Articles

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 – December 08, 2016

Aston Martin Becomes Frosty's Worst Nightmare

Winter is the great equalizer of driving talent. Snow does not care how many wheels you have turning, or if your differential is viscous or electronic-- it simply provides a slippery surface to help perfect the art of car control. When traction is limited, your right foot can be used to invoke oversteer while cornering, which is commonly known as drifting. Since your car doesn't have to be fast in order to drift, this form of racing has been embraced by a culture that is too slow for drag racing competition.But what happens when you take one of the fastest cars in production out onto a track of fresh powder? The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S pushes its twelve-cylinder engine design beyond what we thought possible, all the while being housed in one of the automaker's lightest chassis. Anyone who has owned a rear wheel drive car will understand the implications of such a formula. Drifting is a symphony of steering, throttle, and brakes, and it requires input from the seat of your pants. It's second nature for some, but for those who want to learn, Aston Martin On Ice is your chance to learn from instructors.All Aston Martin V12 Vantage S 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 Andrew Nabors – December 07, 2016

Hamann Motorsport Unveils Upgrades for BMW M2

If you need something new for your potent BMW M2, if stock power is leaving you blue, then follow along as we sing you a song of carbon and boost pressure too. Hamann Motorsport has developed an entire accessory line for the BMW M2, and it looks as if the sun visors are the only parts they left in original form. By reverse engineering the body and engine, power has been increased and carbon fiber has infiltrated almost every surface. New front and rear diffusers work with spoilers along the rocker panels to control the air along the lower body. The trunk-mounted rear spoiler is available in carbon or body color and it has small winglets to reduce turbulence behind the car.To improve suspension response and along with appearance, Hamann has commissioned new 20" wheels in a forged one-piece design. Offered in silver or black, the staggered sets are 8.5" wide on the front and 10" for the rear. An optional set of lowering springs have progressive coils to remove 20mm of ride height. More grip demands more power, so a new ignition control module piggybacks between the engine and its computer to raise horsepower to 420 and torque to 390 lb-ft. A comprehensive exhaust package includes a new down pipe with high flow cats and a free-flowing muffler. Hamann is so proud of their efforts that insurance on the parts is available as part of the package. Capable of reaching 62 mph in 4.2 seconds, a Hamann equipped M2 will walk away from an E39 M5 without breaking a sweat.BMW For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2016

Lamborghini Centenario Spotted in Transformers: The Last ...

The upcoming movie "Transformers: The Last Knight" will be the fifth film in the Transformers cinematic saga. This film will be the final Transformers to be directed by Michael Bay, who has been behind all of the films since the beginning. One thing that he has always brought to the movies is action, great CGI and some radical cars.In "The Last Knight", we'll be seeing yet another great showing of cars, including the Lamborghini Centenario. While we've only been able to see the car from behind the scenes, the latest trailer shows us a glimpse of the Italian supercar in action. You can check out the trailer below to see the car for yourself.To see even more of the car, head to your theaters come June 23, 2017 when "Transformers: The Last Knight" is released.Get Movie Tickets Now

By Andrew Nabors – December 07, 2016

2016 Tampa Bay International Auto Show Recap

Of all the auto shows we attend each year, we save the most exclusive cars for our home base. The Tampa International Auto Show is produced by Motor Trend and it is a grand finale for their 2016 season. Just across the bay from our headquarter in St. Petersburg, it allows us to pull out all the stops for our local fans.Realizing the potential of our social media presence, we were given a prominent position directly behind the main entrance. To make sure we made an impression on the public, our matte gray metallic Audi R8 Spyder was placed at the base of the escalators. Next in was a two-tone matte and glossy Rolls-Royce Wraith, which was a challenge to maneuver between the food court and automobilia vendors.Lamborghini Sarasota gave us their flagship Aventador Roadster. The navy blue Italian has an interior of beige, which made a nice contrast against the convention center carpet. A new G63 AMG was provided by Mercedes-Benz of Tampa. As one of the biggest AMG dealers in the US, it was ordered with designo interior and all optional content. Saving the best for last, we delivered an Aston-Martin One-77 from HQ in our transport trailer. We move all types of classic and collectible cars, so we figured it would be close in size to other Astons, but the One-77 is wider than almost any of its competitors. Not taking any chances we used every strap and tie-down in the inventory to ensure the safety of this priceless supercar. With aggressive cam timing and throaty exhaust, this masterpiece grabs everyone's attention.The Tampa Show is a great way for us to reach out to locals. We made new friends who will become regulars at Cars & Coffee. A big thanks to our local dealers and our fans who support us at these events. As we get ready for the 2017 season, we wish you all Happy Holidays from us at the duPont REGISTRY.Sports Car For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2016

The World's First AWD American Muscle Coupe: 2017 Dodge C...

