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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 Edward Jones – February 20, 2017

Sweet Mandirine Koenigsegg Regera Certainly is Sweet

Koenigsegg has given their employees the task of designing their own Regera. Well, that doesn't sound like a bad job to have. So far, we've seen four different Regeras from employees, including a purple one that was dedicated to Prince. Now, it's Joachim's term, who is the Head of Design. Koenigsegg Cars For Sale For his design, Joachim went for some sweet. In fact, the paint he went for is called "Sweet Mandarine," and it features Koenigsegg's new "Polar" striping package in "Arctic White." Another highlight to this Regera's exterior are the black calipers that rest behind the hollow-core carbon fiber wheels. Inside, he opted for a primarily black leather cockpit with the white highlights being continued from the outside. On the seats, he had the "Snow" inserts installed and "Drift" stitching done in black to contrast with the light tones. While most of the trim inside Joachim's Regera is carbon fiber or leather, the center console does feature polished aluminum, giving the cockpit some shiny flavor. What do you guys think of this design? Hot or not? Exotic Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 17, 2017

Bugatti Chiron Will Go 0-250-0 mph in Under a Minute

Back in 2015, the Koenigsegg One:1 broke a world record by going 0-300-0 km/h (186 mph) in just 17.95 seconds. This was an absolutely absurd record that was shocking to read. Now, two years later, the news is getting out about the Bugatti Chiron's ability to speed up and come back to a complete stop in an insane amount of time.Related - Bugatti Chiron Revs and Sounds Off in Monaco, Sounds Downright BrutalDan Prosser of EVO recently had dinner with Wolfgang Durheimer, Bentley and Bugatti's boss. It was during this meal that Durheimer remarked that the Chiron will accelerate from 0-250-0 mph in under 60 seconds.https://twitter.com/TheDanProsser/status/831919676192075776?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwRoad and Track reported on this fact on Feb. 15, and were then told by a Bugatti spokesperson that "this figure isn't official as it hasn't been measured yet." That being said, it's tough to go against the word of the head honcho himself.Bugatti Veyron For Sale Related Video:

By Andrew Nabors – February 17, 2017

Lotus Unveils 007 Inspired Evora Sport 410

In times of need, MI6 has built some amazing vehicles for Agent 007. One of the most memorable was the 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy Who Loved Me. Before the rise of computer powered special effects, it took full size models to make a film. So the producers started with regular production examples and built real submarines from them. Roger Moore was not behind the wheel under water because the cockpit was filled by a retired Navy Seal with a few scuba tanks. Elon Musk bought the last surviving example, so its either going ludicrous mode or going to mars. For the 40th anniversary of the film, Lotus has released a special edition of the Evora Sport 410, complete with a paint scheme and interior inspired by the movie. The Evora Sport 410 debuted last year, arriving with a 3.5 liter V6 topped by a giant Edelbrock supercharger. What could be better than a British coupe motivated by the most iconic name in hot rodding? The combination yields 410 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque in a car that only weighs 2,900 lbs. Oh, that's just an Evora, until it blows your doors off reaching 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. I have never considered owning a Lotus before, because none have offered such a brutal power to weight ratio. Only 150 examples are planned for 2017, so browse our listings to find a dealer near you. All Lotus Evora For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 17, 2017

Sad! - Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Abandoned Since 2011

So, I've been sick for the past few days, meaning I haven't driven around at all. In fact, I didn't drive my car for two days straight. When I finally got back to my car, I legitimately felt bad leaving my car sitting there for two days without being used. Sure, two days isn't a lot compared to those who leave their cars parked at their holiday homes for months on end. Even still, I felt bad.Now, imagine that my car wasn't a Ford Mustang and it was a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and instead of two days, it was six years. My ownership of such a car may be fictional, but the fact that a car this magnificent has been untouched for six years is complete non-fiction.Back in 2010, Magazín ProDriver CZ photographed a white SLR McLaren at an impound lot. Now, in 2017, they've photographed the same exact car in the same exact impound lot completely untouched. Now that's sad.According to GTSpirit.com, this car was confiscated as part of a theft inquiry that involved a leasing company. Because of the situation, the car cannot be sold or touched until the police investigation is complete.Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren For Salehttps://www.facebook.com/MagProDriverCZ/videos/1245975945520503/

