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 22, 2017

Range Rover Velar Model Announced by Land Rover

Last year we heard rumors of Land Rover resurrecting the Defender, and it may still be happening. But in the meantime, something new has emerged from the Solihull assembly plant. The new Range Rover Velar is larger than the Evoque yet smaller than the Range Rover Sport. Entering the market for luxury crossovers is a tall order to fill since every automaker has flooded the market with hip people movers. A rising tide may raise all boats, but Land Rover takes pride in the ability to get wet. One of the best features of new Range Rovers for sale is the ability to handle 40" of water. Land Rover Driving ExperienceThe website offers little in the way of specifications because the formal launch will take place on March 1st. We do know that Velar was a name considered for the original Land Rover prototypes in the late 60's. "We call the Velar the avant-garde Range Rover. It brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand. The Range Rover Velar changes everything." said Chief of design Gerry McGovern. We hope it arrives with the same supercharged 3.0 liter V6 we've come to love. Found in the larger models, it offers 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Undoubtedly it will be 4WD, so stay with us for a proper offroad evaluation. Tell us what you think of this teaser and stay with us for details on the Velar.Land Rover For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 02, 2017

Range Rover Reborn: Restorations by Land Rover Classic

If you have ever wanted a new 1978 Range Rover, a press release earlier this morning outlines the program. Land Rover Classic is a team of master technicians dedicated to preserving the company's historic collection. After noticing the demand for the classic 3 door model, the team was tasked with finding well-preserved examples in need of a freshening. After a complete teardown, each one was bestowed with new parts from the original inventory. Ten examples are planned for the initial debut, which will take place at the Paris Salon Rétro-mobile. The only engine to be offered is the 3.5 liter Rover V8. Originally designed by Buick in 1959, the innovative aluminum block "Fireball 215" was canned by the bean counters in 1963. Rover purchased the design and tooling and continued production for 39 years; we'll cover that story another day.The Reborn models will be displayed alongside the reborn Jaguar XKSS from their teammates at Jaguar Classic. We love the technology and safety of the latest Land Rover models, but there is peace in knowing that a carburetor and distributor are from an era of rugged dependability. The Bahama Gold '78 three door features a four-speed manual transmission with a locking transfer case. Pricing will start at £135,000 GBP, or around $169,500. No word on US availability was mentioned, probably because Homeland Security likes to use taxpayer money to crush classic Defenders. Reborn is a brilliant way to clean out the warehouse of original parts, and offer the public a chance to relive their memories. If any of them do make it stateside, you will see it first here on Autofluence.Range Rover For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 30, 2016

2018 Land Rover Discovery Drives Over World's Largest Leg...

To unveil the new 2018 Land Rover Discovery, the English automaker put on one one heck of a stunt. Together with Bear Grylls, Sir Ben Ainslie, Zara Phillips and 5,805,846 LEGO bricks, the new Discovery was unveiled in a fashion unlike any other.Crafted by the United Kingdom's only LEGO Certified Professional, a job which many of us should be jealous of, the structure was modeled after the Tower Bridge. The multi-million LEGO brick structure beats out the previous record holder, which was crafted with 470,646 pieces. You can view the video of the event directly below.(Related - 2 Millionth Land Rover Defender Sold, Most Expensive Ever)As for those interested in learning more about the new Discovery, Land Rover laid out important information with "The Seven Wonders of Discovery" in their September 28 press release.View Land Rover Discovery For Sale 1. The Magnificent Seven: every seat is the best seat in the house- Flexible interior provides seven full-sized adult seats, instantly configurable from your smartphone using the world-first remote Intelligent Seat Fold technology2. A much-loved member of the family: keeping you safe for the last 27 years- Semi-autonomous safety technology provides the family peace of mind- Premium interior combines leading design with durable, high-quality materials and space for the whole family3. King of the hill: unstoppable on all surfaces, all terrains and in all weathers- Land Rover’s full-sized SUV architecture delivers world-beating all-terrain capability- Lightweight aluminum construction saves 480kg, delivering enhanced efficiency and CO2 emissions from 159g/km*- Super clean Ingenium family grows with adoption of 240PS, four-cylinder diesel engine with 500Nm of torque- Towing king: best-in-class 3,500kg towing capacity** and semi-autonomous Advanced Tow Assist take the stress out of difficult reversing maneuvers4. British creativity: designed with charm & sophistication loved by the world- Design retains key Discovery family cues, adding optimized proportions and sophisticated surfaces5. Storage addiction: discover the space for everything- Up to 2,500-litres of luggage space and clever storage for 21st-century family essentials6. Connects every generation: Ingenious features that make life easier- Digital Discovery equipped with up to nine USB ports, six 12-volt charging points and an in-car 3G WiFi hotspot for up to eight devices7. After the roads end: reaching threatened habitats and vulnerable people- New Discovery will continue Land Rover’s work in humanitarian aid and conservation projects around the world