We've been hearing about it, but now it's finally here: the AWD 2017 Dodge Challenge GT. The American automaker is touting this as the world's first and only all-wheel drive muscle coupe from the United States.In a detailed press release from Dodge, released today, we learned the specifics of this new car. First off, being a muscle car we have to talk about its powerhouse. Under the Challenger GT's hood is Dodge's award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. This engine is capable of 305 horsepower at 6.350 RPM and 268 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 RPM. While those aren't Hellcat numbers, I'm sure there will be more potent versions on the way.Now, onto the new drive layout. The Challenger GT will feature the sale all-wheel drive system used in the Charger AWD, complete with active transfer case and front-axle disconnect. Sending the aforementioned power to all four wheels is the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. This AWD setup will be great for muscle car fans in the Northern states during the snowier seasons. To further the Challenger GT's abilities, Dodge has equipped the car with P235/55R19 BSW all-season tires and projector fog lamps.The 2017 Dodge Challenger GT will start production in January of next year and is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in Q1 It will come with an MSRP of $33,395, not including the $1,095 destination charge.Used Challenger Hellcat for sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 07, 2016

Ferrari FXX-K Goes Over 200 mph at Daytona

Record breaking laps are nothing new at Daytona, and it takes an impressive car to break the 200 mph barrier in the corners. Last weekend saw a massive gathering of Ferraris in the US, and one of the highlights was a demonstration of the XX program. What began as a racing version of the Enzo, each successive XX car has pushed the limits of automotive performance. Based on the LaFerrari, the FXX-K is the latest from Maranello, and it uses a race tuned V12 along with a more advanced KERS system to deliver 1,036 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque to the pavement. Stock car fans will be quick to tell you that Awesome Bill from Dawsonville holds the track record at 210 mph, but technology has far eclipsed the carbureted V8 from 1987.(Also Check Out - Last Ferrari LaFerrari Has Sold: Most Expensive 21st Century Car Sold at Auction)Only 40 examples of the FXX-K were built, so riding shotgun will likely remain a pipe dream. But one lucky passenger was fortunate enough to take his camera along for the ride. Reaching 200 mph is easy if you are running around the full circuit, but the road course comes down from the banking before Turn 1 and at the end of the super stretch.So, what we have is one of the fastest cars of all time. The FXX-K is able to reach NASCAR speeds on the road course and it makes it looks easy. The aero package is designed to make 1,190 lbs of downforce at 224 mph, but I don't know if I would be comfortable taking a million dollar hypercar through the bumpy transitions in turns 3 and 4. I paced the 2009 Daytona 500 in my Camaro, and the Bilstein HD's bottomed out a few times at only 70 mph. No doubt the FXX-K is capable of beating the track record, so we hope Mr. France invites them back for an encore performance.LaFerrari For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 06, 2016

Aston Martin AM-RB 001's Top Speed is Revealed, Sold Out

Thanks to Motoring.com.au, we now know a lot more about the upcoming Aston Martin AM-RB 001 hypercar. Firstly, that won't be it's real name, as Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer says the car will have a "sexy" name.As of now, the car will have a $4 million price tag, but if you're looking to get one, you're out of luck: it's already sold out.Here are the "fun bits" of information from the article in an easily digestible form: 1,000 kg weight Powered by a high-revving, naturally aspirated V12 engine (between 6 and 7 liters) The car we see is 95% of the final car The first prototypes will be on the road in 2017 Deliveries in 2018 Track version will be out after the road-going version Has "kind of a KERS system" Has direct steering Powered gullwing doors Seats are fixed, but the pedals and columns can be adjusted Have to crash test four cars Will have a riser system Construction consists of F1-technology carbons and Kevlar Top speed will be upwards of 250 mph Be sure to check out the full interview to learn even more about the car.All Aston Martins For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 06, 2016

Japan's Nissan R34 GT-R Highway Patrol Car is Real

The greatest GT-R unicorn spot could be this R34 GT-R filmed on the road in Japan. This, my friends, is a real Nissan R34 GT-R Japanese Highway Patrol car that is currently in operation. The uploader, Adam Zillin, notes in the video's description: "...complete with a uniformed and helmeted police officer pulled along side me on the highway tonight and cruised past on the Kan-Etsu expressway.(Related - 2017 Acura NSX vs 2017 Nissan GT-R: Which is Japan's Best Supercar?)He also went on to say that he's read about these cars and people have speculated that the car exists. However, he had only heard myths and legends about the existence of the car, but he can now confirm that the car DOES exist. Check it out for yourself in the video below.All Nissan GT-R For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 06, 2016

This New Lexus is LIT...Literally

A refreshed body is being introduced for the 2017 Lexus IS series, so in order to highlight the new design something bright was needed. Last year they used electroluminescent paint on the RC-F which displayed the driver's heartbeat. We thought nothing could top that build, but they have wowed us again. A new IS was covered in 41,999 LEDs, essentially turning the body into an HD display. Recording Artist Dua Lipa's latest music video features the car in action, responding to gestures and beats of the music.“A car as visually striking as the LIT IS required an equally dramatic debut,” said Brian Bolain, Lexus general manager of product and consumer marketing. “A music video was a perfect place to launch the LIT IS and working with Dua Lipa allowed the concept to come to life, putting a spotlight on the Lexus IS in an entirely new way.”When the IS gets fully "LIT," the car produces 175,000 lumens of light. If laid end to end the LED strands would stretch over a half-mile. The computer controlling the system has three operating modes. Attract mode uses curving gestures to highlight the contours of the new body. Music Viz takes cues from the soundtrack, turning the car into a brilliant oscilloscope. Gesture mode uses motion control from a gaming console to interpret and interact with movements of humans around the car.This level of electronic wizardry undoubtedly takes a toll on the 12v system of the car, but hopefully the current draw is under 1.21 gigawatts. In building concept cars, Lexus have always taken the road less traveled. We don't know how the LIT IS will be surpassed, but rest assured you will see it here on Autofluence.Lexus IS For Sale

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe