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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

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By Andrew Nabors – January 14, 2021

Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann Looks Forward To 2021

Wherever amazing automobiles are found, you will encounter a man who has the ability to lead and inspire thousands. Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann looks forward to 2021 in their latest press release, so here are a few of his thoughts: "2020 was without a doubt the most unusual year for all of us. The coronavirus pandemic brought so much to a halt and caused enormous disruption to our everyday lives. I’m happy that our workforce and most Bugatti enthusiasts have so far made it through this difficult period and have managed to overcome these challenges extremely well." Three Bugatti Divos Delivered By Bugatti Beverly Hills “Unfortunately the Bugatti team were not able to meet fans and friends of the brand in person nearly as much as they would have liked due to the pandemic. Therefore, we are now using digital platforms to maintain contact with Bugatti owners and friends of the brand.” “2021 is set to be a particularly challenging year for me personally. In addition to my role as President of Bugatti, I also took on the position of President of Lamborghini in December 2020. However, this is an undertaking that is close to my heart, as Lamborghini builds the most exclusive super sports cars with outstanding design." What is the Fastest Lamborghini? Before Bugatti, Mr. Winkelmann commanded Lamborghini and brought about a new wave of styling and performance. We're glad to see him take the helm again, as he has a Midas touch when it comes to the world's best cars. Stay with us for all your exotic car news. Browse Bugatti For Sale Images (C) Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.

By Andrew Nabors – January 12, 2021

Cadillac Teases Celestiq Concept Car

With an electric lineup coming soon, Cadillac is teasing their Celestiq concept car at the Consumer Electronics Show. Starting with a new chassis, engineers and designers at GM's flagship brand envision battery-powered luxury and hand-crafted materials. The smart roof has four individual zones to adjust transparency, and the dashboard is one giant touchscreen. Hopefully, some of these features will find their way into a new Cadillac for sale, so stay with us for all your concept car news. GM's other big news is that the GMC Hummer EV is coming soon. Here is LeBron James offering a quick preview. Image (C) General Motors

By Andrew Nabors – January 11, 2021

Fast Financials 2020 Q4: Mercedes-AMG Achieved Record Growth

Luxury brands seemed to take a hit last year, but in our latest Fast Financials, we see that Mercedes-AMG achieved record growth. Despite all the adversity faced in 2020, Mercedes-Benz USA only saw a drop of 8.9% in combined sales of commercial and passenger vehicles. The shining star in the portfolio was the unprecedented growth of their high-performance brand. Our friends at TradingView offer this real-time tracker for their parent-company Daimler. Daimler Chart by TradingView In the final quarter, the Mercedes-AMG brand moved 11,128 units, a YTD increase of 29.1%. In total, they delivered 34,079 powerful examples of German engineering, their best year so far. Non-AMG sales were led by the GL-Class SUVs. The GLA and GLB accounted for over 25% of SUV sales, led by the front-runner GLC followed by 2nd place GLE. Production of the new S-Class for sale is just ramping up, so stay tuned for a strong year from our dealers. Click the button below to find one near you. Browse Mercedes-Benz For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) Mercedes-Benz USA

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2021

2022 Cadillac CT4-V & CT5-V Blackwing Arrive February 1st

For those who have been awaiting a new American supercar sedan, the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing will arrive on February 1st. The information has been heavily guarded, other than the confirmation that both will be offered with six-speed manual transmissions. Cadillac Escalade Price, Specs, Photos & Review Listening to the prototypes caught in action has led many to believe the optional transmission will be a dual-clutch, and that the CT5-V Blackwing will share the 640 horsepower V8 with the Camaro ZL1. Tell us what you would like to see in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Cadillac news. Browse Cadillac For Sale Image (C) GM

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2021

Porsche Values Women In The Workforce

Emirati Shurooq Zainal and Aileen Fahr are changing perceptions of female executives in the Middle East. Empowering others to disregard ancient stereotypes, we see that Porsche values women in the workforce. In the latest upload in their #drivedefinesher series, we hope their message inspires more young women to pursue their dreams. If Mary Barra can keep GM profitable for almost a decade, there is no limit to what you are capable of. Click the button below to find your Porsche. Browse Porsche For Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – January 07, 2021

2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 Is A Light & Powerful V-Twin

