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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 – August 27, 2020

Mercedes-AMG Teases Porsche for the 4-Door 'Ring Record

A few days ago Porsche announced a new record lap time: the 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S lapped the Nürburgring in 7:29.81. This caught the attention of the smartest engineers in Affalterbach. Two years ago, the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S lapped the same historic track in 7:25:41. Both have twin-turbo V8 engines, and both sedans have four doors. That is why Mercedes-AMG just teased Porsche for the 'Ring record lap time. What it boils down to is semantics. Mercedes-AMG describes their car as a "4-Door Supercar", while Porsche says the Panamera Turbo S is an "Executive Sedan". In their latest YouTube upload, Mercedes-AMG says its time to hit the track again, with lessons learned over the last two years. If you want the Porsche, their MSRP starts at $187,700 while the AMG is $161,200. Although if you want a car that lapped the track 10 seconds faster, our dealers have several new Camaro ZL1 1LE for $65,000. Tell us which one you prefer in the comments below and stay with us for all your exotic car news. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 14, 2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Interior Details Revealed

Nothing is unattainable for the company that invented the automobile. Pulling out all the stops, the upcoming flagship will be your "Personal Welfare Oasis". That is why we are happy that the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior details have been revealed. Starting with the most obvious, the cabin takes inspiration from classic wood yachts. If you don't care about all the wood, there is room for five touch screens. Energizing Comfort Control tracks your well-being, and it can sense when you need relaxation or "invigoration" to keep you aware. The massaging seat rollers are closer to the leather for more relaxation, and the head pillow is now heated. All interior lighting is 10 times brighter thanks to the latest LED technology. Capable of any color, the ambiance can easily be seen in broad daylight. All seats carry the AGR seal of the healthy spine campaign, and they have speakers integrated for immersive 3D surround sound. The press release is a dozen pages, so we hope this will entice you to learn more. Browse Mercedes-Benz S-Class For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 29, 2020

New BRABUS GLB Revealed With More Power & Style

Hauling kids and groceries was once the job of the Minivan. Now that they are thankfully in the past, its time to embrace the ability of the Mercedes-Benz GLB. Our friends at BRABUS will take on any project, from 800 horsepower G-Wagens to an impressive Shadow Speedboat. From the factory, the GLB is a bit homely, so styling was their starting point. From stem to stern, their aero kit is better than OEM quality. A 2-piece front spoiler along with inserts to the lower intakes will scare traffic in front of you. What good is a crossover without a roof rack? The BRABUS Power Beams integrate LED bars to illuminate the trail ahead. They are also a great safety feature in bad weather, wired into the high-beam switch to not clutter the interior. Out back, the rear spoiler cuts down on wind noise, while the 3.5" quad-tip exhaust plays your soundtrack. Your choice of 18", 19" or forged monoblock 20" wheels can be had with Continental, Pirelli, or Yokohama rubber. The 20" wheels are 8.5" wide and designed for 255/40 tires. The BRABUS suspension was optimized for AWD traction and it rides 1.2" lower than stock. If you don't like going low, the BRABUS offroad kit raises all corners by 1.4". Under the hood, their new ECU allows the GLB to offer 267 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. If you want the ultimate Mercedes-Benz, BRABUS USA is ready to help. Click the link below and stay with us for all your BRABUS news. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – July 08, 2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class MBUX System Preview

In this week's installment of Meet The S-Class, we are introduced to the new MBUX infotainment system. It incorporates communication and personalization changes from the driver to the rear occupants, and a slew of unique abilities. Undoubtedly this will trickle down through the E-Class and the C-Class, so we want you to be ready for the future. Our dealers have all the info and they are willing to explain all the upcoming features. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your S-Class updates. Browse Mercedes-Benz S-Class For Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – July 06, 2020

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Preview Video Series

We are on the verge of something new. Mercedes-Benz is changing the way cars are unveiled, starting with their flagship sedan. In the first episode of "Meet The S-Class, Markus Schafer introduces us to the upcoming S-Class Plug-In Hybrid. With an electric range of 62 miles, it will arrive with the latest in automotive artificial intelligence. The driver's HUD is now an augmented reality system, showing turns and potential obstacles in 3D. In the coming weeks, this series will serve to build anticipation by explaining the revolutionary details on their dedicated site. Our dealers have all the details, so click the link below and stay with us for all your S-Class updates. Browse Mercedes-Benz S-Class For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 18, 2020

