Articles

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 – January 15, 2020

Damon Motorcycles Unveils the HyperSport

Commuter bikes and sportbikes usually arent seen together on the street. But what if you combine the best aspects of each? Damon Motorcycles has unveiled the HyperSport, the world's first transforming 2-wheeler. At the push of a button, the windshield, handlebars, footrests, and seat change position. Designed by riders, for riders, it offers 215 horsepower and a 200-mile electric range. Constant 4G connectivity sends feedback to Damon about your bike's health, and it can store videos from the dual 1080p onboard cameras. This one might be a game-changer, so click the button below to learn more. Pre-order Your Damon Hypersport Here Related: Curtiss Unveils Hades 1 Pure Electric Motorcycle

By Edward Jones – October 24, 2019

Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept Hints Towards Brand's Future

The new Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept has been revealed and it gives us all a glimpse into the automaker's future. This new concept car was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019. Lexus notes that the exterior "foreshadows the Lexus Electrified vehicles towards 2030." There's a lot of technology packed into this concept that makes it a true futuristic concept. For example, the seats have very precise electric motors that can provide instant adjustments to posture that's just not possible with modern cars. Also, as with more concept cars we've seen as of late, the LF-30 is an autonomous vehicle. Most interesting is the Lexus Airporter support drone. This drone is autonomous and can accomplish tasks like transporting baggage. You can learn more about this car here. see all lexus for sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 11, 2019

Porsche & Boeing Join Forces to Create Uber Air

William Boeing was born in 1881 to German emigrants in Detroit. He grew up to found The Boeing Company in 1916, a company that would become the Boeing we know today. Over the decades, Boeing has evolved but their latest partnership with Porsche seems to be one of the most extreme yet. In a press release last night, both companies signaled the start of research. This will encounter miles of red tape from the FAA and its European equivalents due to decades of bureaucracy. Whatever the end result, it will be safer than private aviation, so long as you give your autonomous flying Porsche a 5-Star review. We hope this is not just a ploy to take heat off of the 737 MAX sensor debacle, so stay with us for more Porsche & Boeing new. Related: Top 10 Reasons Why To Buy Porsche 918 Spyder Porsche 911 GT2 RS Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2019

Bentley Develops Augmented Reality for the EXP 100 GT

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

By Andrew Nabors – July 05, 2019

Radical Rapture Unveiled at Goodwood

Take one look at their lineup, and you will understand why this brand is named Radical. Their approach to building incredible cars is aerodynamics combined with a lightweight body. It allowed the SR8 to win Pike's Peak in 2015. They also set the world's fastest 'Ring time in 2009, lapping the Green Hell in 6:48.28. That time was unbeaten until the Porsche 911 GT2 RS in 2017. Now it looks like they might have a new contender, as the Radical Rapture was unveiled at Goodwood. Already street-legal in the U.K., their press release mentions the eventual homologation to markets around the world. The chassis is FIA compliant, and it utilizes the latest version of their Nik-link suspension. Easy adjustable between track and street, it allows the Ford EcoBoost 4-cylinder to put 350 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque to the ground. Unfortunately, a six-speed paddle-shift automatic is the only transmission option. Nevertheless, it is a proper English sports car combined with the latest in technology. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale Related: 2020 DeTomaso P72 Unveiled at Goodwood 2020 Ford GT MK II Will Arrive Ready to Race

By Andrew Nabors – June 20, 2019

Pininfarina Battista Evolution to be Unveiled in Turin

No matter how much simulation time you have, nothing beats testing a new car in the real world. As such, Paolo Pininfarina asked his team to revise their prototype to increase aerodynamic efficiency. So if you happen to be in Northern Italy this weekend, the Pininfarina Battista Evolution will be unveiled in Turin. While it probably won't carry the Evolution suffix into production, their press release hinted that this is very close to the car that customers will receive. Only 150 cars will be built, with 50 allocated to the U.S. Each one has four electric motors powered by a 120 kWh battery. This allows it to offer a combined 1,900 horsepower and 1,696 lb-ft of torque. The Turin Auto Show starts tomorrow and ends Sunday evening, so stay with us for all your Battista updates. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale Related: Pininfarina Battista to Visit Supercarrooms Miami Pininfarina Battista Details by Top Gear