By Andrew Nabors – February 17, 2017

Turbo S: The Ultimate Porsche 911

For the past few generations, Porsche have built the 911 Turbo S as the flagship of the brand. Based on the iconic 911 Turbo, the S isn't just for show. It denotes active aerodynamics front and rear along with a nice bump in power. Take a fast jaunt in a PDK-equipped Turbo 911, and you won’t need one of Dr. Egon Spengler’s EEG skull caps to know that your eyes, ears and finger pads are being flooded with stimuli. The up and down shifts are there, even better placed than you yourself could have done and made with, what our senses can decipher only as, instantaneous. Besides, the rate of speed is so immense in the new 911 Turbo S that it’s probably better to just focus on the road, and not the tachometer. The Turbo just keeps getting faster and faster. The 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six started life in 2005 with 350 horsepower. Direct fuel injection, twin turbochargers and other upgrades bring us up to 560 horsepower just six short years later in the Turbo S. Porsche, which often downplays its performance statistics, says it is capable of going from 0-60 in 2.9 seconds. That’s fast. Yet, the Turbo isn’t even about outright track performance like the GT cars. Beginning with the 991.2 generation in late 2016, every 911 except the GT3 and 911 R are turbocharged. The base model Carrera went down in displacement but gained two turbos in the name of fuel economy. Many have cried foul that not all things should have forced induction, but you can't argue with 580 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Pricing starts at $181,100 and don’t get us wrong; that’s big money but we predict you’ll want it anyway. Some of the more amazing features are: 1. Porsche ceramic-composite brakes measuring 16 inches at the front and 15 2/3 inches at the rear grind the car to a quick halt. 2. The new 991 series features a four-inch-longer wheelbase. The result is more interior room although overall length has grown by only an inch. 3. Active aerodynamic with a three-stage front spoiler and a rear wing with three adjustable positions are new to the Turbo S.

By Andrew Nabors – February 16, 2017

Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing Create Carbon Fiber Beauty

A decade of collaboration between the performance division of Mercedes and Cigarette Racing has brought forth another amazing powerboat. With styling inspired by the latest AMG GT R, the exterior has hints of carbon fiber along with the fender vents of the car. Daimler's Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener was quoted as saying: “The 2017 50’ Marauder AMG is a particularly striking result of our continued collaboration with the Cigarette Racing Team, and a fitting tribute to honour 10 years of working together". The Green Hell Mango paint is taken from the brilliant looking GT R and is a reference to being refined on the 'Ring. Extensive use of carbon fiber instead of fiberglass trimmed 1,300 lbs of which will make for a fun and fast experience.(New Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Inspired by AM37 Powerboat)Power comes from a pair of the latest Mercury Racing 1550s. The 9.0-liter twin turbo monster has quad cams along with a massive intercooler and it runs on pump gas. With normal fuel, you are limited to only 1,350 hp, but 112 octane and the Race key fob unlocks the full 1,550 hp. It would be neat to see the 4.0-liter AMG V8 in a marine application, but the reverse flow heads would be difficult in a boating application. Mercury's V8 history can be traced back to the infamous Mystery Motor, and we will cover it another time. The 2017 Progressive Miami Boat Show opens today, and its the perfect spot for an unveiling. It also marks the 50th anniversary of AMG, so we understand the need for 3,100 hp. Stay with us for more updates from Mercedes-AMG and the Miami Boat Show.Mercedes-Benz For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 16, 2017

Dodge Demon Will Launch Much Harder Than Hellcat

In the latest preview of the new Dodge Demon, drag racing math is explained in detail. Every automatic transmission has a torque converter. It connects the engine to the transmission once you hit the gas pedal. New cars are built with fuel economy in mind, so they will start moving forward under 1,000 rpm. But the first rule in drag racing is to launch when your car makes the most torque. A custom torque converter is the first modification racers usually make. Dodge is taking an old-school approach by building the Demon with a racing inspired converter. Unlike the clutch in a manual transmission, a converter actually multiplies the engine's torque output when provoked. It takes years of experience and some intense math to build the perfect converter, and it can make or break your quarter mile times.(Dodge Demon's Wide Body Finally Revealed)Digging deeper for the perfect launch, the next logical upgrade is the differential. A higher ratio makes the car shift sooner because it goes thru the gears quicker. From personal experience, going from a 2.73 ratio to a 3.73 feels like adding 100 horsepower to your car. The Demon differential will be 3.09, a nice upgrade from the Hellcat's 2.62 gears. To put that power to the ground will be 18x11" rear wheels wearing 315/40 Nitto NT05R drag radial tires. Measuring in at 12.6" wide, these street legal racing tires will be a handful in the rain. The press release outlines each of these features as a percentage upgrade over the Hellcat, with the tires having 15% more tread width than before. The torque converter and differential both offer around 18% each, so it will be a monster coming out of the hole. As soon as we get our hands on one, expect to see some impressive 60' times at our local track, so stay with us for more Demon updates and muscle car news.Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 16, 2017

New Ferrari 812 Superfast: Fastest, Most Powerful Product...