Inspired by the popularity of the Tuono 1100, the 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 is a light & powerful V-twin. The new naked sportbike shares most of the innovations that debuted on the RS 660. By removing all non-essential weight, the front-facing twin only has to move 403 lbs. It does this easily thanks to two engine choices: 95 horsepower, or 47 horsepower for younger riders. Unique in this class, it offers a comfortable, upright seating position for comfort on the street along with the occasional track day. Expect to see it at dealers before Summer. Images (C) Piaggio & C. SpA

By Andrew Nabors – January 06, 2021

Fast Financials 2020 Q4: BMW Bounces Back

Taking a hit early on in the game can be saved with a perfect Hail Mary, and that is what we see in our latest Fast Financials. BMW bounces back in the final quarter of 2020 to offset Covid losses earlier in the year. Compared to Q4 of 2019, sales were only down by 2%, more than many automakers could pull off. BMW Opens 3D Printing Campus In Munich BMW Chart by TradingView The real hit came early in the year, as the assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina was closed to protect the workers. This caused the total 2020 deliveries to be down by 17.5%, with 278,732 cars compared to the 338,003 sold in 2019. Being able to get back in the saddle is tough for such a big brand, so we applaud them for continuing to build "The Ultimate Driving Machine". Click the button below to find yours. Browse BMW For Sale Image (C) BMW

By Andrew Nabors – January 04, 2021

Fast Financials 2020 Q4: Tesla Fully Charged

With nearly half a million deliveries in 2020, let's take a look at Tesla Fully Charged. Their Q4 press release hit our inbox last night, and the numbers are as impressive as ever. To make the accounting process easier, the four models are grouped by their platform. Production of the Model S and Model X reached 54,805, while the smaller Model 3 and Model Y topped a staggering 454,932 cars. EveryDrive Carry: Charged Up With The Tesla Model 3 That's right, they built 509,737 cars last year while also contributing to Covid relief efforts. With such a "S3XY" lineup, our dealers have great offers waiting for you. To watch how the market reacts to this strong news, TradingView provides the best real-time tracking. Stay with us for all your industry news. Browse Telsa For Sale TSLA Chart by TradingView Image (C) Startech.de

