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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

MercedesAMGCustomerRacing Overallwin500 2021 03 source

By Andrew Nabors – May 07, 2021

Mercedes-AMG Celebrates 500th Win

They can't be stopped! Last weekend in England, a privateer AMG team earned Mercedes their 500th trophy. not just a Podium Finish, this is Victory Lane for the Mercedes-AMG GT3. Having had ample seat time in the AMG GT R Black Series, its easy to understand this achievement. On the dash is a dial. It offers 13 modes of ABS and stability control. This allows the GT3 to adapt to every corner, at every track. The feeling of hitting 1.1G in Mr. duPont's SLS AMG Roadster was unlike any other, and I sold my Corvette the week after. If you want to experience one for yourself, click the button and stay with us for all your AMG news! Browse Mercedes-AMG GT R For Sale Images (C) Daimler

By Andrew Nabors – June 21, 2019

2020 Mercedes-Benz New Model Launch Schedule

Do you ever wonder why your Mercedes-Benz dealership is so large? Its because they build more models and variants than any other automaker. When I was your age, AMG was two former Mercedes-Benz engineers who built race motors. Now there are up to three levels of AMG performance. To help clear up the confusion, their latest press release included the 2020 Mercedes-Benz new model launch schedule. Recent and Upcoming 2020 Model Year Launches (subject to change) GLE 350 4MATIC / GLE 450 4MATIC (all-new) Launched Spring 2019 GLE 350 (all-new) Summer 2019 AMG GT Coupe and Roadster (redesign) Summer 2019 AMG GT C Coupe and Roadster (redesign) Summer 2019 AMG GT R Coupe (redesign) Summer 2019 AMG GT R Roadster (all-new) Fall 2019 AMG GT R PRO (all-new) Late 2019 GLE 580 4MATIC (all-new) Late 2019 GLS 450 4MATIC / GLS 580 4MATIC (all-new) Late 2019 GLC 300 / GLC 300 4MATIC SUV & Coupe (redesign) Late 2019 AMG GLC 63 SUV & Coupe (redesign) Late 2019 CLA 250 / CLA 250 4MATIC (all-new) Late 2019 AMG CLA 35 (all-new) Late 2019 AMG CLA 45 (all-new) Late 2019 GLB 250 / GLB 350 4MATIC (all-new) Late 2019 EQC 400 4MATIC (all-new) 2020 AMG A 35 Sedan (all-new) 2020 This is exciting news, so tell us which one you anticipate the most, and stay with us for all your Mercedes-Benz & AMG news.

By Andrew Nabors – February 04, 2019

duPont REGISTRY February 2019 CoverShot: Mercedes-AMG GT ...

The last four years have seen unprecedented competition in the market for sports cars. Mercedes-AMG have never been content to let their lineup get stale, so they have unveiled a hot new version of the AMG GT. Taking influences from their GT3 racing program, the new AMG GT R Pro blurs the line between race and street. A new stability system known as AMG Dynamics allows for more cornering grip and faster response to changing conditions. Three modes are available across all versions of the AMG GT. Basic mode covers slippery and comfort situations. Advanced is aimed at winding roads allowing for more spirited driving. Pro mode is only available in Sport +, and it is intended for drivers who want to be on the edge. Master mode is only offered on the GT C and GT R, and it can only be accessed in Race mode. Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Details Price: Contact Our Dealers Here Engine: 4.0L Twin Turbo V8 Transmission: Seven Speed Dual Clutch Automatic Horsepower: 585 hp Torque: 516 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds Top Speed: 197 mph Those distinct settings wouldn’t be worth much without a more capable car. The new AMG GT R Pro is a result of lessons learned in GT3 and GT4 racing. It starts with new coil-over suspension at all corners. Compression and rebound are easily adjusted by dials on each shock. The former has individual responses based on speed. Both sway bars are adjustable, and the front is made of carbon fiber. All control arms have ball joints instead of bushings because nobody like mushy responses when cornering. buy this issue now A new carbon fiber panel under the rear suspension serves to maintain consistent geometry and precision. Unfortunately, the computer-controlled hydraulic motor mounts remain an unnecessary luxury. Additional carbon fiber reinforcements are hidden from view, but the new aerodynamic parts are stunning. A lower front splitter along with fender vents creates more downforce. The rear spoiler has gained a Gurney flap, because Dan Gurney is a genius. It allowed AMG driver Maro Engel to lap the ‘Ring in 7.04.632, elevating the AMG GT R Pro to become the fastest street legal AMG to-date. Shop All Mercedes-AMG GT " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 20, 2018

