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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 – October 12, 2017

McLaren Special Operations Unveils Two Unique Builds

You can't be everything to everyone. Some automakers try to satisfy every type of customer. It dilutes their lineup and makes for a bland dealership. When it comes to McLaren, their products are split between the Sports Series and Super Series. Each model can be tailored to meet the demands of its owner by McLaren Special Operations. Until now, we thought there was a limit to their expertise...In a press release early this morning, MSO has entered a new realm. One lucky buyer has been taken behind the scenes in order to fulfill his wildest dreams. Instead of custom colors or embroidery, his commission was to build two unique cars from the ground up. The result of these custom builds are the MSO R Coupe and MSO R Spider. Each car is a harmony of liquid silver and visible carbon fiber. Delta red pinstripes are continued as contrast stitching on the black Alcantara interior. Looking closely we see traces of the 650S Spider along with the roof intake of the 675 LT. The aerodynamic bits are one of a kind, which will make these cars priceless to collectors.Of course, they have matching wheels, but the similarities are more than visual. Both engines were blueprinted and the exhaust ports were polished by hand. This process is more than building an engine by hand. Evert surface is verified in 3 dimensions before assembly. A master engine builder checks tolerances for each bearing and every part of the top end. Because the turbochargers run on exhaust flow, matching each port to the manifolds is one of the best ways to make power. Imagine an artist carving a statue from marble. It takes years of experience and countless hours to match the ports. One mistake and the cylinder heads are toast. This one fact alone raises McLaren Special Operations above any other competitor.This also serves to make sure both cars make the same power. The MSO R Coupe and Spider are rated at 679 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Titanium exhaust incorporates a crossover pipe for scavenging. No detail was too small. Both keys are MSO R branded. The instrument panel and displays are a unique IRIS screen. Congratulations to the discerning owner who challenged McLaren to raise the bar for the entire industry. If you want to experience this level of customer service, click on the link below to find a dealer near you and stay with us for all your McLaren updates.Search McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 10, 2017

Lamborghini Looks Back On LM002 And Anticipates The Urus

It's finally happening! After a quarter-century, Lamborghini will be back in the SUV business. In a press release last night, we have learned that December 4th will herald the arrival of the Urus SUV on sale in 2018. As the spiritual successor to the Rambo Lambo for sale, remembering the LM002 is essential to understand the motivation for the new model. It began with a request by the Italian armed forces for a homegrown off-road utility vehicle. The LM001 concept was known as "Cheetah", and used a rear-mounted V12. Troops and gear needed room, so the next few ideas moved the engine to the front and added triple Torsen differentials. What began as an idea in the 70's was launched in 1986 as the LM002. Only 300 examples were built in a production run that lasted until 1992. READ: LAMBORGHINI LM002 SPECS, PRICES, PHOTOS So your Lamborghini Dealership needs a Halo Car? Lamborghini doesn't need to call any attention to themselves, but the LM002 has been proven to be worthy of anyone's garage. The body is aluminum and fiberglass, and the V12 engine is the same Quattrovalvole example found in the Countach. We have been teased by rumors and renderings of the Urus for over a year. As the launch approaches, Lamborghini has given it a landing page and the hashtag #SinceWeMadeItPossible Whatever its final form, you can bet it will be impressive, and you will see it first here on Autofluence. Stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Search Lamborghini LM002 For Sale

911 Targa 4 GTS, 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet und 911 Carrera 4 GTS

By Edward Jones – October 10, 2017

Porsche Subscription Program Launched, On-Demand Access t...

Since ride-sharing via a mobile app came around (think Lyft or Uber), many companies are hopping on the "on-demand vehicle" trend. Porsche is that latest to venture into the world on on-demand cars with Porsche Passport.This new service allows members to have access to Porsche sports cars and SUVs through a mobile app. The perks of the month-to-month membership to Porsche Passport includes "frequent vehicle exchanges, unrestricted mileage, and on-demand access to 22 different Porsche models."How much will it cost?Porsche Passport will be available with two membership plans: Launch and Accelerate. With Launch, you'll get on-demand access to eight models, such as the new 718 Boxster and Cayman S for $2,000 a month. Accerlate will include on-demand access to 22 models, including the 911 Carrera S, Panamera 4S and Macan GTS, for $3,000 a month. The price of both membership plans includes detailing, maintenance, insurance, and tax and registration. On top of the monthly fee, there is a one-time $500 fee.Interested? Well, I hope you live in Atlanta, Georgia, because that's where Porsche Passport will be offered first. Expansion of the program is dependent on the success of the pilot program in Atlanta.The New Porsche 911 GT2 RS Has Smashed the Nurburgring Record

By Andrew Nabors – October 09, 2017

Final Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet Auctioned by Bonham's

Auctions can be a tricky place for collector cars. The first and last examples of significant cars will either disappear into mediocrity or get the crowds into a bidding frenzy. One of the most popular ways to bring the big money is to give the proceeds to a worthy cause. That is what Mercedes-Maybach did for the last G650 Landaulet.We couldn't believe they would build such an extravagant SUV in the first place, but #99 was the final build. Each one is based on the G650, with a twin-turbo V12 sending power to three locking differentials. Your driver is partitioned in a 2-seat cockpit, while rear recliners and and a convertible top are perfect for dignitaries or celebrities. Something of this magnitude could not be left to a coachbuilder, so every G650 Landaulet was hand built at the G-Wagen assembly plant in Austria.Ferrari For Sale In Los Angeles The retail price for the luxury SUV is around $740,000 because of the time and proprietary parts needed to build them. As the last one was approaching the auction block, the manager of the G Series manager Gunnar Güthenke said: "It is a sought-after vehicle as it is forever reinventing itself – and yet remains true to its origins. It was and always will be unmistakably a G-Class, while at the same time offering plenty of opportunities for individual wishes. Our exclusive Landaulet model is the best example of this."It rides on the long wheelbase of the 6x6, with the same portal axles used on the G63 4x4 Squared. Leather and boost combined for a hammer price of over $1.4 Million. Proceeds went to Laureus Sport for Good. The worldwide registered charity supports over 100 local sports programs in 40 countries. Their goal is to get kids involved early to keep them off the streets. Kudos to them and Bonhams for allowing this unique SUV to help the less fortunate.View Mercedes-AMG G65 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 05, 2017

Koenigsegg Agera RS Sets New Record For 0-249-0

If you knew you had an ace in the hole, how long could you keep from bluffing? Everyone knows Bugatti builds fast cars. If a challenger appears, they simply add more power or build a new model. They represent the financial and engineering expertise of VW, which is comprised of Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, etc. Sitting across the table in this high-stakes game is Christian von Koenigsegg. His Swedish company has more automotive patents and innovation that comes from being an outside observer in the early days of the supercar scene. It has allowed him and his team to build wild cars like the Agera and Regera, that force major automakers back to the drawing board. Two weeks ago, Bugatti announced a new record time in the 0-400 kph-0 test. The brutal scenario pushes the engine, driver, and brakes to their limits. The Chiron was able to reach 249 mph and back to zero in only 41.96 seconds. Performance of this level was only capable by race cars until recently. But instead of shaming everyone else into submission, Koenigsegg unleashed the One:1 upgrade on the latest Agera RS. The most potent Agera to date, it produces one megawatt of power. With 1,360 horsepower and 1,011 lb-ft of torque, their blog says the Agera RS went 0-249mph-0 in only 36.44 seconds. Shaving 5.5 seconds off a world record is no easy task, so it will be interesting to see how the competition responds.

By Andrew Nabors – October 05, 2017

duPont REGISTRY Live At 2017 Orange County Auto Show

In what was once an endless expanse of citrus, the city of Anaheim owes its existence to Mr. Disney and his eponymous theme park. As the perfect setting for an Auto Show, the Anaheim convention center was the site of our first duPont REGISTRY Live event of the fall 2017 season. In our 6th year partnering with Motor Trend, we allowed our fans to see what our dealers are capable of. Building The BoothStill reeling from our 3 day trip from Wide Open Baja, we made it back across the border to build our booth. First in was a new Vanderhall Venice. The nimble 3-wheeler is 50-state legal as a motorcycle and powered by a 1.4 liter Chevrolet turbo-four.Next up was a heavily modded Jeep Wrangler from American Expedition Vehicles. Taking the Wrangler Unlimited to unprecedented levels, it is ready to head off-grid. Wrangler by AEVEveryone loves Eleanor, so an imposing matte-black 68 Mustang Fastback arrived from Fusion Luxury Motors. Their factory in Chatsworth will transform any 67 or 68 Mustang into an exact likeness of the movie car, and this one has a modern driveline. Roush supplied a supercharged version of the 5.0-liter Coyote along with a beefy AOD automatic transmission. Also from Fusion was a 2015 Ferrari Speciale Aperta, 2015 Rolls Royce Wraith, and a 1991 Land Rover Defender. This one really took us by surprise. Instead of the uninspiring TD5 engine, it has Corvette LS3 power and an automatic transmission from an Escalade.Since the booth was mirror-imaged across the aisle, we had ample space for the stars of the show. Pagani Newport Beach and iLusso partnered to deliver a 2015 LaFerrari, 2014 Pagani Huayra, 2015 McLaren P1 and the world's only Transformers-inspired Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse.Needless to say, we had several million dollars on display for the citizens of Orange County. If you missed the show, check out our Facebook and Instagram pages and prepare to be amazed. The first show of the season was a smashing success, so get ready to see us in Nashville on November 3-5 and Seattle on November 9-12th. As always, stay with us here on Autofluence for complete coverage of our events.

