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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 – March 01, 2017

Bentley Bentayga Mulliner: The Ultimate Luxury SUV

The new Bentley Bentayga may already be one of the most luxurious SUVs on the market, but now it may have just cemented its place in the top ranks with the new Mulliner edition.Today, Bentley unveiled the new Bentayga Mulliner, which they have coined as "the ultimate luxury SUV." Mulliner, Bentley's own in-house personalization division, took their craftsmanship to the luxury SUV and have created a new flagship model.New on this model are a massive list of exquisite features. On the outside is a new Duo Tone paintwork, 22-inch Paragon even-spoke wheels with floating wheel centers, bright chrome lower bumper grilles, unique exterior badge and more.Related - Bentley Reveals Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner Inside the Bentley Bentayga Mulliner, luxury is more present than ever before. The star of the cabin is the new Mulliner Bottle Cooler in the rear. This has an illuminated chilling cabinet with bespoke Cumbria Crystal flutes. Bentley has also made the new Ombré Burr Walnut Veneer exclusive to the Bentayga Mulliner.Bentley will produce the Bentayga Mulliner in very limited numbers and will be available to order in Spring 2017.

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2017

2017 Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 is a 2017 Raptor on Steroids

Nobody will argue that the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is one of the most epic trucks on the road. It comes with a fantastic 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine that has an output of 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, and suspension that will take on just about anything thrown at it.Yeah, while the base 2017 Raptor is great, that doesn't mean aftermarket tuners aren't going to up the capabilities of this truck. In fact, Hennessey Performance has just released their new VelociRaptor 600, based on the new Raptor.The new Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 packs 605 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 622 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm. That's a massive increase over the stock model, but that's thanks to a huge list of upgrades that the Texas tuner has installed into the truck. The stars of the list include the upgraded twin-turbocharger system, ECU upgrade, high-flow air induction system and more.When Hennessey tested the truck, it ran 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and completed a quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds @ 110 mph. Yeah, this truck is no slouch by any means.If you're interested in picking one up or want to learn about the Off-Road Stage 1 Package, be sure to click the button below.Learn More

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2017

Two World Records Set by World's Fastest Electric Car...W...

If you don't think electric cars are the future, this story may just change your mind. The NIO EP9, regarded as the world's fastest electric car, has set TWO records at Circuit of the Americas (COTA).The first record set by the car was for being the fastest self-driving car at COTA. The lap was completed in 2 minutes and 40.33 seconds with a top speed of 160 mph. As a great comparison, the second record was for the fastest lap time for a production car with a driver at COTA. This lap time was 2 minutes and 11.30 seconds with a top speed of 170 mph. Related - How Fast is the New 2017 Camaro ZL1? It's the Fastest YetNIO was able to achieve these lap times thanks to the 1,342 horsepower that its four inboard motors provide. This power allows for a 0-124 mph time of 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 194 mph. What's equally impressive is that the battery system that powers the motors can be charged in just 45 minutes and has a range of 265 miles.“At NIO, we are all about raising the bar for the entire automotive industry. Breaking records with the NIO EP9 demonstrates our automotive and technology expertise to be a leader in the global market," said Padmasree Warrior, CEO of NIO U.S. "Our Silicon Valley team brings together the best talent from automotive and software domains, which helped us achieve this remarkable result in an incredibly short time. Our goal is to be the best next generation car company, by delivering autonomous vehicles with amazing experiences for people all over the world. We look forward to sharing our vision for the car of the future in Austin, Texas at SXSW in March.”Sports Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2017

BMW 750iL Tupac was Shot in is Up for Sale

Back on September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. This murder shook the entire music industry, as Tupac's albums had sold over 75 million records worldwide and he is consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all time. In fact, he will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, during his first year of eligibility.The car Tupac was driving when he was shot was a 1996 BMW 750iL that was owned by Suge Knight, co-founder of Death Row Records. The shooting ended with Tupac being shot twice in the chest (one piercing his lung), once in the arm and once in the thigh. Unfortunately, he passed away at the University Center of South Nevada.The exact BMW 750iL that Tupac was driving is currently for sale through MomentsinTime.com. It's currently listed for $1.5 million and is said to include authenticity.Learn More

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2017

Purple LaFerrari Belongs to Crown Prince of Johor

We've seen only a few different colors of the LaFerrari, but this one may just be the best one yet. According to Instagram user @rikmunwerks, the Crown Prince of Johor owns a gorgeous purple LaFerrari.Ferrari LaFerrari Specs, Price, Photos & ReviewThe car was spotted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at what looks like a luxurious hotel. The Instagrammer noted this a photo of the car: "I've only seen four different colours on a LaF and I've already decided this is the best colour ever for a LaF." Honestly, I'd have to agree with him on that sentiment. The only other LaFerrari that would come close to me would be Jay Kay's green LaFerrari.What do you guys think? Is this the best looking LaFerrari yet? Or is purple not your thing?Ferrari For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2017

