor atop an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold and aluminum heads. Mated to a TKO 500 5-speed manual transmission, with a carbon clutch and a limited-slip differential. Riding on one-off QA1 adjustable 16-position aluminum coil-over shocks, 4-wheel independent suspension and stopping power via Wilwood 6-piston front disc brakes and 4-piston caliper rear disc brakes with 12-inch vented, slotted and cross-drilled rotors. During the restoration, upgraded carbon-fiber inner-tubs were employed for weight reduction. Beautiful 16-inch custom-made chrome wire wheels wrapped with BFGoodrich tires. GTC001 is highly detailed and features driving lights, bullet-shaped side view mirrors, a GPS speedometer and a Retrosound radio with Bluetooth, and two Blaupunkt amplifiers in the trunk powering 14 hidden speakers. The interior and top boot were completely recovered with high-quality tan hides. This Modena includes movie memorabilia including photos, signed build photos, a 1/24-scale diecast model, and a Hot Wheels car. It also is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Modena Design and Development. This car is scheduled to hit the auction block during primetime this Saturday (January 17th) at NO RESERVE, so stay with us for all your Barrett-Jackson updates. " width="680"> P.S. Ferrari is a licensed trademark of Ferrari S.p.A. and is not associated with Modena Designs or Barrett-Jackson Related: Check Out Our Booth At Barrett-Jackson!

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