2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R Becomes Fastest F1 Safety Car

Formula 1 racing has been known to have rather interesting cautions, so the FIA chose a new Safety Car for the 2018 season. In a press release this morning, Mercedes-AMG announced their AMG GT R has been chosen.This season marks the 23rd consecutive year that Mercedes-AMG has provided the safety car.To set the pace during caution events, the new GT R is equipped with an LED strobe light bar. Instead of hacking into the gorgeous carbon fiber roof panel, a new roof was made to optimize aerodynamics around the lights. Formula 1 cars are engineered to run in a very unique set of circumstances, so the Safety Car must be fast enough to keep the brakes and tires from cooling off and to stay at a constant speed to prevent the engines from overheating.New Mercedes-AMG Hypercar-Inspired Boat RevealedThe 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 makes 585 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, and it can reach 62 mph in 3.6 seconds. Charlie Whiting is the FIA's F1 director, and he said: "When a Safety Car intervention is required during a Grand Prix it’s vitally important that we have full confidence in the car’s ability to lead the Formula 1 cars around the track safely. That means we need a car which is not only capable of dealing with the extreme demands a Grand Prix circuit puts on a vehicle travelling at high speed, but also one which is capable of setting a pace that allows the F1 drivers to keep tyres and brakes working at the right kind of temperature so that they do not struggle while waiting for racing to resume. With the latest versions of the FIA F1 Medical and Safety Cars, that confidence is once again assured.”Should an unfortunate injury happen, the Medical Car will be there in a hurry. It is a Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Wagon. It has plenty of room for first responders along with storage for a defibrillator and respirator. Watch this year's F1 races very closely and you might catch a glimpse of these lightning fast cars. If you want to know how you can get in on the action, click on the link below to find an AMG GT R of your own.Mercedes-AMG GT R For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 07, 2017

2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R Coupe Gets Official U.S. Pricing

Want to buy yourself a new 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R Coupe this summer? Here's what you need to know.Mercedes just announced the pricing for the AMG GT-R, which will start at $157,000, excluding the $995 destination and delivery charge. At this price, the AMG GT-R tops the AMG GT Coupe lineup in terms of price: AMG GT Coupe ($112,400) In dealers by: summer AMG GT S Coupe ($132,400) In dealers by: summer AMG GT C Coupe ($145,000) In dealers by: fall (Edition 50) AMG GT R Coupe ($157,000) In dealers by: summer For that price, you get quite the car. Underneath of the AMG GT R Coupe's hood is a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine that's handcrafted by AMG. This engine has an output of 577 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, all of which is sent to the rear wheels. When the engine's power is opened up, the AMG GT R Coupe will run 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and top out at 198 mph.Mercedes-AMG GT S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 16, 2017

Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing Create Carbon Fiber Beauty

A decade of collaboration between the performance division of Mercedes and Cigarette Racing has brought forth another amazing powerboat. With styling inspired by the latest AMG GT R, the exterior has hints of carbon fiber along with the fender vents of the car. Daimler's Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener was quoted as saying: “The 2017 50’ Marauder AMG is a particularly striking result of our continued collaboration with the Cigarette Racing Team, and a fitting tribute to honour 10 years of working together". The Green Hell Mango paint is taken from the brilliant looking GT R and is a reference to being refined on the 'Ring. Extensive use of carbon fiber instead of fiberglass trimmed 1,300 lbs of which will make for a fun and fast experience.(New Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Inspired by AM37 Powerboat)Power comes from a pair of the latest Mercury Racing 1550s. The 9.0-liter twin turbo monster has quad cams along with a massive intercooler and it runs on pump gas. With normal fuel, you are limited to only 1,350 hp, but 112 octane and the Race key fob unlocks the full 1,550 hp. It would be neat to see the 4.0-liter AMG V8 in a marine application, but the reverse flow heads would be difficult in a boating application. Mercury's V8 history can be traced back to the infamous Mystery Motor, and we will cover it another time. The 2017 Progressive Miami Boat Show opens today, and its the perfect spot for an unveiling. It also marks the 50th anniversary of AMG, so we understand the need for 3,100 hp. Stay with us for more updates from Mercedes-AMG and the Miami Boat Show.Mercedes-Benz For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 08, 2016

