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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

eSprinter Roadshow, 2019eSprinter Roadshow, 2019

By Andrew Nabors – August 31, 2020

Amazon Orders 1,800 Mercedes-Benz Electric Vans

With the amount of mileage Amazon drivers are racking up, it makes perfect sense to transition away from fuel. In a move that literally shocked their competition, Amazon has placed an order for 1,800 electric Mercedes-Benz vans. Mr. Bezos and company plan to be carbon neutral in 20 years, and this will undoubtedly force other delivery services to follow suit. Reported by Forbes over the weekend, the order consists of 1,200 eSprinters along with 600 of the smaller eVito vans. Because their fulfillment centers use a hub & spoke model in most areas, fully-charged vans could be loaded and ready when drivers return from their routes. This order is for European deliveries, as it follows on the heels of ordering 100,000 electric vans from Rivian back in February. Amazon has invested $700m into Rivian,who also had a $500m cash injection from Ford last year. Congrats to Amazon on leading the way, and for Mercedes-Benz for stepping up to the challenge. Stay with us for all your EV news. Browse Mercedes Sprinter For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 31, 2020

Spyker Announces new Investors and Production Models

Demand for new supercars is at an all-time high, so we're glad to see an old friend come back. In their latest press release, Spyker has announced new investors and production models. Boris Rotenberg is a Russian entreprenuer who owns SMP Racing and BR engineering. The other members are Michail Pessis, who is the co-owner of SMP Racing Monaco. Spyker Announces Three Final C8 AILERONS This influx of new life into the historic brand will allow production to begin on the C8 Preliator, and finalize development of the D8 Peking-to-Paris SUV. The B6 Venator will add a 3rd model to their lineup with production resuming early next year. Browse Spyker For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 31, 2020

Bentley Celebrates 40,000 Flying Spurs

After 3 generations and 15 years, Bentley Celebrates 40,000 Flying Spurs. Described as a Luxury Sports Sedan, the first examples arrived in 2005 badged as a 4-door version of the Continental. While considerably smaller and lighter than their Mulsanne flagship, it was Bentley's first sedan built with help from the new owners at VW. A clean-sheet design, it was an immediate hit thanks to big power and refinement without sacrificing traditional coachbuilding. Bentley Flying Spur Arrives With 3D Wood Paneling Since the beginning, each example has required over 100 hours to build by a dedicated team of 250 coachbuilders. Sold in 68 nations, 50% of sales take place in the U.S. and China. Once an independent custom shop, H.J. Mulliner's success with the Flying Spur was a major reason to bring their operations in-house. Our dealers stand ready to take your order, so click the button below and you won't regret it. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2020

G-Shock Unveils the GM110 Digital & Analog

Even the best mechanical movements can't compete with digital processors. That's why G-Shock has combined the best of both in the new GM110. It is a tough stainless case that is offered in 3 anodized finishes. It measures 51.9×48.8×16.9mm. It is impervious g-forces, magnetic fields, and it is rated to a depth of 200 meters. This rugged timepiece can be yours for only $230, so click the button below for all the details. Shop Now

By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2020

DNA Lamborghini Tells the Story of the Raging Bulls

Librarians be warned, the Dewey Decimal System has no classification for this masterpiece. Gold and carbon fiber have been combined to form the official book of the brand. DNA Lamborghini tells the story of the Raging Bulls and it deserves to be on your top shelf. From the Publishing House D'Oro Collection, it was written by Antonio Ghini and illustrated by Mitja Borkert. Over 300 pages detail every car from 1963 to now, and it is bound by hand. Only 250 numbered copies will be offered at $16,973 each, so click the button below to reserve yours and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Shop Now

By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2020

Nico Rosberg Buys Rimac Concept_Two

Driving Formula 1 cars for a living is a dream job, and it probably makes you addicted to instant acceleration. Since he won the 2016 World Championship, he could buy any supercar for sale. But lets watch as Nico Rosberg buys a Rimac Concept_Two. Our friend Mate Rimac set out to build the world's most powerful electric car, and he has changed the way the world looks at EVs. Porsche Joins Forces With Rimac The Concept_Two is their second model, and it offers a range of 400 miles and a top speed of 258 mph. It reaches 60 mph in 1.95 seconds thanks to liquid-cooled electric motors at all corners. With a combined output of 1,888 horsepower, driving one is on my bucket list. Only 150 examples will be offered, so if you don't have a reservation, we have a Concept_One for sale. It offers 1,224 horsepower to reach 60 mph in 2.4 seconds with a range of 217 miles. Browse Rimac For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz Updates

