Articles

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 – February 06, 2017

Lady Gaga's Lamborghini Huracan in Houston

Never missing a chance to please her fans, Lady Gaga decided to pose with her Huracan on Saturday. In Houston for the big game, it looks like she was caught getting ready for a run. The multi-platinum recording artist has collaborated with everyone from Tony Bennett to Beyonce. Her ride is a late model Lamborghini Huracan. Available in four configurations, the Huracan can be had in Spyder or Coupe body styles, with rear or all-wheel drive. The 5.2 liter V10 is rated at 580 metric horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission offered is a 7-speed dual clutch, and it makes for a relaxing experience. The beauty of the Huracan is that you don't need to be a celebrity to own one. Our dealers have great leasing options for 2016 models, and great deals on new arrivals. Stay with us for all your celebrity car news.All Lamborghini Huracan For Salehttps://twitter.com/RickLeventhal/status/827247899557892096

By Andrew Nabors – December 19, 2016

Lamborghini Aventador S Revealed: More Power and Four-Whe...

Even the best knives need occasional sharpening, so Lamborghini have rolled out an updated version of their flagship: the Aventador S. Last week a teaser video was released on YouTube making us wonder what was coming, and many of you were just as stumped as we were. By carefully studying the efficiency of the engine's air flow, the variable camshaft timing and intake manifolds have been massaged to deliver 740 horsepower. The Aventador S arrives with 740 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. A top speed of 217 mph is achieved by raising the red line from 8,350 to a screaming 8,500 rpm. The engine enhancements are a logical evolution of their potent V12, but other changes took us by surprise. It will be Lamborghini's first production car with rear wheel steering. While they didn't go into specifics on how many degrees the rear wheels will be able to move, it is a clear response to another Italian flagship with a similar system.Quick Specs: 740 Horsepower 509 lb-ft of torque 217 mph Top Speed $421,350 Price With more power and steering response, Aventador S needed more grip. The new front end has a more aggressive splitter to keep air from going under the car, and two giant scoops to cool the brakes. The front end has 130% more downforce, and the revised rear has up to 400% more thanks to a new spoiler. To cool the more powerful engine, most of the rear body has been redesigned to force more air across the radiators. Increasing grip puts more stress on the tires, so Pirelli has delivered a new version of the P-Zero. On the inside, a new gauge cluster has multiple display modes to keep you informed. Apple CarPlay is now standard equipment, along with magnetic shocks. Production will begin soon, with a base price of $421,350. Since the Aventador SV will remain the hardcore model, Aventador S will offer something for everyone. For more information please contact our dealers in the link below, and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Aventador For Sale

2016-Lamborghini-Aventador-Pirelli Edition-01292016 (25)

By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2016

Lamborghini Teases New Engine

Since 1963, the motor company founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini has offered twelve-cylinder engines in almost every configuration. Early models like the 350 GT were a traditional front mounted layout with the engine between the front wheels. The Miura mounted the block east-west just behind the cockpit and the transverse layout kept a majority of weight over the driven wheels. A traditional north-south arrangement on the mid-mounted Countach has been the recipe for success until now, but what do they have in store for us? Occam's razor does not apply to supercars, so let's examine a few possibilities. The overseers at VW have a W12 based on the Jetta VR6, and the architecture is also used by Bugatti. As the foundation of the Bentley Bentayga, it uses four rows of three cylinders for a compact yet complicated design.Considering the need for ever tighter fuel economy standards, could we see a micro-sized V12? Something in the 3.0-liter range would sound amazing and save on fuel. Running a driveshaft to connect the front and rear axles is a waste of cockpit room that could be used for cup holders, so what about a V6 at both ends controlled by the same computer? I should have been an engineer. In all honesty, we would like to see a 60* V12 (to preserve 2nd order harmonic balance) with some form of Koenigsegg Freevalve wizardry. Timing chains and tensioners need to join Saturn and Oldsmobile in the history books. Imagine, if you will, an infinite possibility of intake and exhaust valve events, cruising on 4 cylinder efficiency on the highway, and even having two turbos along for the ride. A small bore and long stroke will keep the pistons at TDC longer to promote a clean burn, and also provide stump pulling torque when launch is required. Or they could license the LT4 from GM and add four cylinders. Either way, as soon as we have the details you will see them here first.Aventador For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 09, 2016

New, More Powerful Lamborghini Aventador on the Way

Five years after its unveiling back in 2011, the Lamborghini Aventador is getting a refresh. According to Autocar.co.uk, who received an invite for the unveiling of the car, posted an article yesterday that talks about the upcoming Aventador S.They wrote that the invite they received describes the car as having a "new design, superior power and a mix of advanced technologies." The car's launch will happen at the Ricardo Tormo Formula 1 track in January of next year. The invite noted that this track would allow Lamborghini to display the car's "active technology".(Related - BMW Regrets Trying to Race Lamborghini Huracan)Unfortunately, power numbers for the car were not given, but Autocar suggests that it will likely have a tune that's along the lines of the Centenario. This means we could ballpark the power at around 760 hp, but this is just pure speculation.Stay with Autofluence for more information on the Lamborghini Aventador S as it's released.All Lamborghini Aventador For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2016

Lamborghini Centenario Spotted in Transformers: The Last ...

