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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 – January 14, 2020

Lamborghini Posts Strong 2019 Sales Numbers

Global Sales Increased 43% Almost 5,000 Urus Delivered 8,205 Cars Sold In MY 2019 Ferruccio is looking down with a smile. The company he founded is growing by leaps and bounds, as Lamborghini posts strong 2019 sales numbers. Global sales increased by 43% from 2018, with 8,205 cars delivered. This represents nine consecutive years of growth, with a steady demand for the Huracan and the Aventador. Browse All Lamborghini For Sale As the Urus continues to gain popularity, the Sian is a glimpse of a hybrid future. Click the button above to find our dealer near you, and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. " width="680"> Related: Lamborghini Urus Price, Specs, Photos Review

By Andrew Nabors – December 04, 2019

Lamborghini Huracan EVO Expedition Cruises Through Malibu

A great recipe for advertisement it to place celebrities in your products. Your goal is to tell us how many people you recognize from this quick trip. In their latest upload, a Lamborghini Huracan EVO expedition cruises through Malibu. In my humble opinion, the Huracan EVO Coupe & Huracan EVO Spyder offers the convenience and reliability of a daily driver, along with supercar performance. Browse All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale No turbos, superchargers, or hybrid assist. This is a bulletproof V10 sending power to all wheels. Great visibility along with rear-steering makes it easy to drive, and the price won't break the bank. Click the button above to experience one for yourself. " width="680"> Related: Lamborghini Huracan EVO Price, Specs, Photos & Review

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 Andrew Nabors – September 26, 2019

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 vs 740 HP BMW F10 M5

This one is bound to ruffle some feathers. Allow me to preface this video by saying that Lamborghini and BMW both build amazing machines. I would own both, but I couldn't pass up a great offer on a CTS-V. That being said, what do you think happens when a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 meets a 740 horsepower BMW F10 M5? Browse BMW M5 For Sale In the foreground is a Raging Bull sending over 600 horsepower to all wheels. The Bavarian opponent has a twin-turbo V8 that has a few upgrades. The film was uploaded by cvdzijden - Supercar Videos from the recent SCC500 Rolling50 1000. Lamborghini Murcielago Specs, Price, Photos & Review Roll racing is folks who can't drive, but it clearly shows if a car is geared for acceleration or top speed. Tell us which car you would own in the comments below, and stay with us for more high-speed competitions. " width="680"> Related: BMW M5 Edition 35 Years Unveiled

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By Andrew Nabors – July 26, 2019

Murcielago Manuals Have Become Million-Dollar Lamborghinis

Walk into any dealership and ask for a manual transmission. The confused salespeople will not know how to respond. So far in 2019, the Corvette and the Mustang GT500 have lost their 3rd pedal. I bought a six-speed CTS-V because it was a stick, and I'm sure many of you love the excitement shifting offers. When it comes to the last Lamborghini flagship, we are losing them at an alarming rate. Our friend John Temerian pulled the numbers for the last V12 manual transmission cars, and many are in bad shape. That is why Murcielago manuals have become million-dollar Lamborghinis. This is as rare as a unicorn. A pristine 2007 Murci with only 3,100 miles. It is one of 19 LP640 coupes with a manual transmission. It is All Wheel Drive, and loaded with every option. Curated has a complete history since new, and it has no signs of wear inside or out. You can't say you aren't intrigued! The e-Gear transmission was a leap too far, and they are showing their age with expensive maintenance costs. If you have the means, a stick shift Murcielago would be a perfect daily driver, so click the link below at a regular basis to find one for yourself. buy this murcielago now Related: 2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia Six-Speed History by VinWiki Lamborghini Murcielago Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – July 02, 2019

