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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 – July 20, 2016

New McLaren F1 Successor Planned For 2018 Debut

When McLaren returned to building street legal cars in 2011, the question on everyone's mind is how the F1 would be surpassed. Arguably the best car ever built, it was powered by a naturally aspirated V12 and featured a unique three-seat cockpit. In a shocking revelation, Autocar is reporting that some of the best features of the F1 are being brought into the 21st century for a new hyper-GT car. For outright performance, the P1 will remain on top, and this new model will emphasize comfort and heritage.Yes, that's right, the McLaren F1 may be coming back to life.(Related Read - McLaren 650S: Top 5 Driving Features) It will be styled to showcase the abilities of McLaren Special Operations, with the aim of being the perfect GT car for long distance trips. Extensive changes to their carbon fiber mono cell are being made to accommodate the three seat layout, and engineers have been asked to "shrink wrap" the composite body over the chassis. Not only will this provide more interior room than their previous builds, it will clearly show how much time was spent in development. Power is speculated to be north of 700 hp, probably from their twin turbo 3.8L V8. The complex hybrid drive of the P1 will not be used, as it's probably being refined for their next hypercar.Again this information is from an Autocar source and is not official. Since this car is still on the drawing board stay with us for updates on the world's fastest 3-seater.View McLarens For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 29, 2016

McLaren P1 LM Sets New Record at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Hills were made for climbing, records are made to be broken, and McLaren's P1 LM is capable of both. Goodwood is one of the largest automotive gatherings in the world, so it's only fitting that an English car dominated the field. With Indy Car veteran Kenny Brack behind the wheel, the LM made the run in a record-breaking time of 47.07 seconds.(Also Check Out - Two McLaren Flame Throwers In A Tunnel)Goodwood brings together the best drivers from every type of motorsport. Formula1 legends can be seen with NASCAR, rally and Indy winners, because the hill is a great equalizer of man and machine. Every year the Duke of Richmond invites the fastest drivers in their series to show off their talents on the course his Grandfather built in 1948. For unrestricted race cars, the record was set (by McLaren) in 1999 by a MP4/13 Formula1 car. That race ready car ran a 41.6, which makes the street legal P1 LM all the more impressive. Stay with us for more record breaking racing!We had to replay the video to not only see the run, but also to hear Mike Skinner's name from the color commentary.View All McLaren P1s For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 07, 2016

McLaren Reveals Limited Edition Carbon Fiber LT

When McLaren Special Operations (MSO) revealed the carbon fiber McLaren P1 at the Geneva Motor Show, fans of the brand fell in love. Because of such positive reception, MSO is at it again, this time creating a carbon fiber bodied LT based on the 675LT Spider. The special edition will also feature an exclusive gloss finish.The MSO Carbon Series LT is limited to 25 examples, all of which have already been pre-sold.As with McLaren's other LT models, the MSO Carbon Series LT focuses on a light weight body and aerodynamic performance. The model is truly one-of-a-kind and includes 40 percent more carbon fiber than the original 675LT. Additionally, McLaren's MSO engineers have tweaked and modified the engine to match the already superior performance of the LT line.MSO Carbon Series LT Specs Engine: 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 Horsepower: 666 bhp Torque: 516 lb-ft 0-60: 2.9 seconds Top Speed: 203 mph The specs includes a "heavily-revised: 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 engine, though torque and horsepower have not changed. Still over half the parts in the engine have been changed, which MSO states, "ensures optimized levels of power, torque and drivability." Changes include improved turbos and a faster-flowing fuel pump, among others.Production is slated for the fall with delivery commencing at the end of the year.McLaren 675LTs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2016

Ben Collins Thrashes McLaren 570S Around Goodwood

Former Stig, Ben Collins, knows a thing or two about driving.By now you have probably seen reviews of the McLaren 570S, but having a proper British driver flog the newest McLaren around Goodwood is entertainment at its finest. In a YouTube video uploaded Wednesday, Collins extols the virtues of the new supercar. I had the opportunity to drive one around Baltimore's Inner Harbor back in January, so I am only slightly jealous.He doesn't mention it, but the door sills of the 570 are much lower than previous McLaren models, and the 12-speaker audio system by Bowers & Wilkins is unreal. If you have an opportunity to drive one, don't pass it up. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more McLaren news.McLaren 570S For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 03, 2015

McLaren 675LT Spider: It's Finally Here

McLaren Automotive has pulled back the sheets and unveiled the brand-new 675LT Spider, a drop-top version of the popular 675LT. Unveiled in a press release issued today issued by the English automaker, this new model features a retractable roof that "adds further exhilaration" to an already exciting model. This "three-piece retractable folding hardtop" can be operated at speeds of up to 19 mph, for those wondering. Now, when it comes to convertible versions of pre-existing models, there are a few points that need to be addressed. The first is the car's weight, considering the addition of a retractable roof can add a few pounds. As for the 675LT Spider, however, it actually loses 220 lbs, bringing the total weight to 2,800 lbs. Combine that weight with the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 that produces 666 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, and you have a power-to-weight ratio of 4.2 lbs per hp. In the press release, McLaren states that the 675LT Spider will rocket from 0-60 mph in a blistering 2.9 seconds and can achieve 124 mph in 8.1 seconds - just .2 seconds shy of the coupe. Looking for a top speed? McLaren points out in the car's technical statistics that it tops out at 203 mph. If you're interested in adding a McLaren 675LT Spider to your collection, they start at $372,600 USD and will be limited to 500 units globally. Gallery (Source: McLaren)

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