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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 – May 11, 2021

See Why Your Baby Needs The Bentley Balance Bike

The Bentley Collection keeps growing! For little ones 3 years and up, Bentley has their next ride. With help from Mulliner, it has intricate details like diamond-pattern handlebars, and a color pallet from their production cars. Pedals are overrated, and your little ones will be safe thanks to a big disc brake. It locks into place to hold them steady, teaching proper threshold braking along the way. The magnesium frame is 1.4 lbs, and it can easily hold big babies up to 77 lbs. Its a logical stepping point from the Bentley stroller. Your local Bentley dealer has all the details, so click the button to find yours and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley For Sale Images (C) Bentley

By Andrew Nabors – November 12, 2020

Rule The Skies In The 2021 King Air 360

All great planes are worth the wait, and this one has been at the forefront of our minds. Beechcraft has been building the best combination of luxury private travel combined with reliable & economical turboprop power. With more amenities and better build quality than any competitor, you will rule the skies in the 2021 King Air 360. Our friends in Wichita have been hard at work addressing delinquencies in private aviation. As a successor to the incredible 350, the new King Air 360 starts with touchscreen avionics. Thanks to digital climate control, you will have a lower cabin altitude thanks to increased pressure. You will be able to cruise for 1,806 Nautical Miles with the ability to taste your food and without popping your ears. With room for 10 friends, you will be airborne in less than 3,300 feet with a payload of over 5,000 lbs. The interior takes contemporary styling from luxury SUVs, with ambient lighting, captain's chairs, and stylish controls for air and lighting. If you enjoy the cockpit, new IS&S Autothrottles monitor torque and temperature to protect the turbines and running gear. Not only does it reduce stress on the rotating gear, it takes a nice chunk out of the pilot's workload. You will be able to operate from short fields in remote locations, so pack your bags. We have been singing the praises of Beechcraft since our first issue in 1985, so click the button to learn why and stay with us for the latest updates from Textron Aviation. Learn More

MA12000 Angle Right remote background Balanced

By Andrew Nabors – October 12, 2020

McIntosh MA12000 Offers Incredible Power & Modular Upgrades

Imagine if you will, having the ability to power your primary speakers at 350 watts. Given the opportunity, you might wonder what strings are attached, so allow us to blow your mind. The new McIntosh MA12000 offers incredible power and modular upgrades in a stylish enclosure. It can push 350 watts each to your left and right primaries. Resistance is futile, as it offers the same constant power a 2, 4, or 8 ohms. The preamp uses 4 elegant vacuum tubes visible through the front glass. McIntosh Audio for the Jeep Grand Wagoneer Is Aural Perfection Straddling them are McIntosh's iconic blue output meters and are 8 tone-control knobs for fine-tuning. To stay ahead of digital music formats, the included DA2 module can be removed and replaced when McIntosh releases its predecessor. With 10 analog inputs and 7 digital (including ARC), this colossus demands respect. Of course, it can act as a pass-thru for your existing home theater system, so click the button to learn more and stay with us for all your audio news. Learn More

AIRMKT Photos Tommy TC Lifestyle Warming by Fire OXPT6256 WEB

By Andrew Nabors – June 04, 2020

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 25th Anniversary Celebration

Several firsts happened in 1995. The Space Shuttle docked with the Mir Space Station, Michael Jordan returned from "Retirement", and Americans got a new choice for heavy duty vans. It takes dedication and a considerable investment to sell foreign vans and light trucks in the U.S. In 1964, West Germany hit America with a 25% tariff on chicken, so President Johnson returned fire with the same tax on vans and trucks. Despite this disadvantage, we are ready for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 25th Anniversary Celebration. Luxury Sprinter Vans: Buyers Guide The tax finally motivated Daimler to build a Sprinter assembly plant in South Carolina, allowing the retail price to include more content and capability when the new generation debuted last year. The party starts tomorrow at 8 AM as the 3rd episode of Mercedes-Benz Digital. We will provide a complete recap before the weekend, so click the button below to view Airstream's Interstate Sprinter, and stay with us for all your Mercedes-Benz news. Lean More

By Andrew Nabors – April 22, 2020

First Cessna Citation Latitude Delivered in Japan

Courtesy of Textron Aviation, Japan has received new testing gear for their ILS (Instrument Landing) equipment. The Japanese Air Self Defense Force is tasked with protecting domestic and military flight for the nation. This means being able to land and takeoff in any situation. To ensure the system works under the most adverse conditions, the first Cessna Citation Latitude was delivered in Japan. Top 50 Best Sports Cars Of All Time The talented team in Wichita has built a wonder of modern aviation. With a range of 3,107 miles, it can cruise across continents with ease. Another shocker is a takeoff length of only 3,580 feet. In comparison, the runways at Orlando International Airport are 10,000 feet long. The cabin has a flat floor with six feet of height, making it capable of almost any cargo or transport situation. Engine power will vary by customer, with special operations and "agencies" having extra notches on the throttle. Deep six your G6 and click the link below to learn more. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – March 01, 2020

Zenith & Habanos Unveil Watches Inspired by Romeo & Julie...

Three decades ago duPont REGISTRY was founded in Cigar City (Tampa, Florida). We are accustomed to fine tobacco, even building a mobile humidor in 2013. That being said, the only thing better than a fine cigar is a quality timepiece. That is why we are proud to announce an unprecedented collaboration. Zenith Watches has unveiled a pair of equisite timepieces based on Habanos' Romeo y Julieta cigars. A perfect blend of his and hers, these chronographs evoke the detail and intrigue of Zenith's hand-rolled masterpieces. With each watch displaying the moon's face, their goal is for them both to meet according to Shakespeare's timeless plot. I can think of no other way to spend time with my wife at midnight. From Zenith: "Established in 1875 and celebrating its 145th anniversary this year, Romeo y Julieta is one of the most revered names in the world of Cuban cigars. Between 1885 and 1900, the brand won numerous awards at different tasting exhibitions, which the brand honours as medals on its logo. The brand garnered international acclaim under the ownership of Jose "Pepin" Rodriguez Fernandez at the start of the 20th century. Being a very cosmopolitan man, Rodriguez constantly travelled across Europe and the Americas to promote the Romeo y Julieta brand, with his racing horse Julieta taking part in prestigious races across the globe. Among the many avid devotees of Romeo y Julieta was Sir Winston Churchill, to whom the brand has named its flagship vitola in his honour." From the Cigar Maker: We have always said that our relationship with Zenith is marked by the emotion that unites our brands, and we are proud to witness the series of unique watches that are the result of the alliance of these two icons of luxury. In 2016, it was the time of Cohiba, the most prestigious Premium tobacco brand in the world, with which we started this partnership, reaffirmed with new special editions of Zenith watches for Cohiba in 2017 and 2018." "Then it was the time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our Trinidad brand in 2019, and Zenith surprised Habano collectors and lovers with 3 unique watches. Today, at the dawn of the new decade, it is the time of passion, of living every second with intensity. That's why Romeo y Julieta and Zenith have come together so that we appreciate every moment that we carry this exclusive watch in our hands while enjoying this magnificent Habano” José María Lopez, Habanos Vice-president of development. Click the button below to learn more, and stay with us for the latest in chronographs. Learn More

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