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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 – April 24, 2017

Norwegian Cruise Ship Has a Ferrari Go-Kart Race Track

For most of us, the idea of a cruise can cause anxiety because our cars can't come with us. But the latest leviathan from Norweigan Cruise Lines is the first to feature an attraction for the automotive enthusiast. Partnering with Scuderia Ferrari, the Joy will have an F1 inspired go-kart track only 20 decks above the waterline. Wealthy passengers on The Haven and Concierge decks will have rides included with their stay, while steerage 3rd class stowaways will have to pay.Related - Why You Should Buy A LaFerrariThe latest build from Germany's Meyer Werft shipyards, the small pleasure craft is 1,094 feet long with room for 3,850 passengers. At 168,800 gross tons, she is 3.6 times the weight of the Titanic which makes her truly unsinkable. We were hoping she would be based in Port Everglades so we could do a proper review of the Ferrari track, but Norweigan Joy was built for the Chinese market. Sailing from Shanghai and Tianjin, it will be a fun excursion for China's rapidly growing middle class. Speed is rated at a decent 22 knots thanks to 102,900 horsepower, and thankfully NCL is already at work planning her sister ships. Stay with us for a full review of Ferrari's latest entertainment.

By Edward Jones – April 24, 2017

$1.6 Million Supercar with Built-In Aquarium

Do you remember the days of that one television show where an aftermarket company would put all sorts of crazy stuff into cars? Well, that passion hasn't died out in the automotive world. At Top Marques Monaco, the Frangivento Charlotte Roadster was unveiled as what could be one of the most expensive aquariums ever, and yes, this is a car.Related - Curated’s Collection of Vintage Supercars for Sale Must Be SeenThis fully electric roadster was designed by Italian supercar designers Paolo Mancini and Giorgio Pirolo and it comes complete with an aquarium. "The aquarium was designed by Giorgio Pirolo and gives an unexpected sense of perspective, creating a sensation of deep relaxation," said a spokesman for Frangivento. "The fishes Nemo and Dory swim around the aquarium and at the bottom there is a little bottle with the names of those who took part in the project."If you love fish and can't stand being without then, even on the road, this car is for you. The car is priced at €1.5 million, which equates to roughly $1.63 million USD at the current exchange rate of publication.

By Edward Jones – April 21, 2017

The New TECHART GrandGT: Panamera Gone Wild

TECHART has just launched a new model based on the Porsche Panamera, the new GrandGT. The tuning company went ahead and gave the four-door Porsche new exterior and interior components.On the outside is a list of components that increase the car's width by 50 mm in the front and 80 mm in the rear. The components include side skirts, wheel arches, engine lid, front apron, rear diffuser, tailgate, and spoiler. Joining these new components are wide 22-inch TECHART alloy wheels with tires sized 285/30 ZR 22 at the front and 335/25 ZR 22 at the rear. Related - Our Top 10 Most Sought After Porsche 911 Models in 2017 So FarInside the GrandGT is a custom-made interior that is created according to each customer. Fine leather, Alcantara and carbon fiber can be used throughout the car's interior, giving the cabin a refined and personal touch. Customers can also get the TECHART Type-7 sports steering wheel, paddle shifter trim, illuminated door entry guards, aluminum sport pedals and much more.TECHART will be releasing powerkits and exhaust systems for the GrandGT later this year. To learn more, visit TECHART.de.

By Edward Jones – April 21, 2017

Maserati Creates Their 100,000th Vehicle

Maserati has been around for over 100 years, but they've just now created their 100,000th vehicle. The historic car is a Quattroporte GranSport that was produced at the Grugliasco plant in Italy.Related - 2017 STARTECH Maserati Levante True RefinementThe Italian automaker presented the car at Auto Shanghai 2017, where they presented the car to its Chinese owner. At the unveiling, the car was shown with its solid white exterior and tan interior."China is Maserati's largest market for Quattroporte in the world," said Reid Bigland, Head of Maserati, while presented the car to its owner. "Our remarkable performance in China last year was a major contributor to our record-breaking global sales. China's elites are increasingly enamored by the Italian brand of luxury, exquisite craftsmanship and passion for driving that are poured into every Maserati."Maserati also noted that their sales in China have increased 120-fold since 2004, which only saw 100 sales. In 2016, Maserati broke 12,000 sales in China. Yeah, that's quite the leap in sales numbers.View All Maserati News, Articles and Videos

By Edward Jones – April 20, 2017

Aston Martin Teases the World With New Video

Aston Martin just dropped a video that teases "the ultimate housewarming." What does that mean? Nobody has any idea, but whatever it is, it's going to be special.In the video, we see two rows of Aston Martin vehicles, new and old, lined up on a concrete floor. According to the video's description, this video takes place in their new showroom in St. Athan, Wales. Eventually, a Vulcan comes out and rips between the two lines of cars, letting our a ferocious roar that would make Simba blush. But, what does this all mean?Related - Limited Aston Martin Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition RevealedMy thoughts are that it has something to do with the unveiling of the new DBX SUV. According to Aston Martin, the St. Athan's manufacturing facility, their second one, will be the chosen location for the production of the DBX vehicle. However, they have no unveiled a production version of the SUV, only a concept version.Unfortunately, we'll just have to wait and see what Aston Martin has in store from us, but it better be special!

