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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 – April 04, 2017

World's Fastest Bumper Car Has Goes Over 100 mph

If you've ever been to a carnival or theme park, you've more than likely been in a bumper car. And if you've been on one, you know that they are incredibly slow. Seriously, bumper car manufacturers, all we want is just a little more speed for that added whiplash as you smash into your friends.Well, one of my favorite YouTube personalities, Colin Furze, has gone ahead and added some power to a bumper car. However, it may have been a bit too much power if you're planning on smashing it into someone. How much power? He installed a 600cc motorcycle engine into the bumper car that produces 100 bhp.With this much power, he put The Stig into the bumper car and had him take it down a drag strip to see if it could become the world's fastest bumper car. Spoiler alert, it broke the record with a combined run speed of 100.336 mph. Insane? Yes. Necessary? You bet. Click play below to see the insanity for yourself.

By Andrew Nabors – April 03, 2017

Lamborghini Delivers First Huracan Polizia to Highway Patrol

If you plan on breaking the law in Italy you better have a fast car. Back in 2009, the Italian Highway Patrol received a few potent Gallardos to enforce the limits and provide first aid as a first responder. It was featured in numerous films and it was a great source of national pride. After racking up miles and busting perpetrators it has been resigned to Lamborghini's Museum at the Headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognese. In a press release over the weekend, Lamborghini revealed the details of the Huracan Polizia edition. In a ceremony in Rome, the new Patrol Car was delivered, and the Gallardo found a new home at the Highway Patrol Museum.The new Huracan will be used as a show of force, and for high-speed transport as an organ transplant courier. Finished in Police Medium Blue and white, it has a dividing stripe of the Italian flag running the length of the car. It was ordered with AWD and equipped with a light bar and sirens. The interior is outfitted with a holster, VHF radio, 360-degree video recording, first aid supplies. To keep transplant organs viable, the front luggage compartment has a refrigerator. A front fridge has for the R8/Gallardo/Huracan has been rumored by owners and technicians, so we hope it becomes a dealer option for the perfect beach day. You can't beat them so your best shot would be to find a Huracan for sale and start modding it. Be sure to stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.Lamborghini For Sale - duPont REGISTRY

By Andrew Nabors – April 03, 2017

Jeep & Mopar To Unveil Concepts at Moab for Easter Safari

Jeepers have been gathering at Moab to celebrate Easter for 51 years. Since it is one of the hardest off-road trails in the world, it has been a rite of passage for 4WD enthusiasts. Fiat-Chrysler's accessories division (Mopar) has been offering performance upgrades for Jeep since Chrysler acquired American Motors in 1987. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the first Grand Cherokee, the 1993 ZJ. While not really a concept, the Jeep Grand One is a modern take on a classic 93 model. Powered by the timeless 318 Magnum. Wearing 33" BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tires on 18" wheels, it has a 2" suspension lift and a longer wheelbase. Inside the carpet was replaced with bed liner, along with a 90's era interior. Jeep® Grand One ConceptUp next is the Jeep Safari. Loosely based on a 4 door Wrangler, it makes use of translucent panels for a see-thru experience. On top is a dual level aluminum safari rack. It has a launchpad for an integrated drone so you can see the action Equipped with ARB air lockers, the right fender vent has a pressure gauge and two air hose ports. Dana 44 axles front and rear along with a shortened body will allow the Safari to tackle steep approach and descent angles.The normal 3.6 liter V6 and automatic transmission are factory-spec. Jeep® Safari ConceptIf you enjoy acceleration, the Jeep Quicksand packs a 392 Crate Hemi with hillborn style fuel injection. With velocity stacks just ahead of the firewall it will rev instantly and probably incinerate a few mosquitoes. It rides on a longer wheelbase with a custom raked windshield frame and staggered tires. A Warn winch is hidden inside the front Moon tank, probably the neatest install we have seen. Jeep® Quicksand ConceptIf you don't need Hemi power, the Jeep Trailpass is a sporty take on the new Compass. It uses a 1.5" lift to fit 18" two-tone wheels and BFG tires. Gloss black exterior accents compliment a Mopar/Thule roof rack. Unique graphics and all weather floor mats are perfect for an active lifestyle. Jeep® Trailpass ConceptSaving the best for last, the CJ66 is how I would build the ultimate Jeep. Starting with a TJ frame, it sports one of the snazziest bodies in Wrangler history. The 1966 Tuxedo Park was a luxury Jeep CJ-6 with interior upgrades and chrome hardware all around the exterior. Under the hood is a Mopar 5.7 Hemi rated at 383 hp bolted to a six-speed manual. Mopar 10th anniversary Rubicon bumpers and Viper seats are just a few of the finer details. Be sure to check out Jeep's YouTube page for coverage of the event, and stay with us for more Jeep news.

