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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 – June 12, 2017

McLaren Dominates Silverstone 500 Race

As a major part of the 2017 British GT Championship, the Silverstone 500 combines GT3 and GT4 cars for a three-hour battle. In a press release earlier this morning, McLaren told us what we already knew: The 570S is fast!. The GT4 class had 18 cars on the track, and one-third of them were the McLaren 570S GT4. Starting in 8th position, team Track Club was driven to first place by Adam Balon and Adam MacKay. Crossing the finish line 2.7 seconds in the lead, the 570S GT4 came in 1-2-3 at the podium.Also Check Out: A Minute Of Noise For Bruce McLarenIn the GT3 series, teams Garage 59 and Balfe Motorsport brought their own 650S GT3 cars into the mix, with Balfe reaching as high as 4th position. Elsewhere over the weekend, the new McLaren 570S GT4 saw action in four series in three countries. The proven performance and light weight make the twin turbo 3.8 liter V8 an attractive option for race teams, and its affordable price makes it a hit on the streets. If you need more cargo room, a new McLaren 570GT offers a rear package tray with an opening rear hatch. Both are among the hottest cars on the market, so stay with us for all your McLaren news.

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2017

Audi VR6 Quattro Makes A Top Speed Run

If you are on the run, your best chance at escape is to get out of sight. To go over the horizon will leave your enemies dumbfounded when you hit the "Vanishing Point". One of the best car films of all time involves epic car chases across the desert where two criminals use a mirage to their advantage in a Hemi-powered 1970 Challenger. Disappearing looks easy in the movies, it takes a ton of power in real life. That's why one enthusiast chose a solid foundation of the Audi 80. One of the most iconic quattro sedans, it is powered by the mythical VR6 engine.Also Check Out: Bugatti Chiron HillclimbBuilt as a clever way to package six cylinders into the space of an inline-4, the VR6 is two rows of three cylinders separated by only 15 degrees. The ingenious engine arrived in the Corrado in 1992 and its still in production today. Because it packs cylinders close together, it was the basis for the Audi/Bentley/VW series of W12 engines. They can be found in everything from the VW Phaeton to the Bentley Continental Supersports & Bentayga, and they didn't stop there. Stretching the W12 with the addition of four more cylinders, the Bugatti W16 was born. So the new Chiron traces its power to the Corrado, but we aren't complaining.Thanks to the clever design, the VR6 and its offspring love turbochargers. Gumbal witnessed this firsthand at a recent Race 1000 event in Germany. A gorgeous Audi arrived with an intercooler that measured large by huge. This footage can be filed under incredible because it only takes 20 seconds for the car to vanish...Sure you could accomplish this by spending a ton of money and time into a pre-owned Audi, but it would be much easier to start with a used Bugatti Veyron and do it in style.

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2017

BMW 5 Series Touring With M Performance Pack

Imagine a German wagon. One that is coveted by enthusiasts around the world. It takes the best features of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan and bestows them with a long roof and ample cargo room. Now, hand it over to the M Performance engineers for an infusion of new BMW M5 inspired carbon fiber and giant brakes. Do you want a beautiful and brutal wagon? We sure do, but there is one small problem. BMW does not offer the 5 Series Touring in the US. We can only speculate as to why we're denied and that's an article for another day.Get Ready For It: The New BMW M8Cadillac and Mercedes-AMG have had great success with powerful wagons, so BMW has called upon the M masters to sharpen the 5 Series. As a preview for loyal Bavarian buyers, House Bear uploaded a preview of the new M Performance pack on the 2018 wagon. Some of the finer details are a race-ready steering wheel with 12 o'clock easily visible. The forged 20" wheels barely cover the big rotors, and carbon fiber can be found almost anywhere. If you like it as much as we do, head to your nearest BMW dealer and demand the new 5 Series Touring. You never know, they might just surprise us at the last minute, so stay with us for all your BMW news.