By Andrew Nabors – December 24, 2020

Most Expensive Modern-Day Ferraris

Classic and pristine Ferraris easily sell for tens of millions of dollars. Many collectors aspire to own the most coveted cars on earth, even if doing so foregoes modern convenience and luxury. However, Ferrari still builds amazing cars, with every amenity one could wish for. So we decided to rank their late-model efforts to show you the most expensive modern-day Ferraris. Sell My Ferrari: Get a Cash Offer Ferrari 488 Pista Piloti Average Price: $700K Celebrating two season victories in 2017, Ferrari won both the Constructor's and Driver's Championships thanks to the potent 488 GTE. To reward all Ferrari drivers, the Pista Piloti was built for their drivers (pilots). It was the first special model developed by Tailor Made, with each car being specified by a Ferrari racer. Each Piloti incorporates the best features of the 488 GTE along with functional aerodynamics and several examples of the Italian flag. Browse 488 Pista For Sale Ferrari 458 Speciale A Average Price: $750K While initially reticent to offer a convertible version of their most powerful naturally aspirated coupe, their clientele and collectors expressed unprecedented demand. Without turbos or hybrid assistance, the high-revving V8 offers 597 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. This much power without a roof required reinforcements to the chassis and suspension in order to maintain composure at 198 mph. Only 499 examples were offered, with 49 being right-hand drive. The last naturally-aspirated spider is the end of an era, and that is why collectors rarely part with them. Browse 458 Speciale A Ferrari 599 GTO Average Price: $900K Most often, Ferrari's street-legal cars will spawn a racing variant. However when the 599XX proved to be their fastest race car ever tested, the best aspects of it were combined to build the 599 GTO. Reviving a classic name, the Gran Turismo Omologato, it is a faithful homage to homologated racers of the past. Improvements to the intake, internals, and exhaust allowed it to offer 661 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. Pleasantries like a radio and climate control were omitted, and floormate made way for aluminum plates. Only 125 cars were built for the U.S. Browse 599 GTO For Sale Ferrari F12tdf Average Price: $1.3 Million Before it was a bicycle race, the Tour de France was the last of the great city-to-city races. An event once dominated by Ferrari demanded to be immortalized. With cooperation from the F1 division, they redesigned the engine from the inside out. Solid tappets and a variable-length intake manifold allowed the redline to reach 8,900 rpm. Revisions to the fuel injection system prevent detonation with a compression ratio of 13.5:1. The brutal scream and 780 horsepower combine to offer an experience unlike anything before or since. Browse F12tdf For Sale Ferrari 599 SA Average Price: $1.6 Million By 2010 the father and son team at Pininfarina were ready to enjoy over six decades of success. Having designed and built the most popular Ferrari models of all time, the brand chose to recognize them with a convertible version of the 599. The 599 SA is a gift to Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina. Starting with a chopped windshield, carbon fiber A-pillars give it a roadster look. A temporary cloth roof was included, but it is not meant to be an all-weather machine. Many of the body panels are aluminum, and borrowed from the 599XX race cars. Power is from the 599 GTO, with 661 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque from the big V12. Only 80 cars were offered. Browse 599 SA For Sale Ferrari F40 Average Price: $1.9 Million Perhaps the most iconic Ferrari of all time, the F40 was Enzo Ferrari's final masterpiece. Built to dominate tracks around the world, it was a signal to the rest of the world that Ferrari's street-legal cars were best experienced on the track. Adding turbos to their 2.9-liter V8 yielded 471 horsepower and 426 lb-ft of torque. Given the composite construction and light weight, the performance of the F40 and its racing derivatives is impressive four decades later. The old man knew his time was coming to an end, so he gave his engineers a blank check to take if from concept to production in 11 months. Browse F40 For Sale Ferrari 288 GTO Average Price: $2.2 Million The car that started it all. When Enzo saw other automakers gaining notoriety on the world's stage, he asked his team to build a Group B car for the World Rally Championship. With strict limits on engine and suspension, turbochargers were used to make it the first Ferrari supercar. At a distance, it resembles the 308 GTB, but almost every measurement is exaggerated. Weighing only 2,555 lbs, it has 396 horsepower and 366 lb-ft of torque on tap. Capable of reaching 125 mph in 15 seconds, it is still among the fastest Ferraris of the 20th century. Only 272 cars were built, and they set a precedent for all to follow. Browse Ferrari For Sale Ferrari Enzo Average Price: $2.9 Million If you have ever wanted a street-legal F1 car, this is it. In order to pay tribute to the old man, Ferrari's race team devised a way to make their best car street legal. Starting with a carbon fiber monocoque, the Enzo has inboard suspension and an all-new V12 engine. The 6-liter arrived with variable valve timing to offer 651 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. It also incorporated technologies banned in racing such as active aero, adjustable suspension, and stability control. Only 400 examples were built, with the final car being given to the Pope. Browse Enzo For Sale Ferrari FXX-K Average Price: $4.1 Million As the flagship for Ferrari's XX racing series, the FXX-K Evo is the latest and greatest track machine. Based on the already potent LaFerrari, the engine and hybrid system were built for unrestricted performance. Owners are treated to having their cars stored and transported by Scuderia Ferrari, along with channeling 1,036 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. The Evo package is a new aerodynamics kit offered to all 40 owners. The factory will re-body the cars to offer 23% more downforce, which is over 75% more than the street-legal LaFerrari. The FXX-K Evo is also 198 lbs lighter to be the most potent Ferrari ever sold. Browse Ferrari For Sale LaFerrari Aperta Average Price: $4.8 Million Sitting atop the crossroads of technology and style, the LaFerrari Aperta is the convertible version of their hybrid hypercar. While removing the roof on a conventional car is a matter of stability, the LaFerrari chassis was already strong enough. The major issues came from cooling. Instead of the heat extractor in the hood, two smaller radiators were needed to lower turbulence entering the cockpit. Taking advantage of faster computers, the engine, suspension, and vehicle dynamics programming is an order of magnitude faster than the LaFerrari coupe. In addition to the removable carbon fiber roof, a cloth top is along for the ride in case of rain. It will be decades before another open-top Italian usurps this masterpiece. Browse LaFerrari Aperta For Sale READ: The Most Expensive Cars in the World

By Andrew Nabors – December 23, 2020

Jaguar Design Series Explores Their New Direction

We stand at the dawn of a new day at Jaguar & Land Rover. In order to understand where the brand is going, the new Jaguar Design series explores their new direction. A series of shorts uploaded to YouTube this morning dives into their new logo, monogram, and steering wheel design. Nothing is too small or inconsequential for these artists. That's why we're glad to get a glimpse of where they are going. Our dealers have all the details, so click the button and stay with us for all your Jaguar news. Browse Jaguar For Sale " width="680">

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