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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – November 21, 2016

Pricing for 2018 Mercedes-AMG GTs Revealed

In spring 2017, three new Mercedes-AMG GT models will be launched on the market. This includes the AMG GT Roadster, AMG GT C Roadster and AMG GT R.(Related - Revealed: New Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and GT C Roadster)The entry-level model of the three, the AMG GT Roadster, comes with a 4.9-liter V8 biturbo engine that produces 476 hp. In the middle is the AMG GT C Roadster at 557 hp, while the AMG GT R is the range-topping model at 585 hp. Below is the pricing for each of these models according to the Daimler press release, and approximate value in USD at the exchange rate at time of publishing this article.The prices for the three new sports cars at a glance (in Germany incl. 19 % VAT): Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster: 129,180.45 EUR ($137,099.21 USD) Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster: 160,650.00 EUR ($170,497.84 USD) Mercedes-AMG GT R: 165,410.00 EUR ($175,549.63 USD) Expect to see more precise MSRPs when Mercedes-Benz USA sends out their press release.All Mercedes-Benz For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 21, 2016

Audi R8 Crashes and Flips, Still Wins Race

This is a lesson in that even if you crash and burn, literally, you can still come out on top.At the recent Macau Grand Prix, Laurens Vanthoor was taking his Audi R8 around a corner at high speeds when trouble started. He seemed to have clipped a corner, causing his tail end to come out from behind this. Vanthoor immediately lost control, sending him into a wall. After the initial impact, air got beneath his car and lifted the nose up until the R8 was flipped onto its roof.(Related - Ten of the Luckiest Nurburgring Drivers and Their Near-Crashes)He slid for some time and onlookers watched in horror. After his car had settled fire could be seen on the stationary car. Luckily, Vanthoor escaped the wreck just fine, but what's even more incredible is that he escaped the wreck with a win.After the crash, the race was red-flagged and there was no time for a restart. Because of the situation, the winner of the race would be decided based on the standings of the previous lap, which Vanthoor was first place in. Therefore, Vanthoor won the race even though he crashed and ended the event.This is definitely a bizarre occurrence, leading many to be up in arms over his win. You can see the crash below.All Audi R8 For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 18, 2016

Amazon Prime $20 Off for The Grand Tour Launch - Today Only!

We're almost at that point in history when just about everybody should have an Amazon Prime account...or access to someone else's account. Not only do you get free shipping on most products on Amazon, you also get access to a lot of other features, including Amazon Video. But, most important, you can only watch The Grand Tour, featuring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, with Amazon Prime.To celebrate the show's launch, Amazon has cut the cost of Prime by $20 for today only. So, if you were holding out for a good deal, here it is. Click the button below to take advantage of this deal.Get Amazon Prime - $20 Off A Message from the Guys

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2016

Lamborghini Huracan Spyder Goes Rear-Wheel Drive

Lamborghini has regarded the rear-wheel drive version of the Huracan, the LP 580-2, as a purist's dream. But, this was a coupe version, leaving those who like to drive with the top down out of the fun. Now, Lamborghini has unveiled the Huracan RWD Spyder, allowing convertible Lamborghini fans to breathe easy.(Related - Doctor Strange Talks About His Lamborghini Huracan)“The rear-wheel drive Spyder enlarges the Huracán family’s core product range,” said Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali in a press release from the Italian automaker. “It offers the lifestyle appeal of open-air motoring with the pure thrill of rear-wheel drive engineering. This is a Lamborghini for those with a passion for life and the purest driving experience on the open road. It’s also a Huracán for those entering the Lamborghini family, wanting a true Spyder experience without compromising on the performance and dynamic handling of a rear-wheel drive car.”Powering the car is the naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine capable of 580 hp, all of which is sent to the rear axle. Being a convertible, you'd expect weight to be added on and you'd be right. This model weighs in at 3,327 lbs, while the base Huracan coupe weighs 3,135 lbs (192 lbs increase). To put more weight where the power is at, weight distribution is 40% in the front and 60% in the rear.Huracan Spyder Price, Specs, PhotosThe convertible aspect of the car consists of a soft top that can be raised or lowered at speeds up to 31 mph. The process of raising and lowering the top takes just 17 seconds.All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2016

New 2017 Rezvani Beast Alpha Makes World Debut

Rezvani Motors has pulled back the sheets on their anticipated Rezvani Beast Alpha-model at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In the revealing press release, Rezvani notes that the Beast Alpha "integrates the aggressive, streamlined approach used previously on a new, more mainstream vehicle." (Related - The Rezvani Beast on Jay Leno's Garage) The new features that make this Beast an Alpha include the Targa-style top, patented SideWinder doors, front fascia, side vents and a central exhaust port. As for the overall construction of the car, it's constructed out of carbon fiber and is built around an aluminum monocoque sourced from Lotus. It weighs in only 1,950 lbs. Now, for the really good bit: the power. Bringing the power is a 500 hp engine that was built by the Rezvani Motors team. It starts out as an Acura K24 block, but it rebuilt with a myriad of upgrades, including a high-performance turbo, specially made forged aluminum pistons, new camshaft profiles, an intercooling system and much more. With this power, the Beast Alpha can rocket from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds with the optional sequential transmission, and 3.4 seconds with the standard six-speed manual. Its top speed is stated to be 175 mph. If you're interested, the Rezvani Beast Alpha has a starting price of $200,000 and is now available for order.

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2016

The New and Very Limited Mercedes-Maybach S650 Cabriolet

You thought the Mercedes-Maybach S600 was luxurious? Then you ought to check out the new S650 Cabriolet, the first cabriolet from Mercedes-Maybach.(Related - Here it is: Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class Truck Revealed)In a press release, Daimler detailed the topless luxury car which was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. They note that this car "embodies modern luxury and represents the design philosophy of Sensual Purity: it is both hot and cool at the same time." Only 300 examples of the car will be created, with only 75 of them heading to the United States. Daimler notes that in the U.S., these three exclusive configurations will be available: Zircon Red exterior paint with a Porcelain / Black interior, Piano Lacquer Flowing Lines trim and a black soft top Cote d’Azur Blue exterior paint with a Porcelain / Saddle Brown interior, Magnolia Nut Brown trim and a beige soft top designo Diamond White exterior paint with a Porcelain / Yacht Blue interior, Magnolia Nut Brown Flowing Lines trim and a dark blue soft topThe Mercedes-Maybach S650 Cabriolet is equipped as standard with an exclusive travel luggage set from MAYBACH - ICONS OF LUXURY. "THE AFFINITY" set comprises two large travel bags as well as two lifestyle bags made of original vehicle leather. In terms of form and color – which are coordinated with the interior variant selected by the customer – the bag set is tailored to match the Cabriolet. The bags can be securely attached to each other with straps to enable optimum use of the space in the trunk. Polished and chrome-plated "1 of 300" lettering serves to highlight the level of exclusivity. Supplied as standard: exclusive fabric cover and certificate Just like the vehicles from Mercedes-Maybach, the elegant items of luggage from the license partner MAYBACH - ICONS OF LUXURY GmbH meet high standards in terms of design, materials and manufacturing. Elegant items of luggage: color-coordinated to match the interior variant As far as its engine goes, here's the breakdown: Mercedes-Maybach S650 Number of cylinders/arrangement 12/V Displacement (cc) 5,980 Rated output (hp) 612 @ 4,800-5,400 Rated torque (lb-ft) 738 @ 2,300-4,300 Top speed (mph) 155 Pricing and release date information was not included in the press release.All Mercedes-Benz S550 For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2016

Porsche Reveals Mid-Engined 911 RSR

Porsche has pulled back the sheets on the new 911 RSR, a mid-engined race car that will make its debut at the Daytona 24-hour race in January 2017. (Related - McLaren Officially Announces World's First Hyper-GT Car, F1 Successor) “While retaining the typical 911 design, this is the biggest evolution by now in the history of our top GT model,” said Head of Porsche Motorsport Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser in Porsche's press release regarding the car. And no, this isn't just a rehash of another GT car. According to Porsche, the suspension, body structure, aerodynamics, engine and transmission were all designed from scratch. As for the power of the four-liter flat-six engine mounted in front of the rear axle, it can put out around 510 hp, and this power is routed through a sequential six-speed gearbox. Also, for the first time, a Porsche GT race car has advanced assistance systems installed, including the radar-based collision warning system called "Collision Avoid System." In 2017, Porsche plans on taking the new 911 RSR out for 19 outing, which will come out to around 140 hours of racing. “We’re very well prepared for this,” says Marco Ujhasi, Head of GT Works Sport. “Since its first rollout in Weissach in March this year we’ve covered 35,000 test kilometres on racetracks in Europe and North America – that’s more than in the development of any other Porsche GT racer.” All Porsche For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2016

Lexus Has Created a Spicy Car: the Sriracha IS

Sriracha has become one of the most popular sources of edible heat in the United States. In fact, it's become so popular that you can find Sriracha in all sorts of forms, including salt, lollipops, chocolate and so much more. But we've never seen the hot stuff turned into a car...until now.Yeah, I'm not sure how this happened, but I'm kind of glad it did.“I feel so humbled to see my Lexus and Sriracha friends’ love for my hot sauce,” said David Tran, CEO and founder of Huy Fong Foods. “The Lexus Sriracha IS is really the perfect mix for a ‘hot’ and ‘spicy car’ – just the way I like it.”In a press release issued today, Lexus unveiled that they had taken the 2017 IS sports sedan and made it "spicier" through a slew of special features. Below are the features as the press release details them:Official Sriracha IS Paint Job Lexus experimented with a range of mixtures and methods—including adding Sriracha sauce to the paint itself—to create the Sriracha Red color, complete with flecks of chili-like flakes. The custom paint job was designed to mimic Sriracha sauce inside the bottle and topped with a clear coating.Sriracha-Injected Steering WheelA Sriracha-like liquid was cast in resin, then formed into a Lexus steering wheel, complete with a warning for “Hot Handling.”Sriracha Temperature SettingsThe settings for the seat warmers and AC/heating system have been upgraded to go from cool to Sriracha hot. Sriracha Driving ModeSriracha mode tunes the powertrain for faster gear changes and more dynamic throttle mapping.Handcrafted SeatsPlush leather seats are hand-embroidered with the Huy Fong rooster logo, the Sriracha IS logo and green accents.Sriracha IS BadgingCustom badging on the side, rear and door wells identify this model, while illuminated callouts under the passenger and driver’s doors add a level of exclusivity.Sriracha Green AccentsTouches of green are a signature element of official Huy Fong Foods products. Bottle-cap green details throughout the car include: Spindle grille outline Hand-painted calipers Interior cabin mood lighting Chrome side view mirror accents Hand-stitching on the seats Fully Stocked Trunk The trunk is stocked with 43 bottles of Sriracha for emergency condiment situations.Key Fob with Remote Emergency Sriracha Activation The key fob includes an emergency chili button that dispenses the sauce from a nozzle on the fob, so drivers are always prepared.All Lexus For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2016

McLaren Officially Announces World's First Hyper-GT Car, ...

It's finally happening: McLaren has officially announced a successor to the F1 and it's codenamed BP23. This name stands for Bespoke Project 2, with the "3" standing for how many seats it will have.In a press release issued earlier this morning, McLaren Automotive announced that McLaren Special Operations (MSO) would be creating the world's first Hyper-GT car. The English automaker notes that BP23 will be the "most exquisitely crafted and luxurious road-going McLaren to date."(Related - McLaren F1 POV Laps In Passenger Seat)“BP23 will borrow the three seat layout with the central driving position made famous by the iconic McLaren F1, and it will be housed in a streamlined, shrink-wrapped carbon fibre body of great elegance," said McLaren Automotive’s Chief Executive Officer, Mike Flewitt. "We are calling BP23 a ‘Hyper-GT’ because it’s a car designed for longer journeys, but with the high levels of performance and driver engagement expected of any McLaren. A hybrid powertrain will make it one of the most powerful McLarens yet created but the car will also deliver the highest levels of refinement, enabling significant journeys to be undertaken with up to three people aboard.”The designing of the car has already begun and the first examples of the BP23 will be delivered in early 2019. Only 106 examples of the car will be made, the exact amount of McLaren F1s produced. Future owners of the new car will be working with MSO to create their cars. The best part? The BP23 will have dihedral doors like the F1, but this time they'll be powered.Check back with us in the future to learn more about the McLaren F1 successor, codenamed BP23.All McLaren For SaleRelated Video:

By Edward Jones – November 15, 2016

New Arrinera Hussarya GTs Channel Polish Racing Heritage

Arrinera Racing has unveiled two examples of their new Hussarya GT at Brooklands that channel Poland's sporting ties to Britain.More specifically, these cars celebrate the feats accomplished by Eliot Zborowski and his son Count Louis in motorsports.(Related - Arrinera Hussarya 33 Revealed at Poznan Motor Show)Piotr R. Frankowski, Arrinera’s Competition & Marketing Manager, said in a press release issued today: “To see a pair of our Hussaryas here at Brooklands is a special moment, especially as they are resplendent in green. The feats of the Zborowskis and in particular Count Louis’ association with this true home of British motor racing is a fitting inspiration for a proud Polish company. In the Hussarya, we wanted to present a car that is beautiful, very strong and durable, easy to drive and maintain – and very safe.”The Arrinera Hussarya is powered by an LS7 V8 engine that's mated to a six-speed Hewland sequential racing gearbox. Surrounding this engine is a steel spaceframe that Arrinera says "mirrors the structures of Hurricanes and Spitfires in which Polish pilots made such a significant contribution to the allied air campaigns of World War II."

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