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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 – July 05, 2018

Netflix "Fastest Car" Features Lamborghini Aventador S

One of the hottest automotive shows on Netflix is "Fastest Car". Hosted by Pepper Yandell, it caught the eye of Lamborghini when he reviewed the Huracan. For a command performance, they allowed him to drive a stunning Aventador S as part of the "Passione Italia" event. In a press release last night, we see a stunning Giallo Orion Aventador S.Justin Bieber Has Lamborghini Aventador S DeliveredThey allowed him to drive from the factory in Sant'Agata to the Adriatic coast. Through Tuscany and ending in Florence, it will be featured on an upcoming episode of his series. The Aventador S is not just a fresh face on the same car we love, it is packed with upgraded electronics, magnetic suspension and rear wheel steering. That last feature alone is worth every penny because it allows this supercar to turn in tight circles and navigate narrow roads with ease. Click the link below to experience it for yourself and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.Browse Lamborghini Aventador S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 22, 2018

Lamborghini Restores The Miura SVR

As you might know, Lamborghini only built 763 examples of the Miura. Built between 1966 and 1972, they were offered in various horsepower and trim levels. The Miura SV or SuperVeloce is among the most coveted model, and only one example was built to race from the factory. The only Miura SVR is one of one, and Lamborghini's Polo Storico (Historical) division spent 19 months restoring it.One-Off Miura-Inspired Lamborghini Aventador SV RevealedIt was delivered to the Turin dealership in 1968, and after a few owners it ended up in Germany. Heinz Straber wanted to go racing, so he sent it back to the factory in Sant'Agata to be transformed from a Miura S to the Miura SVR. This process was 18 months, and when it emerged it was so sensational that it was purchased by Hiromitsu Ito and shipped to the land of the rising sun. It was and is so wild that it inspired a 1:18 model by toy company Kyosho. It has also been a major plot device in the manga series "Circuit Wolf".A Lamborghini press release this morning says it was discovered in Japan and returned to the factory- this time in pieces. Working from the original build sheet, the car was rebuilt from the ground up. The only modifications are racing seats and a roll cage in order to be legal for vintage racing classes. No mention was made of the new owner, but if you have been considering a raging bull, click the link below to find your Lamborghini.Find Your Lamborghini Here

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2018

Lamborghini's Future Might Be Hybrid

Its ok to have a big naturally aspirated engine. But it is also ok to help it out with a few batteries. That is the notion that Lamborghini's CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed to Top Gear Magazine. Both the Huracan and Aventador's successors will have plug-in capabilities and a limited range of electric cruising.Lamborghini Aventador Prototype Spied. SVJ?“The big questions are packaging and weight," Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s chief technical officer, told Top Gear. "Yes, this will be a silent Lamborghini, but push the accelerator and the engine will come. Silence will only last for some seconds then comes the sound.”The V10 and V12 engines aren't going anywhere, so don't worry. Just imagine a fully charged system boosting torque for a blistering AWD launch. The next Aventador is scheduled to arrive in 2020, probably for the '21 model year. He also said a pure electric drivetrain won't be able to perform up to their standards in the near future. The raging bulls are getting a high voltage cattle prod, it might just make them even more ferocious! Stay with us for all your Lamborghini newsBrowse Huracan Spyder For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2018

Lamborghini Aventador Prototype Spied. SVJ?

One of the most exciting events of the year happens in early April. The Industrie-Pool is a gathering of the worlds fastest production cars along with their engineers. To level the playing field, everyone gathers at the legendary Nurburgring. In a video uploaded by EMS Nordschleife TV, we see all the usual suspects.The Corvette ZR1 has finally lost its camouflage, but it is still too loud for German race tracks and is forced to wear left-exit tailpipe extensions. The Lamborghini Urus and BMW Z5 are still undercover, and the Mercedes-AMG GTR is trying out a new front end. But the biggest shocker is a wild Lamborghini Aventador with a giant rear spoiler. Could this be the rumored Aventador SVJ or something along the lines of a Performante?Lamborghini Huracan Performante: Raging TechnologyWatch the video below and keep your eyes on the rear spoiler. The Huracan Performante makes use of a hollow rear spoiler. It releases high-pressure air that is fed through its supports to increase downforce. This prototype has supports at its right and left edges, perfect to send air up to the hollow blade. The Aventador SV could only be eclipsed by something more sinister, so as soon as we have more info, you will see it here first. Tell us what you think it is in the comments below and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.

By Andrew Nabors – March 14, 2018

Lamborghini Celebrates the 10,000th Huracan

Surrounded by the entire production staff, the 10,000th example of the Lamborghini Huracan roared to life. In a press release last night we've learned that this raging bull was ordered by a Canadian customer, and this car is an instant collect-a-bull. In only 4 years, Lamborghini has beat everyone's predictions. As the successor to the long-lived Gallardo, the Huracan had big shoes to fill.Lamborghini Unveils Huracan Performante Spyder In GenevaIn contrast to the competition, Lamborghini used a shotgun approach to launching the Huracan. It debuted in rear-drive and AWD in coupe and spyder body styles. The Huracan Performante was the 5th version and its patented aerodynamics are aimed at track dominance. The Performante Spyder is the latest edition, and it marks the 6th street legal variant. Racing versions like the Huracan GT3 have proven their worth by winning the GT3 class at Daytona this year. This all adds up to the factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese having to run 3 shifts to keep up with demand. A record unto itself, Lamborghini delivered 3,815 cars in 2017, and demand shows no signs of slowing down. Congratulations from all of us here at duPont REGISTRY, and keep up the good work.The Huracan in any version is a comfortable & potent machine, so click the links below and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.Huracan For Sale Huracan Performante For SaleHuracan Spyder For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 02, 2018

Lamborghini Huracan Performante Breaks 8 Circuit Records

Remember when everyone was hyped up about the Lamborghini Huracan Performante being the fastest around Nurburgring? I do. Remember when the Porsche 911 GT2 RS came out shortly after and beat the Huracan Performante's time? Yeah, me too.At least now Lamborghini can lay claim to eight different circuit records across the world, thanks to the Huracan Performante. The Italian automaker has just announced these record lap-times for production cars with the supercar and the publications that accomplished the times:07/03/2017 Vairano (Quattroruote) – 1’09”.4308/03/2017 Balocco (Auto) – 2’38”.0708/29/2017 Contidrom (Auto Zeitung) – 1’29”.609/25/2017 Mira (Autocar) – 1’05”,0309/28/2017 Wroughton (The Grand Tour) – 1’16”.810/09/2017 Boxberg (Auto Motor und Sport) – 42”.311/06/2017 Le Mans Bugatti (Sport Auto) – 1’42”.4911/14/2017 Anneau du Rhin (Sport Auto) – 57”.5Not a bad follow-up to that whole Nurburgring shenaniganry.

By Edward Jones – February 19, 2018

Father Surprises 14-Year-Old with Lamborghini Race Car

At the age of 14, Steven Aghakhani has already delved deep into the world of car racing and has a growing list of racing achievements. The cars he's already raced include the Huracan Super Trofeo and Gallardo Super Trofeo. Now, thanks to a surprise gift from his father, he now has a new bull in his stable: the Huracan Super Trofeo Evo. What's more, he was the first American to take delivery of the latest Lamborghini race car.2016 Lamborghini Huracan Performante Specs Review and PhotosThe surprise was made in collaboration with O'Gara Beverly Hills. Steven's father walked him up to the covered car at the Beverly Hills dealership and uncovered his new all-black race car. While it may have been sitting dormant for the reveal, Steven and his team will be taking the car to the track this Spring.Check out the video below to see the delivery for yourself, and thanks to O'Gara Beverly Hills for sharing this event with us.

By Dylan Orluck – February 08, 2018

Tony Rienzi - Success in the Exotic Car Marketplace

From poor at 22 to surrounded by Ferraris on a daily basis, here is how Tony Rienzi saw an opportunity and acted on it. Tony moved from Philadelphia to Florida, leaving his car washing job behind, in pursuit of high dollar exotic cars. There was one particular car that stood out and that was the Lamborghini Countach from Cannonball Run. Not only the Countach but the other poster cars from the 80’s fueled Tony’s passion for automobiles and helped to create his success.Tony saw a window of opportunity and he took it. After looking at the market, he noticed that the Ferrari 308’s, Testarossa’s and Lamborghini Countaches for sale were undervalued and the people that once dreamed of owning these cars were now finally able to afford them. He began purchasing these undervalued cars left and right and selling them for a huge profit through the duPont REGISTRY Magazine. He sold his first Countach to the ruler of Qatar, on his birthday and things only went up from there. Lamborghini Countach - Bought for $75,000 and sold for $330,000 Ferrari Testarossa - Bought for $30,000 and sold for $100,000 Ferrari 308 - Bought for $20,000 and sold for $70,000 to $80,000 It’s easy to say that someone got lucky, but when they continue to see these trends before others and create opportunities that didn’t seem possible, it seems as though luck may only have been a small part of it.Tony told us that a few factors of his success were attributed to the market: timing, selling iconic classics on the right venue and making sure each car was in pristine condition. After a while, things began to slow down. Tony said, “the Countach market crashed because people drove the market passed the redline.” Essentially, people began buying and selling the wrong years, editions and bodied cars and began to negatively affect the market.So as time passes, Tony has his eyes peeled for what’s next. Is it Acura NSX’s, Skylines, TT Supras, Panteras, Ferrari GT4's or Brazilian race cars? Maybe even alternative asset investing. It’s hard to say, but what we do know is that when the time is right, Tony’s going to strike again and stir up the market without warning.WATCH OUT! DOT COM BABY! Visit TonyRienzi.com Follow Him on IG

By Andrew Nabors – January 16, 2018

Lamborghini Aventador vs Kia Forte...

The North American Auto Show in Detroit has generated big news for the 2019 model year. Ford unleashed a new Bullitt Mustang, Chevy's new Silverado is getting a straight-six diesel, and Kia launched the 3rd generation Forte. Moving away from being Hyundai's economy brand, the new Forte is a great deal for a family sedan. So in order to show off its standard features, they called out Lamborghini for a comparison with the Aventador.Need Room For Something New? Sell Your Car Here!Built for safety in any situation, the Forte's structure is 54% high-strength steel. The standard transmission is a six-speed manual, but KIA's first CVT is optional. The interior has been moved rearward by adding 6" ahead of the firewall. This makes for a short trunk that covers 15 cubic feet of cargo space. Nobody buys an Aventador for its practicality, but if you have the means to afford one we recommend the Kia as a great daily driver. You can't deny the 10-year warranty & six-speed stick. Stay with us for more great comparisons here on Autofluence.Browse Aventadors For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=19&v=m7L9XRfGULo

By Edward Jones – October 12, 2017

Verde Bronte Lamborghini Centenario Lands in Hong Kong

Deliveries of the Lamborghini Centenario hypercars continue to progress nicely, with the latest one being the meanest and greenest of them all.View Lamborghini Centenario For SaleLamborghini Hong Kong has posted images of their latest delivery, a Centenario coupe finished a custom Verde Bronte matte-green paint. With this paint, its the only Centenario to feature an all-green exterior. Golden carbon-fiber finishes can be found on both the exterior and interior, giving the mean car an added luxurious flair.Check out the images of the car below, posted on Lamborghini Hong Kong's Instagram profile.

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