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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 – April 27, 2020

RM Sotheby's Monterey Moves Online

Anyone who has been to Monterey Car Week knows how packed it can be at the Portola Hotel. To say they have outgrown the location is an understatement, so RM Sotheby's has chosen to move their Monterey Auction online. In a press release earlier today, they cited valid concerns over contagious disease. The first annual "Shift/Monterey" is shaping up to be the world's largest online car auction. "The new Monterey auction format to be held on original sale week dates, with lots closing on 13–15 August 2020". If you are looking to add your car to the event, July 13 will be the final day to consign. As always, you can view all lots by clicking the link below, so stay with us for all your RM Sotheby's updates. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2020

Mecum Auctions Announces New "On The Move" Podcast

Nothing beats the fast paced action of a Mecum Auction. Because each event appeals to a wide demographic of collectors, you never know when a bidding war will erupt. These wars are caused by a few people having incredible knowledge of the car they want. However, we know that regardless of your personal tastes, everyone enjoys learning about cars and staying current on what's happening in the automotive world. That is why Dana Mecum and Company have announced their new "On The Move" podcast. It will be headlined by John Kraman, the main commentator for Mecum's NBC coverage. He will be joined by Matt Avery, Executive Producer of "The Transmission". Their goal is to provide 30 to 40 minutes every week covering upcoming events, industry trends, and insights from celebrity guests. Our friend Sam Murtaugh is the Vice President of Marketing and Presentation and had this to say: We’ve learned from research, direct contact at our auctions, and through all means of communication that our audience has an insatiable appetite for more information about Mecum Auctions and the collector car market from our inside perspective. With auctions taking place regularly throughout the year, more than 200 hours of original programming and 900 hours annually on NBC Sports Network, and the millions of people engaging with our brand at Mecum.com, we’re continuously looking for more ways to deliver fresh content to our existing audience in addition to introducing the Mecum brand to new audiences. Our podcast is the perfect extension to continue building our audience and providing even more content to those already engaged with Mecum." Episode 1 is already available, and it includes an interview with Consignment Director Frank Mecum who offers details for their next events. We have already subscribed, so click the button below and stay with us for all your Mecum news. Listen & Subscribe Here " width="680">

By Edward Jones – January 21, 2020

Lamborghini Veneno Roadster Heading to RM Sotheby's Paris...

Heading to RM Sotheby's upcoming Paris auction is the second of nine Lamborghini Veneno Roadsters ever built. It comes with just 450 km ( 279.6 miles) from new and has had only two owners from new. RM Sotheby's points out that one of the owners was actually a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family. This example of the extreme Veneno Roadster is finished in a Matte Black paint with green trimming found around the body. Inside is a lime green and black leather interior that matches to the aggressive body. If you're unaware of its powertrain, it boasts a 6.5-liter V12 engine that pushes out 750 horsepower. RM Sotheby's is expecting it to sell for an estimated €4,500,000 - €5,500,000 (around $4,990,000 - $6,100,000 USD). The auction will take place on February 5, 2020. For more information, click here. SEE ALL LAMBORGHINIS FOR SALE Image Source: Alex Penfold © 2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

By Andrew Nabors – January 20, 2020

Leake Auction's Scottsdale 2020 Top 5 Friday Sales

Sometimes its not easy being the new kid in town. But every once in a while, the new guy appears with swagger and confidence, and it revitalizes the neighborhood. Such was the case on Friday, as we glimpse at Leake Auction's Scottsdale 2020 top 5 sales. Backed by the full force of Ritchie Bros, their inaugural event saw some amazing cars change hands. Our friend John Staluppi decided to thin out his "Cars of Dreams" collection, so here are the overall top 5: 5. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6 Coupe sold at $75,000 Browse All Chevrolet Chevelle For Sale 4. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible sold at $77,000 Browse All Camaro For Sale 3. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible sold at $78,500 2. 1996 Lamborghini Diablo Coupe sold at $95,000 Browse All Lamborghini Diablo For Sale 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible sold at $100,000 Not bad for their first year! Tell us which one you like most in the comments below and stay with us for more Leake Auction updates. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 30, 2019