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 14, 2016

Land Rover's Designers Let Their Kids Design New Discover...

It is no surprise that SUVs have largely become a staple vehicle for families. With ample ample space, needed seating and superior performance and driving capabilities, the SUV is the perfect family vehicle. Land Rover wanted to improve upon the family vehicle when they created the new Discovery. When it came to design, they looked no further than their own families, and the results were, well, definitely family oriented. Using drawings from their children, Land Rover designed the all new Discover with an exterior finished in a new kind of camouflage.(Also Read - Land Rover Unveils New 2017 Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic)After the design was complete, the team's children were able to come out to Land Rover's super secret testing facility to ride in the vehicle, which was splashed with each of their drawings. Rugged terrain, high waters and thick mud were just some of the elements the Discovery was subjected to. The all new Discovery will be coming soon, but until then, check out this video for a little mid-day pick me up. Land Rover Discovery for Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 17, 2016

2017 Range Rover Sport Gets New Engine, Technology

Already known as a luxury powerhouse SUV, the 2017 Range Rover Sport will boast a host of enhancements making it more powerful, more technologically inclined, and therefore, more appealing.Efficiency and innovation make the 2017 model a more sustainable choice without compromising the luxury and class. The SUV will now feature the 2.0L four-cylinder diesel engine from Jaguar Land Rover. Fuel emissions will be at unprecedented lows and capable of 45.6 mpg. The new engine's performance is supposed to be in line with the Range Rover Sport's previous 3.0L TDV6.In order to enhance the driving experience, Land Rover is also implementing technological advancements like Advanced Tow Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Intelligent Speed Limiter. The Advanced Tow Assist is designed to "take the stress out of maneuvering when towing large loads." This feature allows the driver to use settings to direct the trailer reversing. Blind Spot Assist alerts the driver when a car is approaching a blind post and Speed Limiter can be set to promote safer driving, which is especially handy for teens and lead-footed individuals.Additional features include Low Traction Launch, which keeps fishtailing and slipping to a minimum on low-grip surfaces. Also included is a larger, 10-inch dual touchscreen on the dash complete with pinch and zoom capabilities consistent with tablets and smartphones.As stated by Land Rover's Chief Design Officer, the engine and technology advancements make the 2017 model "more composed, sustainable and relevant than ever."View All Range Rover Sports for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 11, 2016

Land Rover Unveils New 2017 Range Rover SVAutobiography D...

In response to this year's most popular options, Land Rover has created a new trim level for the full-size Range Rover. The 2017 "SVAutobiography Dynamic" will offer semi-autonomous driving along with Tow Assist and Speed Limiter functions. Along with a software update to the traction control system, these innovations will be collectively known as the All-Terrain Progress Control system.Power will be from the same supercharged 5.0L V8 we first saw in the Sport SVR. Making 500 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, it will have no problem motivating the full-size Range Rover. To be offered on the short wheelbase models only, new options include red Brembo calipers and a Graphite Atlas trim package.On the inside you will find a new 10.2" touchscreen with their new InControl Touch Pro system. For the first time, Land Rover is allowing customers to choose from a series of apps to customize the display. Seats are 20-way adjustable and covered in diamond stitched leather. Available for order this winter, pricing will start at £76,350 or just under $100,000. Performance numbers were not mentioned, so stay with us to see what happens when luxury and raw power collide.View All Range Rovers For Sale

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe