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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 – January 22, 2018

Chevrolet Auctions Two Corvettes For Over $2 Million

If you have never seen the primetime action at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, it is a bidding frenzy of epic proportions. Chevrolet brought 2 very significant Corvettes to help Veterans charities. First up was the Carbon 65, which is a snazzy anniversary model based on the Z06. In order to raise awareness for his Military Service Initiative, President Bush signed the car and dropped the hammer. The press release says the winning bid was $1.4 Million by our friend John Staluppi, the owner of Atlantic Auto Group. If you ever get an invitation to see his collection in North Palm Beach, don't pass on such a rare opportunity. Limited to 650 vehicles globally, and available on Grand Sport 3LT and Z06 3LZ trims, the Carbon 65 Edition features visible carbon fiber exterior elements, a new Ceramic Matrix Gray exterior color and special interior appointments, including a new carbon fiber-rimmed steering wheel.

By Andrew Nabors – January 19, 2018

First 2019 Bullitt Mustang To Be Auctioned At Barrett-Jac...

Ford has resurrected one of the most revered names in Mustang history. The 2019 Bullitt is not just an appearance package. Borrowing intake and exhaust parts from the GT350 it offers "at least 475 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque." The first production car has VIN 001, and it will roll across the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale tonight. Ford Unveils 2019 Mustang Bullitt It will be a bidding war of epic proportions because the press release says 100% of the hammer price is going to the Boys Republic. It is a school and treatment center for kids at risk, and it helped a young Steve McQueen steer away from the temptations of youth. They are a nonprofit & nonsectarian home in Chino Hills, California, where McQueen graduated in '46. His role as Detective Frank Bullitt, a San Franciso Police Officer with a troubled past is regarded as one of the best performances in film history. And true to the movie, all Bullitt Mustangs will be Highland Green, without spoilers, and no option for an automatic transmission. With a top speed of 163, it would make a great undercover car, but we advise against going airborne as much as its predecessor. Be sure to tune in tonight, because Mr. duPont might join in the bidding for such a noble cause. Keep up the good work Ford, and stay with us for coverage of this year's Barrett-Jackson auction action. Browse Mustangs For Sale https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=-Q5pHm2Cfq4

By Edward Jones – January 18, 2018

McLaren Not Planning on an SUV Model

After it was reported that Ferrari is currently planning on creating an SUV model of their own, and after Lamborghini launched their own Urus Super SUV, it's being reported that McLaren Automotive will not be riding the SUV wave.According to Top Gear, who spoke with Dan Parry-Williams, McLaren's chief designer, the English automaker has no plans of an SUV. “I’m not the first person to point out an SUV is neither particularly sporty or utilitarian,” Parry-Williams told Top Gear. In McLaren's Track22, a plan for the company's future up until 2022, there is the inclusion of 12 new models with no SUV included.Learn Everything About the New McLaren SennaHowever, after 2022 it's all up in the air for McLaren. Could we see an SUV out of Woking? It's doubtful, as the company really doesn't seem to have any interest in the matter. But if the Ferrari and Lamborghini SUVs see tremendous success, it may pull them towards a new direction. It looks like it will just have to be a waiting game until then.Related Video:

By Edward Jones – January 17, 2018

Learn to Drag Race the Insane Dodge Demon for Free.. Kind of

Owners of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will now be able to spend a day learning how to drag race for free. Announced by Dodge, the classes will take place at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. Owners of the Demon will be able to take part in the new "Dodge//SRT Bondurant Drag Racing School," a class not to be confused with the successful "Official High Performance Driving School of Dodge//SRT," which is available to all SRT customers.Dodge Demon Destroys Competition at Drag Strip“With great power comes responsibility, so we want our enthusiasts to respect the full capability of their machines," says Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars, Dodge//SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA - North America. "Our Dodge//SRT partnership with the highly acclaimed Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, which comes with the purchase of an SRT, gives our customers the opportunity to get the most out of their new vehicles in a controlled environment, as well as gives anyone interested in our performance cars the chance to get behind the wheel of one at the track."Preregistration for these classes is currently underway. If you have a Demon, be sure to register through the Dodge//SRT concierge line. Others can register at Bondurant.com/dragracing.List Your Exotic Car for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 17, 2018

McLaren Senna Spins Up Donuts in Building

To celebrate the grand opening of their Composites Technology Center, McLaren christened the building with burning rubber. With one of Senna's F1 cars playing center stage, a new McLaren Senna made sure the concrete floor was ready for business. Located on the campus of the University of Sheffield, the CTC will be the new build center for the MonoCage and MonoCell. They are the one-piece composite bodies used in every McLaren, and this new workshop has been long overdue. As part of their Track 22 Plan, engineers need room to develop new parts and processes without interfering with the assembly line. It is a $62 Million dollar investment that will shave $12.5 Million of annual costs thanks to the new economies of scale. The car in action is the hottest McLaren to date. Loosely based on the 720S, the Senna is a fitting tribute to Ayrton. It offers 789 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque from a 4.0-liter twin turbo V8. Every ounce of non-essential weight was eliminated, even going as far as making the doors resemble swiss cheese. The demands of such a potent car were surpassed in their latest chassis: MonoCage III. It is the strongest Monocoque ever offered by McLaren, and it will be the basis for the next range of their Super Series cars. Only 500 examples will be produced, so if you don't need such a radical ride our dealers have a nice selection of 720S to choose from. Stay with us for all your McLaren updates. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 17, 2018

