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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

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

By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2020

Aston Martin DBX Arrives at Aston Martin Tampa Bay

By all standards, the first SUV from Aston Martin is poised to shake up the market for luxury utilities. We will jump behind the wheel later this week and try to contain our enthusiasm because the Aston Martin DBX has arrived at Aston Martin Tampa Bay. Being big has its advantages, as Aston Martin Tampa Bay is the flagship brand of Dimmitt Automotive. Only 2 miles away from us, we cooperate on events and social media to promote their brands. For a quick refresher, the 2021 Aston Martin DBX is a family machine with All Wheel Drive. Power comes from the bulletproof Mercedes-AMG 4.0L twin-turbo paired to a 9-speed automatic. Browse Dimmitt Automotive Inventory The manufacturer boasts a 0-62 mph time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 181 mph. We will give it a proper review in the next few days, so stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. https://www.facebook.com/DimmittUltraLuxCars/videos/533404560717636/

By Andrew Nabors – November 06, 2019

Aston Martin Reveals DBX Interior & Pricing

What we thought was a battle is now a World War. Luxury SUV buyers only had a few options until recently, so leave it to England to turn up the heat. Backed by the might and majesty of their Royal Warrant, Aston Martin have revealed the DBX interior and pricing. The 2021 Aston Martin DBX will be formally revealed on November 20th in Beijing. Until then, we can see acres of leather under a panoramic roof. Riding on a new chassis, it will be powered by a Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V8. Browse All Aston Martin For Sale Years of development have prepared it to take on the world, at a reasonable price of $189,900. The order books are now open, so click the button above to find our Aston Martin dealer near you. Related: Aston Martin DBX Luxury Accessories Announced Aston Martin DBX Arrives in December

By Andrew Nabors – September 25, 2019

Aston Martin DBX Arrives in December

Watching the evolution of luxury SUVs is like high-stakes poker. The players are well known, but uncovering your opponent's strategy can make or break your profitability. Thankfully, Aston Martin has an Ace up their sleeve, in the form of the Mercedes-AMG V8. In a press release this morning we learned that the Aston Martin DBX will arrive in December with unprecedented performance. Browse Aston Martin For Sale Relentless testing at the 'Ring has allowed it to perform consistent laps under 8 minutes. This is possible because the DBX has endured more real-world testing than any Aston Martin. Once the suspension was sorted out, they realized it could handle more power. Turning up the boost, it will arrive with 550 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Not only does this make it their most powerful V8 in the lineup, but it will also raise the bar for others to follow. Click the button above to find a dealer near you, and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. " width="680"> Related: Aston Martin Builds 1st Cars From New Plant

By Andrew Nabors – June 11, 2019

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation will Launch at Le...

One of the most brutal races will take place this weekend. The 24 Hours of LeMans will be a test of the world's best cars, and Aston Martin is poised to offer an unprecedented machine. The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation will launch at LeMans. It is a faithful resurrection of a very worthy racing machine, of which only 19 will be offered. It is the culmination of many late nights and countless hours to build a street-legal version of the original. As the cornerstone of their 100th anniversary, it also celebrates over 50 years of collaboration with Zagato. The prototype was finished in Rosso Maja paint with Obsidian Black leather. Under the hood is a 4.7L straight six that offers 390 horsepower to a 4-speed manual transmission. Of course, it has a limited slip differential and an FIA approved Roll Cage. Borrani wheels are a great finishing touch, and it would be great to see one of these take on a classic Ferrari in a vintage showdown. If you were not chosen to purchase of these 19 cars, we have a few original examples of the DB4 for you to enjoy. Click the link below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin DB4 FOr Sale " width="680"> Related: Only Road-Legal Aston Martin Vulcan Taking Part in Gumball 3000 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond Continuation Update

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2019

Aston Martin DB5 James Bond Continuation Update

Last year, we told you about their wild plan. Aston Martin and EON Productions are teaming up to build 25 movie stars. Taking inspiration from Agent 007, they will allow you to reenact your favorite automotive scenes. This limited run is getting closer to production, so here is an Aston Martin DB5 James Bond continuation update. Using original blueprints, each car will be a new 1964 DB5. That is quite an effort itself, but they didn't stop there. Oscar-winning special effects wizard Chris Corbould OBE is developing new versions of the gadgets used in Goldfinger. It was also the star of Thunderball, along with the recent Daniel Craig trilogy. If you are looking for your own classic Aston Martin, click the link below Aston Martin For Sale Related: Aston Martin to Recreate James Bond's DB5 Lego James Bond Aston Martin DB5 Announced