The upcoming movie "Transformers: The Last Knight" will be the fifth film in the Transformers cinematic saga. This film will be the final Transformers to be directed by Michael Bay, who has been behind all of the films since the beginning. One thing that he has always brought to the movies is action, great CGI and some radical cars.In "The Last Knight", we'll be seeing yet another great showing of cars, including the Lamborghini Centenario. While we've only been able to see the car from behind the scenes, the latest trailer shows us a glimpse of the Italian supercar in action. You can check out the trailer below to see the car for yourself.To see even more of the car, head to your theaters come June 23, 2017 when "Transformers: The Last Knight" is released.Get Movie Tickets Now

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2016

Lamborghini Huracan Spyder Goes Rear-Wheel Drive

Lamborghini has regarded the rear-wheel drive version of the Huracan, the LP 580-2, as a purist's dream. But, this was a coupe version, leaving those who like to drive with the top down out of the fun. Now, Lamborghini has unveiled the Huracan RWD Spyder, allowing convertible Lamborghini fans to breathe easy.(Related - Doctor Strange Talks About His Lamborghini Huracan)“The rear-wheel drive Spyder enlarges the Huracán family’s core product range,” said Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali in a press release from the Italian automaker. “It offers the lifestyle appeal of open-air motoring with the pure thrill of rear-wheel drive engineering. This is a Lamborghini for those with a passion for life and the purest driving experience on the open road. It’s also a Huracán for those entering the Lamborghini family, wanting a true Spyder experience without compromising on the performance and dynamic handling of a rear-wheel drive car.”Powering the car is the naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine capable of 580 hp, all of which is sent to the rear axle. Being a convertible, you'd expect weight to be added on and you'd be right. This model weighs in at 3,327 lbs, while the base Huracan coupe weighs 3,135 lbs (192 lbs increase). To put more weight where the power is at, weight distribution is 40% in the front and 60% in the rear.Huracan Spyder Price, Specs, PhotosThe convertible aspect of the car consists of a soft top that can be raised or lowered at speeds up to 31 mph. The process of raising and lowering the top takes just 17 seconds.All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 04, 2016

"Stina Stunts" Drifts and Spins the RWD Lamborghini Huracan

Stina Hübinettes is a commercial and film stunt driver, as well a professional driver who just picked up a pretty darn epic Lamborghini Huracan. However, this isn't the normal Huracan you've seen before.For starters, this Huracan is the LP 580-2. Notice that there's a "2" in the model name instead of a "4"? That signifies that this is the rear-wheel drive version of the car, which Lamborghini designed for the tail-sliding purists, like Stina.(Related - Couple Drifts New Modified Huracan Around Lamborghini Newport Beach)Of course, her and her husband, Sam Hübinettes, fitting the car with quite a few extra custom parts. This includes a custom hydraulic handbrake, an additional set of rear Wilwood Brake calipers, Vorsteiner Novara Edizione Aero Package, 20-inch Platinum Gunmetal Vorsteiner V-FF 103 Flow Forged Wheels and Nitto Tire NT555 G2 tires.Check the video below to see her rip give a walkaround of the car and rip the Nitto tires to shreds.All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 19, 2016

Lamborghini Centenario Roadster Officially Revealed

Just unveiled during Monterey Car Week is the incredibly anticipated Lamborghini Centenario Roadster. On Lamborghini's website, the automaker goes into brief detail on the new car, detailing everything from its exterior to its engine.Powering the car is the same V12 engine found in the coupe version, capable of 770 hp and 507 lb-ft of torque, which will rocket the car from 0-62 mph in just 2.0 seconds. Its top speed? More than 217 mph.The exterior is finished in a specially developed paint by Lamborghini called "Argento Centenario," a matte finish that was created through a process that dissolves "the metal while diluting and diminishing the appearance of the metal grain giving it a silky and rich exterior finish. Inside is a cabin that has been optimized for a top-down drive. A channel in the rear wall allows air to flow from the cabin to the rear with minimal turbulence in the cabin.It comes with a €2 million price (approx. $2,264,600 at the current exchange rate). Only 20 Centenario Roadsters will be made, which are all spoken for.View All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 15, 2016

Lamborghini Huracan from Ad Personam Looks Like it Belong...

Lamborghini's Ad Personam Studio aims to create one-off wonders through customer input and Italian style. The gist of this studio is that it is Lamborghini's own customization studio which customers can use to take their supercars to the next level.(Also Read: Miura Homage 2015 Lamborghini Huracan For Sale)To show off their capabilities, the Ad Personam team crafted up one unique example of the Huracan Spyder. With an army green exterior and bright orange interior, this Huracan looks like it would almost blend in if found in a military setting. Although, you won't find any guns strapped onto this supercar, only a mean 5.2-liter V10 engine.Check out the video below to see the car in its entirety.View All Huracans For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 09, 2016

Legendary Valentino Balboni Creates Exhaust for Aventador SV

Italian artisans are trained to make works of art by using traditional methods. Lamborghini's latest Aventador SV is just such a creation, but all modern production exhausts are mass-produced using automation to save time. In his career as Lamborghini's chief test driver, Valentino Balboni spent 35 years ensuring the quality and performance of the brand. Having driven 80% of their total production, he probably has a few opinions on how the V12 should sound.If you want your new Aventador SV to be the loudest car for miles, simply unbolt your factory system. Straight pipes hurt performance at cruising speeds and might provoke attention from the authorities. If you demand the best for your car, Valentino's new system is the most beautiful aftermarket creation we've ever seen. Rejecting the mass production methods of automated pipe benders, he chose to have master welders fabricate each bend with individual tig welds.Using the latest in titanium alloys, each mirror-imaged system takes 350 hours to build. Billet titanium hangers in the factory locations require no modifications to your rare car. Probably the lightest bolt-on exhaust ever offered, both sides add up to 13.8 lbs. Only 30 examples will be produced, with each set polished to a mirror shine. For more information and beautiful images, head over to his new website. And if you need an Aventador SV to attach to this system, be sure to check out listings from our dealers below.Lamborghini Aventador SV For Sale

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe