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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 – December 06, 2016

Mercedes Previews Digital Headlights

Germans have an obsession with illumination. There is Audi who blinded the world with laser-powered headlights on the new R8, prompting Mercedes-Benz to fire back with new digital projectors. In a YouTube video uploaded recently, Formula 1 safety car driver Bernd Mayländer explains why these new digital projectors are the future of nighttime driving.(Also Read - Pricing for 2018 Mercedes-AMG GTs Revealed)The Black Forest is home to many of Germany's automotive and manufacturing industries, and the dense population of ancient trees has forced new innovation in lighting and safety. The Autobahn still retains sections of unrestricted speed, so being able to overtake someone going a third slower than you can be dangerous in the dark. The world's first high-speed motorway was critical to German supply movements in WWII, so Berlin ordered the lights to remain on 24/7. To the delight of British airmen, their nighttime raids were much easier to navigate thanks to four lanes of shining pavement. The new HD projector technology from Mercedes-Benz uses sensors on the vehicle to identify other road users and ideally adapt the light distribution to the environment. In this process, the heads of oncoming road users can be shielded from the light beam to reliably prevent dazzling them.While the video doesn't go into detail on how the system works, it's clearly seen that it can generate high-definition images far in front of the vehicle. With the ability to project navigation and warnings directly in the driver's field of view, it renders contemporary HUD systems obsolete. In a bit of holiday irony, the digital projections bear a close resemblance to the LED Christmas light generators seen on every other TV commercial. The new HD headlamp generation from Mercedes-Benz, working in combination with the navigation system, can also project direction arrows onto the road surface, to aid navigation.The system is primarily aimed at improving the safety of pedestrians and other motorists by contouring the headlight pattern in order to eliminate glare. Everyone knows someone with aftermarket HIDs who takes delight in blinding everyone in a 3-mile radius, so hopefully this will force our NHTSA to reexamine our archaic lighting laws. Brass era cars are still allowed to run carbide headlamps which are essentially acetylene torches in glass enclosures. What could go wrong there?Without a doubt this innovative technology will leave halogen and xenon projectors in the dark, so kudos to Mercedes for leading the way in lighting.Mercedes-Benz For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 05, 2016

Battle of the Chevys: 2017 Camaro ZL1 vs Corvette Z06

John Hennessey is not known for leaving anything in stock form. But in order to know how effective his modifications are, it's necessary to know how fast each car is before the transformation. In a new YouTube video uploaded by Hennessey Performance, we have a rare opportunity to see a roll race between a new 2017 Camaro ZL1 and a Corvette Z06. In a rare move by Chevrolet, both cars are rated at 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The supercharged LT4 V8 is a 6.2 engine with direct injection and an all-aluminum construction. Camaro has a traditional layout of front-engine with the transmission close behind it, but the Corvette has the transmission mounted out back, connected by a torque tube. Since this is the last time both cars will be in factory form, why not see what they are capable of? (Also Watch Hennessey HPE800 Shelby Mustang GT350 is Loud Loud Loud) Depending on options, the Camaro can be anywhere from 300 to 500 pounds heavier than its fiberglass cousin. To simulate a true street race, both cars lined up for a roll race at Hennessey's Lonestar Motorsports Park. Both cars are manual transmission -- the seven-speed Z06 vs a six-speed ZL1. This is a battle of weight, aerodynamics and gear ratios, so tell us who you think should have won. Stay with us, as we will show you what these cars will do once he works his magic with them once they are completed. He will turn your car from mild to wild, so if you need a Z06 or ZL1 to send him, be sure to check out the listings from our dealers below.

By Edward Jones – December 05, 2016

One-Off Pagani Zonda Zozo Crashed in Japan

I just hate writing these articles...Something unfortunate has happened in Japan involving a rare, one-off supercar called the Pagani Zonda Zozo. According to GTSpirit, the car was involved in an accident that dismantled its front half. Additionally, it seems as though a Maybach 62S was also involved in the same exact accident. Further details regarding the incident are not available as of now, but stay with us for more information as it's released. Posted by Autogespot on Saturday, December 3, 2016 The Zonda Zozo was made for Yusaku Maezawa, who founded ZozoTown, the Japanese online clothing outlet for young adults that recently celebrated 10 years of business. The 760 Zonda series derives its name from the 760 hp created by its naturally aspirated 7.3-liter V12 engine.Exotic Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 05, 2016

