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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 Jordan Aquistapace – April 11, 2023

BRABUS Reveals The New 900 Deep Blue Mercedes-AMG G63

Fitting the name of this special model, the bodywork was given a custom paint finish in “DEEP BLUE."

brabus mercedes amg g 63 4x4 squared.jpg

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 22, 2023

BRABUS Announces Upgrades For The Mercedes-AMG G 63 4x4 S...

Mercedes-AMG’s wildest G-Wagon gets the BRABUS treatment.

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2021

2022 BRABUS B50 Price & Specs Revealed

Once saucy Sonderklasse What happens when the BRABUS gets their hands on the new S-Class? Well, our friend Constantin Buschmann and his team have done it again. Their interpretation of full-size luxury involves acres of new leather and plush amenities that Mercedes can't or won't offer. If you are wondering what's under the hood, you will have 500 horsepower and 435 lb-ft of torque from the 3-liter straight six. This allows it to reach 62 mph in just 4.7 seconds, the same performance as an AMG S63 with much more refinement. This comprehensive upgrade is offered for current owners of the S500, or they can build a new example using a body-in-white supplied by Mercedes-AMG. It will arrive on their forged 21" wheels after being lowered an inch at each corner. Yokohama supplies the 305/30 series rubber and all the interior brightwork is anodized in dark nickel. The suspension is all-new as is the machined metals and piano black wood. This rolling office keeps you connected and relaxed for years, and its all backed by their OEM-level warranty. All parts are TUV certified and Brabus is ISO 9001 certified. Allow their master coachbuilders to work their magic for you by clicking the button below and stay with us for all your Brabus news. Browse Brabus For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 26, 2021

2021 Brabus B45 Packs A Big Punch

Never judge a book by its cover. The 2021 Brabus B45 packs a big punch in the world of compact luxury. After years of successful upgrades to the Mercedes-AMG four-cylinder engine, you will have 450 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque sent to all wheels. Based on the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, keeping the body mostly stock makes it a true sleeper. Their forged monoblock 20" wheels are lighter than stock, and they look perfect given the 1.2" drop of the adjustable coil-overs. Consistent runs to 62 mph only take 3.7 seconds, this is deep into supercar territory! All parts meet strict TUV certifications, and the car is backed by a 3 year/62k warranty. Click the button to order yours! Browse BRABUS For Sale Did you see our December Issue? It was a BRABUS double-header! Images (C) BRABUS

By Andrew Nabors – September 18, 2020

2021 BRABUS GLE 350de Hybrid Is Plug-In Perfection

Imagine a future where you can drive 66 miles on battery power, knowing you have a veritable powerhouse on standby. Now dress it up with improved aerodynamics and 23" forged wheels. There is no need to feel forlorn because the 2021 BRABUS GLE 350de is plug-in perfection. Because their builds are better quality than the mass-produced models from the assembly line, Mercedes-Benz allows BRABUS to offer more power and style while retaining all the perks of being a Mercedes-Benz customer. BRABUS Shadow 900 XC Cross Cabin Announced If you are reading this, you already know that BRABUS can't leave power on the table. That is why their GLE 350de sends 354 horsepower to all wheels. While that seems reasonable, you will also have 605 lb-ft of torque. That is 55 lbs more than a new Ford GT, and means this family SUV could pull trees out of the ground or tow your heaviest toys. This is thanks to their comprehensive PowerXtra system. It includes upgrades to the intake, their proprietary tuning, and new exhaust. To learn more, click the button to view BRABUS' inventory and have a great weekend. Browse BRABUS For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 02, 2020

Brabus x Alexander Laible Wine Collaboration

Brabus is best known for modifying Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, and Smart vehicles to look more aggressive while at the same time increasing output horsepower using specialty parts and tuning. They have recently piled into the Mercedes-Maybach Brabus 900 and headed towards the wine country in quest of a new project. The Brabus team has partnered with renowned wine creator Alexander Laible to produce and bottle their own modified version. Brabus understands from their business model if you want to be the best you have to work with the best. Alexander Laible is the Mercedes-Benz to the equation. The German winery received five world championships at The Vienna Wine Challenge and was labeled “ Best Riesling in Germany ” for the past two consecutive years. The 2019 Dry Riesling is titled “Atmosphere” and will be limited to 999 bottles, each repeatedly numbered on the label. The purchase of a Brabus high-performance vehicle would be the perfect occasion to open a bottle of Brabus x Alexander Laible Atmosphere to celebrate. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – July 29, 2020

