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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 – August 02, 2016

Lamborghini Centenario Formally Unveiled at Nardo Ring

Last week we found footage of AutoBild behind the wheel of the Lamborghini Centenario. It was a quick glimpse of the formal unveiling, which saw journalists from around the world converge at Italy's famed Nardo Ring. Used as a proving ground for many European manufacturers, the facility takes its name from a 7.8-mile circular track which contains a road course and a drag strip. Alongside the Huracan and Aventador SV, the Centenario was filmed in action, with the active rear spoiler working hard under braking.(Related - Afrojack Pulled Over in his Lamborghini Aventador SV)With the eyes of the world upon them, Lamborghini engineers were probably nervous about how the new model would perform for the press, and the drivers were probably hesitant to push the incredibly rare car in the manner it was designed for. The exterior has more exposed carbon fiber than any predecessor, and it is symmetrical at every axis. Inside is a sharp departure from previous models, with a 10" touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay integration. Looking to the future while celebrating Mr. Lamborghini's 100th birthday was a tall order to fill, so stay with us for updates on this Italian masterpiece.Aventador SV For Sale|Huracan For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 19, 2016

Lamborghini Centenario Hot Laps at the Nardo Ring

Sprechen sie Deutsch? Our German speaking fans have always asked why we don't publish more content in their native tongue, so here we go. As a celebration of Mr. Lamborghini's 100th birthday, the Centenario LP 770-4 is based on the Aventador, and it might be a foreshadowing of their next flagship. Auto Bild is celebrating their 30th Anniversary as Germany's authority on everything automotive, so the decided to test the new Lamborghini in Italy at the famous Nardo Ring.(Also Check Out - Lamborghini Centenario On The Road For The First Time)I wish we could offer more in terms of a translation, but the performance speaks for itself. Power is rated by Lamborghini at 770 ps or metric horsepower, which is equivalent to 759 hp when converted to SAE. Only 20 coupes and 20 roadsters will be produced, and they have all been spoken for. Stay tuned to Autofluence, because we hope to find the opposite video next week. Who wants to see an Italian driver flogging the latest Huracan at Nürburgring?View Lamborghinis For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 15, 2016

Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera Spied At the Ring

Someone let an angry bull run wild at the Nürburgring and it looks ready for a fight. As the next evolution of the Huracan, the upcoming Superleggera (or super light) is on a diet for faster lap times. Caught in action by Automotive Mike, the fixed rear spoiler is a dead giveaway. While the driver is no Balboni, we can see the car being pushed to its limits on the old Nordschleife.(Also Watch - Ferrari 488 Challenge Car Spied On Track)For a brief history lesson, the Gallardo Superleggera went to extreme measures to lose 220 lbs. Mirrors, seats, and door panels were crafted of carbon fiber, and the stability system was relaxed for better track performance. Engineers went so far as to machine the wheel lugs from titanium instead of steel. What remains unclear is if this model will be offered in rear wheel drive only. The font axles and differential are very heavy, so we hope they are omitted for the production version. As soon as the car is finalized you will find it here, but in the meantime check out these listings from our dealers.Huracans For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 14, 2016

Lamborghini Ad Personam Studio Has Opened Up

Customizing your Lamborghini Huracan or Aventador is a special moment that allows you to create the supercar of your dreams. Before 2006, personalizing a Lamborghini was a bit more involved, but when the Ad Personam was introduced, things changed. This new program put created a team of specialists that would provide "a tailored consulting service that aids each customer in choosing colors, materials, trim and accessories, which meet the stylistic criteria of the Lamborghini marque and are consistent with its stringent quality and safety standards."Now, in 2016, Lamborghini has launched the Ad Personam Studio. At this studio, customers can will be aided by specialists at every step of the customization process. They will be able to see and feel the materials/colors that will make their Lamborghini their own work of art. This includes leathers, colors, materials, seats and rims. If you check out the images above, you can get a sense of just how in-depth the process really is.As of right now, the Ad Personam program is available for the Huracan and Aventador models.Lamborghinis For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – July 06, 2016

Lamborghini Sets 2016 Sales Record

The first six months have proven incredibly fruitful for Lamborghini. With a record-breaking 2,013 units sold in the first half of 2016, Lamborghini exceeded it's previous six-month sales, and this was the first time the Italian carmaker saw sales over 2,000 units. This marks a total increase of seven percent.(See Also: Why You Should Buy a Lamborghini Aventador SV)Lamborghini attributes much of its success to the popularity of the Huracan model, which is responsible for 1,370 of the total 2,013 units delivered. In a press release, Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A, stated, "Thanks to the enlargement of the Huracán family, including introduction of the Spyder and rear-wheel drive version in markets worldwide in spring this year, we were able to deliver an exceptional sales performance in the first six months of 2016."He also noted the Huracan and the V12 Aventador have set up the company to beat previous sales records overall for 2016.Lamborghini Huracans for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 24, 2016

