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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 Edward Jones – November 22, 2016

New McLaren 570S Design Editions Created by Designers

Today, McLaren announced five exclusive 570S Design Editions that take the brand's customization to a whole new level.Each of these Design Edition were created by McLaren's own designers, which are the people who know these cars inside and out. In a press release from McLaren, they note that these cars take "the popular ‘By McLaren’ personalization themes a stage further with combinations of color, trim and finish that is guaranteed to showcase the Sports Series coupe at its stunning best."(Related - McLaren Officially Announces World's First Hyper-GT Car, F1 Successor) The example described in the press release is Design Edition 1. This edition has an exterior that has a Vermillion Red finish, five-spoke wheels with a diamond-cut finish, Stealth exhaust and red brake calipers. Inside is Carbon Black Alcantara, apex Red Nappa Leather seats, Jet Black Nappa Leather upper fascia, Apex Red Nappa Leather lower fascia, Slate Grey stitching, two-tone steering wheel and a branded leather sill finisher.However, if clients want to make their Design Edition even more customized, they are free to make any other choices and can add their own carbon fiber options. The other body colors of the Designed Editions include Onyx Black, Storm Grey, Ventura Orange and Silica White.All McLaren 570S For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2016

McLaren Officially Announces World's First Hyper-GT Car, ...

It's finally happening: McLaren has officially announced a successor to the F1 and it's codenamed BP23. This name stands for Bespoke Project 2, with the "3" standing for how many seats it will have.In a press release issued earlier this morning, McLaren Automotive announced that McLaren Special Operations (MSO) would be creating the world's first Hyper-GT car. The English automaker notes that BP23 will be the "most exquisitely crafted and luxurious road-going McLaren to date."(Related - McLaren F1 POV Laps In Passenger Seat)“BP23 will borrow the three seat layout with the central driving position made famous by the iconic McLaren F1, and it will be housed in a streamlined, shrink-wrapped carbon fibre body of great elegance," said McLaren Automotive’s Chief Executive Officer, Mike Flewitt. "We are calling BP23 a ‘Hyper-GT’ because it’s a car designed for longer journeys, but with the high levels of performance and driver engagement expected of any McLaren. A hybrid powertrain will make it one of the most powerful McLarens yet created but the car will also deliver the highest levels of refinement, enabling significant journeys to be undertaken with up to three people aboard.”The designing of the car has already begun and the first examples of the BP23 will be delivered in early 2019. Only 106 examples of the car will be made, the exact amount of McLaren F1s produced. Future owners of the new car will be working with MSO to create their cars. The best part? The BP23 will have dihedral doors like the F1, but this time they'll be powered.Check back with us in the future to learn more about the McLaren F1 successor, codenamed BP23.All McLaren For SaleRelated Video:

By Edward Jones – November 11, 2016

Gas vs Electric: McLaren 650S Spider vs Tesla Model S P100D

Going forward, the automotive industry is going to be focusing more and more on electric cars. Leading the path is Tesla, who has revolutionized how we look at electric cars with their Model S. I'll be honest, I was skeptical at first, but when I had the chance to see them in person before they were shipped to customers I was blown away. Even with electric power being so important in the future, I can't deny my love for the gasoline engine.(Related - Will.i.am's Custom Wide Body Tesla Model S is Everything)To display the power that both the gas-powered and electric-powered car has to offer, DragTimes has created a video of a McLaren 650S Spider taking on a Tesla Model S P100D in drag and roll races. Powering the McLaren is a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 engine capable of producing 641 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. In the Tesla are a set of electric motors that produce 503 hp in the rear and 259 hp in the front.You can watch the races below, but note that the Tesla was not using Launch Mode. Also, remember to follow your local traffic laws and never take your races to the streets.All McLaren 650S Spider For Sale | All Tesla Model S For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 27, 2016

Two Incredibly Rare McLaren MSO HS Models Spotted

Recently spotted on the streets of London were two very rare McLaren MSO HS models. I say they're rare because McLaren is only introducing 25 of them into the world and this is one of the first sightings of the model.(Related - 2016 McLaren P1 GTR In-Depth Review and Start Up)This model is based on the Super Series Coupe body, but has many modifications that set it apart from the rest. Right off of the bat, you'll notice the new carbon fiber front bumper, splitter, bonnet, roof, side skirts, side intake and the rased rear wing. The massive wing was developed with information and experience gained from the McLaren P1 GTR program, retaining the airbrake but it can be electronically altered for track use. As for its power, it uses the M838TL twin-turbo V8 engine, but is capable of 678 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.As stated previously, only 25 examples of this car will be produced and they are already ordered by request/ are sold out.All McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 17, 2016

McLaren Announces Inaugural Ice Driving Experience

In a press release over the weekend, the hottest news in cold weather driving has the industry in an uproar. Many other manufacturers offer similar programs for their supercars, but most of them only showcase their all-wheel drive models. McLaren's current lineup consists of rear engined, twin turbo, rear wheel drive cars which are a handful in snowy conditions.(Related - Porsche Driving Experience Winter 2017: The Best German Ice Dancing)Last week at the Orange County Auto Show I had an opportunity to drive a new 675 LT Spider and it was obvious that several computers were hard at work keeping the 666 horsepower from overpowering the rear tires in the corners. Needless to say, it will be a handful on sub-zero precipitation. McLaren P13 CETPure McLaren is the brand's events division, and they are heading to Ivalo in northern Finland January 15th to Feb 3rd. It will be an exciting way to experience their Sports Series with instruction from the world's best drivers. Partnering with local Laplanders at Luxury Action, guests will have ample opportunities for entertainment. A Husky safari and snow machine racing will be offered to guests who are afraid of the potent 570S. Pricing starts at £12,500 per person, or $15,234 USD at time of press. It will be the start of McLaren's annual cold weather gatherings, so stay with us for complete coverage of the event.View McLaren 570S For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 26, 2016

New McLaren P1 is Purely Electric...With a Catch

I always enjoy a humorous press release and McLaren has just outdone themselves. Announced just today was a brand-new, all-electric McLaren P1, but the car is only being released for a very select group of customers. You see, the new McLaren P1TM is designed for those aged six and under due to the fact that this P1 is actually a pint-sized supercar for young drivers to ride on.What's great is that the P1TM has a few unique features that drivers of the real P1 won't experience. For starts, it as a centrally-mounted steering wheel, just like the McLaren F1. It also has an open-top, something that the P1 does not have. And, like it's big brother, the P1TM featured McLaren's signature dihedral doors.For creature comforts, the P1TM has an MP3 player and audio system as standard equipment, which comes pre-programmed with "every popular nursery rhyme," according to the revealing press release. But, the best feature has to be the three-speed transmission in case the child has "arrived at the wrong playground."If you're interested in picking one of these up for your toddler, it will be available towards the end of October and sells at selected McLaren Automotive retailers for £375.00 (approx. $485 USD at today's exchange rate).Real McLaren P1s For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 06, 2016

World's First Chameleon Carbon Fiber McLaren P1

Manny Khoshbin is no stranger to the fine automobile. Don't believe me? Check out his Instagram profile, which is just full of pictures of his supercar collection as the subject. His collection at the beginning of last week was pretty incredible, but with the addition of his new chameleon carbon fiber McLaren P1, it's become even more astounding.(Also Check Out: Chrome McLaren P1 Goes Through McDonalds Drive-Thru)His new McLaren P1, which he calls the MK Edition, was the star of the show at Lamborghini Newport Beach's Supercar Show. Videographers, photographers and enthusiasts gathered around the car as it sat in front of the dealership. Jaws were dropping left and right the closer guests walked toward the car. From afar, one might think that the color-changing effect was coming from paint, but upon closer inspection you can see it's naked carbon fiber with an overlay. And if you look even closer, you can see that the bottom of the car has a matte finish, while the top is glossy.Khoshbin's P1, along with CJ Wilson's, has to be the most insane example yet. Check it out in the video below.View All P1s For Sale (NSFW Language in the second half of vid)