Naked Carbon Fiber Koenigsegg Regera Revealed

Koenigsegg Automotive is currently running a Facebook series of posts that show how their employees would customize their own Regera hypercar. We've seen a purple Prince example, a wine-inspired example and now we get to see what one would look like wearing only a clear coat. This week Chrille was up to bat and made this gorgeous Koenigsegg Regera example. Where does he work within the company? The post states that he's "worked in so many different areas of the company he's lost count." This includes composites, finishing, service area and is now the Facility Manager. Chrille is so dedicated to the company that he even has a 'ghost' tattoo above his ankle, just like the one on the Koenigsegg engines. Chrille's example has untinted clear carbon fiber with black body stripes that are meant for "extra meanness." The outside of this car also has anthracite calipers, carbon fiber Tresex wheels and the new Regera Aero kit. Inside, the carbon fiber/black theme continues, but with contrasting "Snow "clean" inserts on the seats and back wall of the car. There is also black Alcantara dashboard. Koenigsegg, if you could just keep this posts coming that'd be great. Not only do we get to see some awesome examples of the Regera, but it really shows just how close the entire company is. Supercars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 25, 2017

2017 Audi A4 Review

Audi released the 5th generation A4 last year at the Frankfurt Auto Show with nice improvements inside and out. A transition to the new B9 chassis required a subtle freshening of body lines, but the A4 is a strong seller so Audi didn't want to disrupt the status quo. Of the A4 buyers are on the conservative end of the automotive spectrum, so if you prefer wheels in any color other than silver, the A4 is not for you. Although a six-speed manual is still technically available, the A4 buyer is tech-savvy and delights in the crisp seven-speed dual clutch automatic.If you wear sweater vests and look at spreadsheets all day, the A4 is the logical choice. You will have adequate acceleration from the 2.0-liter turbo. It makes 252 hp and 273 lb-ft to the quattro AWD system. Front-wheel drive is standard on the lower trim levels. Pricing starts at $34,900 for the base model, and the fully loaded Prestige will is north of $45,000. It offers Audi's latest virtual cockpit. A 12.3" screen is easy to navigate, and the heads up display has navigation and entertainment connectivity.Apple and Android are both fully supported to keep your eyes on the road. Audio is by Bang & Olufsen with 755 watts and 19 speakers. Yes, it does feel and drive in a very similar fashion to the Volkswagen Passat, but the quality of materials and sound insulation is much more substantial. In our week-long test we noticed the A4 receives smiles from business men and women, and young urban professionals. If you want an efficient luxury sedan that can fly under the radar, our dealers have great incentives. Stay with us for more reviews and Audi news.Audi A4 For Sale

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 – February 24, 2017

Ford GT Competition Series Announced

We knew it was coming, but it's finally here: the Ford GT Competition Series. This new model makes the car more aerodynamic and lightweight than ever before, making it a more competent track car.“The Ford GT has racing in its blood,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, global product development, and chief technical officer, in a Ford press release. “The Competition Series was developed with the most hardcore track enthusiasts in mind, providing a tailored set of lightweight features and unique livery to match.”To drop the weight of the supercar, Ford took a few liberties. For example, the engine hatch cover is made of race-inspired Perspex® acrylic, the prop rod is made of carbon fiber and the glass behind the driver is made of Gorilla Glass® that's half and thick and lighter than other models. Additionally, all weight-reducing options that Ford makes available to GT customers come standard on the Competition Series.Related - Ford GT's Power Finally Revealed, Becomes Fastest Production Ford Ever Ford has also made the Competition Series look even more competitive through some aesthetic modifications. On the outside, there are unique gloss carbon fiber striping, mirror caps and A-pillars. Inside, exposed carbon fiber can also be found on the console, door sills and more.Those interested in picking up a Ford GT Competition Series can pick between six different colors - Shadow Black, Frozen White, Ingot Silver, Liquid Blue, Liquid Grey and Triple Yellow. Pricing of the Competition Series was not included in the press release.

By Edward Jones – February 23, 2017

Dodge SRT Demon Will Officially Be a Drag Strip Monster

Dodge is no stranger to the drag strip and they plan to make that fact more evident with the upcoming SRT Demon. The American automaker announced today that the Demon is "made to absolutely dominate in Drag Mode."Related - Dodge Demon Will Launch Much Harder Than HellcatAs of right now, Dodge hasn't given the specifics on this Drag Mode, but they say that they will share more about it in the coming weeks. This mode, in cooperation with new suspension, excellent weight transfer, traction and control, will make the car an absolute monster on the drag strip. To make the aforementioned weight transfer as efficient as possible, Dodge used quick reacting springs up front, soft rebound front shocks, removed restrictions (sway bar) and increased compression in the rear shocks. What's more, Dodge says this is the first production car with "mechanical/electronic drag-race-specific suspension tuning."Stay with us for more on the Dodge SRT Demon as its released.Dodge Challenger For Sale

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