Germany vs Italy: Lamborghini Huracan vs Mercedes-AMG C63

DragTimes knows how to stage a real race. We have been following a strange trend in motorsports. No matter what type of race you attend, a Lamborghini Huracan is either competing, or at least on display by one of the participants. The reasoning behind this could be stunning Italian styling, or it might have something to due with their ability to put over 600 hp to all wheels, all the time.(Related: Tesla Model S P85D Ludicrous Mode vs Lamborghini Huracan)As a worthy competitor, the previous generation C63 AMG sedan packed the final version of AMG's 6.2L V8 tuned to 481 hp. But this car has been heavily modified by Weistec Engineering to make 770 hp. But that power is only sent to the rear wheels, and the steel-bodied sedan has a major weight disadvantage compared to a carbon fiber coupe.We're not sure if lane choice had anything to do with the outcome here, but something went wrong on the tower side. Pay close attention to the 60' times in the results, because races are won and lost on the holeshot. Kudos to DragTimes for using a pro tree instead of sportsman, its a great divider between amateur and professional competitors. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more heads up 1/4 mile action.Huracans For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 23, 2016

Revealed: Lamborghini Aventador Miura Homage Special Edition

Lamborghini continues its dedication to the Miura with a special edition Aventador. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic V12 supercar, Lamborghini unveiled a newly re-envisioned museum the same day they sent of 50 Miuras for the annual Miura tour. But that wasn't enough, of course.The Italian supercar producer is making a statement of tribute with this special edition Aventador Miura Homage. Just 50 examples of the newly minted tribute will see production, most of which are already sold. Lamborghini Aventador Miura Homage Specs Engine: 6.5-liter V12 Horsepower: 700 hp 0-60: 2.9 seconds Top Speed: 217 Torque: 509 lb-ft The exterior stays loyal to the original Miura with a two-toned finish. Like the Miura, which was customized in a multitude of color combinations, the upper body color is complimented by a lower body color on the Aventador. Six of the most popular Miura color combinations, a mixture of solid and metallic finishes, will adorn the 50 Aventador Miura Homage units. Additionally, 20' or 21' Dion matte gold or silver rims will compliment the body.Owners are greeted by a full leather interior and have two color options: Nero Ade or Terra Emilia. The interior will also feature a carbon fiber package and two-tone stitching. The upper section of the seats will be adorned with a gold or silver Miura 50th logo.This special edition Aventador will first be shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom in June. It will continue to make appearances at subsequent Lamborghini events.Lamborghini Aventadors for Sale

By Edward Jones – June 13, 2016

Forza Horizon 3 Trailer Revealed, Release Date

Even those who drive the cars like to race them digitally. This is why I'm here to present our readers with the latest from Microsoft Studios' Turn 10 Studios: Forza Horizon 3.If you've played the first or second release in the spin-off series, you would know that this game is an open-world masterpiece that has you driving some of the world's most exotic cars. If you didn't, well, now you know. In each game there is always some sort of event going on, which blends both pop culture and the automotive world. I'm not exactly sure what the premise will be for third release in the series, but I do know that it will all take place in the Australian Outback. As a rally enthusiast, the sight of dirt has been excited.(Also Read: Cars of Transformers 5: The Last Knight) The star of the new Forza game is none other that the cover car of our May issue, the Lamborghini Centenario. This looks to be the first time the $1.9 million supercar has been featured in a video game, making the inclusion of it a bit of a big deal. If you need any further info to build hype, the Centenario is powered by the most powerful engine Lamborghini has ever produced. In the description of the just-released trailer for the game, it's noted that there will be over 350 cars included in the game. The trailer can be viewed below.Another neat "little" feature that Turn 10 Studios has added is four-player cooperative play. So, those who like to race together can do so across the Outback in Forza Horizon 3. Just don't get mad at them when your friend steers your car into a kangaroo...All of this will be available come September 27, with early access starting on the 23rd.Lamborghinis For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 10, 2016

Lamborghini Debuts Revamped Lamborghini Museum, Celebrate...

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Lamborgini Miura and the Miura Tour, the car maker's CEO Stefan Domenicali, officially introduced the new Lamborghini Museum to the public. The museum, which has been completely revamped to include new models, new interactive exhibits and new multimedia displays, is located in Sant'Agata Bolognese at the company's headquarters.In a statement, Domenicali said,"The inauguration of the new Museum on the same day as the Miura Tour sets off, sends out a clear signal on Lamborghini's commitment to honoring its history. The Museum, which has been designed as an authentic experience for visitors, will be a key attraction for an ever-increasing number of arrivals from around the world. The new layout now provides a richer experience of the world of Lamborghini where our history, engines, design and technology come together in a journey from the brand's past to its future."The new museum coincides with the Miura Tour, which celebrates the 50-year history of the classic supercar.Lamborghinis For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2016

Modified Lamborghini Huracan Hits 236 mph, Breaks Record

Puerto Rico is a mecca for modified cars, but space is at a premium on the island. With the popularity of standing mile events here on the mainland, enthusiasts in Aguadilla decided to organize a half-mile top speed invitational.Underground Racing loves to take normal supercars into uncharted territory, and their latest Huracan is nothing short of incredible. With the increased abilities of the new V10, larger turbos and intercoolers were combined to reach a new top speed record for Puerto Rico. Given a longer runway, it would be wild to see how fast this car really is. Ride along as this raging bull assaults the tarmac, and stay tuned to Autofluence for more wild rides..Huracans For Sale

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