Mercedes AMG GT-R Sets New Record at the Ring

Records are meant to be broken, and the team from Mercedes-AMG has raised the bar for every other Rear Wheel Drive car. Nürburgring has become a matter of bragging rights, as most major manufacturers are locked into a war for fractions of a second. Modern tests are made after a warm-up lap, with the car crossing the timing loop at full speed. In the old days. the records were based on a standing start, in which the clock was started before the driver jumped in. Only the fastest cars in the world are capable of breaking into the 6-minute range on street tires. Last month we were shocked by the 2017 Camaro ZL1 which made a lap in only 7:29, a whopping 11 seconds faster than its predecessor. Two-wheeled record laps are also impressive, even if only for entertainment.With an undeniable home field advantage, Mercedes-AMG spent countless hours developing the AMG GT series at the historic track. If you don't have the benefits of all-wheel drive, down force is your primary focus. Engineers learned this the hard way at LeMans in 1999 when the CLR proved to be a better aircraft than race car. For the GT R they pulled out every trick in the book for the ultimate lap time. In a YouTube video uploaded yesterday byIn a YouTube video uploaded yesterday by Sport Auto, we're taken on a blistering lap in what looks to be the same car we first saw at Mercedes-Benz of Tampa earlier this year. Under the hood is a 577 hp V8 that measures in at only 4.0-liters, but nestled between the reverse flow heads are the latest in turbo technology. Sending 516 lb-ft of torque to only the rear wheels seems like a recipe for destruction, but weight reduction and four-wheel steering will make your mouth water. Full-scale production will begin later this year and the GT R will arrive as a 2018 model. If you can't wait a few months, check out the great deals on the GT S from our dealers.GT-S For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 24, 2016

Revealed: 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R

Straight out of the green hell of the jungle comes the new Mercedes-AMG GT R, fully equipped with AMG driver, Lewis Hamilton, swerving and skidding through the Nurburgring racetrack which portrays an Amazonian-esque setting. If the luxury brand's goal was to grab attention and thrill and audience, they succeeded.Revealed today, the new Mercedes-AMG GT R, brings the most demanding features of a track-ready supercar to the streets.Mercedes-AMG GT R Specs Engine: Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo with Dry-Sump Lubrication Horsepower: 577 hp 0-60: 3.5 seconds Top Speed: 198 mph Torque: 516 lb-ft The new GT R combines lightweight construction with modified suspension and new aerodynamics, which results in superior performance and an edge in handling. Finished in the exclusive AMG green hell magno, the GT R is sure to stand out in a crowd. Further modifications include wider front and rear fenders and a large rear aerofoil with rear fascia and double diffuser designed to enhance aerodynamics, tighten turns and provide maximum grip.ExteriorDesigned with the track in mind, the new Mercedes-AMG GT R is powerful, long and forged with well-known AMG performance. Design and aerodynamics go hand in hand with this project, signifying a tight relationship between the two design and engineering teams to create a truly track-worthy vehicle. Athletic and strong, the exterior body is dynamic and powerful with pointed edges and an arrow-like front end. Front fenders are made of light carbon and include specially designed cooling vents. AMG Performance forged wheels are finished in 10-spoke matte black.InteriorNappa leather and DINAMICA microfiber cover race inspired seats and are complimented by yellow accents including seat belt sand special AMG Black Piano Lacquer interior trim and controls. A wide dashboard exudes an aviation look and includes a multitude of vents including individuals on either edge. A freestanding central display and center console adorn the midsection of the interior with high-quality AMG Drive Controls.Want to check out the full experience? Lewis Hamilton will take you on a tour of the North Loop of the Nurburgring racetrack in the video below.

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