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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 16, 2019

Prestige Imports Pop-Up Appears in Miami's Design District

If your trip to Florida includes the latest in Performing Art, fashion or dining, head to 3841 NE 2nd Avenue. You will see the latest works from world-renowned creators, and that includes automobiles. To give this popular spot an injection of horsepower, a Prestige Imports Pop-Up has appeared in Miami's Design District. In a Facebook film uploaded on Monday, we've learned the store will be open Monday-Friday 11 AM to 8 PM, and 12 PM to 6PM on the weekend. Owner Brett David chose a few icons of automotive style to become temporary exhibits: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster 2018 Backdraft Racing Cobra 2020 Shelby GT500 by Classic Recreations 2020 Lotus Evora GT 2018 Karma Revero 2016 Pagani Huayra 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder 2010 Bugatti Veyron 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary 2019 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Learn More Any car placed in such a curated setting is bound to build anticipation, but that is why we're here. Click the button above to view Prestige Imports inventory, and stay with us for their future events. Prestige Imports: Spring Cleaning Supercar Shuffle Prestige Imports Announces New YouTube Series: Inside The Lab

By Edward Jones – August 13, 2019

Canepa Group to be N. American Representative for T.50 Su...

Canepa Group has been selected as the North American representative for the upcoming Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 supercar. You may know the name Gordon Murray if you're a fan of the McLaren F1, a supercar that he designed. Now, he's coming back into the automotive world in a big way. The T.50 is set to be an extremely lightweight supercar with a target weight of just 2,160 lbs. Match that weight with a 3.9-liter V12 that puts out 650 horsepower and you have the recipe for a truly brilliant supercar. Gordon Murray “Cars are meant to be driven, and this may be one of the most exciting road cars ever designed. I am both honored and excited to be a part of this amazing project,” says Bruce Canepa. As for what Canepa Group's role in this, they will be handling customer support for the new supercar from the beginning to end. This includes sales, importation, service/maintenance and warranty. If you're interested in purchasing a T.50 supercar, be sure to contact Bruce Canepa at (888)-715-2112 or bruce@canepa.com. Act quick, because only 100 examples of the T.50 are planned to be created. learn more about canepa

By Edward Jones – January 03, 2019

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS in Mexico Blue In-Depth Review

Porsche West Palm Beach, part of Braman Motor Cars, have had the pleasure of hosting a gorgeous new 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS in their showroom. This specific example is finished in a vibrant paint-to-sample Mexico Blue paint that contrasts perfectly against the visible carbon fiber accents found across the car's body. View the Complete Porsche 911 GT2 RS Price & Horsepower It's also fitted with the Weissach Package. With both the Mexico Blue paint and Weissach Package included on this Porsche, it truly is one unique and exclusive vehicle. Be sure to check out the in-depth review of this 911 GT2 RS in the video below and see some detailed images of it in the gallery below. view braman motor cars inventory

By Andrew Nabors – November 29, 2016

Over 1,000 Ferraris Set to Break World Record at Ferrari ...

Something unprecedented is being planned for this weekend in Used Ferrari Daytona Beach, Florida. The historic high banked turns of Daytona International Speedway will be host to over 1,000 Ferraris in order to break the world record for the largest parade of Ferraris.We were curious why the track's owner, Jim France, took a vacation to Maranello last year. Now, we can gather that this trip was probably intended to plan the details of the event. Taking place December 1st to 4th, this Sunday will see the first Ferrari Mondiali in the USA. At the Ferrari Mondiali, a plethora of event will be taking place, including the record-breaking lap and the anticipated Finali Mondiali 2016.We invite you to join us along with Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The prestigious dealer has devised two packages for the weekend (Scuderia Shields not included). For the world record breaking parade around the track, $255 includes a parking pass and entry to the event. But if you want the VIP experience it will set you back $2,500 . That price includes: Round Trip Vehicle Transport to/from Daytona* 3-Night Stay at the Hampton Inn Daytona Speedway Ferrari Weekend Premium Hospitality Pass Guinness World Record Attempt Pass | December 3, 2016 | 6pm Parking Pass Ferrari Paddock Lunch Pass Finali Mondiali Dinner | December, 3, 2016 | 8pm Guest Fee: $750 per person** Here is a preview from last year's Ferrari World Challenge Finals Only the best cars in the world are chosen to attack the 31-degree banks of this hallowed track, so we look forward to being there with you. For more information and to purchase tickets, please head over to Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale here. Stay with us for complete coverage, live from the world center of racing.Learn More*Vehicle transport will be provided from the dealership to the Daytona Speedway. Your vehicle will be left clean and ready for you in the Ferrari Paddock. ** Guest fee includes Ferrari Premium Pass, Paddock Lunch for 4 days and the Finali Mondiali Dinner.

