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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 – August 13, 2019

Canepa Group to be N. American Representative for T.50 Su...

Canepa Group has been selected as the North American representative for the upcoming Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 supercar. You may know the name Gordon Murray if you're a fan of the McLaren F1, a supercar that he designed. Now, he's coming back into the automotive world in a big way. The T.50 is set to be an extremely lightweight supercar with a target weight of just 2,160 lbs. Match that weight with a 3.9-liter V12 that puts out 650 horsepower and you have the recipe for a truly brilliant supercar. Gordon Murray “Cars are meant to be driven, and this may be one of the most exciting road cars ever designed. I am both honored and excited to be a part of this amazing project,” says Bruce Canepa. As for what Canepa Group's role in this, they will be handling customer support for the new supercar from the beginning to end. This includes sales, importation, service/maintenance and warranty. If you're interested in purchasing a T.50 supercar, be sure to contact Bruce Canepa at (888)-715-2112 or bruce@canepa.com. Act quick, because only 100 examples of the T.50 are planned to be created. learn more about canepa

By Edward Jones – August 13, 2019

New Rezvani Tank X is a Demon-Powered Beast

Rezvani is rolling forward with no advancements for their Rezvani Tank model and it's culminated in the new Tank X. What puts the "X" in this new model name? Quite a few things but the most notable addition will be a freakin' 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that you've seen in cars like the Dodge Demon. Yes, that engine. But wait, you're probably thinking the Tank X has 840 horsepower. Right? Wrong. They actually tuned the engine up to 1,000 horsepower because why not. It's the Tank X, after all. Aside from the engine, there are, of course, a long list of other additions. Take the new off-road package, which adds FOX off-road suspension or the massive 8 piston brake calipers found in the high-performance brake system. You can learn more about this beast of an SUV by visiting RezvaniMotors.com.

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2019

Bentley Develops Augmented Reality for the EXP 100 GT

Bentley's 100th Anniversary masterpiece is unlike any other car. As a preview of where Grand Touring will be in 2035, Bentley fans have been clamoring to learn every detail. That's why their latest App allows smartphone users to experience the car in 3d using augmented reality. Initially available at select dealers, it is also available from the app store. Interact with the luxurious interior in full scale, or manipulate the moveable details in a 3:4 desktop version. The key to the car's viability is autonomy. The Bentley Personal Assistant will learn your preferred routes and settings for various systems. If this virtual world is a preview of the future, it looks as if Bentley is leading the way. Until then, you should bide your time in the latest Continental GT. Click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Bentley News. Browse Continental GT For Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – August 07, 2019

Fab Fours Offering $200 Rebate on Wrangler Parts This Month!

Ok Jeepers, you have been good all year. It might not be Christmas, but our friends at Fab Fours want to reward their customers. Only valid on purchases this month, you will receive $200 back after the purchase of a JK/JL or JT front bumper, exterior accessory, or body armor. This is only open to residents of the U.S. and Canada, and your invoice must be submitted by September 30th. This is a no-brainer for several reasons. Not only has Fab Fours raised the bar for Jeep accessories, but their products are also made in the USA and backed by great customer support. Their front fender system, ViCowl, front bumper, LED rock sliders, rear fender system, and the body armor will keep your Jeep safe in any situation. Calling all Gladiators! If you need to prepare for battle, Fab Fours has also built the most intense Gladiator you will ever see. It transforms the Jeep Pickup into a brutal & capable off-road machine. Their new Overland Rack has 10 integrated pod mounts and multiple tie-downs. It has a 500 lb capacity with the 2 included crossmembers, and it can support a solid floor by purchasing an optional 3rd crossmember. All Fab Fours parts are painted and/or powder coated for years of rust-free Jeeping. They utilize the latest in waterjet and CNC tooling at their headquarters in Lancaster, South Carolina. While Jeeps are their core customer base, Fab Fours also fabricates upgrades for Chevy/GMC, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, and Toyota. Click the link below to visit their site and stay with us for all your FF updates! Visit Fab Fours https://www.facebook.com/fabfours/videos/401333660507366/ Related: Fab Fours Gladiator Heading to Daytona Jeep Beach Fab Fours New Raptor Bumper Adds Aggression

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 29, 2019

Wheels x Wardrobe: MURCI

The balance of style, beauty, and aggressive nature that a Lamborghini possesses is hard to match. And there’s very few cars out there that show those traits better than the iconic Murcielago. This raging bull has a beauty and an intimidating stance that can only be matched by an equally modern, edgy and luxurious outfit that lets everyone you see know who you are and what you’re about, if they didn’t already get that from what you’re behind the wheel of. THE RIDE: Lamborghini Murcielago Lamborghini Murcielago: Curated SHOP MURCI's THE WATCH: Franck Muller Vanguard™ Racing franckmuller.com SHOP WATCH THE BRACELET: Nexus Leather Bracelet, Sterling Silver miansai.com SHOP BRACELETS THE SHADES: Saint Laurent SL M23/K luxury.zappos.com SHOP SHADES THE JACKET: GUCCI Printed Perforated-Leather Bomber Jacket mrporter.com SHOP JACKET THE SHIRT: Helmut Lang Logo Heart Graphic T-Shirt SHOP SHIRT THE BELT: VETEMENTS 3cm Black Logo-Embellished Leather Belt mrporter.com SHOP BELT THE JEANS: CLOSED straight leg jeans farfetch.com SHOP JEANS THE SHOES: Anel Racer ARSY - 0002 anelracercollection.com SHOP SHOES

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By Andrew Nabors – July 26, 2019

