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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 – March 22, 2021

McLaren & Chase Join Forces To Offer Unprecedented Financing

Should you have the means, a new McLaren 720S Spider makes a great daily driver. Payments can be a tough pill to swallow, so McLaren and Chase have joined forces to offer unprecedented financing. The bank founded by J.P. Morgan single-handedly bailed out the U.S. Treasury has the ability to offer unique lease options. Most new McLaren buyers are first-time supercar owners, and this is a great way to create a loyal customer base. The latest McLaren GT combines the best features of their Sports and Super series cars, and with a starting price of around $200,000, its a bargain compared to its competitors. If you are waiting for the Artura hybrid, deliveries are aimed for Q3. Each of their 25 U.S. dealers will work with you and Chase to make a deal that fits your budget, so click the button to start your journey. Browse All McLaren For Sale Images (C) McLaren Cars

By Andrew Nabors – March 17, 2021

McLaren 720S GT3X Production Begins

Put your old track car out to pasture, because McLaren has commenced production of the new 720S GT3X. We broke the news of this purpose-built race car a few weeks back, and now our dealers have confirmed it is available for order. Dyno charts and time slips prove the 720S makes much more than 710 horsepower. Because the GT3X doesn't need to adhere to noise or emissions laws, the first aspect you will notice is an impressive exhaust note. When needed, the passing button unlocks 30 extra horsepower thanks to overboost. Losing 440 lbs of non-essentials allows for a curb weight of 2,668 lbs. Dual-clutch transmissions can be porky, so a six-speed sequential is loaded with straight-cut gears. The FIA's Balance Of Performance rules are incredibly dumb because whoever pays the most gets to run the fastest. When the 720S GT3 arrived, the sanctioning body forced the car to be detuned well under what it makes on the street. Much like Team Corvette being forced to run a 37mm intake restrictor, McLaren vowed to work around the regulations. Now with proper power and less weight, you will be unstoppable. See All McLaren 720S For Sale Images (C) McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – February 16, 2021

McLaren Artura Arrives Tonight

Yesterday we were glad to introduce their Formula 1 team and car for the 2021 season, so for an encore performance, the McLaren Artura arrives tonight. Daniel Ricciardo has been hard at work pushing their latest supercar to its limits, and they will be streamed at 7:01 PM ET. Because their V8 engines are easily capable of 1,000 horsepower, the street-legal car will borrow V6 technology from their Formula 1 coworkers. It will also herald a new electric future for the brand. Will it be an electric car with a fire breathing range extender? How will it be placed in their current lineup? These questions will be answered tonight, so cancel your plans to join us. McLaren For Sale Image (C) McLaren Cars

By Andrew Nabors – November 02, 2020

2021 McLaren 765LT Delivered To The Collection By DragTimes

Many McLaren enthusiasts have scrambled to witness their latest Long Tail. As the fitting end to the 720S family, a gorgeous 2021 McLaren 765LT was delivered to The Collection by DragTimes. Our friend Brooks is the leading authority on the supercar scene in South Florida. That is why he and his team were on hand to film this rare beast. 2020 McLaren Senna vs. 720S by DragTimes Only 765 examples have already been sold. Each one arrives with 765 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. With brakes from the Senna and bespoke aerodynamics, they were somehow able to carve the curb weight down to 2,952 lbs. That is 176 lbs less than its predecessor and it allows for consistent 9-second times in the quarter-mile. Internal upgrades include forged pistons, triple-layer head gaskets, and titanium exhaust. If you missed your chance to reserve one, our dealers have impressive offers on their siblings. Click the button below to find yours and stay with us for the latest from DragTimes! Browse Inventory At The Collection " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2020

2021 McLaren 620R Represents The End Of An Era

What you see is not the beginning of the end, merely the end of the beginning. It seems like a decade ago when we saw the first McLaren 570S for sale at the 2015 New York Auto Show. It was the first model of their "Sports Series". Designed as a more conventional and affordable alternative to their Super Series, the 570S arrived without the complex hydraulic active suspension. Instead, it has coil springs and traditional sway bars. Call me a purest, but this setup is easier to control at the limit, without a computer. But sadly, supercars like this are becoming obsolete. That is why the 2021 McLaren 620R represents the end of an era. McLaren 600LT Spider Price, Specs, Photos & Review To put it into perspective, the 570S was so popular, they built a hardtop convertible as the 570S Spider. This one also wowed the public, so they built a hatchback model with more interior room. The 570GT is one of the most practical and comfortable supercars I have driven. Pushing the chassis to the limit, the 600LT was a resurrection of their famous Long Tail. Offered as a coupe along with the 600LT Spider, it reaches 62 mph in 2.9 seconds and 124 mph in 8.4 seconds. This shocking performance spawned the 570 GT4, which was fielded by the fastest teams around the world. But like all good things, the party is about to be over. Carbon fiber molds require constant maintenance, so the 620R was built as a street-legal conversion of the GT4 race car. " width="680"> Only 350 cars are being built for the world, with a fraction of them heading here. They offer 612 horsepower, 457 lb-ft of torque, and double-adjustable coil overs at each corner. With 32 settings for each shock, you can tailor the car for your local track, or a Sunday drive in the countryside. Because our dealers sell more McLarens than even ones in the Old Country, we have several of them to choose from. With performance figures that rival big brother Senna, the 620R is a fitting end to the timeless 570 lineup. Browse McLaren 620R For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 21, 2020