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2019

Aston Martin Unveils DBS Superleggera Volante

If you want to learn how to improve upon perfection, ask Aston Martin. Their flagship is a masterpiece of carbon fiber and horsepower. There was only one aspect it was lacking, a convertible top. And now the wait is over as Aston Martin has unveiled the DBS Superleggera Volante. An 8-layer soft top was tested in Death Valley and the Arctic to simulate 10 years and all weather conditions. It is the first time customers can choose carbon fiber for the windshield frame and the deck lid. In order to provide the same level of performance as the coupe, many reinforcements were added to critical areas. Starting with the transmission tunnel, a new carbon fiber torque tube is connected to a new 8-speed automatic. It has more aggressive gearing for snappy acceleration, and hardened internals for longevity. Under the carbon fiber hood is the same twin turbo V12. It offers 715 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, but here is the real shocker: it makes 664 lb-ft of torque at only 1,800 rpm. That glorious grunt is available all the way to 5,000 rpm. This insane torque is something that small V8 twin turbos will never be able to compete with. Like Carroll Shelby said: "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." Using your left foot to brake-boost a launch, you will be pinned to the hand-stitched seats. It is the fastest convertible Aston Martin has ever built, with a top speed of 211 mph. It only takes 3.6 seconds to reach 62 mph, so Aston Martin have raised the bar for convertible supercars. Deliveries will begin this fall, so click the link below for all the information from our dealers. Find Your Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Here! " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 28, 2019

Two Tom Brady Signature Edition Aston-Martin Vanquish For...

If you are feeling Patriotic about the Big Game, we have two rare Aston-Martins for you. Only a dozen were built, and we have two Tom Brady Signature Editions Aston Martin Vanquish Volante for sale. Both are convertibles and both have low mileage so they would look amazing at the Valet Stand in Foxborough. Tom Brady said: “It was an easy decision to go with the Vanquish S for the special edition - it is an incredible car to drive and is truly a work of art. Going through the process of curating a unique Aston Martin has been fascinating. We started with a blank canvas and finished with this beautiful car. It’s been great to see it all come to fruition and I’m proud to share a name with it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!” I covered the announcement of this exciting collaboration two years ago, and our fans from New England went wild. Tom and his wife Giselle worked with Aston-Martin's Q department to design a gorgeous car. Aside from Tom's signature, these cars have custom colors inside and out. Our first example is from Bill Dean, at Dean Team Luxury Autos. It has 114 miles and is listed at $272,950 Click Here To View Listing The next one is from Cleveland Motorsports, and it only has 14 miles on the odometer. The ultimate ride for Patriot Nation, click these links to compare them. Click Here To View Listing Tell us your favorite Aston Martin in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – December 12, 2018

Aston Martin Valkyrie V12 Screams to 11,000 RPM and Horse...

In order to power their Valkyrie Hypercar, Aston Martin realized they needed help. If you want an F1 engine for the street, Cosworth is the only answer. In a press release this morning we've learned a few details of the new V12. Several goals were set before any parts were cast. The engine and transmission must be strong enough to support the suspension, essentially being part of the chassis. Ford & Cosworth Unveil Ken Block's Latest Ride Weight was also a concern, as V12 and light are not normally seen in the same sentence. Their goal was 200 kg, and it came in at 206 kg or 454 lbs. Even the best timing chains will stretch and explode above 9,000 rpm, so Cosworth went back to basics. The cams and accessories are driven by gears on the crankshaft. This old hot-rodder trick has been around since WW2 but they create harmonics in the top end at certain RPMs. Hear the Aston Martin Valkyrie Their solution was to simply raise the RPM, tuning them out by going faster. So the new 6.5-liter makes 1,000 horsepower at 10,500 rpm. Once the hybrid system is finalized we will be looking at one of the world's most powerful cars. Learn about the engine's development in the Carfection film below, and stay with us for all your Aston-Martin updates. View All Aston Martin For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 20, 2018

Aston Martin to Recreate James Bond's DB5

When Aston Martin announced a new run of their DB4 GT, enthusiasts and collectors pounced on the opportunity. It seems they tapped into a niche market that is willing to pay for new examples of timeless classics. The best agent of MI6 has always been 007, and he has driven the wheels off of them in 7 James Bond films.LEGO James Bond Aston Martin DB5 Kit AnnouncedSean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig have saved humanity thanks to the abilities of the DB5, so Aston Martin has caved to the world's demands. Working with EON Productions, they have announced in a press release that 25 new 'Goldfinger Continuation Edition' cars will be created. Each example will have working Bond gadgetry from the third film, along with Silver Birch paint.Production will begin next year at their Newport Pagnell assembly plant, the same location that turned out the original DB5 over half a century ago. A new DB5 can be yours, starting at $3.5 Million dollars. If you take into consideration what price the originals are going for, this is a bargain. Your MI6 pension will cover the taxes, but if you want the latest in technology click the link below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin updates.Browse Aston Martin DB11 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2018

Aston Martin Celebrates 60 Years of the DB4

It is hard to believe one of the world's most iconic cars is 60 years old. David Brown and his team at Aston Martin unveiled the first example in 1958, and it shook up the sports car marketplace. To celebrate the anniversary, the Aston Martin Owners Club is calling for a DB4 reunion at Hampton Court Palace. There will be a Concours of Elegance show starting on the 31st and running until Sunday afternoon.2018 Aston Martin DB11 Specs, Price, Photos & ReviewThe guest list includes examples of each generation of DB4, including the GT, Zagato, and Bertone bodies. They will be joined by the new DB4 GT Continuation series which will be available soon. Of course, the factory is sending the latest DB11 and DBS Superleggera to show the DB bloodline is pure and potent. If you don't have plans for labor day weekend, pack your bags for England to see this epic gathering, or just stay with us for complete coverage.Find Your Aston Martin DB11 Here!

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