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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 22, 2016

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Heading To Production

Aston Martin and Zagato have been collaborating for years, and their latest concept has sent every other designer back to the drawing board. First unveiled at the Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este, we figured the complex carbon fiber body would be limited to the concept only. But last night Aston Martin shocked the world by confirming a limited production run.Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Specs Engine: 6.0-liter V12 Horsepower: 591 hp 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds Production Run: 99 examples Body Construction: Carbon Fiber Release Date: Q1 2017 The press release states that only 99 examples will be built. Aston Martin's factory in Gaydon has more in common with Zagato than any other facility. Both companies choose to build cars by hand. More than a new body, Vanquish Zagato will arrive with more power and an Italian tuned suspension. Hopefully, this means no power steering and stiffer springs. What we do know is that Aston Martin upped their 6.0-liter V12's power up to 591 hp, creating a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds.Various design aspects of the new Vanquish Zagato were borrowed from various Aston Martin cars. For example, it features the "bladed" LED lights from the Vulcan and wing mirrors that resemble the ones on the One-77. This car really is a culmination of everything great Aston Martin has created in the past years. For the construction of the car, the English automaker opted to comprise the bodywork entirely from carbon fiber.Stay tuned to see this masterpiece in action once they arrive at our dealers. In the meantime check out great offers on 2016 models:Vanquish For Sale

Dodge is celebrating the 25th anniversary and final year of Vipe

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 21, 2016

For Viper's Final Year Dodge Plans Five Limited-Edition M...

2016 marks the 25th anniversary, as well as the final year, of the Dodge Viper. To commemorate a long, prosperous run, Dodge will join in the well-established tradition of releasing a limited edition version. Dodge is taking things a step further though. Instead of releasing one limited edition version of the Viper, they'll be releasing five. That's right, five.(Related: Unbelievable Lamborghini Huracan and Dodge Viper Drag Race Finish)Each edition will be fully customizable with 50 million configuration options and include a panel badge with the model name engraved. Owners can also have their names engraved as well. Here's a little more about each special edition:Viper 1:28 Edition ACRLimited to 28 units, this edition commemorates the 1:28.65 lap time set by Randy Pobst in the 2015 Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA. This particular edition will be painted in black and outfitted with red ACR stripes across the rear wing. It will include the Extreme Aero Package, Carbon Cerami brakes, specialty decals and stitching. Viper GTS-R Commemorative Edition ACRThe 1998 white and blue color combination was one of the most sought after finishes in Viper history. The GTS-R Commemorative edition will include this iconic color scheme along with the Extreme Aero Package, Exterior Carbon Package and specialty decals. This particular Viper version is limited to 100 examples. Viper VoooDoo II Edition ACRThis special edition, which features a black exterior complimented by a "graphite metallic driver's stripe and red tracer outline" is modeled after the 2010 Viper VooDoo. Limited to 31 units, the VoooDoo's interior includes an ACR style interior with silver stitching and the driver's name etched above the side door. Viper Snakeskin Edition GTCSnakeskin covers this special edition from end to end. This Viper comes decorated in a snakeskin green paint with a snakeskin patterned SRT stripe. It will include an Advanced Aerodynamics Package with GT black interior. This edition is limited to only 25 units. Dodge Dealer Edition ACRAvailable at only two dealerships, this special edition is specifically designed in tribute to the dealerships with the highest volume sales: Tomball Dodge of Tomball, Texas and Roanoke Dodge of Roanoke, Ill. This particular Viper will be finished in Viper White and accented with the Competition Blue stripe and Adrenaline Red stripe. It will also include the ACR interior and Extreme Aero Package.Customization options for all models include: 16,000 Exterior paint options 24,000 stripe options 16 interior trim options 11 wheel options 7 aero options Brake and suspension options With all of the available options, owners will have over 50 million ways to customize their car to their liking. No release date or pricing is listed at this time, but we'll update you once the information is available.Vipers For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 21, 2016

Bugatti Chiron Makes Debut at Le Mans in France

Le Mans is known for bringing out the contenders. Each year, car enthusiasts crowd the streets and the stands to catch a glimpse of their favorite supercars. This year's 24 Heures de Mans in France was no exception, as the Bugatti Chiron was spotted at the event. During the driver's parade, crowds gathered to get a first-hand look at Bugatti's newest supercar. Photographers snapped away in a frenzy and fans watched in awe as the modern marvel made it's way down the proverbial red carpet.View Bugatti Chiron InventoryAfterward, the Chiron made its way to the track to the cheers of thousands more car aficionados. Le mans echos Bugatti's sentiments of the Chiron as, "the most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive production supercar" to greet the streets of France. To recap, the Chiron features an impressive spec sheet, which includes an 8-liter W 16 engine capable of 1500 horsepower and 1180 lb-ft of torque. This powerhouse propels from 0-60 in a mere 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 260 mph. This elegant, beast of a supercar comes in myriad color combinations perfectly suited for its owners.Bugattis For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 21, 2016

American Muscle Gems: Two 1969 Yenko Camaros For Sale

In an unmarked warehouse somewhere in Tennessee is one of the most impressive car collections in the world. Fans of our magazine might remember my interview with Cliff Ernst from our February 2012 issue. We heard he had a few muscle cars, but what we found was nothing short of Smithsonian. (Related: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Attacks the Ring) What immediately got our attention, is that in some cases he has multiple examples of rare & early performance cars. If you like factory supercharged Thunderbirds, he has a few to choose from. If you prefer Pontiac power, two 1962 Super Duty Catalinas are ready to race. But if Camaros are your calling, the end of the room has something you might like. Don Yenko's prototype 1969 Camaro sits among several other Yenko Camaros, and two Yenko Novas. The Ernst Collection Don Yenko was a drag racer who took over his father's Chevrolet dealership in 1957. His passion for building fast Chevys transformed it into a dealership where there were no limits on performance. Due to decisions from GM's upper management, their highest performing engines were not offered in a Camaro for fear of losing a Corvette customer. In 1967 and '68, he overcame this obstacle by ordering the 427 Big Block (7.0L) through his service department and installing them into a limited number of Camaros. Racers came from across the country to buy their own Yenko Supercar. In 1969 he was able to convince GM's management to build a few Camaros with the L-72 Big Block at the factory. These cars had to be ordered from the central office, which is why they are known as COPO (Central Office Production Order). COPO #9561 is the option code every Camaro owner dreams of. Cliff likes them so much, that over a period of two decades he came to own at least one example of the original six colors, plus a few duplicates. Mr. Ernst rarely sells, so we jumped at the opportunity to showcase these rare cars. If you dream in Daytona Yellow, both of these cars are fully documented 427 powered 1969 Yenko Camaros. Both cars have four-speed manual transmissions, and they are probably capable of 10-second runs down the quarter mile. Cars such as these are what Yenko replicas are based on, but here is your chance at the real thing. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – June 21, 2016

Bombshell Betty: 1952 Buick Riviera Land Speed Record Car...

We don't get many land speed record holders on our website, so allow us to share with you a six-time class champion. In 2013, Betty went 165.735 mph and clocked her fastest time, ever. And now in 2016, she's up for sale.Choosing to go fast in a vintage style, artist and racer Jeff Brock bored a 320ci Buick Straight 8 engine to 324ci which is fed by 2 (TWO) Quick Fuel 750 four-barrels. The body was "Frankensteined" by changing every surface for aerodynamic advantage. Leaving the body in bare steel is a slap in the face to all other competitors, as the salt they speed over causes terrible rust on cars & equipment. The interior is also bare steel. A vintage Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed sends power to a 2.73 differential, which was sourced from a Thunderbird.Arias pistons have an 11:1 compression, and they work with a Comp cam to give her a bad attitude at low speeds. One seat and a digital fuel ratio gauge are all you need. Everyone has that one friend that would drive something like this, and you get a ton of fabrication work for the price. Stay tuned for more vintage racers.View Price & Listing

By Andrew Nabors – June 21, 2016

Porsche Wins LeMans And Celebrates In Style

Porsche's 919 Hybrid won this year's 24 hours of LeMans, after a tragic engine failure by Toyota on the final lap. With only 18 wins under their belt, the engineers in Stuttgart know a thing or two about racing. That is why they chose LeMans to unveil the gorgeous Carrera S Endurance Racing Edition. With graphics inspired by the 919 Hybrid, this 911 Carrera S is available in 3 wild colors. Powered by a twin turbo 3.0L flat-six, it offers 420 hp and 368 lb-ft, but sadly PDK is the only transmission option.The Sport Chrono package is standard equipment, along with carbon fiber interior accents. An embossed center console and embroidered headrests set this Carrera S apart from lesser models, so we hope it will make it to the US. Atlanta has made no mention of availability over here, so stay tuned for updates.Search Carreras For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 20, 2016

Mercedes-AMG Teases GT R: Beast of the Green Hell

The upcoming release of the Mercedes-AMG GT R is being preceded by a very interested campaign revolving around the hashtag #BeastoftheGreenHell.(Related: New 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT R Spied Testing, With Engine Sound)Details on the car itself are scarce, but we do know that this new beast is going be a track-ready version of the GT. The version teased in the video and images found in this article is finished in a fitting green paint, which blends in with the foliage. Along with the vibrant finish, another noticeable addition is a bit wing in the rear. As far as the specs go, all we know is that it features the Biturbo V8 engine.Check out the teasers below to get a taste of what's to come.View AMG GT S' For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 16, 2016

