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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 – October 10, 2017

Lamborghini Looks Back On LM002 And Anticipates The Urus

It's finally happening! After a quarter-century, Lamborghini will be back in the SUV business. In a press release last night, we have learned that December 4th will herald the arrival of the Urus SUV on sale in 2018. As the spiritual successor to the Rambo Lambo for sale, remembering the LM002 is essential to understand the motivation for the new model. It began with a request by the Italian armed forces for a homegrown off-road utility vehicle. The LM001 concept was known as "Cheetah", and used a rear-mounted V12. Troops and gear needed room, so the next few ideas moved the engine to the front and added triple Torsen differentials. What began as an idea in the 70's was launched in 1986 as the LM002. Only 300 examples were built in a production run that lasted until 1992. READ: LAMBORGHINI LM002 SPECS, PRICES, PHOTOS So your Lamborghini Dealership needs a Halo Car? Lamborghini doesn't need to call any attention to themselves, but the LM002 has been proven to be worthy of anyone's garage. The body is aluminum and fiberglass, and the V12 engine is the same Quattrovalvole example found in the Countach. We have been teased by rumors and renderings of the Urus for over a year. As the launch approaches, Lamborghini has given it a landing page and the hashtag #SinceWeMadeItPossible Whatever its final form, you can bet it will be impressive, and you will see it first here on Autofluence. Stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Search Lamborghini LM002 For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 10, 2017

First Lamborghini Centenario Roadster in Canada Delivered...

Two weeks ago, the United States' first Lamborghini Centenario Roadster was delivered by O'Gara Coach. Now, it seems as though Canada had their first Centenario Roadster delivered not too long after.According to a press release from Newswire.ca, Grand Touring Automobiles has "quietly" delivered a stunning Centenario Roadster to a private owner in Toronto. This example has a naked carbon fiber body with red brake calipers and red trim on the inside."The world's finest automobiles are the stock and trade of the staff at Grand Touring Automobiles," said dealership President and Chief Executive Paul Cummings in the press release; "but, the Centenario really got everyone excited. The remarkable technology of the car, its arresting design and physical presence; and, the honor of delivering such a rare car to one of our very special customers, made this a real occasion."Additionally, the owner of the car wanted to delivery and transaction of the car to be private. This reason is why we just recently learned about the hypercar's delivery. Cummings noted that his "staff goes to great lengths to ensure their expectations of discretion and privacy are met." Seems he was correct on that notion.The photos in this article were taken by Instagram account @ali_autobathelite, who appears to have taken care of the Lamborghini's delivery prep. Be sure to check out his Instagram for more incredible pictures of supercars.https://www.instagram.com/p/BWWUf5ol9mW

By Andrew Nabors – July 05, 2017

This is the Final Lamborghini Aventador SV

The market for supercars in Scotland is probably devoid of English models, so the Italians have gained control of the Highlands. Lamborghini Edinburgh have become a force to reckon with, not only in Europe but across the civilized world. As the host of high profile events, they have gained a social media following that rivals the most prominent exotic dealers. That's probably how they were able to order and receive the final Lamborghini Aventador SV. The limited production Super Veloce is lighter and faster than a "normal" Aventador. Changes to the exhaust system and computer tuning unlock 740 horsepower and 509 lb-ft of torque. Capable of reaching 217 miles per hour, only 500 Roadsters and 600 coupes were built.To make sure the series ended with a bang, the dealership worked with the factory to build a car for the ages. Their Facebook page says the car is the result of countless late nights and several trips to Italy. Their efforts have yielded the only Aventador to be finished in Porsche 918 Liquid Metal. The brilliant metallic blue is a mile deep thanks to 12 coats of paint. Color sanding a dozen coats of paint will give you arms of steel, but it requires dedication not found anywhere else in the industry. Every inch of carbon fiber that is normally exposed was also painted to make this SV truly unique. If you missed the chance to order one to your liking, our dealers have several new Aventador SV's for sale. Go against the crowd and make it your own, and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.

By Edward Jones – May 24, 2017

Fourth Lamborghini Model Will be Inspired by Heritage Models

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

By Edward Jones – May 18, 2017

First Lamborghini Centenario Arrives in the United States...

Today, at Lamborghini Newport Beach, the United States' first customer Lamborghini Centenario was delivered. This example is unlike any we've seen thus far. Exposed carbon fiber covers the body, while blue trim is found on the aero components. The car was delivered in a crate, which the dealership cracked open on Facebook Live. The video of the car's unveiling can be found below.The Centenario is powered by a naturally aspirated V12 engine that produces 770 hp, making it Lamborghini's most powerful engine that they've ever produced. With a weight of 3,351 lbs and the aforementioned power, this hypercar will run 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds and 0-186 mph in 23.5 seconds. Its top speed is said to be over 217 mph. There will be, in total, 20 versions of the Coupe and 20 versions of the Roadster made during the Centenario's production.https://www.facebook.com/LamborghiniNB/videos/1527692270608025/

By Andrew Nabors – May 12, 2017

Lamborghini Gets Stunned by Insane Nissan GT-R

I have tried to understand racing from a rolling start but it never seems to make sense. Nevertheless, GTBoard.com has a knack for finding unlikely comparisons, and this one is perfect for the weekend. Somewhere in Europe a Nissan GT-R received a ton of aftermarket upgrades and decided to take on a Lamborghini Huracan. Both are AWD with dual clutch transmissions. Both have launch control and powerful software so it would be great to see this happen at a 1/2 mile drag strip. It takes serious willpower for a V6 to call out a V10, but the GT-R has a few tricks up its sleeve.Also Check Out Our Hottest Cars Of The WeekE85 is a wonder fuel that is much maligned by the oil-funded press. Made from corn or sugar cane, it is essentially 200 proof moonshine with a hint of gas to keep us from indulging. It offers a few horsepower on naturally aspirated engines, but turbos love it. That's because the alcohol cools the intake charge more efficiently than any intercooler. Cooler air is more dense, which allows for more boost. It also has an octane rating of around 110, allowing cars to run much more ignition advance. More boost, more torque, and much more fun! This GT-R is rated at 863 horsepower and 833 lb-ft of torque, but we don't know if that is engine or wheel horsepower. The Huracan makes 610 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque at the engine (assuming it is stock). Would you drive a stock Lamborghini over a modded Nissan? Tell us why in the comments below!

By Andrew Nabors – April 03, 2017

Lamborghini Delivers First Huracan Polizia to Highway Patrol

If you plan on breaking the law in Italy you better have a fast car. Back in 2009, the Italian Highway Patrol received a few potent Gallardos to enforce the limits and provide first aid as a first responder. It was featured in numerous films and it was a great source of national pride. After racking up miles and busting perpetrators it has been resigned to Lamborghini's Museum at the Headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognese. In a press release over the weekend, Lamborghini revealed the details of the Huracan Polizia edition. In a ceremony in Rome, the new Patrol Car was delivered, and the Gallardo found a new home at the Highway Patrol Museum.The new Huracan will be used as a show of force, and for high-speed transport as an organ transplant courier. Finished in Police Medium Blue and white, it has a dividing stripe of the Italian flag running the length of the car. It was ordered with AWD and equipped with a light bar and sirens. The interior is outfitted with a holster, VHF radio, 360-degree video recording, first aid supplies. To keep transplant organs viable, the front luggage compartment has a refrigerator. A front fridge has for the R8/Gallardo/Huracan has been rumored by owners and technicians, so we hope it becomes a dealer option for the perfect beach day. You can't beat them so your best shot would be to find a Huracan for sale and start modding it. Be sure to stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.Lamborghini For Sale - duPont REGISTRY

By Andrew Nabors – March 06, 2017

Lamborghini Huracan Performante Revealed: Specs, Pics and...

On Friday the world was shocked by Lamborghini's video. It was cockpit footage from the latest Huracan in a record-setting lap of the'Ring. The time to beat is now 6:52.01 thanks to the new Lamborghini Huracan Performante. A press release this morning dives deep into technical advancements and revised components, so allow us to offer up the finer details.Instead of traditional carbon fiber, the Huracan Performante uses forged composites to shed weight. Still made of carbon, the material is thinner with the same strength. The result is a loss of 88 lbs of curb weight. Active aerodynamics are programmed to react in 500 ms in order to control downforce. It also creates less drag which increases acceleration and top speed. It only takes 2.9 seconds to reach 62 mph and you will be capable of over 202 mph. The 5.2 liter V10 now makes 640 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. With a dry weight of 3,046 lbs, the Performante is the state of the art in lightweight motoring.View Lamborghini Huracan Price, Specs, Photos The exhaust is all new, with tuned runners exiting higher up than before. This allows 70% of maximum torque by 1,000 rpm, which is something Italian enthusiasts are not accustomed to. The chassis is 15% stronger, so the suspension was dialed in with more spring pressure and thicker sway bars. The interior offers new displays for the driver and race ready seats are optional. The base price for US buyers has been set at $274,390, which isn't bad for a record holding supercar. As soon as they begin arriving you will seem them first here on Autofluence.

By Edward Jones – February 24, 2017

First Customers Lamborghini Centenario Leaked

We've only seen the Lamborghini Centenario finished in a gray paint with yellow trimming. And that's because Lamborghini chose that exact car to be the debut model.Because the Lamborghini Centenario will be a customer car, we've known that different variations of the hypercar would be created over time. Now, it looks like the first customer versions of the Centenario has been leaked from the factory.Related - Lamborghini Centenario Spotted in Transformers: The Last Knight TrailerIn a new YouTube video, we get the chance to see two customer versions of the Italian hypercar, one in an orange/red color with black trim and another in black with orange/red trim. Check out the pictures in the video below to see for yourself.Lamborghini For Sale

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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