New BRABUS GLB Revealed With More Power & Style

Hauling kids and groceries was once the job of the Minivan. Now that they are thankfully in the past, its time to embrace the ability of the Mercedes-Benz GLB. Our friends at BRABUS will take on any project, from 800 horsepower G-Wagens to an impressive Shadow Speedboat. From the factory, the GLB is a bit homely, so styling was their starting point. From stem to stern, their aero kit is better than OEM quality. A 2-piece front spoiler along with inserts to the lower intakes will scare traffic in front of you. What good is a crossover without a roof rack? The BRABUS Power Beams integrate LED bars to illuminate the trail ahead. They are also a great safety feature in bad weather, wired into the high-beam switch to not clutter the interior. Out back, the rear spoiler cuts down on wind noise, while the 3.5" quad-tip exhaust plays your soundtrack. Your choice of 18", 19" or forged monoblock 20" wheels can be had with Continental, Pirelli, or Yokohama rubber. The 20" wheels are 8.5" wide and designed for 255/40 tires. The BRABUS suspension was optimized for AWD traction and it rides 1.2" lower than stock. If you don't like going low, the BRABUS offroad kit raises all corners by 1.4". Under the hood, their new ECU allows the GLB to offer 267 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. If you want the ultimate Mercedes-Benz, BRABUS USA is ready to help. Click the link below and stay with us for all your BRABUS news. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – July 23, 2020

STARTECH Will Give Your Tesla Model 3 a Makeover

Do you like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain? Let's hope you don't have a new Tesla Model 3. It seems as if the rear bumpers are falling off when exposed to precipitation, but fear not. Our friends at STARTECH are about to make your Model 3 standout from the crowd. From the factory, the entry-level Tesla has styling that is conservative to say the least. Being the American division of BRABUS, they have already reverse-engineered the Model 3 to give it improved aerodynamics and an aggressive look. Starting with a drop, their coil springs are wound progressively to lower your car 30mm, or just over an inch at all around. This allows their 20" Monostar wheels to handle staggered 245 & 285 tires neatly inside the fenders. Learn More https://www.facebook.com/startechusa/videos/3583124471716371 Each part of their body kit is available separately if you don't want the full conversion. Going all in you will have new front and rear bumpers, 3-piece rear spoiler, LED center brake light, vented rocker panels, rear diffuser, and they will even color match your window stainless and door handles. Click the button above to find a STARTECH shop near you, and tell them where you saw this. You won't be disappointed, so stay with us for all your STARTECH news.

By Andrew Nabors – April 23, 2020

2020 BRABUS Ultimate E is fun For Two

Electric cars don't have to be boring. It seems to us that every manufacturer is in a battle to add range and options to their battery powered cars. That is why our friends in Bottrop chose to go another direction. As Germany's leading design and performance engineers, the 2020 BRABUS Ultimate E is fun ForTwo. Top 50 Best Sports Cars Of All Time Based on the Smart EQ ForTwo Cabrio, they have injected it with more power, premium leather, and carbon fiber. Starting where it counts, they reverse-engineered the 3-phase motor. We can't tell you what they did to make if more efficient, but it now offers 92 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. That is enough to reach 62 mph in 10.9 seconds. Due to the short wheelbase, the top speed remains limited to 80 mph, but that is plenty fast in such a small machine. Other goodies include 18" forged BRABUS wheels along with their Widestar fenders, rockers, and bumpers. If you want a Smart ride from BRABUS, click the button below and stay with us for all your BRABUS updates. Browse BRABUS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 16, 2020

BRABUS Unveils Powerful G-Wagen Configurator

Most automakers will allow you to build a car in a virtual realm. Our friends in Bottrop are always one steap aphead, so BRABUS has unveiled a powerful G-Wagen configurator. Now that the 4WD world has embraced overlanding, allow us to present the vehicle that started it all. The Geländewagen "terrain vehicle" has been conquring the world's toughest situations since 1979. Now that BRABUS offers so many custom options, their web team has built the fastest & most versatile configurator we've ever seen. With 9 pages for the exterior alone, choose from 3 power levels, standard body, or the gorgeous Widestar. Tell us how you would build yours in the comments below, and click the button to browse all BRABUS models for sale. View All BRABUS For Sale " width="680">

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