Bonhams Sells 25 Supercars for $27 Million in Geneva

It must be nice if your father is the President. It is really nice if he is in office for 4 decades and names you as his successor. Such is the case in the paradise known as Equatorial Guinea. Vice President Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue has expensive tastes, but the party is over. After a money-laundering investigation by the Swiss Government, Bonhams sold 25 of his supercars for $27,000,000 in Geneva. We would never expect corruption from a family that has been in power for 40 years. Staying in power by eating the flesh of your enemies is their claim to fame, even though half the nation has no water. We knew he was busted for some time, but an auction of this magnitude takes logistics and lawyers, if you also need the help of a lawyer go this website here to find the most reliable law firm. His estate also included a Gulfstream 5 Jet and a modest home in Malibu. Bonham's website only lists the 25 most significant cars, so the Associated Press listed the other details, and it was picked up by Gazette.com. 1998 Ferrari 550 1996 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster 1998 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur (Armored) 2007 Bentley Azure 2015 Ferrari F12tdf 2014 McLaren P1 2001 Bentley Arnage 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta 2011 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV Coupe 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder 2016 Brabus 900 Maybach S650 2011 Aston-martin One-77 2003 Ferrari Enzo 2010 Bugatti Veyron 2014 Lamborghini Veneno Roadster 2015 Koenigsegg One:1 2015 LaFerrari Browse Exotic Cars For Sale You don't need to be a corrupt dictator to have a nice car, so click the button above to browse our dealers' latest deliveries. Tell us which one you would bid on in the comments below, and stay with us for more coverage of this story. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 17, 2019

Mecum Auctions Louisville Preview

Calling all hot rods, muscle cars, and exotics in the Ohio River Valley! Mecum Auctions is en route to the Kentucky Exposition Center this weekend. That is why we are glad to have a sneek peek to the primetime lots. This year's Mecum Auction Louisville preview is loaded with everything a collector could ask for. Over 600 cars are up for grabs, with several Canadian consignments coming south before the winter. Browse MecuM Louisville Lineup When he wasn't advocating for a mid-engine Corvette, Zora Duntov built a radical 302 engine to power the Camaro in the Trans-Am series. Their limit of 5.0 liters didn't stop him from building a 9,000 rpm screamer and pushing it into production. That is why a numbers-matching 1969 Camaro Z/28 will start a bidding frenzy. The engine was advertised at 290 horsepower to keep the SS buyers happy, but a "DZ 302" makes much more above 6,000 rpm. Only 5% of the 1969 Z/28 models were ordered in black, so this car will fetch a pretty penny. Collector Emerson Russell is offering a dozen rides from his garage. They include a 1932 Ford 5-Window Hot Rod to an '84 Corvette. Also along for the ride will be a 1958 Eldorado Biarritz convertible, 1973 DeTomaso Pantera, 1941 Mercury convertible, and a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429. Admission is only $20 now or $30 at the gate. If you can't make it, the event will also be simulcast on NBC Sports and YouTube. You will be missing out, as their Monterey Auction kept us on the edge of our seats. Tell us which one of these will bring the most money, and stay with us for all your Mecum updates. " width="680"> Related: Mecum Monterey Recap: Almost $40 Million! Mecum Auctions Unveils Bullitt Hero Car at Monterey

By Andrew Nabors – August 29, 2019

Mecum Monterey 2019 Recap: Almost $40 Million!

Dana Mecum and Company never fail to put on a great auction. This year's Monterey event was no exception, as we watched a wide variety of classics and exotics cross the block. It took place on the Del Monte Golf Course, with almost $40,000,000 in sales. Starting with vintage bikes, a pair of Crocker small-tanks was composed of a 1936 that sold for $825,000, and a restored 1937 for $715,000. Carroll Shelby kept the last production small-block Cobra for himself, so the last one built to order was chassis CSX2588. It hammered at a whopping $1.05 Million. Next up was a low-mileage 2015 Porsche 918 Spider Weissach for $1.43 Million. After that, it was a Ferrari Frenzy. Only 200 examples of the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS were built, and Lot F122 went for $1.1. Next was a 2014 LaFerrari for $2.64, and the star of the show was a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 that caused a commotion. After the dust settled from a fierce bidding war, it sold for $2.75! The fast-pace is great fun to see in person, so we can barely wait for Kissimmee 2020. The star of that event will be the 1968 Ford Mustang GT Hero Car driven by Steve McQueen in Bullitt. If you won't be joining us, be sure to catch the live stream on YouTube, and stay with us for all your Mecum updates. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 20, 2019