Murcielago Manuals Have Become Million-Dollar Lamborghinis

Walk into any dealership and ask for a manual transmission. The confused salespeople will not know how to respond. So far in 2019, the Corvette and the Mustang GT500 have lost their 3rd pedal. I bought a six-speed CTS-V because it was a stick, and I'm sure many of you love the excitement shifting offers. When it comes to the last Lamborghini flagship, we are losing them at an alarming rate. Our friend John Temerian pulled the numbers for the last V12 manual transmission cars, and many are in bad shape. That is why Murcielago manuals have become million-dollar Lamborghinis. This is as rare as a unicorn. A pristine 2007 Murci with only 3,100 miles. It is one of 19 LP640 coupes with a manual transmission. It is All Wheel Drive, and loaded with every option. Curated has a complete history since new, and it has no signs of wear inside or out. You can't say you aren't intrigued! The e-Gear transmission was a leap too far, and they are showing their age with expensive maintenance costs. If you have the means, a stick shift Murcielago would be a perfect daily driver, so click the link below at a regular basis to find one for yourself. buy this murcielago now Related: 2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia Six-Speed History by VinWiki Lamborghini Murcielago Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2019

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport & 935 will Debut at Spa

One of the most famous races in history will take place this weekend. Nestled in the Ardennes forest of Belgium, the 24 hours of Spa dates back to 1924. It is viewed by millions around the world, so we're glad to learn that the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport and the 935 will debut at Spa. Both cars are prominent contenders in the GT2 class, but they are cut from a different cloth. We first saw the 935 when it was unveiled at RennSport Reunion VI at Laguna Seca in 2018. It was inspired by Moby Dick, the legendary 935/78 that was built for Le Mans. Under the long rear deck is a 3.8L 700 horsepower twin-turbo flat-six based on the GT2 RS. The carbon fiber body is optimized for high speeds, and Porsche is only building 77 examples. Alongside will be the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport. It is a track-only, hardcore version of the GT2 RS. Like the 935, it also has 700 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. It is more affordable than the 935, and production will be limited to 200 cars. While they are battling against the other GT2 series cars, nine examples of the 911 GT3 will be fielded by teams from around the world. Six cars will be GTE-Pro class and the other three will be the new 911 GT3 R fielded by Rowe Racing. Tell us which car you like the best in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Find Your Porsche 911 Here! " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2019

Petersen Museum to host Zora Duntov Corvette Tribute Weekend

Zora Arkus-Duntov was an automotive genius. After barely escaping the Nazi invasion, he and his brother invented an overhead cam conversion kit for the Ford flathead V8. His ARDUN heads are worth a fortune today because they doubled the power of the engine. His shop was not far from the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, so he decided to check out the 1953 concept car in the lobby. What he saw was a sports car powered by a six-cylinder engine with a lame 2-speed automatic. He wrote Chevrolet a letter addressing the Corvette's issues, and they hired him to fix it. The rest is history and he retired in 1975. To recognize the father of the Corvette, the Petersen Museum is hosting a Zora Duntov Tribute Weekend. Roger Penske, Zora Duntov, & Augie Pabst (c) General Motors It kicks off Saturday night at 7 pm with a VIP dinner. Attendees will be treated by food and entertainment while being surrounded by Zora's Corvette Prototypes. Guests will be able to interact with the new 2020 Corvette Stingray. Sunday starts at 7:30 am at the ArtCenter in Pasadena. Corvettes from around southern California will enjoy a scenic rally to the Petersen Museum for a massive Corvette show and Panel Discussion. Click the link below for all the info and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Event Landing Page He always wanted a mid-engine supercar, so here is the first prototype being assembled: " width="680"> Related: 2020 Corvette Stingray Revealed 2020 Corvette Visualizer lets you Order Your Car

By Andrew Nabors – July 19, 2019

2020 Corvette Visualizer lets you Order Your Car

Change is inevitable, even for America's Sports Car. Chevrolet says only one part was carried over from the C7, probably something trivial like the seatbelt buckle. Giving interior and exterior design teams a clean slate to work with, they have developed more options than any other GM vehicle has ever offered. They refer to the configurator as a "visualizer" since it allows for HD photos of your future car. The best feature is that the 2020 Corvette Visualizer lets you order the car. Once you are done, the virtual car is sent to your local dealer. Once the ink is dry, your car will be stored in the data center at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant as the earlier orders are fulfilled. So without further adieu, here are the options for the new Corvette. Seats: 3LT Interior: We chose the 3LT interior because it looks and feels amazing. Almost every surface is covered in Nappa leather, and the GT2 seats are standard equipment. GT2 Seats with Napa Leather and Carbon-Fiber Trim Custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Suede-Wrapped Upper Interior Trim Leather-Wrapped Lower Doors Interior Color Choices: Z51 Performance Package Z51 Performance Package Highlights: Michelin® PS4 Performance 3 Season tires† Standard FE3 Performance Suspension Available FE4 Suspension with Magnetic Ride Control™ Larger 345 mm front and 350 mm rear brake rotors Extra cooling with additional rear-mounted third radiator Electronic Limited-Slip Differential Larger rear spoiler provides up to 400 lbs. of downforce Performance exhaust and intake offers 495 horsepower Engine Covers: Wheels: Exterior Trim: Stripes: Paint: Last but not least: Roof Panels So, we need to hear from you. Are there simply too many options? Tell us how you would build yours in the comments below and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Build Your 2020 C8 Corvette Stingray Here!

By Edward Jones – July 18, 2019

Goodwood Festival of Speed in Photos: On the Track

Goodwood Festival of Speed in Photos: On the Track Our friend and photographer Taylor Shenuski was out at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to capture every moment. From the track to behind-the-scenes, he photographed all of the happenings at the event. For this feature, we compiled some of of his photos that have cars on the track as their subject. Check them all out be sure to follow @tshenphotography for more of his incredible photos.

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