Mercedes-AMG E63 S Updated for 2021

Last month we introduced you to the new Mercedes-AMG E53 for sale. It utilizes a turbocharged straight-six along with a 48-volt hybrid system to offer power and efficiency. While the base model E-Class coupes and sedans will retain four-cylinder power, the twin-turbo V8 has been treated to a snazzy new outfit. The Mercedes-Benz E63 S updates for 2021 include unique exterior styling along with a new interior. Instead of adding AMG badges to the E-Class sedan, the only parts they share are the door handles and roof panel. Everything from the intakes to the rear diffuser is new and optimized for outright performance. Inside we are treated to the widescreen instrument cluster first seen on the S-Class. It includes a multi-function steering wheel, MBUX infotainment system, and the AMG-specific performance menu. This offers all engine data, warm up alerts, lap timer, G-meter, and telemetry. In Supersport mode, both 12.3" screens are limited to a central tachomemter, hiding non-essential data to keep your eyes on the road. What has not changed is the powerhouse under the hood. With 603 horsepower on tap, you will reach 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. The 4MATIC+ system sends 627 lb-ft of torque to all wheels when needed, or solely to the electronic rear differential in Drift mode. Perhaps the best feature is "Gliding". Much like the flywheel on a bicycle, the transmission disconnects the car from the road when coasting. Not only does this save fuel, it feels fun once gravity takes over. Each corner has triple-chamber air suspension for the ultimate in ride comfort and handling. Our only wish is for the E63 S wagon to return to the U.S. It will only happen if you demand it from your local dealer, so click the button below and stay with us for all your Mercedes-AMG news. Browse Mercedes-Benz E-Class For Sale

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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 – May 26, 2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet Offers AirScarf & Ai...

Attention to detail is what makes the E-Class Coupe & Convertible a sensible choice. Our Sales Manager had the previous generation for 5 years, and it was among the best convertibles I have experienced. The only way it could have been better is more control of cockpit air. That is why two ingenious systems have been added to the new model. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet will arrive win AirScarf and AirCap. Top 50 Best Exotic Cars & Supercars of All Time I first encountered AirScarf on Mr. duPont's 2012 SLS AMG Roadster. Perfect for cool weather cruising, the seats force warm air down your back and around your head. It is computer-controlled based on speed until 75 mph when it goes full blast. The icing on the cake is the new AirCap. Consisting of a windshield deflector and a partition behind the cockpit, it creates a high-pressure bubble of hot or cold air that prevents turbulence. Not only does this reduce drag at highway speeds, but it will also cut down on wind noise so you can relax with your significant others. Browse Mercedes-Benz E-Class For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 12, 2020

Mercedes-Benz Unveils New Kid's Game

Summer break came early for most kids this year, so parents have been spending more time keeping young minds active despite the adversity. Coloring books from our favorite automakers were a big hit, so now its time for the next level. In an Instagram post this morning, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new kid's game. The Kids Car Designer is a free app that allows little ones to design their own A-Class or G-Class. After choosing the car, paint with various brushes and personalize it with pens. Print it out along with the included template, use some safety scissors and your favorite Kids Glue to help their designs become a reality. As for now it is only for Apple devices, so click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your Mercedes-Benz news. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2020

Mercedes-AMG Accepts Audi's Four Rings Challenge

Audi understands that many owners & fans are stuck at home. That is why the asked the world for creative ways to replicate their logo. Fan submissions included everything from cakes to graffiti, but the latest response was a bit of friendly competition from Affalterbach. In a sign of solidarity, Mercedes-AMG has accepted the Four Rings Challenge. Unleashing the brutal power of a new Mercedes-AMG C63, tell us what you think of their efforts in the comments below. Browse Mercedes-AMG C63 For Sale https://www.facebook.com/MercedesAMG/videos/550451905608809/

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