By Andrew Nabors – June 10, 2017

Reviewed: 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE

Get your leisure suit ready, because Disco is back! No, not the infernal audio craze of the 70's, the rugged 4WD SUV from Land Rover. The Discovery is all new for 2017, and it shares nothing with its predecessors. Riding on the same chassis as the full size Range Rover and sport, the designers dropped a smaller body onto a proven foundation. We spent a week with a fully loaded example and made is forget discoveries of the past.At first glance it is an appealing design. Since it rides on a full size chassis, there isn't much overhang in front or behind the wheels. Not only does it make the Discovery appear larger, it allows it to be much more stable than its top-heavy ancestors. Our only gripe is the extreme forward rake of the C-pillar. It looks too much like every other midsize SUV. We also had the dynamic package which adds an aggressive body kit and 22" wheels. It also replaces body color for dark accents and an ebony headliner. It will cost you $2,000 for the luxury and an additional $650 to black out the roof.Driving the disco is a real treat. Starting at the top, the headrests are pillow soft with miles of adjustment. Shorter folks will also be happy that the infotainment screen is not as far away from the seats. The front interior is essentially a scaled-down Range Rover Sport with the same attention to fit & finish. Second row passengers have three seats that are perfect for three medium sized adults. Out back are two good sized seats that fold away on command. All surfaces are covered in Windsor leather in pleasing patterns.Two sunroofs will brighten your day and ambient lighting rules the night. Because of the smaller size, the V8 engine won't fit. The most potent offering is the 3.0 liter supercharged six shared across Jaguar and Land Rover and it makes 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Visibility is better than the full size models thanks to the sqared-off rear end. Unless you live in a gated community, the 22" wheels are overkill. The ride quality is not on par with the Range series because the 22" anchors are too heavy for cracked pavement.Underneath is the venerable Terrain Respons 4WD system. With one of the only 2-speed transfer cases left in production, the differentials can be locked for a muddy or sand filled adventure. The offroad prowess is another reason to ditch the big wheels and keep a set of 20" with all-terrain rubber. We kept it on the street, where acceleration could be better. You won't win races but you will have seating for 7 and the ability to go anywhere. Of course, all the safety tech is included, and the lane keeping assist is on-point. The new Discovery HSE has a base price of $63,950 and a window sticker of $82,100. If you have been mulling a new Range, the Discovery is better in many ways and worth your consideration. Laird Hamilton and his wife were the first to receive theirs, and the photoshoot turned out better than our rain-soaked shots. Stay with us for all your Land Rover news.

By Edward Jones – June 08, 2017

In-Depth Look at Jack Roush's New Ford GT

Jack Roush has taken delivery of his new Ford GT and spared no time in setting up a photoshoot with his new American supercar. In the pictures we get an incredibly detailed look at the finer features of the car.We get to see close look at the brilliant LED headlights, carbon fiber wheels, engine bay, interior and the spectacular rear-end. Just about every corner of the new GT is worth a photograph of its own, and we're glad Roush took some time to set up this incredible photoshoot. Scroll through the pictures below to see the new 2017 Ford GT like never before.If you're interested, there's also a video of Jack Roush taking delivery of this GT.

By Andrew Nabors – June 01, 2017

POV of Bugatti Chiron's Hillclimb (Turbo Sounds Galore)

Fast cars are fun on flat ground, but climbing a hill is a true test of power. The Prescott Hill Climb was founded by the Bugatti Owners Club in 1937, about 100 miles northwest of London. The course is 1,127 yards long with banked switchbacks and steep grades. The grounds also has a driving school and 'The Bugatti Trust', a collection of historical photos and historical documents, vintage parts and several cars. The historic track is unique, as the summit has a return road back down to the paddock. No stranger to horsepower, it's a great place to watch a Bugatti Veyron in action.Fans from across Europe converged on the track last weekend for a truly spectacular event. Screaming up the mountain was a new Bugatti Chiron. Ettore Bugatti would be proud to see his namesake racing on a track built by and for his fans. To document the incredible run, TheSUPERCARDRIVER recorded the climb from the passenger seat. Owners of turbocharged cars know that boost builds quickly under load, so the constant demands of the uphill battle kept all four turbos spinning. It takes a hefty volume of boost to fill 8 liters of a W16 engine, so it sounds like the blow-off valves release enough pressure to start a 747. The only hills in Florida are occupied by senior citizens, so as soon as we get our hands on a Chiron we're heading to the beach. Stay with us for all your Bugatti news.

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2017

Fiat Professional Announces New Brand Ambassador: Chuck N...

Before the Boogeyman goes to sleep, he checks under his bed for Chuck Norris. That is just one of the undeniable facts about the 77-year old actor and martial arts expert. His worldwide fame and talent have led to long-standing endorsements, and the latest is from Fiat-Chrysler Automotive. For their new series of commercial vans and utility vehicles, Fiat Professional will feature Mr. Norris on TV and internet ads for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.Also Check Out: Chuck Norris' Estate For SaleWe probably won't see them here in the US because Fiat Professional's lineup is subject to the Chicken Tax. The import tariff on light trucks was an idea of President Johnson and its a story for another day. FCA's truck division in the US is the Ram series of trucks that were once known as Dodge. Confusion still lingers from the expensive rebranding debacle, so perhaps we will get a new spokesperson here also.Unless your name is Bruce Lee, you might be intimidated by this new ad campaign. The commercials will begin to air in June, so as soon as they are uploaded you will see them here first. Since we try to specialize in collectibles, take a look at these pre-owned Dodge Ram SRT-10 trucks and see if you can handle the Viper with a pickup body!.