By Andrew Nabors – March 31, 2017

Festivals of Speed: St Petersburg 2017 Preview

This Sunday, April 2, join us at Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg for Festivals of Speed. The 13th year of this exciting event will be one for the record books, as we are able to invite 50 of our fans to come along with us. So if you think your car is show worthy, please send us a photo and details of your ride.To be selected, email the Yes, Make Model and a Photo of your car to: CarsandCoffee@dupontregistry.comOur Publisher, Tom duPont, is choosing who gets to go, so appeal to his green pants and diverse collection of cars. Take a look at these shots from last year and you will understand why we are going.If you would like to check out the show without entering your car, general admission tickets can be purchased in advance here, or at the gate. Look for our red tent surrounded by a few cars from our inventory. The weather forecast is for our first 90-degree day of the year, so bring your sunscreen and stay hydrated. If your car is selected, you must be in line by 9 am, and the show runs till 4. We hope to see you there.Buy Tickets

By Edward Jones – March 30, 2017

Is a LaFerrari Going to be Crushed in South Africa?

Update 3/30/17 (12:09 AM EST): Stefano Siciliano commented with the following, regarding the car: "The owner of the other LaFerrari in South Africa (residing in Cape Town) has said that he knows the owner and said that it is being handled. He claimed that the officials here told him to take it out the country and bring it back in with the correct credentials, he supposedly has done that (Congo bit) and for some reason it was detained but shouldn't be a huge issue." Awesome input and even more awesome news for the LaFerrari. Thanks, Stefano!Are you a fan of the LaFerrari hypercar? You may not be a fan of what you're about to read.In 2014, an owner of a gorgeous red LaFerrari decided to try and bring his hypercar into South Africa. Upon his attempt, according to Fin24, the owner didn't pay the needed custom duties and value-added tax (VAT). Because of this, the car was stored in a warehouse where it sat from 2014 until recently. In February of this year, the owner went to export the car to the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, just a day the owner went to have the car reenter South Africa through the same port it was exported through. Unfortunately for the owner, the car was detained upon reentry.The South African Revenue Services (SARS) have issued the owner a letter of intent, meaning the owner must make a case for the import of the car. Carbuzz states that if the owner is unable to do so, the car could be crushed. After a quick bit of research, a forum post on Carforums.co.za notes that illegally imports can be "disposed of in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act 91 of 1964)." That word "disposed" leads me to believe that this car could actually be squashed. Let's hope that this doesn't happen to the poor, unsuspecting car.If you have any more information regarding the import law and what can happen to illegally imported cars in South Africa, please let me know in the comments below!All Ferrari For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 29, 2017

New 2018 Lexus NX Headed to Shanghai Auto Show

At the upcoming 2017 Shanghai Auto Show will be a new and refreshed 2018 Lexus NX model. This news was announced today by the automaker as we draw closer to the date of show, which will run April 19-28.This revamped "urban crossover" was first launched three years ago and Lexus says it has "exceeded customers' expectations globally since the model's launch." The new 2018 NX model will have a new exterior and interior, but there's no word on any new engines.Stay with us for more information on the 2018 Lexus NX as we draw closer to the debut at Auto Shanghai.All Lexus For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 29, 2017

Ferrari Launches 812 Superfast Configurator

Now that the first 812 Superfast has been delivered, we decided to poke around Ferrari's 812 Superfast Configurator to see what options are available. Starting with the most obvious, 26 exterior colors are grouped into Solid, Metallic, Historical, and Special. The next decision was wheels, and it looks like six examples will be offered. Two plebeian cast aluminum versions and four examples of forged alloys for the true enthusiast. No less than nine caliper colors are offered, along with the optional titanium wheel bolts. No choices in brake material, as cast iron is for losers. Your only choice is carbon ceramic ginormous rotors. While the F12berlinetta was not short on optional content, many impatient owners chose not to wait their turn for a custom build. Thankfully our Ferrari dealers have experience working with Maranello, so we've seen some wild examples over the past years. View the New Ferrari 812 For Sale As far as the body goes, you can choose from carbon fiber front and rear aero bits along with tinted glass and optional Scuderia Shields. Inside you will have 15 choices of dyed hides or 17 shades of Alcantara to choose from. Don't forget about contrast stitching and matching leather luggage. Four distinct seats are offered, with two racing versions ready for a 5-point harness. Other options we would choose are the Passenger Display, HiFi Audio System and Fire Extinguisher because all three can be used to intimidate your passenger! No mention of price was made, so it will be interesting to see the retail costs of these pleasantries. Stay with us for a complete window sticker dissection here on Autofluence. " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen>

By Andrew Nabors – March 29, 2017

Driving Modes of the Ford GT

If you haven't had an opportunity to drive the latest Ford GT, don't worry. In order to make the supercar perform in any situation, a press release early this morning explains each of the five driving modes.Controlled from a steering wheel dial, the default setting is Normal Mode. It sets ground clearance at 120 mm (4.7")and engages the rear spoiler at 90 mph and lowering it at 81. Sadly, traction control and stability can not be disengaged. It gives the driver a gradual throttle response to keep street driving under control. Wet Mode is for slippery conditions, so power is dialed back to preserve traction. In Wet and Normal, the driver can engage comfort suspension. This loosens the bounce and rebound of the shocks for leisure cruising.Sport Mode is where the fun really begins. It activates the same Anti-Lag system used to dominate Le Mans, and the magic system keeps the turbos spinning and allows for an instant boost when needed. Ride height stays at 120 mm, but all notions of playing nice are thrown out the window. Shift times are much quicker and at a higher rpm for vigorous acceleration. Comfort suspension is not available, and the stability control system becomes adjustable with three distinct modes. Each one allows for more oversteer and rotation in the corners. It is the perfect compromise for street tires and novice drivers.Track Mode is where the Ford GT drops the mic on everyone else. Releasing the Kraken starts with a 50 mm (1.96") drop in ride height along with an increase in spring rates and maximum shock firmness. The rear wing deploys and the front air inlets are closed for maximum downforce. The gas pedal loses all civility, so get ready for a wild ride. The final mode is V-Max, and it was envisioned for top speed events. For standing mile events and to leave traffic behind, it offers the same power and response as Track Mode, but the aerodynamics are stored to keep drag to a minimum. Don't try this in the corners unless you have a pilot's license. Innovations like this are what keeps Ford on the cutting edge, so tell us what mode you would use in your daily commute and stay with us for all your Ford Performance news.

By Andrew Nabors – March 28, 2017

Reviewed: 2017 Audi Q7 3.0T

A quartet is comprised of four singers, each with their own special abilities. Groups like The Highwaymen and The Four Tops made use of harmony and contrasting vocal ranges to make chart-topping hits. Volkswagen has also used a similar formula to build four versions of the same SUV. When we learned our weekly test car would be a new Audi Q7, we were excited. It is the latest version of a familiar friend. The four members of the same band are the VW Toureg, Porsche Cayenne, Audi's Q7 and the Bentley Bentayga. Sharing the same chassis along with many parts is a great way to save costs. Each one is sold at different dealers, so cross-shopping is not an issue.We've had seat time in the other three examples over the past year, but somehow the Q7 has eluded us, it must have used quattro to escape our grasp. Under the hood is a familiar V6. The supercharged 3.0 liter is the same unit found in the A7 and other siblings. It offers 333 hp and 325 lb of torque, which is plenty of grunt for hauling kids and groceries. To have V8 power and six-cylinder fuel economy is no easy task for AWD, but Audi has delivered a 25 mpg masterpiece. Related - Audi e-tron Sportback Concept Heading to ShanghaiOn the outside, attention to detail is everywhere. Unique body lines work wonders to make it distinct from its stablemates, so you might not see the resemblance at first glance. The interior is another story. Controls on the steering wheel along with many switches are among all four brands. While not as obvious as Yukon vs Suburban, badge engineering is alive and well on every assembly line. That being said, allow us to indulge you with Audi's own innovations. All lighting is handled by LEDs. This makes the headlights far more soothing and less likely to irritate oncoming traffic. Audio is handled by BOSE with the latest in 3D sound staging. Black and gray oak inlays are less haughty than bright veneers in other models. MMI touch is a touchpad located ahead of the shifter that is easy use after a few days. The only downside is condensation from both cupholders drips onto the sensitive electronics. A slight spill would be a costly repair bill, so the cupholders are for display only. The driving experience is more refined than Toureg thanks to extensive sound insulation, but it does without the supple demeanor of the Bentayga. All four have different price points and are aimed at their own target audience. We enjoy giving you the inside scoop so you can choose the one that best fits your needs. For $68,925 you and your family will have safety and utility in a snazzy wrapper. Do your homework and try all four, you won't be disappointed.

By Edward Jones – March 28, 2017

Christian von Koenigsegg Configures His Own Regera

Koenigsegg Automotive has been running a Facebook series where their employees spec out a Regera hypercar to their liking. We've seen many employees' creations, but there's one employee we have yet to see take their hands at configuring a Regera, until now. In the latest "How would a Koenigsegg employee configure their Regera" series, we get to see just how Christian von Koenigsegg would spec out his very own hypercar. For his exterior, he went for a blue-tinted carbon fiber finish with gold leaf striping. Matching the striping are the gold leaf wheels. Why blue and gold? Because blue and yellow are the colors of the Swedish flag! Inside his Regera is where his choices get more personal. The first car he and his then-girlfriend ever owner together was a black NA Mazda Mita with brown leather interior. Thus, he chose brown leather interior for his Regera. Also, that Miata was purchased back in 1992, two years before Koenigsegg Automotive, and that girlfriend is now his wife and the COO of the company. What do you guys think of his Regera? Let me know in the comments below! All Koenigsegg For Sale

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