2012 RUF CTR3 Clubsport For Sale

What started as a gas station and service garage in 1939 has evolved into a dominant force in German car industry. Taking Porsches well beyond sensible limits, their CTR "Yellowbird" went 211 mph in 1989. The acronym stands for Group C, Turbo Ruf, and it leaves factory production models in the dust.Building the cars by hand, production numbers have always been limited to ensure quality. But we found a car that stands apart from their regular builds. Fans of Formula1 racing might recognize venture capitalist Gerard Lopez as the head of Team Lotus. In 2011 his plan was to purchase a majority stake in the company from Alois Ruf, and this CTR was commissioned for that event. Showcasing every ability of the company, this 2012 CTR3 Clubsport is a work of art.This is the 3rd generation of the CTR, and it was the first body designed and built by Ruf. All previous models were based on Porsche bodies which they received directly from the factory. Somehow they are able to extract 777 hp and 723 lb-ft from a 3.8L flat six, and it is fully DOT and EPA certified.Gerard only put 1,183 miles on the car before it went back to the factory to receive wider Michelin tires and upgraded Alpine audio. The entire front end is covered in a clear bra, and the engine computer has been remapped to run on US ethanol diluted 93 pump gas. Every option was included, so you will receive all books along with car cover, two keys, two sets of seat bolsters for racing, and the ability to run down every car on the street.If you need a new centerpiece for your collection, Miller Motorcars can make that happen. Check out the listing on our main site for more infoView Listing

By Edward Jones – June 16, 2016

The Vision Next 100 Is Rolls-Royce's Most Bizarre Concept...

The release of a futuristic concept from Rolls-Royce was not something anyone was expecting, but it sure happened. The new Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 was revealed in its entirety today as the brand's first "Vision Vehicle." “Today, Rolls-Royce, the world’s leading luxury brand, has defined the future of luxury mobility. The Grand Arrival of the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 boldly points to a bright future for our marque where our patrons’ individual demands for complete and authentic personalisation will be met through an exquisite fusion of technology, design and hallmark Rolls-Royce craftsmanship.”Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Rolls-Royce unveils this new concept as one of four Vision Vehicles to be released by BMW Group, as announced on March 7, 2016. From the outside, this concept is by far one of the most futuristic and bizarre Rolls-Royces ever produced. Measuring in at 19.3 feet long, it has a long sleek body that has massive air channels running behind the front wheels. For all of the wheels, their presence is hidden by wheel covers, a common aesthetic found in futuristic concepts.(Also Read: Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Concept Idle and Revs) “With the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 we were mindful not to dwell on the past. We wanted to be as innovative as possible and at the same time transcend the design history of the marque”.Giles Taylor, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars As for the drive of the car, well, that's where the Vision Next 100 stands apart from every Rolls-Royce ever made. Most experience a Rolls-Royce from the backseat, as they are chauffeured around by a driver. With this concept, there's no need for a driver, as it's completely autonomous. Instead of a gauge cluster, steering wheel and all the necessities for driving, a massive screen sits in the front of the cabin. Essentially, the cabin of the Vission Next 100 is a home theater, with the luxury you'd expect from the English marque.Will we ever see a car like this on the road? Most certainly, but that's in the future. In the meantime, we have concepts like this one to keep occupied and a 3D video below of it to help us pass the time.Rolls-Royces For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 15, 2016

Dubai's Police Seize 81 Vehicles For High-Speeds In One W...

Dubai is known for fast cars and reckless abandon, which means the police force needs a little more than just a Ford for high-speed chases. Over the weekend, the Dubai police seized a total of 81 vehicles for reckless driving.We're going to assume the Dubai police used their supercar fleet to catch all the culprits, since most of the cars seized were really, really fast.Street racing, which has always posed an issue for Dubai's roadways, is becoming increasingly more popular among Dubai's youth, particularly in the wealth Gulf emirate region. Media reports state drivers were clocked at up to 186 mph, some of which were driving without headlights on or number plates. In Dubai, those participating in illegal street racing must pay fines up to $27,000. When it comes to bikes, illegal racing poses a $13,600 fine. And those figures are just for the drivers. If the driver isn't the owner of the vehicle, another $13,000 will have to be paid by the owner before the vehicle is released.(Also Read: Ken Block's Gymkhana Eight Tears Through Dubai)Owners of the seized vehicles must come to pay their fines and collect their cars withing three months or the police department has the authority to sell the vehicles. Pretty sure I wouldn't want to be the parent that owned one of the seized vehicles right about now...

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