By Edward Jones – September 02, 2016

First MSO McLaren 570GT in Pacific Blue to be Showcased

At the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille, McLaren will be bringing a special edition of their most luxurious and refined car to date, the 570GT. This model has been modified by the automaker's own customization branch, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) and is the first bespoke European example of the car to be featured.The car comes with a slew of MSO-specific options, with the most noticeable being the Pacific Blue finish. Joining the brilliant paint is gloss black finish to the side skirts, front and rear ends, and door inserts. McLaren notes that this finish is their Piano Black finish that "exudes an understated elegance and refinement."(Also Check Out: Chrome McLaren P1 Goes Through McDonalds Drive-Thru)Inside, MSO installed a myriad of carbon fiber components that have a gloss finish instead of the satin lacquer used in the standard 570GT.As for the "hardware" upgrades, MSO Defined designed and installed an exhaust system made from titanium. This system is 30% lighter than the standard exhaust and comes with golden titanium nitride heat shields that changes its color to blue/purple hues when it heats and cools.For those wanting to see the car for yourself, check out the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille, Sunday September 4 at Domaine Chantilly in France. View All 570s For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 17, 2016

McLaren 570GT by MSO Concept Debut at Pebble Beach

McLaren Automotive has taken one of their new 570GT models and brought it up to the "boss level" through McLaren Special Operations. What's more? They're bringing the example to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.This particular example has received the works from the English automaker's customization brand. First off, MSO dropped the weight of the exhaust system by 30% thanks to a new titanium construction. This new exhaust system is not only lighter, but also gives off a more pronounced tone. This exhaust is also accompanied by new heat shield that are finished in golden titanium nitride tint.On the outside, this 570GT is finished in Elite 'Pearl White' paint, with the MSO Piano Black package, which adds a gloss black finish to the wheels, side skirt, front and rear and door inserts.The most interesting addition to this car is the Electro-Chromic Roof. Don't know what that is? Don't worry, it's currently in development. This new roof adds an electro-chromic layer. This layer, controlled through a touch-sensitive headlining, can be adjusted through five points that make the glass either clear or have a rich, dark tint.Inside is a cabin that is highlighted by a Saddle Tan interior and MSO Defined Carbon Fiber Interior Pack in Gloss Lacquer. If the engine noise isn't enough, they've also added a 12-speaker Bowers and Wilkins Hi-Fi system.View All McLarens For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 10, 2016

McLaren to Debut 570GT, 570S GTS and More at Pebble Beach

Monterey Car Week brings a wide variety of rare cars to California, from classics to hypercars. McLaren Automotive, the legendary automaker, is bringing with them their own rare cars to the state, some which are making their debut in the United States. In a press release issued today, McLaren announced that they will be introducing the likes of the 2017 570GT and 570S GT4 (seen above). McLaren 570GTAlong with these new cars, McLaren is also bringing a handful of heritage cars. Here are the cars as described in the brand's press release: M2B/1– 1966 – Formula 1™, the very first McLaren Formula 1™ Grand Prix car. M8D/4 – 1970 – Can-Am Championship, an evolution of the Can-Am Championship-winning M8B that won all 11 races through the previous season, crowning Bruce McLaren as Champion for the second time and completing a clean sweep of three successive Can-Am Constructors Championships. M23A/9 – 1975 – Formula 1™, the car that led Emerson Fittipaldi to his second Formula 1™ Drivers’ Championship and gave McLaren its first Constructors Championship. MP4-2/2 - 1984 – Formula 1™, which won three Drivers Championships and two Constructors Championships and is still considered the most successful chassis in Formula 1™ history. If you're by Monterey for the week starting August 15, be sure to head to one of the many events being help during the world-famous car week.View All McLarens For Sale McLaren 570S GT4

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