Ferrari 488 Challenge Will Take Turbos to the Track

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ferrari Challenge series, the new 488 Challenge car has been unveiled. This is the sixth model to comprise the one-make series created by the Italian automaker. Since the series' were announced back in 1992, there have been over 1,000 races, with over 1,000 racers.(Also Read - Last Ferrari LaFerrari Has Sold: Most Expensive 21st Century Car Sold at Auction)The new 488 Challenge is set to become the first ever turbocharged Challenge car and the most powerful ever produced. Powering the new race car is a 660 hp 3.9-liter V8 engine derived from the production 488 GTB and 488 Spider. Changes made to the Challenge's powertrain include specific engine mapping, shorter gear ratios, new racing shift strategy in the F1 DCT transmission and a reduction in overall powertrain weight.Externally, the 488 Challenge looks completely different than its road-going version. The most noticeable addition has to be the massive rear wing, similar to the one found on the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship-winning 488 GTE. Up front, there's a new front bumper that has been completely redesigned, as well as a new front hood with integrated flaps.When the power and incredible aerodynamics are combined, the 488 Challenge time sees a one second quicker Fiorano lap time than the 458 Challenge EVO at 1'15.5".All Ferrari 488 For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 05, 2016

Last Ferrari LaFerrari Has Sold: Most Expensive 21st Cent...

It's a sad day as I read the press release regarding the final Ferrari LaFerrari being sold. At the Ferrari Finali Mondiali in Florida over the weekend, the final Italian hypercar was sold at RM Sotheby's auction.(Related - Ferrari Unveils All 70th Anniversary Models)How much did it sell for? A cool $7 million. With this price, the car becomes the most valuable 21st Century automobile ever sold at auction. What's more, Ferrari says that this sale will help with the "the reconstruction of Central Italy in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of 2016."This specific LaFerrari has a unique livery that is quite Italian: red exterior with white lines running from the front to the back, an Italian flag on the hood and a commemorative plaque.All LaFerrari For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 02, 2016

McLarens Now Covered Up to 12 Years

Have a McLaren that you want to protect for over a decade? The English automaker has your back. Announced in a press release issued today, December 2, McLaren will now allow for their Extended Warranty to be renewed up until the car's 12th birthday. This announcement comes after the fact that more than 3,000 McLaren vehicles have passed their third birthday. This change to the policy used to only cover the car up until its 7th birthday.(Related - McLaren P14 Spied on the Road)The McLaren Extended Warranty will cover a majority of factory-fitted components, giving customers peace of mind when daily driver their supercar. This warranty also comes with unlimited mileage cover, roadside assistance in certain markets and, " in the event of claim, guaranteed use of McLaren Genuine Parts fitted by fully trained McLaren technicians."Carl Whipp, Aftersales Director at McLaren Automotive commented in the press release: “Owners want the reassurance that their car will still be looked after to the same standards with which it was built. And they want to continue to enjoy their McLaren without worry. Sometimes daily. It’s for them that we launched the Extended Warranty and now with this further enhancement to the coverage period, it will continue to give complete peace of mind … right up to the car’s 12th birthday.”This is what items are specifically excluded from the McLaren Extended Warranty: General maintenance, scheduled servicing, and routine adjustments required by normal wear and tear and/or recommended by McLaren Automotive Limited, including any replacement parts and assemblies or other materials (including but not limited to, spark plugs, wiper blades, bulbs, filters, belts, coolant hoses, brake pads, lubricants, fluids, and filters) used in such services and adjustments Batteries, tires, wheels, wheel balancing or alignment Paintwork, trim and upholstery or the deterioration of any other part, assembly or component as a consequence of wear and tear or exposure to the elements After market accessories or non-original equipment, components and systems not installed by a McLaren Retailer are specifically excluded from the coverage Any damage caused to any components by the use of incorrect or contaminated fuel The renewal of any clutch component due to incorrect adjustment, misuse or general wear and tear Water Ingress Software upgrades (unless part of a valid repair). All McLaren For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 01, 2016