The next model year will see nice updates from the company that invented the automobile. From the modest GLA to the meanest AMG, here are the 2021 Mercedes-Benz updates. Starting off with their smallest SUV, the GLA Class is all new. If you need incredible power the AMG GLE 63 S has received refinements to the infotainment and climate control while offering 577 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS is their first SUV, taking direct aim at the Bentayga and Cullinan. It sends 571 horsepower and 722 lb-ft of torque to all wheels thanks to a hybrid EQ boost system. Every variant of the E-Class is all-new, and we will receive the E-Class All-Terrain here in the U.S. Speaking of a Homefield advantage, every example of the GLS and GLE (even the Maybach) will be built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. If you need a sporty SUV, AMG is introducing the GLA 35 and GLB 35. And as a refresher from yesterday, the AMG GT 63 S will be returning to the 'Ring for a new 4-door lap record. Click the button below to find a dealer near you for all the 2021 Mercedes-Benz updates. Browse Mercedes-Benz For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2020

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 Celebrates Their 95th Anniversary

After nearly a century building the world's best audio equipment, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 celebrates their 95th anniversary. The Danish duo of Peter Bang & Svend Olufsen began making radios, headphones and loudspeakers before the Nazis burned down the factory. Nevertheless, they rebuilt and expanded their lineup to include electric razors, art-deco TV sets, and audio with unmatched style and Scandinavian design. https://www.facebook.com/bangolufsen/videos/257119015252808 Their latest achievement is the H95, the world's most advanced Active Noise Canceling headphones. Only 95 examples will be available when they debut on September 10th. Each pair offers 38 hours of playback time with noise cancelation or 50 hours without. Other outstanding features include titanium drivers, Amazon Alexa, Google Voice, and they are certified for Google Fast Pair, Made for iPhone, and Microsoft Swift Pair. Bluetooth 5.1 is standard, as is a USB-C charging port and a normal 1/8" cord input. Click the button below to reserve yours and stay with us for the latest in luxury audio. Shop Now

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2020

Mercedes-AMG Teases Porsche for the 4-Door 'Ring Record

A few days ago Porsche announced a new record lap time: the 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S lapped the Nürburgring in 7:29.81. This caught the attention of the smartest engineers in Affalterbach. Two years ago, the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S lapped the same historic track in 7:25:41. Both have twin-turbo V8 engines, and both sedans have four doors. That is why Mercedes-AMG just teased Porsche for the 'Ring record lap time. What it boils down to is semantics. Mercedes-AMG describes their car as a "4-Door Supercar", while Porsche says the Panamera Turbo S is an "Executive Sedan". In their latest YouTube upload, Mercedes-AMG says its time to hit the track again, with lessons learned over the last two years. If you want the Porsche, their MSRP starts at $187,700 while the AMG is $161,200. Although if you want a car that lapped the track 10 seconds faster, our dealers have several new Camaro ZL1 1LE for $65,000. Tell us which one you prefer in the comments below and stay with us for all your exotic car news. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2020

2021 Aston Martin DB5 Junior is fun for Kids & Parents

Nobody believed they would resurrect their most iconic model, but never underestimate Aston Martin. The DB5 Goldfinger Continuation was a smashing success, but it left out a major part of their audience: those who are too young to drive full-size cars. That is why the 2021 Aston Martin DB5 Junior is fun for kids & parents. Built by The Little Car Company, it is a 66% scale electric roadster. It offers 6.7 horsepower at the rear wheels. The chassis, gauges, suspension parts and even the wire wheels have been perfectly scaled down. Finished in the iconic Silver Birch, the leather and carpets are exact matches to the original. Four-wheel disc brakes and a 20 mile range make it the perfect daily driver, and it it has three driving modes. Novice offers 1.3 horsepower, expert full power and 30 mph, and Race unlocks the Balance Of Performance restrictions to race against other little cars. https://www.facebook.com/astonmartin/videos/722643515259471 Stepping up to the DB5 Vantage Junior, a hidden missile switch unlocks nearly 14 horsepower. It will go much faster than 30 mph, and the limited-slip differential provides epic launches. The standard DB5 Junior starts at $46,000 while the Vantage will set you back $59,399. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin For Sale

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