2021 McLaren Elva to Arrive With MSO Options

For those lucky enough to secure their latest supercar, McLaren is making their experience truly rewarding. More than just a configuratior, the "McLaren Advanced Visualiser" allows buyers to interact directly with the factory. The reservations have piqued the interest of buyers who want the most unique examples, so the 2021 McLaren Elva will arrive with MSO options. McLaren Dallas Debuts the Incredible Elva Roadster In a press release this morning McLaren Special Operations previewed two new visual themes named "Explore" & "Timeless". Also noted is that the virus has forced them to limit production to only 149 cars. Not only will the Elva be among their most exclusive cars, only the Speedtail beats it in limited production. Tony Joseph is the President of McLaren North America and he wrote: "MSO is recognised for offering individual and near-endless customisation opportunities to customers, but we are also the channel for the specification of almost every Ultimate Series car. This was true of the McLaren Senna and Speedtail and we are now fully engaged with Elva customers to assist them in exploring the innovative design possibilities offered. The new McLaren Advanced Visualiser used in Elva specification sessions further enhances the ability to showcase the breadth of personalisation available.” Browse McLaren For Sale While many would enjoy the opportunity, McLaren protects their brand by limiting their Ultimate Series cars. However, should you want to experience the power and sophistication in person, click the button above to find one for yourself.

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2020

2021 McLaren Senna Breaks Four Consecutive U.S. Track Rec...

One if by land, two if by sea was Paul Revere's warning of a looming English invasion. He would have needed four lanterns for this impressive achievement. That is because a stock 2021 McLaren Senna has broken four consecutive U.S. track records. In a press release this morning, McLaren announced they have set new records at Virginia International Raceway, Laguna Seca, and back-to-back lightning laps at the National Corvette Museum's Grand Course. With Andy Pilgrim behind the wheel, the car turned in the fastest ever lap for production cars at Corvette's home track. His lap time was 2:02.86 on the full course, and the timing loops clocked it at 1:23.34 on the West Circuit. Instrumentation measured 1.64g of grip in turn four, another unprecedented feat. At Virginia International, it covered 4.1 miles of the full course in 2:34.9, again taking honors for the fastest production car by reaching 172.9 mph on the front stretch. " width="680"> The average speed of that lap was 134.5 mph, another impressive accolade. Finally, they headed to Monterey to beat the 1:28 lap record at Laguna Seca. The Senna's time was 1:27.62, smashing a time that had stood for years. As a coup de grace for their competitors, the car was entered into the World's Greatest Drag Race where it delivered the quarter-mile in 10.08 and the half-mile in 15.65, crossing the finish line at over 171 mph. Browse McLaren Senna For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 19, 2020

McLaren 720S Le Mans Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Their...

Winning the world's most famous race as a new automaker was unthinkable. It is comparable to a rookie pitcher throwing a no-hitter at his first Major League game. June of 1995 was the last time a street-legal car won a podium finish, and the McLaren F1 GTR # 59 still inspires their employees to strive for excellence. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the win, the 720S Le Mans will be limited to 50 coupes. McLaren 720S Specs, Price, Photos & Review Only 16 cars are reserved for Europe, so our dealers will be able to secure your allocation. Choose between McLaren Orange or Sarthe Grey. The rockers and bumpers are finished in Ueno Grey, and MSO provides the louvered carbon fiber fenders. A 25th Anniversary logo features prominently on the quarter panels, as does the gloss black roof scoop. The 5-spoke LM wheels evoke the design from 1995, with gold brake calipers providing a brilliant contrast. The VIN of each car wil start with 298- the number of laps completed by the winning car. Owners will also have full access to MSO Defined and MSO Bespoke customizations. Examples include two distinct satin finish carbon fiber interiors, and a 6-point racing harness. What is not optional is the twin-turbo 4-liter V8. It sends 720 horsepower to the rear wheels in order to reach 62 mph in 2.9 seconds. You will be at 124 mph in 7.8 seconds while on your way to 212 mph. Nothing we have encountered compares the civility and brutal performance offered by McLaren's flagship, so click the button below to find one for yourself. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 30, 2020

McLaren Leads the way in Ventilator Challenge UK

With car production and racing suspended, F1 teams and assembly workers have joined forces to build 10,000 ventilators. Using parts that are easy to mass produce, McLaren leads the way in VentilatorChallengeUK. Comanies that compete against one another in racing and sales are now racing to assemble the "RVMS". The Rapidly Manufactured Ventilator System is not complex, and it has simple electronic components. It was a design agreed upon by a consortium composed of: • Accenture• Arrow Electronics• Dell Technologies• Microsoft• PTC • BAE Systems• Ford Motor Company• GKN Aerospace• High Value Manufacturing Catapult• Inspiration Healthcare Group• Meggitt• Penlon• Renishaw• Rolls-Royce• Siemens Healthineers and Siemens UK• Smiths Group• Thales• Ultra Electronics• Unilever• UK-based F1 teams: Haas F1, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, Racing Point, Renault Sport Racing, Williams With players like this, the National Health Service should have the first order fulfilled in a few days. We applaud this unprecedented cooperation, and McLaren taking the initative to organize such a noble effort. We will update this story as it develops, so stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2020

O'Gara Beverly Hills Announces Supercar Sanitization Service

While it is safest to stay at home, essentials like you and I have to keep our economy afloat. Needless to say, with all the empty roads, life is too short to putt around in your daily driver. Your nice cars deserve to be driven, and its also a great time for spring cleaning. That's why our friends at O'Gara Beverly Hills have announced their Supercar Sanitization Service in their latest Instagram photos. Open to all brands they represent, a service technician will arrive in protective gear to keep their paws off your parts. The car will be transported to the dealer to perform any needed service, then thoroughly cleaned. Using dry steam throughout the interior along with a full vacuum and wipe-down, your leather, microfiber and carpet will look like new. All you need to do is email servicebeverlyhills@ogaracoach.com or call 888-308-5522. Click Here To Schedule Service " width="680">

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