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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 – September 01, 2020

Volkswagen ID.R Encore Performance at Goodwood

As the identity for an automotive empire, VW is serious about electric cars. Sunday we saw a crashed Tesla struggle up Pike's Peak, the same course scorched by their rival in 2018. That is why the Volkswagen ID.R is making an encore performance at Goodwood. This year's race is not taking place on the hill, but at the adjacent Goodwood Motor Circuit. Volkswagen ID.R Begins Testing at the Nürburgring To emphasize the launch of their ID.3, their electric hypercar will be chasing a lap record. Sir Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark ran identical laps of 1:20.4 in an informal F1 race. Given the ID.R's record-setting times at Pike's Peak, Tianmen Mountain, and the Nurburgring, we foresee a new record at Goodwood. With 680 horsepower at all wheels pushing 2,400 lbs, the ID.R represents the future of racing. Click the button for great incentives and stay with us for all your VW news. Browse Volkswagen For Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – September 01, 2020

2021 Nissan Z-Proto Reveal Teased for September 15th

Remember, remember 15th of September. No, not a sly reference to the Gunpowder Treason, it will be the unveiling of something unprecedented. Aside from the anniversary of the Battle of Britain and my mom's birthday, the 2021 Nissan Z-Proto reveal has been teased for September 15th. Five decades of the Z-Car have seen Datsun evolve into Nissan without losing focus on what American enthusiasts want to drive. The first 240Z arrived in late 1969, and it was cause for alarm for domestic automakers. Having the Latin suffix "Proto", we can deduce it is the start of something all new. This is just what Nissan and Americans need, so stay with us for complete coverage of their new supercar. Browse Nissan GT-R For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 31, 2020

2021 Maserati MC20 Teased to Debut September 9th

Today we were hit with back-to-back teasers for something wild. The Maserati MC20 was teased to debut on September 9th, thanks to their Facebook and Instagram pages. The Maserati Corse (Racing) 20 is the successor to the wild MC12. https://www.facebook.com/Maserati/videos/789583078483670 Rumors abound that a new twin-turbo V6 will be mid-mounted, and it could evolve to integrate hybrid technology. The unveiling has been pushed back due to the virus, but this has only served to ensure the car will launch without a hitch. Tell us what you are looking for in a Maserati flagship and stay with us for all your Maserati news. Browse Maserati For Sale https://www.facebook.com/Maserati/videos/311524200299608

By Edward Jones – August 17, 2020

Drake's New Music Video Features Two Wild Mercedes-Maybac...

Drake's latest music video for his song "Laugh Now Cry Later" has millions of views and over one million likes. There's no doubt in my mind that this song slaps, but the two cars that make an appearance in the video are what really caught my attention. These two cars are actually concept cars known as the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Coupe and Cabriolet. They have a massive body that's highlighted by the insanely high-tech interior. You can actually get a great glimpse of the interior in the video, which shows off the plethora of LED lights in the cabin. Each of these concept cars features an electric drivetrain. The battery actually has the ability to pump out 738 horsepower, which allows the massive concept car to run from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds. Check them out for yourself in the video up above. See All Mercedes-Benz for Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CD7aHLAlX68/

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2020

Hyperion XP-1 Offers 1,000 Miles of Hydrogen Power

Half a century ago, Apollo 13 launched with a range of a half-million miles. It used compressed hydrogen and three fuel cells to make electricity and drinking water as a byproduct. Now a team of PhDs has built a supercar around the latest in fuel cell technology called the Hyperion XP-1. Toyota and Honda have repeatedly voiced their love of hydrogen power, and there is talk of building more filling stations. There are 47 in the U.S., but they're all in California. That's why Hyperion will share the "First Chapter" of their story later this month. The new Hyperion XP-1 will offer extreme performance thanks to its power source. The current figures point to a 0 to 60 mph time of under 2.2 seconds and a top speed of over 220 mph. Even with these impressive numbers, it still boasts 1000-mile range. But it's not just high-end performance that the XP-1 will offer, because the cabin is unlike anything you've seen before. Inside is a 98-inch curved display that utilizes gesture control, as well as a 134-inch glass canopy covering the passengers. This car is one-stop away from being a spaceship for the roads. Getting back to the power source, a fuel cell forces hydrogen and oxygen together, which gives off electricity and pure water in the process. The issue is storing hydrogen safely. Carbon fiber tanks are probably the answer to safe high-pressure storage, and who wouldn't drive a car that offered them a glass of cool water every few miles. Its time to make H2 great again, so stay with us for all your Hyperion updates. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale

Cadillac LYRIQ pairs next-generation battery technology with a b

By Andrew Nabors – August 07, 2020

Cadillac LYRIQ Unveiled as GM's Electric Future

Last year, amidst the Corvette hysteria GM's CEO Mary Barra said that Cadillac will lead the way. The Lyriq crossover heralds the transformation of Cadillac to an electric-only automaker. Thanks to a press release last night, we have seen the future, and it looks exciting. It is the first model build on their new modular EV platform. Testing in the worst conditions has yielded a range over 300 miles, and it can be charged using any existing methods. Cadillac Lyriq to be Unveiled August 6th The driver can disable the front motors for RWD performance, and engage the latest version of Supercruise to let the car chauffeur you around. GM's new Ultium battery company supplies the Nickel Cobalt Manganese Aluminum battery packs. They use 70% less cobalt than any other manufacturer, and they are the fastest charging EV battery to-date. Other goodies include a 19-speaker surround sound system by AKG, and a 33" screen to display all systems. The HUD display is now 3D, displaying a hologram about 5 feet ahead of the front bumper. Horsepower and torque were omitted because Ultium is poised to change battery technology. Stay with us for all your Cadillac news and click the button below to learn more from our dealers. Browse Cadillac For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 04, 2020

Gordon Murray Unveils his T.50 Supercar

This morning we warned you that something unprecedented was coming soon. After years in development, Gordon Murray's T.50 is now a reality. Every part was scrutinized for weight, from the wrist pins to the pedals. With a curb weight of 2,173 lbs, it is powered by a bespoke Cosworth 3.9-liter V12. It is naturally aspirated and filled with titanium internals. This allows it to offer 344 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm and 654 horsepower at 11,500 rpm. Canepa Group to be N. American Representative for T.50 Supercar by Gordon Murray Integrating the starter with a 48-volt generator allows the massive electric fan to suck underbody air out between the taillights. Just like the McLaren F1 he designed in his youth, the driver sits center with a passenger on either side. A six-speed manual transmission was specially built to handle the 12,100 rpm redline. In a car this light, carbon fiber synchros and straight-cut gears will probably be mandatory. For years, other publications have told you the V12 and the manual transmission are dead. Mr. Murray refuses to adhere to bean counters, and that is why this masterpiece will make you fall in love with driving again. Only 100 customers will have the opportunity to spend $3,084,000 (before taxes). Stay with us for more updates on the T.50 and other news from Gordon Murray Automotive.

By Andrew Nabors – July 01, 2020

Maserati MC20 Engine Unveiled With F1 Technology

Before Ferrari went public, they shared a majority of engineering with their cousins at Maserati. Projects like the Enzo and the MC12 shared chassis and engines to accomplish different goals, but now both brands are free to develop their own individual hypercars. Back in May, Maserati celebrated their 80th Anniversary of the Targa Florio win by showing off a prototype of the MC20. Until now, all we knew about the engine was that it involved turbos. What we learned this morning is that the Maserati MC20 engine has been unveiled with F1 technology. Maserati MC20 For Sale Starting with the most important details, we have a 3-liter V6 with twin turbos. What sets is apart from every other car is truly amazing. Each combustion chamber will be topped by a pre-chamber with its own spark plug. A design invented 50 years ago by Soichiro Honda for fuel economy also works to make incredible power at high rpm. The pre-chamber is connected to the main chamber by swirl ports, where it allows combustion to be much more powerful and efficient. The main chamber has its own spark plug timed to allow these events to create incredible cylinder pressure. Maserati MC20 Prototype Dedicated to Sir Stirling Moss This prevents detonation and allows the boost to make use of an 11:1 compression ratio. Also onboard are twin fuel systems, direct injection and port injection with pulses optimized for the pre-chamber at full power, or the normal chamber when cruising. Essentially having two engines using the same internals is genius. It is rated at 630 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque (the latter is available from 3,000 rpm to redline). Because this was all done in-house, Maserati's MC20 project will carry the phrase "100% Made In Modena". This is one of the most efficient and powerful V6 engines of all time, and there is no doubt the technology will trickle down to their other models. September 9th will be the formal launch, so stay with us for all Maserati news. Browse Maserati For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 15, 2020

First Brabham BT62 Competition Delivered for Britcar Debut

England's most arduous endurance race is happening soon, and one lucky competitor will have an unprecedented advantage. It might seem illogical to put the first production model into a tough situation, but the manufacturer has had this car in development for years. So we are glad to announce that the first Brabham BT62 Competition has been delivered. The automaker issued a press release last night outlining the details of "The World's Most Track-Focused Hypercar". Only 70 cars will be built, representing the seven decades of Brabham history. Each one is powered by a 5.4-liter V8 that offers 700 horsepower without turbos or a supercharger. A six-speed sequential transmission and Ohlins suspension are standard equipment, along with 2,645 lbs of downforce. With a curb weight of 2,142 lbs, you could drive upside down given enough courage. "Horsepower Racing" will field the car in upcoming events, so we wish them well. Stay with us for all your Brabham updates. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 21, 2020

2021 Laffite G-Tec X-Road is a Potent All-Terrain Concept

Can a capable off-road machine also be your daily driver? That is the question being asked by Laffite Supercars, a small bespoke builder in Los Angeles. SUVs are usually decent in the dirt, but they are heavy. Utilizing a composite body and an aluminum Chevrolet V8, the 2021 Laffite G-Tec X-Road is a potent all-terrain concept. Only 30 examples will be built, powered by GM's 50-state legal Connect & Cruise systems. With a curb weight of 2,886 lbs and massive BFGoodrich tires, you can hit the trails and have some fun. Production will start this fall, so stay with us for all the details. " width="680"> Related: Sultan of Brunei's Car Collection is at 7,000 Cars & Growing

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