By Edward Jones – April 19, 2017

New Model: BMW M4 CS Adds Power to the Lineup

Sitting below the M4 GTS will be the new BMW M4 CS. This new model sees an increase in power, as well as a decent of modifications that aim to make the car lighter and more competitive on the track.The most important feature in this car is the inclusion of the Competition Package, which bumps up the car's power by 10 hp, up to a total of 460 hp. This power and the seven-speed M DCT (manual is not an option) allow for a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds. Thanks to the Competition Package, the top speed limit is also increased up to 174 mph. View All BMW News, Articles and Videos

By Andrew Nabors – April 18, 2017

Mercedes-Benz Concept A: Bringing the Curves Back

Compact sedans are hot in China, which is why Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the new Concept A sedan. Just in time for the Shanghai Auto Show, it is the next logical evolution of their current design language. It was first seen in the "Aesthetics A" sculpture that emphasized flowing lines and "Sensual Purity". It was outlined in a book by Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener, who is quoted as saying: "Our Concept A Sedan shows, that the time of creases is over".Sharp edges have a difficult time hiding the features of small cars, which is why curves are back in. Raising the beltline helps improve crash safety at the expense of hindering the driver's line of sight. A new grille takes inspiration from the AMG GT with a waterfall behind the trademark star. The rear bumper is a mix of Alfa-Romeo Giulia along with Lexus ES and snippets of Sonata. The front doors look almost twice as long as the rears, so we hope stylists are able to balance them out in the production version.Hopefully, the "power domes" in the hood have more to cover than just a turbocharged four-cylinder. Don't get me wrong, we love the CLA 45 AMG, but we miss the days of obscene engines in compact cars. No mention was made of a production date, so if you are looking for a Mercedes for sale, our dealers will be happy to find one for you. Stay with us for more coverage from Shanghai and all your Mercedes updates.

By Andrew Nabors – April 18, 2017

Audi e-tron Sportback Concept Heading to Shanghai

Recent advances in battery technology have made many manufacturers stop in their tracks. Electric cars that were almost ready for production have been sent back down the line with more power and range at their disposal. Audi likes to play it safe when it comes to launching new technologies, which is why their innovations like laser lighting and OLED displays have shocked the competition. "With great power comes great responsibility", so a new 95 kW battery pack is coupled to three electric motors to offer a 0-62 mph time of only 4.5 seconds. The flat design of the battery offers a spacious cabin and a low center of gravity.Exterior lighting is handled by matrix LEDs and micromirrors that can be animated in different situations. This might seem a bit flashy, but wait until hackers break into the display system and start displaying some crazy stuff on the lights.Audi and VW are planning an all-out attack on the electric industry with a host of new cars in the next few years. The e-tron series is poised to become its own sub-brand in markets like the US and China. The press release says production is aiming for a 2019 launch date. We've seen camouflaged and production ready A3 e-tron wagons emerging from Audi's testing lab a few blocks over, and it's clearly evident they mean business. Tell us what you think of this concept and stay with us for all your Audi updates.

By Edward Jones – April 18, 2017

Facelift Changes for 2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 and S65

For 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the German automaker is introducing some new touches for the new S63 and S65 AMG models. The upgrades for the new S63 4MATIC+ include a new engine, new transmission, new appearance and new all-wheel drive setup.The new engine for the 2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 4MATIC+ is a 4.0-liter V8 Biturbo engine. This engine is replacing the 5.5-liter V8 Biturbo. While the displacement is smaller than before, it gains 27 horsepower for a total output of 612 hp. Mated to this new engine is the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 9-speed sports transmission, which is replacing the 7-speed transmission. When it's all running in unison, the car rockets from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds.2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 4MATIC+ As for the S65, the engine is still the 6.0-liter V12 Biturbo (630 horsepower), but it did receive a visual facelift. One of the main attractions for both the 2018 S63 and S65 models are the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps and new front apron. In the rear is an update apron as well.2018 Mercedes-AMG S65View All Mercedes-Benz News, Articles and Videos

By Edward Jones – April 17, 2017

2018 Ford Shelby GT350 and GT350R: New Colors

On the same day as National Mustang Day, Ford announced that they will be making the 2018 Shelby GT350 and GT350R, marking another year of production for the models. Along with the announcement of the new model year, Ford also will be bringing three new exterior colors to the outside of the models: Orange Fury, Kona Blue and Lead Foot Gray.Related - The Rock Surprises Veteran With a New 2018 MustangAs for the equipment, the car will remain essentially unchanged. This means they will have the same 5.2-liter V8 engine (526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque). Ford has stated that this is the most balanced Mustang ever, as well as the most track-capable, street legal Mustang ever built.

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