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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 – June 02, 2020

2021 BMW 4-Series Coupe Unveiled

Being a coupe in a world of Sport Utilities is tough these days. That's why its hard to get by with re-skinning the same chassis. Instead of following industry trends, BMW has done what they always do. Going all in, they dissected every part and to improve upon it. After two years of late nights and simulations, the 2021 BMW 4-Series coupe has been unveiled. Compared to the 2020 model the new car is 5.2 inches longer, 1.0 inch wider, & 0.4 inches taller. Both the front and rear track widths are almost 1.5" wider, which increases grip exponentially in all situations. Sure, the styling is bold; but that is what enthusiasts have been begging for. Power comes from a 2-liter turbo-four or a 3-liter turbo straight-six. While the former sends 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft to rear or all wheels, the M440i xDrive is only offered in AWD. You will have 382 horsepower and 364 lb-ft of torque to all corners. Choose between 225 or 255 mm tires on 18" or 19" wheels. It appears as if the 8-speed automatic stands alone, though we hope for a proper six-speed stick eventually. Pricing starts at $45,600, so click the button below to find our dealer near you. Browse BMW 430i For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 02, 2020

Bentley Bids Farewell To Their Legendary V8

Stop chopping onions, we have something truly worth crying about. In a poignant press release last night, Bentley announced the end of an era. The assembly plant in Crewe has built the last 6.75 (6¾-litre) V8 engine. After six decades, the last build is already under the hood of the 30th and last specially commissioned Mulsanne 6.75 Edition by Mulliner. Anyone who loves fast cars can appreciate the beefy internals of the L-Series engines. Introduced in 1959, they have powered over 36,000 Bentley and Rolls-Royce models with smooth & quiet performance. Designed to outlive the car, the bearings, valvetrain, oil system and cooling evoke the same engineering brilliance that delivered the world's first jet engine, and the weapons that won the Battle of Britain. It is hard to say goodbye to such an amazing machine, but the tooling is worn out. Instead of spending big money to keep the graceful old lady in production, it is time to embrace smaller, lighter, & more efficient engines. Going out on top, the last Mulsanne offers 537 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque. Nothing in the near future will be able to match such brutal force, so click the link below to browse find your new Mulsanne for sale before they are gone forever. Bentley Mulsanne For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 02, 2020

19 Classic Cars Stolen in Orlando

We have unfortunate news to cover as Orlando Classic Cars have been reported that 19 of their vehicle have been stolen. This all happened in early Monday morning, June 1st, in Orlando, Florida. Their warehouse was broken into and the cars were taken right out from under them. They have provided a list of the cars they're looking out for on their Facebook page, along with photos and respective VINs. Orlando Classic Cars is working with the Orange County Sheriff's office, but if you happen to see or hear of any of these vehicles be sure to reach out to Dave Murray at (407)592-5039. Additionally, sharing this news always helps spread the word. FOUND! - 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible - VIN 20867S106224 1956 Oldsmobile Super 88 - VIN 568C9921 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille - VIN 6D47S6Q305106 1970 Mercedes Benz 280SE Conv - VIN 11102412003935 1977 Pontiac Trans Am VIN 2W87Z7N168057 1978 Cadillac Seville - VIN 6S69B8Q469163 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix - VIN 2H57Z7P265892 1990 Buick Reatta - VIN 1G4EC33C3LB904434 1987 Oldsmobile 442 - VIN 1G3GR119HP323662 1992 Chevrolet Corvette - VIN 1G1YY23P9N5100309 1983 Buick Riviera - VIN 1G4AZ57Y4DE434364 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 - VIN 1P87LAN518282 1998 Ford Mustang GT Conv - VIN 1FAFP45X5WF120374 1990 Range Rover SE Vogue - VIN SALLHVMM4GA419685 1975 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Conv - VIN 3N67K5M322619 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado - VIN 394879M625053 1976 Cadillac Seville VIN 6S69R6Q480291

By Andrew Nabors – June 01, 2020

Jay Leno Drives the Vanderhall Edison²

As the king of Late Night, Jay Leno is quite capable of adapting to any situation. So just before Burbank, California went on lockdown, he filmed a few quick outdoor drives to keep us entertained. Our friend Steve Hall is a brilliant inventor who wanted the all-American 3-wheel performance machine. Check Out Jay Leno's Car Collection With a range between 150 to 200 miles, it is much more fun than any full-size electric car. Each front wheel has its own AC motor to offer a combined 180 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Just like the gas-powered models, the chassis is a patented interlocking aluminum structure that is hydroformed and welded at their massive facility in Provo, Utah. It allows the 1,400-lb roadster to accelerate faster than almost any supercar. All this can be had for under $35,000. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all updates from Jay Leno's garage. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 01, 2020

2021 Mustang Mach 1 Teased

Ever since we heard rumors of the latest Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500, we knew the days of the GT350 series were numbered. Introduced in 2015 as the GT350 and GT350R were the first Americans with a flat-plane crank. Innovation never stops in Dearborn, so we are happy to share that the 2021 Mustang Mach 1 has been teased. Best Ford Mustangs Of All Time All we have are a few spy shots along with the announcement that it will be the most powerful naturally-aspirated 5.0 V8 to-date. As a reminder, every new 2020 Bullitt Mustang for sale has 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Last month Ford Performance developed an upgrade kit for all late model Mustang GT to unlock the same power. This implies they have unlocked big gains. The 2003-04 Mach 1 saw the introduction of the Dual Overhead Cam engine. The press release mentions it will be the most powerful and track-focused 5.0 off all time, so stay with us for all your Ford updates. Browse Mustang GT For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 29, 2020

Audi RS 5 Behind the Scenes

For many years, Audi has kept their hottest models in Europe. That was because the relatively small number of RS enthusiats were not enough to justify the process to federalize the cars. Now with Audi's popularity at an all-time high, the RS Series are hard for dealers to keep in stock. Offered as a coupe and Sportback. Both start at $74,200, which is a bargain considering the 2.9-liter twin-turbo offers 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Using the latest in Quattro AWD, it leaps to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 174 mph. Click the button for great incentives from our dealers and stay with us for all your Audi news. Browse Audi RS 5 For Sale

By Alyssa Mammano – May 28, 2020

Skechers COO Purchases Penthouse at Turnberry Place in La...