Land Rover Announces Limited Run of V8 Defenders

It has been seven decades since the launch of the original Land Rover. The Defender can be identified on every continent, its iconic style and rugged dependability have made it an immortal SUV. To celebrate the 70th anniversary, Land Rover has announced the V8 Defender. Only 150 examples will be produced, each one packing a 5.0 liter V8. Available on the Defender 90 and 110 wheelbases, they will offer 400 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque to a ZF automatic transmission. A two-speed transfer case has torque bias capabilities. Exclusive diamond-machined 18" wheels are wrapped in 265/65 series all-terrain tires. The suspension is also bespoke, with high-performance springs, shocks, and sway bars. 2 Millionth Land Rover Defender Sold, Most Expensive Ever Inside you will be treated to Windsor Leather on every surface along with Recaro seats. Land Rover Classic provided the infotainment system, which offers modern connectivity and audio. Eight body colors include two satin finishes, all contrasted with a Santorini black roof. Tim Hanning is the director of Jaguar/Land Rover Classic, and he said: “It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous with Land Rover, 70 years since it was seen in public for the first time. "The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull. We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders.” These collector's edition Defenders will keep the name alive until the new Defender is ready for launch. We've heard rumors of its abilities, so stay with us for all your Land Rover updates. Browse Land Rover Defenders For Sale Sultan of Brunei & His 5,000 Car Collection

By Edward Jones – January 17, 2018

Ferrari Plans on Making an Electric Supercar

If you thought Ferrari wasn't going to enter the electric car market, you're apparently mistaken, according to Bloomberg's recent report. Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Ferrari and FCA, told Bloomberg that Ferrari will be the first to build an electric supercar. Marchionne then went on to say he thinks what Elon Musk has done with Tesla is "doable by all of us." Ferrari will soon be releasing a new plan for the company that will include hybrid cars, making full-electric cars a logical next step. In the talk, Marchionne also happened to mention that they will be releasing their Super SUV by late 2019 or 2020, which they say will be "the fastest on the market." Will this new Ferrari SUV outperform the Lamborghini Urus? Well, if it's the fastest on the market, it certainly will but I'm sure Lamborghini has a lot in store for their SUV. What we should really be looking at is Lamborghini's talks revolving around an electric car. Having already Asterion concept, it wouldn't be surprising that they're working on a mass-production hybrid or electric supercar.Related Video:Gas Monkey Garage Black Ferrari F40 Sells Again

By Andrew Nabors – January 16, 2018

Lamborghini Aventador vs Kia Forte...

The North American Auto Show in Detroit has generated big news for the 2019 model year. Ford unleashed a new Bullitt Mustang, Chevy's new Silverado is getting a straight-six diesel, and Kia launched the 3rd generation Forte. Moving away from being Hyundai's economy brand, the new Forte is a great deal for a family sedan. So in order to show off its standard features, they called out Lamborghini for a comparison with the Aventador.Need Room For Something New? Sell Your Car Here!Built for safety in any situation, the Forte's structure is 54% high-strength steel. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual, but KIA's first CVT is optional. The interior has been moved rearward by adding 6" ahead of the firewall. This makes for a short trunk that covers 15 cubic feet of cargo space. Nobody buys an Aventador for its practicality, but if you have the means to afford one we recommend the Kia as a great daily driver. You can't deny the 10-year warranty & six-speed stick. Stay with us for more great comparisons here on Autofluence.Browse Aventadors For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=19&v=m7L9XRfGULo

By Edward Jones – January 16, 2018

Most Powerful Street-Legal Ford is Coming: 2019 Mustang S...

Ford is officially getting in on the new super muscle trend and joining the ranks of the Dodge Hellcat and Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with the introduction of a new 2019 Mustang Shelby GT500. In a teaser video released by Ford, they tout this upcoming car as the "most powerful street-legal production Ford ever." What kind of numbers would warrant such a title? They're saying that the new GT500 will have over 700 horsepower on tap, pushing it well above the GT supercar or GT350. Providing the power for the new Shelby Mustang is a supercharged V8 engine, which comes as no surprise. Ford also says that it will come with new technologies that make it more of a dominating force on the track. Stay with us for more information as it's released.

By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2018

Chevy Unveils the New 2019 Silverado Truck

To celebrate a century of pickup trucks, Chevrolet introduced the 2019 Silverado on Friday. A press release over the weekend reminds us that their first trucks were released in January of 1918. The new trucks arrived at the Detroit Auto Show with less weight and more capabilities.Lamborghini Centenario: Specs, Price & PhotosThe first innovation was made possible for aluminum body panels. The hood, doors and tailgate are made of a high-strength alloy while all fixed body panels are steel. Cargo space in the bed is much improved, with the ability to haul 4'x8' sheets flat between the wheel wells. Owners are also treated to a dozen tie-downs points. Bed floor width has been increased by 7", which allows for 63 cubic feet of volume. Oh, and these specs are for the short bed, so the long bed is going to be cavernous.High-strength steel now comprises 80% of the frame. Thinner yet stronger than cheaper steels are a great way to decrease weight, the next area was the suspension. The front control arms are now forged aluminum, and the secondary rear springs are carbon fiber. Changes under the hood include a wider availability of the 10-speed automatic and a new 3.0 liter straight six diesel! Inline engines are great for torque and efficiency, so expect all the details when they become available. Stay with us for more coverage of the Detroit show and all your Chevy news. Search Silverados For Sale

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