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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 Jordan Aquistapace – September 26, 2023

Sotheby's Motorsport Is Auctioning Off This Ultra-Rare 20...

Any collector or fan of Mercedes-Benz is going to want to check out this rare opportunity. Throughout Mercedes-Benz's successful history as an automotive manufacturer and motorsports champion, there have been vehicles that continue to hold significance among passionate car collectors and enthusiasts. Some of those collector-grade cars share a similarity in being a part of Mercedes-Benz's ultra-exclusive AMG Black Series, incorporating design characteristics and performance engineering from the winning Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. Showcasing one of the most desirable models from the limited-production series, the professionals at Sotheby's Motorsport are pleased to offer this pristine 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series as part of its current online auction lineup. With worldwide production of 350 units and only 175 of those delivered to the U.S., this specific SL65 AMG Black Series features a gloss black finish from Mercedes-Benz. In addition to an aggressive body style and lower ride height, model-specific carbon fiber bodywork comes complete with an active rear wing and diffuser for optimal aerodynamics at high speeds. A set of factory 19/20-inch sports wheels acts as the traction-grabbing source for the subcompact supercar, with AMG carbon ceramic brakes supplying the stopping power. Inside, the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series reveals a subtly stealthy Black AMG Exclusive leather interior. The driver-centric cabin presents a sport-focused look and feel thanks to gloss carbon fiber trim accents, 12-way power heated & ventilated AMG sport seats, power 4-way steering wheel, and luxuries including Airscarf neck-level heating. An AMG instrument cluster with racetimer and gear position displays raises the Black Series' urgency over standard SL cockpits. The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series comes fit with a monstrous 6.0L bi-turbocharged V12 AMG engine, paired with a 5-speed driver-adaptive electronic AMG automatic transmission. Fitted during current ownership with a RENNtech R3 Performance Package, the output is further pushed to a claimed 810 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque according to the aftermarket manufacturer. With an odometer reading of 8,984 miles at the time of listing, this 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series is sold with a clean Montana Title registered to the seller's Montana LLC. This 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series auction from Sotheby's Motorsport is currently live for bidding and ends on September 28th. View Sotheby's Motorsport Auction Listing Source: Sotheby's Motorsport

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 23, 2023

Why The New Mercedes-AMG SL 43 Uses F1-Derived Turbo Tech...

This latest AMG convertible combines technology and thrills.

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 24, 2023

Mansory's New Custom Mercedes-AMG SL Has Up To 850 HP

Mercedes-AMG’s new stunning roadster gets a makeover from a customization expert.

By Andrew Nabors – April 08, 2021

2022 Mercedes-AMG SL to Replace S-Class Coupe & Cabriolet

It's time for something all-new Half a century ago, the world was introduced to the iconic Mercedes-Benz SL. The R 107 chassis launched in 1971 with V8 power and it was largely unchanged for a long run of over 18 years. The factory turned out only 237,000 examples, and apparently, they all landed in Florida...Because the SL Class is so timeless, our dealers confirmed it is coming back. Having been on sabbatical for two years, the S-Class coupe and cabriolet sold well, but times are a-changing. Before diving into the specifics, consider the 2018 SL65 price and specs. The move to electric integration is proceeding quickly, as the new CLS will incorporate batteries in all models. Its modular architecture was developed exclusively for Mercedes-AMG, and it will be shared to underpin the SL. So the Benz surname has been retired to make way for the Mercedes-AMG SL. We won't compromise our dealers who shared this information, so take a minute to find a great deal on a classic SL by clicking on the button, and stay with us for all your AMG news. Browse Mercedes-Benz SL For Sale Images (C) Daimler

By Andrew Nabors – March 12, 2021

2022 Mercedes-AMG SL Begins Winter Testing

An old friend is making a comeback. The 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL has begun winter testing nearly 70 years after it arrived in the U.S. This teaser hit our inbox this morning like a ton of bricks. Moving upmarket, the SL has traded in Mercedes-Benz branding to become exclusively the product of Mercedes-AMG. Staying true to other aspects, they mention SL still stands for Super Light. Development on this new flagship began in the digital realm, and now its being flogged near the Arctic Circle. Of course, the finishing touches will be made on the 'Ring. The roadster will be fun, but let's hope there is a new Gullwing in the works also. Stay with us for all your AMG updates. Shop Mercedes-Benz SL Images (C) Daimler A.G.

By Andrew Nabors – September 03, 2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz SL Testing Previews an Amazing Roadster

When you ask someone to imagine the most prolific German Roadster of all time, you know what they will describe. Since it arrived in 1952, engineers have rarely allowed the public behind the scenes to see their upcoming work. Time are changing, and they want the world to see what goes into building a flagship for their brand. That is why 2021 Mercedes-Benz testing has previewed an amazing Roadster. Staying true to form, we can spot the retractable hardtop under the camo. 2018 Mercedes SL65 Specs, Price, Photos & Review The 4-liter twin-turbo will undoubtedly be a key player, and their 48-volt EQ boost will offer great mileage. Even the current generation SL is a great car, as it constantly monitors for collision avoidance in all directions. A press car I was driving noticed a crash ahead of the car I was following, so it changed lanes to avoid the inevitable. Click the button below to find yours. Browse Mercedes-Benz SL For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 07, 2017

Designo Edition and RedArt Edition Mercedes-Benz Models

From Daimler's February 6 press release:Exactly six weeks before the start of spring in Europe, Mercedes-Benz is launching its automotive springtime with attractive editions of its SL and SLC Roadsters. Customers can choose from the SLC RedArt Edition as well as the SL designo Edition. While the compact SLC special model emphasizes sporty dynamics, the SL is tailored towards exclusivity and fine interior design. SLC RedArt Edition...Expressive: Mercedes-AMG SLC 43* RedArt EditionThe AMG RedArt Edition for the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 provides expressive highlights with stylishly placed red elements. The exclusive special paint finishes in designo selenite grey magno and designo iridium silver magno make the SLC top model into quite the eye catcher. Customers can choose from six other colours. Red trim elements on the front and rear apron, the red front splitter, red flics in the AMG bumper and the red fins in the wings lend the Roadster an eye-catching look. Striking 45.7 cm (18-inch) AMG 10-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in high-gloss black with red rim flange as well as red brake callipers with "Mercedes-Benz" lettering dominate the vehicle's side design. SLC RedArt EditionSeats are designed in black leather with silver pearl nappa leather inserts with exclusive upholstery, head restraints in carbon-embossed leather and embroidered Edition logo. The red contrasting topstitching and the red borders on the AMG floor mats match the overall look. Alternatively, upholstery variants in nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre as well as Exclusive nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre, among others, are available. Seat heating as well as AIRSCARF neck-level heating for driver and front passenger ensure high levels of comfort. A multifunction sports steering wheel with carbon-embossed leather inserts, the AMG E-SELECT selector lever with nappa leather insert and embossed AMG logo as well as the aluminium trim element with dark carbon grain are also part of the exclusive range of appointments. SLC RedArt Edition...SL designo Edition with even more exclusivityThe legendary Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster gains even more exclusivity with the new designo Edition. The special model is characterised by stylish elements and high-quality materials on the exterior and interior. The metallic finish in brilliant blue, the 48.3 cm (19-inch) or 50.8 cm (20-inch) AMG 10-spoke forged wheels as well as the chrome flics in the front apron ensure a special exterior look. The badges with the designo Edition logo placed laterally between the chrome badges subtly reference the Roadster's special status.Mercedes-Benz SL-Class For Sale SL designo Edition- End

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