In what is the largest high-rise transaction during Las Vegas' first-quarter sales, Chief Operating Officer of Skechers, David Weinberg purchased a penthouse at Turnberry Place for $3.7 million. Weinberg hails from California and paid cash for his new Las Vegas pad, which has been referred to as the Tiffany Penthouse for its high-end accouterments. The former homeowner is Mark Evenstad, founder and CEO of a large healthcare company. Jerry Masini of Award Realty represented Weinberg, while Mahsheed Barghisavar of Mahsheed Realty represented Evenstad in the sale. According to Barghisavar, the penthouse is larger than most any other Las Vegas high-rise has to offer. “It’s almost 7,000 square feet and penthouses in other high-rises, like the Waldorf Astoria — its biggest is about 3,400 square feet," says Barghisavar. The home on the 33rd floor of Turnberry Place boasts 5,779 square feet, encompassing five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Notably featured is an elevator exclusive to the unit, which provides access to private wine walls, a wine-tasting cellar and a full-circle bar. Homeowners of the Tiffany Penthouse will also enjoy a private fitness room and office. Every exquisite common area of the home leads to the four wrap-around balconies, which together showcase 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Strip and the valley below. Nothing less than top-of-the-line appliances, fixtures and finishes are displayed prominently throughout the penthouse. Walls clad in piano lacquer and floors finished in travertine tile highlight the handsome design, while Jenn-Air, Subzero, Miele and Asko appliances elevate the divine chef's kitchen. In the master bedroom, the walls are treated with brocade fabric while coordinating draperies outfit the windows and sliding doors. A sumptuous master bath has double sinks, a makeup vanity, two water closets and an architectural tub. A hidden door provides access between the master retreat and the kitchen. "This has windows all around so you have Strip views and mountain views on the other side. It’s great for entertaining. It’s so wide open,” says Barghisavar. The home was offered fully-furnished and turn-key. Turnberry Place is ideally located just minutes from world-renowned restaurants, shopping centers and the greatest casinos in the world, according to Barghisavar, who boasts that the Tiffany Penthouse is the most elegant and luxurious in all of Las Vegas. View Original Listing Photography and listing details viaMahsheed Barghisavar, Broker | OwnerMahsheed Real EstateA California and Nevada Real Estate Brokerage4255 Dean Martin Dr. Suite JLas Vegas, Nevada 89103702-769-6274Mahsheed@Mahsheed.comwww.Mahsheed.com CA License # B. 02100606NV License # B. 1001928

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By Andrew Nabors – May 28, 2020

Aston Martin DB5 "Goldfinger" Continuation Cars Revealed

With the outrageous demand for original examples of the DB5, Aston Martin has revealed the DB5 Goldfinger continuation series. Limited to 25 cars, each will be built by hand in the same work stations as the originals, over 50 years ago. EON Productions owns the rights to the James Bond series, and they contributed details of the various gadgets seen on the big screen. Work on the first car is nearing completion, after more than 4,500 hours. It will arrive with the following: Rear smoke screen delivery system Rear simulated oil slick delivery system Revolving number plates front and rear (triple plates) Simulated twin front machine guns Bullet resistant rear shield Battering rams front and rear Simulated tyre slasher Removable passenger seat roof panel (optional equipment) All this can be yours for £2.75 Million, or roughly $3.37 Million. You will have a piece of automotive and cinematic history at the center of your Aston Martin collection. Our dealers have all the info, co click the button below to reserve yours. Browse Aston Martin For Sale https://vimeo.com/423515719

By Edward Jones – May 27, 2020

She Was Told She'd Never Graduate. An Exotic Car Parade C...

Dayna Stropkay has just graduated and she has every right to celebrate. You see, Dayna was told that she wouldn't be able to graduate high school due to her disabilities but she proved them wrong. Not only has she passed high school, but she's also graduated from St. John's University with a Bachelor's Degree. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to attend a graduation ceremony like many others across the world at the moment. But when Smiles Through Cars found out about her accomplishment, they sent an envoy of exotic cars to put on a parade for her. The parade was also joined the local police department who led the cars through her neighborhood and in front of her house. We want to say congratulations to Dayna on graduating and can't wait to see where your education takes you! https://www.facebook.com/BatmanRealAccount/videos/3246471965364057/

By Andrew Nabors – May 26, 2020

Explore the History of the Batmobile

Christian Bale, Michael Keaton, Adam West, and others have made cinematic history behind the wheels of the Batmobile. I can attest that the toy version of the Keaton-era Batmobile is easily destroyed by a .22 magnum, and my parents were not amused. Regardless of your allegiance to the Caped Crusader, Warner Brothers have produced an hour of history documenting the black machines. Top 50 Best Exotic Cars & Supercars Of All Time The eleventh film in the series is scheduled for October 1st. "The Batman" is a reboot starring Robert Pattinson along with an ensemble cast of Zoe Kravits, Colin Farrell, Peter Sarsgaard, and John Turturro. One underlying fact of the movie cars is that a majority of them have been Chevrolet powered. So tell us your favorite Batmobile in the comments below and stay with us for all your celebrity car updates.

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