Cadillac's Prototype DPi-V.R Race Car is Ferocious

Cadillac is back at it again, bringing one of the most ferocious race cars to the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. Being called the 2017 Cadillac DPi-V.R, this race car will be competing in the Prototype (P) class and will be driven by teams from Wayne Taylor Racing and Action Express Racing.(Related - Not Even Close: Cadillac CTS-V vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS)“The DPi-V.R race car was an exciting new canvas for the Cadillac design and sculpting team,” said Andrew Smith, Global Cadillac Design executive director, in a press release from the automaker. “The studio embraced the opportunity to interpret the Cadillac form language, line work and graphic signature for this premier prototype racing application. Every detail of the final design was selected to support the car’s on-track performance and unmistakable Cadillac presence.”Powering the car is a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine, similar to the one found in the third-generation CTS-V. For the prototype, 600 hp will be on tap, with a max RPM of 7,600. Here's a quick comparison between the CTS-V and the new DPi-V.R race car: Detail Cadillac CTS-V Cadillac DPi-V.R Engine Type 6.2L/376 cu in 6.2L/376 cu in Induction Supercharged V-8 Naturally aspirated V-8 Fuel System Direct fuel injection Fuel injection Horsepower 640 @ 6,400 RPM 600 @ 6,800 RPM (approx.) Torque 630 lb.- ft. @ 3600 RPM Series spec based Lubrication Semi-wet sump, 1.0 G Dry sump Transmission 8-speed automatic with LC Transverse sequential Brakes Brembo 4-wheel disc, 2-piece Brembo 4-wheel disc Weight 4,141 lbs. (1,878 kg.) 2,050 lbs. (930 kg.) Final Drive Electronically variable Viscous mechanical limited slip limited slip Be sure to check out the race series next year to see the Cadillac DPi-V.R in action.Sports Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 30, 2016

Hybrid Havoc: BMW i8 vs Acura NSX

Innovations in hybrid technology have allowed the hypercar to reach power levels we thought were impossible. But the same advances that brought forth cars like the Porsche 918 Spyder or the La Ferrari have been worked into cars attainable by the middle class. BMW took a unique approach with the carbon fiber i8. It uses a 1.5 liter three cylinder along with a turbo and a 7.1 kW hybrid system for a total output of 357 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Even with the exotic construction of the composite unibody the curb weight is above average for a performance coupe at 3,455 lbs. An electric motor takes the place of a front differential to deliver all-wheel drive.(Also Check Out - New Acura NSX Autobahn Top Speed Test)Honda has teased us with a 2nd generation NSX for a few decades, but the latest from Acura is built in Ohio instead of Japan. Power comes from a more traditional 3.5-liter twin-turbo six and three electric motors. The battery has 12 kW of storage which offers a combined output of 573 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque. Comparing these two high voltage coupes is a preview of what our daily drivers will be in the near future, so allow Carfection to extol their virtues. Stay with us for more electrifying news and reviews.i8 For Sale|NSX For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 30, 2016

Final LaFerrari Coupe to Benefit Earthquake Victims

One of the strongest earthquakes in recent history rocked northern Italy back on August 24th. Measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale, it leveled countless historic buildings and took the lives of several hundred people. Only 499 examples of the LaFerrari were initially planned, but Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne has authorized production of an additional coupe that will be sold to benefit those affected by the earthquake.(Related: Why the Ferrari F40 Should be Part of your Collection)Volunteers from across Europe and the Red Cross are working day and night to help those affected get back on their feet, so expect to see a bidding war for the rights to car #500. Similarly, Ferrari only built 399 examples of the Enzo with car #400 being reserved for the Pope. The Vatican recently sold the car and used the proceeds for the Church's humanitarian efforts around the world. It was a sensation at Monterey last year as we watched RM Sotheby's hammer it for over six million dollars.Our thoughts go out to those affected by this tragedy, and if you are interested in helping please contact the Red Cross for more information.LaFerrari For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 30, 2016

Dodge Viper Ordering Actually Reopening Again

Earlier this year, fans of the Dodge Viper were disappointed when they learned that orders for the American monster had been closed. This was done so that Dodge could reassess just how many cars they would be able to create for the car's final year in production. Well, it seems that this closure of orders ramped up the interest in the car, prompting the automaker to reopen them.“We actually had to shut down the ordering because we outran our headlights,” Tim Kuniskis, head of Fiat Chrysler-North America passenger-car brands, told Detroit News at the Los Angeles Auto Show this year. “We didn’t know if we were going to have enough parts to build all the cars that people ordered.”(Related - Chris Harris Drives and Reviews the Dodge Viper ACR)Additionally, the automaker also ran into a short of its carbon fiber aero wings for the ACR models. "The demand for ACR is off the charts — way more than we ever expected,” Kuniskis told Detroit News. “We are close to opening it back up now that we know how many more we can build."Those looking to order the Viper should know that they will be able to do so before the year's end. However, they are looking to sell out very quickly. As a reminder, this will be your last chance to order the Viper...for the time being.All Dodge Viper For Sale

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