By Andrew Nabors – October 31, 2016

New Aston Martin Pre-Owned Program "Timeless" Announced

Building the world's most sought after supercars is no easy task, which is why Aston Martin only builds each model in limited numbers. With attention to detail unmatched in the automotive world, they have announced a new program for pre-owned cars. In collaboration with all 164 dealers, Timeless will define a new level for certified inventory. Each car will receive a one-year comprehensive warranty along with roadside assistance. Technicians will dive into every system to ensure its capabilities, and updating all operating software. A certificate of provenance will be included along with complete service history for the prospective buyer. These will be included in a VIP handover pack at the time of purchase.(Related - AM-RB 001 Will Be The Most Insane Aston Martin Ever Made)To keep the aftermarket at bay, buyers will also receive discounts on factory accessories for three months. Vice President and Chief of Sales Christian Marti said: “I am very happy to see the launch of this new and improved pre-owned service. Additions such as the new inspection regime – which for the first time includes a comprehensive assessment and review of our cars’ software, as well as their technical condition – can only add confidence for our buyers. Aston Martin rightly prides itself on its personal customer service, attention to detail and luxury, and with the debut of the Timeless pre-owned program around the world, I know we are better placed than ever to continue to improve these elements of our business.” Expect to see more information from your local Aston Martin dealer in the coming weeks. If you have considered a new or pre-owned Aston Martin please consider the listings from our dealers and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news.Aston Martin For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 13, 2016

2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta For Sale - 1 of 499

File this one under car you will probably never see in person. More than simply a convertible version of the Speciale, it is actually 110 lbs lighter than the coupe. Production was limited to 499 cars, and they are the swan song for Ferrari’s naturally aspirated 4.5L V8. Stretching the limits of what a V8 can produce without the help of turbos or a supercharger, the engine masters at Maranello used technology from the Formula1 team to extract every last ounce of power. It revs to 9,000 to unlock 597 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. A compression ratio of 14:1 requires only the best fuel, but your reward is an amazing soundtrack from the exhaust.Evidently someone couldn't handle the power, because this Ferrari Certified example at Foreign Cars Italia of Greensboro, NC was brought in with only 392 miles clocked on its odometer. As usual with collector cars of this nature, it was ordered with a plethora of options. White with a black interior, it has AFS headlights, carbon fiber rocker panels, center caps, titanium exhaust and embroidered headrests.View Listing View All Ferrari 458 Italia News, Articles, Video

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 06, 2016

Starwood Motors is Taking One Lucky Combat-Injured Vetera...

The infamous goldRush Rally is scheduled for May 13-21 of this year, and the trip looks like it will be as epic as the previous eight years. Starting in Boston, the rally will travel through Washington, D.C. Charlotte, Nashville, and then hop over to the U.S. west coast to hit Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and end in Los Angeles. goldRush has been touted as a "premiere automotive lifestyle Rally."Starwood is teaming up with the goldRush Rally and offering the Warrior Rally, which will take place May 12-18 and follow the goldRush Rally down the eastern coast. To celebrate the bravery of combat-wounded veterans, Starwood Customs will fly the winning veteran from their hometown to Boston, Mass to join the goldRush Rally, and then escort the veteran on the rest of the eastern leg of the Rally.The veteran will ride in the Bandit, which is Starwood Custom's, "427 cubic inch supercharged pickup truck conversion Jeep Wrangler” and will be accompanied by the one and only, Camp Crocker, famed Jeep Builder and the newest addition to Starwood Motors Staff.For more information on the Warrior Rally and how to enter, make sure to visit the Starwood Motors website.

By Edward Jones – February 09, 2016

LaFerrari For Sale at Fort Lauderdale Collection South

Fort Lauderdale Collection South has just taken delivery of one of the rarest, fastest and most stunning Italian cars ever created. Finished in the iconic Rosso Corsa is this 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, ready for a new owner.As FLCS puts it: "Here are Fort Lauderdale Collection South, we think all of our cars are special. This one takes special to another level."We agree. Buy Now: LaFerrari For Sale This is just one of 499 examples ever built, making it one of Ferrari's most exclusive cars ever, as well as one of their most powerful cars. Powered by a 6.3-liter V12 engine and some electric motivation, the hybrid hypercar can rocket from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds and 0-100 mph in 4.8 seconds.But, even with the ability to travel long distances in short amounts of time, this LaFerrari has only 388 miles clocked on its odometer. With barely any LaFerraris on the market, this may be the closest to new example that you'll be able to find on the market right now.To learn and see more about this rare opportunity to own Ferrari's most futuristic car, be sure to click the button below.View Price and Listing

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