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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 – September 01, 2017

First-Ever Look at the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE Hypercar

Our very first glimpse at the upcoming Mercedes-AMG Project ONE hypercar is finally here.In a quick press release from Mercedes, we get to see the silhouette and headlights of the automaker's very anticipated hypercar. On top of the image, they release a few specs about the car as well. The Project ONE will be a two-seater Brings "the very latest and efficient, fully-fledged Formula 1 hybrid technology to the road" for the first time Over 1,000 horsepower Top speed of over 217 mph Those performance numbers alone are enough to get anyone even more excited about the Project ONE. It's been almost two decades since the CLK GTR was released and I feel as though the automotive world has been waiting for Mercedes to release a car like this for some time. Well, it's almost here.2016 Ferrari LaFerrari: Price, Specs, Review and PhotosMercedes will be premiering the Project ONE at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, which starts on September 14. Check back with us for all of the official pics and specs come then.

By Edward Jones – August 30, 2017

First Donkervoort D8 GTO RS Bare Naked Carbon Edition Del...

Donkervoort has already produced and delivered the first 20 examples of the D8 GTO RS, but they have now delivered the very first D8 GTO RS Bare Naked Carbon Edition. And it's gorgeous.As the model name suggests, the exterior of the car is made up of body panels crafted out of visible carbon fiber. The first example, shown in this article, has blue tinted carbon fiber that contrasts against the pure naked carbon fiber. Bugatti Veyron vs. Pagani Huayra vs. Ferrari LaFerrari vs. Porsche 918 Spyder vs. McLaren P1: Part 1This car may look good sitting still, but it can rocket away from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.7 seconds, thanks to a 2.5-liter R5 TFSI engine with carbon fiber components.

By Tanner Mashburn – August 24, 2017

Exotics on Cannery Row 2017: Hypercar Heaven

Exotics on Cannery Row has started to become one of the main events during Monterey Car Week. Taking place in downtown Monterey, it is one of the only places in the world where you can see some many ultra rare exotics and not have to pay a penny! Throughout the event, you could hear the sounds of engines revving and crowds cheering. Even Christian Von Koenigsegg himself arrived driving the all new Regera.Top 10 Sales From Mecum Monterey 2017Large groups of Paganis and Koenigseggs rolling in together and offered a great photo opportunity for everyone. Other notable cars included a pair of Lamborghini Centenarios, Mclaren P1 GTR, Bugatti Chiron, Lamborghini Reventon, a pair of new Ford GTs, LaFerrari Aperta, Porsche 918s, Ferrari F50s and so many more. Overall I think it is safe to say this year's show was the best. We can't wait to see what shows up next year!

By Andrew Nabors – August 23, 2017

Cadillac Unveils 2018 CTS-V Glacier Metallic Edition

Next year, Cadillac will celebrate 115 years as "The Standard Of The World". Henry Leland was a machinist and gun maker who was asked to help liquidate a failed automotive company. The Henry Ford Company was Ford's first attempt at building his own car, and it didn't succeed. Leland saw the potential and decided to buy the leftovers and start his own company. Cadillac would make him a wealthy man, and he sold it to General Motors. A few years later, he started Lincoln, which was ironically purchased by Henry Ford. Over a century later, Lincoln and Cadillac are still going at it.Our Take on the CTS-VBack to the anniversary celebration, Cadillac announced a special CTS-V in a press release. The Glacier Metallic Edition will be limited to 115 cars, each one finished in an appealing smoky gray exterior. Red Brembo calipers and black Recaro buckets are standard equipment, along with a 2-day course at the V Performance School at Spring Mountain Raceway. All the most desirable features are also onboard, including the carbon fiber package and the luxury package. Floyd Mayweather's New KoenigseggThis means every example will have a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control, and the Performance Data Recorder. Enthusiasts have also found hidden software in the recorder. After recording your hot laps onto an SD card, you will be given a link to download software from Cosworth. It gives you the ability to monitor every aspect of your engine, from supercharger temps to fuel trims. Polished 19" wheels are also specific to this edition, and it all adds up to $103,885. If you need 640 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque, click below to search CTS V for sale and stay with us for more Cadillac updates.Search Cadillac CTS-V For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 18, 2017