At the upcoming 87th Geneva International Motor Show, Ferrari will be debuting the new 812 Superfast, a V12 masterpiece that was announced today. The release of this car fits perfectly in Ferrari's timeline because 70 years ago to this year they released the 125 S, a V12 automobile that would start the Prancing Horse's history. If the name "Superfast" sounds familiar to you, that's probably because of the 500 Superfast, which was produced from 1964-66. These models were supposed to don the name "Superamerica," a name we're quite familiar with but was changed to Superfast before all was said and done. Underneath the hood of the 812 Superfast is a massive 6.5-liter V12 engine that's capable of 789 hp and 529 lb-ft of torque. With these specs, this new Italian becomes the most powerful car featuring a V12 that Ferrari has ever created. Ferrari notes in a press release today that this was made possible in part "by adopting a 350 bar direct injection system for the very first time on a high-performance engine and pairing it with variable geometry intake tracts conceptually derived from those of naturally-aspirated F1 engines." Mated to this engine is a dual-clutch transmission. With 80% of its power available at just 3.500 rpm, the 812 Superfast can rocket from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds. What's more, it has a top speed of over 211 mph. The press release notes that this is "the most powerful and fastest Ferrari in the marque’s history." Of course, this notion does not include the LaFerrari. For handling, Ferrari has included Electronic Power Steering (EPS) for the first time. With the addition of EPS, the 812 Superfast can use its V12 to its fullest potential when being pushed hard around a track. Also aiding in the car's handling is the latest version of the automaker's Side Slip Control and, for the first time, the Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 system (PCV). As a true successor to the F12berlinetta, the 812 Superfast exceeds expectations in just about every department. Ferrari For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 15, 2017

Reviewed: 2016 Infiniti QX60

From the eyes of an enthusiast, Japanese automakers have been painting themselves into a corner when it comes to crossovers. People movers that were once known as minivans have lost the sliding doors and gained more infotainment options in keeping with the modern connected family. Under the auspices of Badge Engineering, we have seen once proud names relegated to soccer practice. A few weeks ago we had a chance to review the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder and we found it completely acceptable for the modern family. But if you want to set yourself apart from the crowd, its luxury SUV sibling is the Infiniti QX60.Having undergone a freshening for 2016, the QX60 and Pathfinder are only different in price and colors. To give you a valid idea of the QX60's underpinnings you should refer to the Pathfinder, as every part from lugnuts to crank bearings are identical. The reason why both are sold in profitable quantities comes down to Camaro and Firebird. Both were sold at different dealers with just enough differences to keep the public from a direct comparison and it worked for 35 years. Nissan builds the QX and the Pathfinder on the same assembly line in Smyrna, Tennessee. Since they share so much in common, let's take a look at what makes each one unique.With Nissan receiving the refresh first, it has gained LED headlights while Infiniti has to make due with HID. If you want to go offroad, Pathfinder is 4WD while QX60 is AWD. If you believe there is any mechanical difference in the transfer case you are mistaken. Nissan just allows you to disconnect the rear wheels when you don't need them. Nissan is also capable of towing more, being rated at 6,000 lbs vs 5,000 in the QX60. Finally, the main difference is price. Our Pathfinder was well equipped at $46,555. If you want a well-appointed QX60 you will need over $60,000. For that premium, you will not receive LED headlights, extra towing capacity, or shifting transfer case. We don't presume to know what strategies are at work at Nissan HQ, but something doesn't add up. They are both great choices, and we don't have a dog in this fight. Drive them both and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

By Edward Jones – February 15, 2017

All Lamborghini Venenos Being Recalled

The few owners of the Lamborghini Veneno will have to take their ultra-rare supercars into the shop very soon, thanks to a recall issued for the cars. The recall was posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tuesday and was reported on by Bloomberg.com.In this recall, all Venenos and around 1,500 Aventadors in the United States are said to be at risk. At risk for what exactly? The NHTSA notes a possible fault in the fuel system that could lead to a possible fire. In total, about 5,900 Aventadors are being recalled worldwide for this fault.(Lamborghini Veneno Powerslides Around Wet Track)The Aventadors included in this recall include models produced between March 22, 2011 and December 5, 2016. This also includes all limited editions, such as the "Anniversario, Miura Homage, Pirelli Edition; Super Veloce and the projects in-ternally denominated “One-shot,” according to the Safety Recall Report.If you believe your car is affected by this recall, be sure to contact your local authorized Lamborghini dealership as soon as possible.Lamborghini For Sale Related Video:

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