By Edward Jones – October 03, 2017

Pumpkin Spice Supercars for Sale

October is officially here, and with it comes Halloween and, of course, pumpkin spice. The annual release of the pumpkin spice flavor has become a ritual for many who are obsessed with the fall-time favorite. The pumpkin spice flavor may typically be reserved for foods, but what about supercars?Okay, you're not going to going around licking supercars expecting to taste pumpkin, but there are at least a bunch of orange-colored examples for sale. If you need a car to match your favorite flavor, check out the cars below and click on their buttons to learn more about each. 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera View Price 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS View Price 2012 Bugatti Veyron View Price 2016 Aston Martin Vulcan View Price 2017 McLaren 570S View Price 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera View Price 2016 Lamborghini Huracan View Price 2015 McLaren P1 View Price 2013 Lamborghini Aventador View Price 2012 Audi R8 GT View Price

By Edward Jones – October 03, 2017

The Rezvani Tank: New Breed of Off-Road Vehicles

After truly taming the BEAST, Rezvani Motors have released TANK. The Rezvani TANK is the automaker's new street-legal, "Xtreme Utility Vehicle" (XUV) that they say embodies characteristics of a military vehicle. Being "Xtreme" and an off-roading vehicle, the TANK would need a good source of power. That's why Rezvani opted for a 6.4-liter HEMI engine capable of 500 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. Of course, no off-roader would be complete without a long list that includes a lift, suspension, wheels, tires lights and so forth. So, here they are, including options from the Off-Road and Off-Road Xtreme Package: On-demand 4x4 Roof-mounted LED Light Bar 6-inch Lift (Off-Road Package) 37x12.5" Tires (Off-Road Package) Dynatrac ProRock 44/60 Axle Set w/ E-lockers (Off-Road Package) Fox 2.5" Remote Reservoir Shocks (Off-Road Package) 37 x 13.5” Tires (Off-Road Extreme Package) Dynatrac ProRock XD60/80 axle set w/ air lockers and air compressor (Off-Road Extreme Package) Dynatrac ProGrip brakes (Off-Road Extreme Package) Front 1350, Rear 1410 driveshafts (Off-Road Extreme Package) Fox 2.5" Internal Bypass Shocks (Off-Road Extreme Package) Fastest Supercar: Corvette Z06 vs McLaren 675LT vs Ferrari 488 GTB vs Lamborghini Huracan Taking a look at that list, it's quite obvious that it's almost essential to pick one of those package, whether it's the high-end Xtreme one or the standard package. Inside the TANK is a cabin that Rezvani says is "defined by a hand-stitched Leather Package." The TANK's exterior may look rugged, but the interior is luxurious and comfortable looking. Rezvani is offering a few options for the TANK that are intriguing, to say the least. They include FLIR Thermal Night Vision, Ballistic Armor, Kevlar Armor, Bulletproof Glass, and a whole lot more. Check out their site for more info.

By Andrew Nabors – September 14, 2017

Mercedes-AMG Reveals Project One Hypercar

If you thought hybrid-powered hypercars were just a fad, get ready to be amazed. Instead of adding Formula 1 technology to a production car, Mercedes-AMG turned to their race teams to build what's essentially a street legal F1 car called the Project ONE. A 1.6-liter V6 is coupled to four electric motors and the latest in battery technology. It spins to 11,000 rpm to make around 700 horsepower. Two motors up front power each wheel independently, and a the main motor/generator is attached to the engine. The fourth motor sits between the turbine and compressor of the turbocharger. It uses battery or regenerated power to provide boost in any situation. This might seem like a perpetual motion machine, but the technology comes directly from the racetrack. As a fitting tribute to AMG's 50th anniversary, only 275 cars will be produced. Each one will offer 1,000 horsepower and 20 miles of electric cruising. Reaching 60 mph in around 2.6 seconds, the top speed will be north of 217 mph.Batteries are borrowed from the Petronas F1 team, and doubled in quantity to provide 800 volts to the hybrid system. Twice the voltage saves weight by using smaller cables and motors. Launch control will have you at 124 mph in under 6 seconds, so get ready for a wild ride. Maybe it's time to get your CLK GTR ready for a new owner, so stay with us for more Mercedes-AMG updates.

By Andrew Nabors – September 06, 2017

Jaguar Unveils Steering Wheel of the Future

One item that is critical to your driving happiness is often overlooked. The steering wheel is your connection to the road. It can make or break you experience, so it is often the starting point for interior design. Jaguar is ditching the traditional leather and turning in a new direction. The Sayer is a vision of the future. Based on autonomous cars and shared ownership, the Sayer steering wheel could potentially be the only part of a vehicle you would own. It is named for Malcolm Sayer who worked for Jaguar between 1951 and 1970.Jaguar XE SV Project 8In their future, you take the wheel with you. It is voice activated and interfaces with other electronic devices. It is your assistant, handling tasks from scheduling appointments to arranging an autonomous vehicle delivery at your door. It was introduced over the weekend at London's inaugural Tech Fest at Central St. Martins, University of the Arts London. Tell us what you think of shared ownership and autonomous driving and stay with us for more visions of the future from Jaguar. Until the future arrives, be sure to check out the F-Type SVR at one of our dealers.

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