Dodge Viper: Goodbye Old Friend

Yesterday at the Connor Avenue Assembly Plant, the final Dodge Viper was completed. Forgive us for being sentimental here, but the Viper has been a part of our magazine since its inception. From its beginning in the 80's as a collaboration between two legends, Lee Iacocca and Carroll Shelby gave Americans another choice for a domestic supercar. I have always been a Chevy fan, but my eyes were opened by the mean snake when Hulk allowed us to take the 1993 Hulkster around the country.Sure we've had late model examples here also, and each one has stayed true to its roots. Every Viper has a big naturally aspirated V10 engine. It essentially an evolution of the 440 Magnum, so it revs quickly and makes power from 500 rpm to past 5,000. A brutal clutch pedal is also a trademark, but it is predictable and easy to launch. The Viper doesn't have stability control, active differential, or an optional automatic transmission. It has a steering wheel, short throw six-speed shifter and more grip than you will ever need. Fiat Chrysler is trying to focus on Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati in the US, so they can no longer justify the hand-built beast or it's dedicated assembly plant. Posing in for a photo opportunity, FCA VP Ralph Gilles uploaded a few shots to his Instagram page: So long... #Viper A post shared by @ralphgilles on Aug 16, 2017 at 6:38am PDT The skilled workers of Connor Avenue Assembly face an uncertain future, and Dodge dealers have lost the centerpiece of their showrooms. The Viper died at 25, a shame if you ask us. As you are reading this, the final new Dodge Vipers are on their way, so check with our dealers before they are gone forever. The End

By Andrew Nabors – August 16, 2017

The Millionth Porsche 911 Arrives in NYC

Next year will mark 55 years of the Porsche 911. In order to celebrate in style, they are taking car #1,000,000 on a world tour. The first Porsche in the USA landed in New York almost 70 years ago, so it makes for a perfect starting point for the US part of the tour. The car rolled off the assembly line in Zuffenhausen back in May, and enthusiasts have been waiting to see it in person. The iconic scenes of New York City haven't changed much over the years, and they are as easy to identify as the 911. If you were to park a prototype next to this 2017 example, it is easy to see they have stayed true to form. Porsche Unveils The Millionth 911 The press release from the celebration makes note that 70% of all Porsche 911 are still registered. Their popularity has no signs of wearing off, as Porsche delivered 32,365 911s last year. This car is inspired by the earliest examples. It is painted in a classic shade of Irish Green and of course, the seats are houndstooth. Instead of carbon fiber, the dash and steering wheel have natural carbon, in the form of wood. No PDK super complex dual-clutch transmission. It has a shifter, six gears, and three pedals. The price? Not for sale. After the tour it will be resigned for a life of leisure in the Porsche Museum. We hope Dr. Wolfgang takes it out on occasion to keep the battery charged. If you are wondering who gets to drive it, check out the video below. If you are looking for the same experience, check out these Porsche 911s for sale and stay with us for all your Porsche updates.

By Andrew Nabors – August 16, 2017

BMW Teases A New Z4 Ahead of Monterey Unveiling

August 17th will be a historic day for BMW fans. A new Z4 will be revealed, and we have a good idea of what it will look like thanks to their Facebook page. No matter where you are in the world, everyone seems to have fond feelings for the Z Series cars. They have endured the test of time thanks to being overbuilt and more reliable than their competitors. The Z3 and Z4 have cult-like status among Bavarian enthusiasts, with many considering it the "Miata from Munich". The biggest news surrounding the new car is that it is the product of co-development with Toyota. Their version of the car will also be reviving an amazing name: Supra.2018 Toyota Supra Testing At The 'RingYou read that right, the beast from the east is back. The Supra has been on hiatus since 1998 when they shifted performance cars to the Lexus lineup. We saw a prototype testing at the 'Ring almost a year ago, so both cars are probably ready to launch. BMW's teasers allude to a targa roof coupe, and other spy shots have shown a rag top model. It sounds like an M4, using straight six power to feed dual turbos. Each turbo only handles three cylinders, giving it a distinctive soundtrack. Rumors suggest a turbo-four in the base model with the option for manual or dual-clutch transmissions. History has a nice way of repeating itself, so our wait is almost over. The previous Z4 is a great way to enjoy a proper roadster, so check out these examples from our dealers. Stay with us for more exciting details from BMW and Toyota.

By Andrew Nabors – August 16, 2017

Aston Martin Reveals Two New Vanquish Zagatos

In the latest news from Monterey, Aston Martin have completed the lineup of Vanquish Zagato models. Inspired by the unprecedented response to the Coupe and Volante (convertible) versions, we were shocked to see a Speedster testing at the 'Ring last month. Aston Martin is known for going beyond their customer's expectations, so last night the Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake was unveiled. A quartet of brilliant design, each car is based upon the Vanquish S. The big V12 is naturally aspirated and offers 600 horsepower to a rear-mounted automatic transmission. Each model has adaptive suspension, with shocks and springs optimized for each variant. The most disheartening aspect of the press release is the limited production numbers. We knew the Coupe and Volante would be limited to 99 cars each, and this also applies to the Shooting Brake. It is generally more difficlut to sell a car without a roof, so the Speedster will be limited to 28 examples. In total only 325 will be built, and they are probably sold out as you are reading this. The Speedster features dual cowlings behind the cockpit to abate turbulence on the highway, and they harken back to Zagato's double-bubble roof. On the Shooting Brake, glass panels in the roof allow for a great view, and you will be greeted by a powered rear hatch. Every car comes with leather luggage and the option for a full leather interior. The controls are made of anodized bronze, with the Z motif featured on several surfaces. Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman said: "We haven’t released Zagato models as a family before, at least not in this way, but the idea is not without precedent. Think back to the DB7 Zagato and DB AR1, or the V8 Zagato Coupe and Volante, for example. We’ve simply taken things a few steps further. Why create a family of Zagatos? Well, many of our customers want different things. Some prefer the purity of a Coupe, but others love the idea of something more extreme, like the Speedster. And yes, some of them have ordered one example of each. There’s always an over-demand from our clients and patrons. We could easily fulfill demand for more cars than this, but we want Zagato to remain something very special. We’re creating collectibles, future concours cars. With only 325 cars worldwide, divided between 99 Coupes, 99 Volantes, 28 Speedsters and 99 Shooting Brakes - they are still the rarest of the rare.” As with all the previous collaborations between Zagato and Aston Martin, these cars will be coveted by collectors as soon as they arrive. So if you want one for yourself, take a look at these Vanquish for sale and contact your local Aston Martin dealer for more information.

By Andrew Nabors – August 15, 2017

Rick Hendrick Takes Delivery of First Chevrolet Camaro ZL...

April in South Florida can be brutal if you aren't ready to sweat, but we're used to the weather at Barrett-Jackson's Palm Beach Auction. For the past several years, Chevrolet has used the occasion to auction the first production example of a new model to the public. All the proceeds from the sale go to a major charity, so it's a great way for GM to bring awareness and support to good causes. Never missing an opportunity to have Car #1, Rick Hendrick was on-hand to buy the first production 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. His winning bid of $250,000 sealed his rights to the first car, which was delivered to him on Thursday.A team from Hendrick Motorsports along with Camaro Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser came together at the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant to witness the birth of the new car. If you are wondering what makes the latest Camaro so special, its that it arrives ready to race. Power is from the same 650 hp supercharged 6.2 liter V8 as the Corvette Z06. It also has 650 lb-ft of torque, since GM has finally given up on under rating the Camaro's engine. Instead of magnetic suspension, the shocks are DSSV units from Multimatic. The front end has quick-change camber settings for track days and 1.1g of lateral grip. A carbon fiber aero kit allowed it to run around the 'Ring in 7:16.04. Thanks to Corvette Engineer Breann Voss for sending us the pictures and video! If you are looking for the world's most capable Camaro, our dealers have great incentives on Camaros for sale. Stay with us for all your Chevrolet updates.

By Andrew Nabors – August 01, 2017

Land Rover Unveils Driving Discoveries In Utah & Namibia

To fully comprehend the abilities of a 4WD SUV, an urban test drive is not the ideal setting. Land Rover wants you to get behind the wheel of their new Discovery, so they went looking for a perfect location. In order to appeal to a majority of planet Earth, two spots were chosen. The first is located in Namibia, where guests will travel across the Namib desert to Etosha National Park. The all-inclusive trip will begin on May 1, 2018, with prices starting at $6,943 per person. We spent a week with a new Discovery, and can attest to its comfort and abilities. Also Check Out: Land Rover Discovery Dominates World's Largest Lego Structure On the other side of the world, Land Rover's Western Adventure will be based in Moab, Utah. Guests will tackle the harsh trails of Arches National Park and the Canyonlands. Starting on October 21st, the 5-day trip will include the Seven Mile Rim, Poison Spider Mesa, and Hell's Revenge. Also an all-inclusive trip, prices will start at $5,250 per person. Mark Cameron, Global Experiential Marketing Director at Jaguar Land Rover, said, “Adventure plays a key part in what makes for an exhilarating drive – whether it be an iconic road trip or on the road-less-traveled. To do this from behind the wheel of the new Discovery makes it unique. These driving adventures will offer an exceptional driving experience where our customers will get the chance to push the vehicle to its limits and enjoy unforgettable surroundings.” If you are interested in a Discovery of your own, our dealers have many to choose from. We applaud Land Rover for providing such unique offerings to their customers and stay with us for all of your Land Rover news

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