Lamborghini Urus Leads to Record-Breaking Sales

Do you want to be a leader or a follower? That was the question Lamborghini faced when they were considering a new SUV. If you haven't experienced the Urus, it has redefined the market and left everyone else trying to catch up. This is clearly evident in a press release this morning, as the Lamborghini Urus leads to record-breaking sales. The home of the Raging Bull delivered 4,553 cars for the first half of 2019. Not only does this represent 96% growth YTD, they sold more cars since January 1st than the entire 2017 model year! With the U.S. remaining their primary market, 2,693 Urus were delivered since the new year. The Huracan accounted for 1,211 cars, with the Huracan Evo arriving at dealers last month. Spurred on by the SVJ, the Aventador accounted for 649 deliveries. View Complete Lamborghini Urus Specs, Prices & Options Big gains in China and South Korea prove they are a worldwide brand, and Lamborghini is on-target to have their best year ever. Congrats to all the fine folks in Sant’Agata Bolognese, keep up the good work! If you haven't experienced why the Urus is so addictive, click the link below and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini Urus For Sale Related: Lamborghini Urus Price, Specs, Photos & Review Lamborghini Urus vs Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

By Andrew Nabors – May 07, 2019

Lamborghini Polo Storico Finds the Miura from "The Italia...

It has been 50 years since the the premiere of "The Italian Job", and many considered the wrecked Lamborghini Miura to be long gone. But there is another side to the story. In the latest news from Sant'Agata Bolognese, Lamborghini Polo Storico has found the Miura from "The Italian Job". Paramount didn't have the budget for destroying a new Miura, so they chose a heavily damaged one for the action scene. They needed a pristine example for the driving scenes, and one was coming down the assembly line. Retired employee Enzo Moruzzi remembers delivering the car to the set, so he was asked to help authenticate the car. It had changed hands several times, winding up in the Kaiser Collection of Vaduz. It was shipped from Liechtenstein to Polo Storico, where it was examined top to bottom. All the numbers matched, and Chassis #3586 proved to be the "Hero Car" of the film's opening scenes. Being authenticated by the factory, it is now among the most valued Lamborghinis in existence. If you want to experience the thrill of a transverse V12, click the link below and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Find Your Lamborghini Miura Here " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 10, 2019

Lamborghini Huracan Evo Configurator is Live

If you need Performante Power along with rear-wheel steering, the new Lamborghini Huracan Evo Configurator is up & running. We broke the news about the latest Lambo on Monday, so follow along as we fall down the rabbit hole of colors and options. We were greeted by 40 paint choices that are divided into solid, metallic, pearl, matte, and special metallic. What makes the special metallic worth the extra coin is thanks to the multiple layers of tinted clear and color sanded metallic. The car needs to be seen for miles, so we chose Rosso Bia. While cast aluminum wheels are great on your daily driver, a car of this magnitude deserves forged center-locks. Two cast designs are offered as standard equipment, but the Narvi 20" in gloss black has Y-spokes. This design theme is also seen in the headlight LEDs and throughout the interior, so why not? Next were the finer details of the body. We chose yellow brake calipers because the other 11 choices didn't seem right. Three exterior packages are available, ranging from high gloss black, body color, and full specs. The last one includes a rear diffuser and the matte finish engine cover, so it was a no-brainer. Now its time for the interior, and I am thankful for leather. Alcantara is fun to say, but it isn't comfortable nor easy to clean. If I am buying a raging bull, I want to make sure the other cows know I mean business! That is why I chose inverted stitching on the red & black hides. Carbon Skin is the name for their new interior trim, and it is 28% lighter than Alcantara. We chose the complete package that covers the center console, door panels, upper dash, and the knee pads. Red piping on the floor mats and red stitching on the steering wheel were chosen from 16 thread colors. Both seats are powered and heated, with dual lumbar adjustments on each side. We opted for embroidered headrests. The base model interior has black chrome for the door handles, shifter plate and switch guards, but Forged Composites look much better. The small forged composites package is simply the grab handles, air vents, and shift paddles. The Big Package adds the center console, switch guards and sill plates. Lamborghini Unveils the 2020 Huracan Evo Lastly, my Alcantara annoyance was eliminated by opting for leather A-pillars and headliner. We think Mr. Balboni would approve, so stay with us for his comments. The only final option is for the Sensonium. This 10-speaker audio system has 4 tweeters, 4 mids and 2 subs, which are completely not needed in a V10 supercar. From there we move onto the unseen hardware. A 128-gig hard drive seems redundant since phones are already in the terabyte territory. Telemetry is crucial to better lap times and front axle lift...because Florida. A five year warranty and included maintenance offer peace of mind, so its worth the extra money. Ambient lighting is standard, hooray! After this final step you are presented with a summary. Huracan Evo Summary Now you have a choice. You are presented with a six-letter code for your unique build. Choosing to share opens every social media network along with an email prompt. Brochure compiles the entire car as a PDF. Now it is time to get on the list. Using your Zip Code on our website will locate the closest Lamborghini dealer. You can email them your code, but it might also be wise to print the PDF. Some of these options might have a price you don't agree with. That is the beauty of the configurator. This information arrives in Italy as soon as the handshake, and your car is transformed from binary code into a 640 horsepower asphalt assault weapon. Click the link below to browse Lamborghinis for sale and stay with us for all your Huracan updates. Find A Lamborghini Near you " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 07, 2019