RM Sotheby's Record-Breaking Monterey 2019 Auction

It was a wild week at Monterey. Perfect weather and amazing cars could be found around the peninsula, and it allowed our friends at RM Sotheby's to have a record-breaking Monterey auction. The total of the transactions is over $107 Million, and that figure is comprised of a few of the world's best cars. The Ming Collection of late-model Ferraris exceeded all estimates, and a James Bond DB5 went for $6.4 Million. Gord Duff is their Global Head of Auctions, and he commented: “While there was an undertone of measured restraint throughout all the auctions over the weekend, it was encouraging to see record-breaking results for many of the highlight consignments as well as for outstanding collectible, lower value examples in the auction. In particular, seeing the as-new Ming Collection sell with such broad enthusiasm and pre-auction interest, continues to show that client demand for near-perfect late-model examples remains as strong as ever. Coupled with equally impressive results for historically significant cars such as the Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, the James Bond Aston Martin DB5, and the Ferrari 250 GT SWB, we are confident that as long as the passion for collector cars remains, the market will continue to support it with price-reflective transactions.” With his comments in mind, let us examine the top 10 sales of their 3-day event: 10. 2014 Pagani Huayra Tempesta "Scozia" - $2,040,000 9. 1969 Ferrari 365 GTS - $2,205,000 8. 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari - $2,947,500 7. 1995 Ferrari F50 - $3,000,000 6. 2006 Ferrari FXX - $3,520,000 5. 1960 Porsche 718 RS 60 Werks - $5,100,000 4. 1965 Aston Martin DB5 "Bond Car" - $6,385,000 3. 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype - $7,650,000 2. 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta - $8,145,000 1. 1994 McLaren F1 'LM-Specification' - $19,805,000 What do these values represent for our hobby? We'll leave the speculation up to you. If you don't want to go through the bidding process, you have a great tool at your fingertips. Click the link below to browse the world's best resource for exotic cars, and stay with us for all your Monterey news. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 13, 2019

Mecum Auctions to Offer 600 Collector Cars in Monterey

If you enjoy the excitement and variety that Mecum Auctions is known for, get ready for something unprecedented. All hands are on deck, as they are planning to sell 600 cars in 3 days. Located at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, this impressive display will grace the lawns of the Del Monte Golf Course. In a press release earlier today, we've learned that Dana Mecum and his wife Patti are offering their 1954/59 Ferrari 0432M. It wears a body by Scaglietti, so keep an eye on Lot F113. Also from their collection is a 1952 Allard J2 Roadster that was driven to victory lane by Carroll Shelby. Thus being the inspiration for the Shelby Cobra. 1954/59 Ferrari 1952 Allard Other notable lots include 11 cars from Hot Rod icon Blackie Gejeian. They include several winners of the "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" award. "The Emperor" was a George Barris build for Chuck Kirkorian, and the 1927 Dick Williams Roadster will fetch a small fortune. The Emperor 1927 Dick Williams Ford Roadster The first production 2005 Ford GT will battle against a LaFerrari for top honors, and the final 1953 Corvette (#300 of 300 built) will cause a bidding frenzy. Expect to see a1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster, 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged, and a pair of 1947 Delahayes. Be sure to tune in to their YouTube channel to follow the action, and stay with us for all your Mecum updates. Here are the top sellers from last year to give you a preview: " width="680"> Related: Mecum Monterey 2019 Preview: Hypercars, Supercars, and More Record-Setting Ford GT to be Offered at Mecum Monterey

By Andrew Nabors – January 22, 2018

Chevrolet Auctions Two Corvettes For Over $2 Million

If you have never seen the primetime action at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, it is a bidding frenzy of epic proportions. Chevrolet brought 2 very significant Corvettes to help Veterans charities. First up was the Carbon 65, which is a snazzy anniversary model based on the Z06. In order to raise awareness for his Military Service Initiative, President Bush signed the car and dropped the hammer. The press release says the winning bid was $1.4 Million by our friend John Staluppi, the owner of Atlantic Auto Group. If you ever get an invitation to see his collection in North Palm Beach, don't pass on such a rare opportunity. Limited to 650 vehicles globally, and available on Grand Sport 3LT and Z06 3LZ trims, the Carbon 65 Edition features visible carbon fiber exterior elements, a new Ceramic Matrix Gray exterior color and special interior appointments, including a new carbon fiber-rimmed steering wheel.

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