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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 Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 20, 2016

Audi's New Paint Shop is Efficient, Sustainable and Opera...

Back in April 2014, Audi started construction on a 129,000 sq-ft painting facility at their plant in Ingolstadt. The massive building officially opened for operation Tuesday, Sept 20. One of the most earth-friendly plant operations in the world, the new shop uses a combination of "air recirculation, dry separation and exhaust air cleaning," according to a company press release. This, combined with highly efficient workspaces and robot operation means painting each car amounts to 20 percent less in energy consumption.(Also Check Out - Revealed: 2017 Audi TT RS Coupé and Audi TT RS Roadster)Also notable are the employees. The new facility will operate with around 200 employees, all of which are provided ergonomic workspaces. These 200-something employees are joined by a fleet of robots, 98 of the to be exact. The robots will be responsible for painting, cleaning and handling. This equates to nearly one-third of the workforce being automated in the facility.Massive and highly efficient, the painting plant has the ability to paint upwards of 900 cars per day across three floors. With this highly efficient addition to an already futuristic plant, Audi is further cementing their commitment to building the factories of tomorrow. View All Audi For Sale Finish – inspection of the painted car body by an employee’s trained eye

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 16, 2016

Revealed: 2017 Audi TT RS Coupé and Audi TT RS Roadster

Audi officially introduced the most powerful TT ever, and it stands at the helm of its class. The new TT includes a completely new five-cylinder engine which is capable of putting out 44 horsepower-- the most hp ever produced in a TT vehicle.Audi RS Coupe / Roadster Specs Engine: 2.5 TFSI engine Horsepower: 400 hp (17 percent increase) Torque: 354 lb-ft 0-60: 3.7 seconds / 3.9 seconds Top Speed: 155.3 mph (optional 174 mph) Transmission: 7-speed S tronic w/ launch control Audi introduced both the RS Coupe and the RS Roadster edition of the car. Both models exude performance and handling with special features to make for a truly enjoyable drive. Both include a "grippy sport steering wheel" and both have bodies low to the ground to promote superior control around the curves. The sporty look continues through the interior. Buyers have the choice of aluminum or carbon interior trim and the engine, "starts directly from the steering wheel," taking a page from the Audi R8's book. Drivers have four driving mode options which range from the comfort of everyday driving to the dynamic characteristics of performance driving.Both vehicles are also equipped with the most innovative technology from Wi-Fi hotspots to a full-range infotainments system. Those riding in an RS can find out anything from weather to area gas prices with the touch of a button.Starting prices are 66,400 euros ($74,099) for the Coupe and 69,200 ($77,224) for the Roadster. View All Audi TTs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 26, 2016

Audi R8 Almost Crashes at the Ring

We have told you why you should buy an R8, but here is the best reason yet. The old north circuit of this hallowed track (Nordschleife) has claimed 78 lives and countless cars since 1928, which is why Eifeler888's crash footage has such a following. If you are reading this, you probably remember what cars were like without stability control and ABS. Everyone of us has had moments when power overcomes traction and your car takes you on a wild ride. In what has to be the best advertisement for Audi's quattro system, one brave spectator captured an R8 GT in an unscheduled drift.(Related: Koenigsegg One:1 Suffers Major Wreck, Explanation On What Happened)Cornering is fun with all-wheel drive, but toss in an elevation change and the tire's contact patch to the pavement becomes very small. The 2017 R8 uses the Huracan's electronic center differential to instantly transfer power front to rear. But the first generation models used a viscous coupling similar to the Diablo VT (Viscous Traction). It relies on clutch plates suspended in thick oil that are activated when the rear tires lose traction. While it might not respond as quickly as the new model, this video is proof that all-wheel Drive can be the difference between a soiled seat and a hospital bill.Although that noise of the end didn't sound too good...View R8's For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 14, 2016

Audi R8 e-tron Spotted Testing in Germany

Someone has stolen Tony Stark's Audi R8 e-tron. Either that or he has a poor security system, or Audi borrowed the car for testing on a Bavarian back road. Spotted by the keen eyes of AutoTopNL, the wold's next electric supercar was spotted in the forest near headquarters in Ingolstadt. The German luxury automaker is known for long development programs, and we can vouch for that. I spotted the A3 e-tron wagon leaving Volkswagen Group's top secret test lab (two blocks away behind Burger King) back in 2013. The production version was finally delivered to us for a week of testing back in March, and it didn't disappoint. The R8 e-tron has been shrouded in rumor and speculation as to range, pricing and launch date, so we hope this footage is proof that its ready for sale. Downstairs in our showroom resides a V10 powered R8 Spyder, and it is as close to automotive perfection as we have encountered. Even if the e-tron is only RWD, it will be a resounding success. Audi For Sale P.S. The chase car is an insane 800 hp S8, so stay tuned for updates

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 11, 2016

Audi A8 L Extended is Stretched to Fit Extended Family

Sometimes, more than just the space provided by the traditional sedan is needed, but a limo isn't always handy. Sometimes, a few extra seats, without having to succumb to the mini-van life or take on the expenses that come along with driving an SUV are desirable.Audi heard your pleas, and they answered. It took over a year to develop and build. It features an extra two doors and seats six people comfortably. It measures 20.9 feet.It is the Audi A8 L Extended.Thanks to low body weight thanks to the "Audi Space Frame design" made nearly entirely from aluminum, the versatile A8 L Extended features an extra 3.6 ft in length which offers an additional two seats, and two doors between the wheelbases. The passengers face the driving direction and are comfortably seated in "extra supple" Valcona leather. The exterior is finished in moonlight blue with a complimenting interior of velvet beige.As for performance, the extended sedan features an uncompromising 3.0 TFSI engine, which boasts 310 hp and 324.5 lob-ft of torque. The mini-limousine style sedan still pulls a 0-60 mph time in 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 155.3 mph. Not too shabby.Audi A8 Ls For Sale

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