Lamborghini Unveils the 2020 Huracán EVO

Your car has more computing power than the Space Shuttle. It does this by a network of computers located throughout the cockpit. Lamborghini has just shocked the industry by changing this ancient method. The new Huracán EVO hit our inbox as a press release early this morning. Of course the engine is potent. The 5.2L V10 makes 640 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 443 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. What good is an excellent engine without the ability to control that power? As each new system was added to the Gallardo and then to the Huracan, it meant more weight. Another computer and miles of wire were integrated into an already complex system. Almost every car computer communicates to each other on the Can-Bus. This antiquated system has limited bandwidth, and it chokes the speed of how each system responds. The biggest upgrade to the EVO is rear wheel steering. But instead of adding another computer to control it, the engineers made a bold move. Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI) is a centralized system. It starts with new accelerometers and gyros that are mounted at the car's center of gravity. Thankfully there was room between the seats for the new hardware, and it places the sensors dead-center on the car's Z-axis. Predicting the driver's input and the car's reaction was the main goal of LDVI. Under its control are new magnetic shocks, MagneRide 2.0 was licensed from GM to give the Huracan the same responsiveness as the Corvette and the Cadillac V-Series. The computer also handles torque vectoring, using 3 electronic differentials to send all power to one tire if needed. Rear steering is always in motion, adapting to lateral loads while cornering. Because this is a learning system, it will anticipate the driver's reactions while also remembering how much each tire will hold before it gives up. Of course, this is all dependent on which mode the driver selects, as the system responds differently in Strada, Sport, and Corsa modes. Styling has been sharpened inside and out. The lower & more aggressive body integrates a new front splitter, and an open rear grille. The titanium exhaust has moved up like most other supercars. This helps fill the vacuum made by the car at high speeds, limited drag in the process. Inside you will have a new 8.4" touchscreen. It has gesture control and multi-finger ability for quick navigation. The best new feature here is the dual-camera telemetry system. It records your laps along with data from all critical systems. All this is packaged in a car that weighs only 3,135 lbs. That is only 181 lbs more than the Gallardo Superleggera, one of the lightest Lamborghinis ever offered. So that is how it reaches 62 mph in 2.9 seconds and 124 mph arrives in only 9 ticks. The top speed is well over 202 mph so it can stop from 62 mph in 105 feet. The new Huracan Evo is 90 lbs heavier than the Huracan Performante, but the incredible new suspension might give it an advantage in the corners. Our dealers have all the info, so click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. View All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale Related: Lamborghini Aventador Races Florida Highway Patrol Fastest Production Car Quarter Mile Times

By Andrew Nabors – September 17, 2018

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ at Estoril Circuit for 1st Time

Lamborghini's latest achievement is the Aventador SVJ. It is only natural that they tease us at Portugal's most famous racing circuit. Estoril circuit has been home to F1 and Grand Prix racing since 1972. The challenges of elevation and crosswinds are the perfect place to display the car's abilities. Using the second generation of their active aerodynamic system, it can transfer downforce to any corner and reduce drag for the ultimate top-speed run. ALA 2.0 improves on the patented system that debuted on the Huracan Performante. We're guessing they are aiming for a record at every track. Since it reset our notions of the Nurburgring, stay with us for all your Aventador updates!Browse Lamborghini For Sale Here! View this post on Instagram Speed is its natural element. The new Lamborghini Aventador SVJ at @Circuito_Estoril, Portugal, for the first time on a racetrack. #Estoril #AventadorSVJ #Lamborghini #CircuitoDoEstoril A post shared by Lamborghini (@lamborghini) on Sep 17, 2018 at 9:45am PDT

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