By Edward Jones – May 25, 2017

On-Demand Bentley Service Delivers Luxury Cars Right to You

Yeah, you can have someone pick you up in a car and drive you somewhere with Lyft or Uber, but will they drop a luxury car off at your feet? Doubt it. That's where Bentley comes in.Following a successful trial run of Filld, their app-based fuel delivery service, Bentley has decided to create an app for those who want more than just a fuel tank of gas. Through the Bentley Network app, existing Bentley owners will be able to choose a Bentley of their choice from a massive luxury fleet and have it delivered right to them.Check Out - Bugatti Chiron in Exposed Red Carbon Fiber Spotted in Monaco After an owner picks the new Bentley of their choice, they will receive a reminder regarding the reservation an hour before the delivery. When the car arrives, there will be another message that informs them of the car's delivery. It's during the delivery that a concierge will demonstrate and explain all of the car's features so their time with the English luxury car is as enjoyable as possible.Now, I'm not trying to say I wouldn't mind having a Bentley delivered to my doorstep, but where do I sign up?

By Edward Jones – May 24, 2017

Fourth Lamborghini Model Will be Inspired by Heritage Models

Since the early 2000's, Lamborghini has been running with a two-model lineup. It really started with the Gallardo/Murcielago duo, with one being a more entry level model and the other being the flagship. Currently, we have the Huracan and Aventador duo, which will soon be joined by the Urus SUV. This will bring the number of models in their lineup up to three. However, CarAdvice is reporting that Lamborghini will be going for a four model lineup in 2023.This new was given to CarAdvice by Stefano Domenicali, CEO at Lamborghini. He noted that when the current wave is completed around 2022-2023, a fourth model will be on the table. However, what this fourth model will be is unknown, but a model that would sit under the likes of the Huracan is being considered. Additionally, CarAdvice's article notes that the "brand's history will serve as an inspiration" for the potential fourth model. Could it look similar to the Countach, Diablo or Miura? Who knows!Unfortunately, 2023 is quite a ways out and a lot can change between then and now. Be sure to stay with us for more information on a potential fourth Lamborghini model.The History of Lamborghini 1964-2015: All Car Models

By Andrew Nabors – May 24, 2017

2018 Mercedes-Benz Reveals S-Class Upgrades Unveiled

If you are looking for the world's most efficient full-size sedan, you will need tickets to China. To stay on the cutting edge of an ever-changing market, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a fresh face and new power for their flagship Sonderklasse. All the new systems mentioned in the press release are in all caps in bold, but we will tone them down for your perusal. The new interior is now all-LED with 64 color choices. Two 12.3" screens display all the information, and now they have 3 display modes to suit your mood. A new steering wheel has touch sensitive pads like those found on smartphones. This allows the driver to use thumb gestures for control while steering.If you prefer your car to have a holistic approach to wellness, the comfort and ambiance features have been combined into Energizing Comfort Control. It combines massaging with fragrances, ambient lighting, soothing music, and the climate control system to provide for whatever mood you find yourself in. It also has the ability to change based on your music. The system listens to the beats per minute (bpm) and determines what settings you need. Our first test of this system will involve Ramstein & Daft Punk.Also Check Out - John Cena Shows Off His Dream Car: Manual Ferrari 360 Spider Big changes under the hood involve the long-awaited 48-volt electrical system. It can transmit power more efficiently than the traditional 12-volt wiring. It is used to power the water pump, A/C compressor, power steering, and a new starter/alternator. This innovation has the ability to use excess power to spin an electric supercharger. The system will debut on the new inline six-cylinder models, but it's unclear if it will make it to the US. We will initially have two flavors of the 4.0-liter twin turbo V8. Being the last Mercedes Class to adopt the 4.0, it will be rated at 469 hp and 516 lb-ft in the S560. Big brother AMG S63 will offer 612 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque. Does this imply a bleak future for the S65? We're not sure, but it might be limited to Maybach models. The new Mercedes S-Class will be released in Europe in July, so as soon as we have more info you will see it here.

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