By Andrew Nabors – June 05, 2019

Gordon Murray Hints at his new T.50 Supercar

Did you think he would really retire? One of the greatest automotive designers is poised to deliver something wild. In the latest press release from Cosworth, Gordon Murray Automotive hints at their T.50. After a long career designing Formula 1 cars and the iconic McLaren F1, Mr. Murray is ready to shock the world. Gordon Murray Design was announced in late 2017, and it has spawned Gordon Murray Automotive. Their T.50 is a culmination of his 50+ years building amazing cars, and it incorporates a 15" fan under the body to keep it sucked to the ground. This was the same principle he pioneered for Brabham's F1 cars in the 1960's. As a true successor to the McLaren F1, it will have the same 3-seat cockpit and a mid-mounted V12. What sets it apart from every other supercar is that the 3.9L Cosworth engine will rev to 12,100 rpm. With a target weight under 1,000 kg (2,204 lbs) and a manual transmission, this car will be a potent performer. He is quoted in the press release saying: "I have absolutely no interest in chasing records for top speed or acceleration. Our focus is instead on delivering the purest, most rewarding driving experience of any supercar ever built – but, rest assured, it will be quick.” Only 100 examples will be built, each with a starting price of £2 million ($2.544 Million Dollars). Who else is excited to hear the highest-revving production car of all time? Stay with us as for all your T.50 news, and tell us what you think of it in the comments below. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale Related: Aston Martin Valkyrie V12 by Cosworth Jay Leno's Car Collection

By Andrew Nabors – January 07, 2019

Brabham Automotive Announces Street-Legal BT62

David Brabham won the F1 Championship in 1990 and '94. His prowess behind the wheel allowed him to easily become a dominant driver in the American LeMans Series. After winning his class at Daytona in 2003, he moved to Peugot to win LeMans outright in 2009. Last year he announced the formation of Brabham Automotive to build a new race car. The BT62 has been caught testing around the world, and each time they have reiterated it would be a "track only" machine. But a press release this morning has put fear in the world of street legal supercars. For those who want a screaming 5.4L V8 and a light chassis, it can be ordered to meed EU and Australian regulations. Brabham Automotive Unveils the BT62 Newspress.co.uk reported this morning that the UK model will add £150,000 (or $191,566) to the window sticker. Also mentioned is their intention to make the car available in markets around the world. To make it more practical, they started by raising the static ride height. Axle lifts front and rear will offer additional clearance, and an optional Air Conditioner will keep you cool. The steering rack has more range for easier parking, and a security system is standard equipment. More details will be released Thursday at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham, England, so stay with us for all your Brabham updates. Exotic Cars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 15, 2018

Infiniti to Unveil Electric Concept at Pebble Beach

Usually, a concept car is built with the intention of inspiring a production model. Infiniti likes to do things a bit differently, and they give their artists free reign to build works of art. In a recent press release, we've learned that Concept 9 will make its debut at Pebble Beach.Sultan of Brunei Car Collection is at 7,000 Cars & GrowingA deadline has been set by the brand. They are fully committed to introducing several electric models by 2021. To show just how fun an electric roadster can be, this retro ride is inspired by their Prototype 9 e-roadster. These teaser shots also show glimpses of the Q Inspiration, another stunning concept in their lineup.This build was a collaboration between teams in Japan, England, and the US, and we'll have live coverage on our Facebook page next Thursday. So stay with us for all your Infiniti updates and concept car news.Find Your Infiniti HerePrototype 9 (2017)

By Andrew Nabors – July 05, 2018

Murdered Out GTA Spano Shines in Madrid

If you are looking for something very rare, only 99 examples of the GTA Spano are built each year. It was one of the highlights of Autobello Madrid. For the 11th Anniversary of Spain's most significant supercar show, Spania GTA CEO Domingo Ochoa showed off their latest creation. Joining him along with the other VIP guests were Oscar and Ruben Fangio, the sons of 5-time F1 winner Juan Manuel Fangio.2016 GTA Spano Unveiled at GenevaThe latest iteration of the GTA Spano is powered by an all-new twin turbo 7.9 liter V10. Previously they used the Viper's V10 supplied by Dodge, but the end of production forced them to build something new. It arrives with 925 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed sequential transmission has carbon fiber synchros, and it will have you at 62 mph in 2.9 seconds. The body is a carbon-fiber monocoque reinforced with titanium and graphene, making one of the most advanced on the market. With a top speed over 230 mph, this monster from Valencia is ready to take on the world. Click the link below for more info and stay with us for all your Spano updatesLearn More

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe