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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 – October 26, 2021

Pato O'Ward Compares the McLaren Elva Hypercar to His Ind...

Two wind-cutting machines. Pat O'Ward is coming off a fantastic season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, having finished in third place in just his second full year in the series. Because of this, he's been the talk of the town in the world of motorsports and has become a fan favorite. Driving for Arrow McLaren SP, he has obvious close relations with McLaren Automotive and that's why they just posted an awesome video of O'Ward. In the video, O'Ward compares his Indy car to the groundbreaking McLaren Elva. Interestingly enough, the Elva provides the driver with a more open-air experience than his Indy car. This is a feat made possible thanks to an air curtain that is created by an Active Air Management System found upfront. This vent sucks in air from the front and shoots it over the cockpit to create a "windscreen" made of air. It's truly impressive. If you'd like to experience this, it will be difficult to accomplish consider all Elva examples for the United States have already been spoken for. All McLarens For Sale Source: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – May 27, 2021

Mecum Indy 2021 Sales Reach Over $100 Million

Ford GTs were hotter than ever at Mecum Indy 2021. In total, the Mecum Indy Auction 2021 brought in over $107.8 million in overall sales making it the second event from the auction house in 2021 to achieve more than $100 million in sales. A total of 2,057 cars crossed the auction block, and 1,715 of them were sold for a sell-through rate of 83 percent. During the event, the Ford GT was a hot ticket with four of them finding their way in the top ten sales. The number one spot was held by an elegant 1930 Duesenberg Model SJ Rollston Convertible Victoria. You can check out the top ten sales down below. Mecum Indy 2021 Top Ten Sales 10. 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition - $572,000 9. 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta - $880,000 8. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster - $907,500 7. 2019 McLaren Senna - $946,000 6. 2019 Ford GT - $1,045,000 5. 2019 Ford GT Lightweight - $1,100,000 4. 2014 McLaren P1 - $1,347,500 3. 2020 Ford GT MkII - $1,870,000 2. 1969 Ford Bronco 'Big Oly' - $1,870,000 1. 1930 Duesenberg Model SJ Rollston Convertible Victoria - $2,970,000 Source: Mecum Auctions

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 05, 2021

Shop The Period Correct Spring/Summer '21 Collection Avai...

Period Correct is best known for taking the influential history of motorsports and incorporating it into its apparel collections for enthusiasts of all kinds to enjoy. The automotive apparel brand is proud to announce the release of its Spring/Summer ’21 Collection featuring an array of products and designs made to style any driver on or off the track. Made using premium materials, Period Correct focuses on producing jackets, sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts, t-shirts, hats, and accessories that are designed to look and feel good. The vintage days of racing are highlighted using period-correct colors and patterns, just like the liveries on race cars competing to make automotive history. Whether it's re-imagining your closet or needing the perfect keychain for your own vehicle, Period Correct has you covered. Shop all of the apparel and accessories from Period Correct’s Spring/Summer ’21 Collection by clicking the link below. Shop Period Correct Image Source: Period Correct For more Gear news, Check out EveryDrive Carry: Ford GT Essentials

By Edward Jones – January 25, 2021

164-Foot Heesen Project Sapphire Hull and Superstructure ...

Heesen Yachts has announced they have joined the hull and superstructure of YN 19850, also known as Project Sapphire. This 50-meter (164-foot) superyacht, 5000 Aluminum Class had its shape created by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. While we may see just the barebones of the yacht in these new images from Heesen, the finished vessel will host a myriad of amenities. This includes the expansive sun deck, bridge deck's aft terrace, full-height tender garage, and an interior designed by Cristiano Gatto. In total, twelve guests can rest comfortably in the four suites on the lower deck while a master stateroom resides forward on the main deck. Expect delivery of Project Sapphire to occur in June 2022. In the meantime, be sure to check out all of our latest boat and yacht news. Source: Heesen Yachts, Facebook

By Andrew Nabors – January 20, 2021

Replica Cars Win Big Thanks To Relaxed Federal Laws

As the nation prepares to inaugurate a new President, Capitol Hill has allowed replica cars to win big thanks to relaxed federal laws. The Supreme Court has wasted decades fighting small businesses on behalf of auto manufacturers. It all culminated by the aftermarket suing the Federal Government. Legislators realized that their laws from 1967 were antiquated, to say the least. Now, the smaller shops can build 325 cars a year, as long as the original is 25 years or older. Replica Ferrari SF1000 Being Auctioned by RM Sotheby’s From here on, interior resemblances don't matter, and exterior changes can be up to 10% different than the original car it's based on. So here's to a Ferrari 250 from Manhattan Motorcars, new Eleanor Mustang from Fusion Luxury Motors, big-blocks from Backdraft, incredible 4WDs from Icon, aluminum supercars from Fii, and 1963 Corvette Grand Sports from Superformance. Tell us your favorite replica in the comments below.

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2020

Hyperion XP-1 Offers 1,000 Miles of Hydrogen Power

Half a century ago, Apollo 13 launched with a range of a half-million miles. It used compressed hydrogen and three fuel cells to make electricity and drinking water as a byproduct. Now a team of PhDs has built a supercar around the latest in fuel cell technology called the Hyperion XP-1. Toyota and Honda have repeatedly voiced their love of hydrogen power, and there is talk of building more filling stations. There are 47 in the U.S., but they're all in California. That's why Hyperion will share the "First Chapter" of their story later this month. The new Hyperion XP-1 will offer extreme performance thanks to its power source. The current figures point to a 0 to 60 mph time of under 2.2 seconds and a top speed of over 220 mph. Even with these impressive numbers, it still boasts 1000-mile range. But it's not just high-end performance that the XP-1 will offer, because the cabin is unlike anything you've seen before. Inside is a 98-inch curved display that utilizes gesture control, as well as a 134-inch glass canopy covering the passengers. This car is one-stop away from being a spaceship for the roads. Getting back to the power source, a fuel cell forces hydrogen and oxygen together, which gives off electricity and pure water in the process. The issue is storing hydrogen safely. Carbon fiber tanks are probably the answer to safe high-pressure storage, and who wouldn't drive a car that offered them a glass of cool water every few miles. Its time to make H2 great again, so stay with us for all your Hyperion updates. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 14, 2020

New 2020 Polaris Slingshot Grand Touring LE Model Added t...

Polaris has just announced the new Slingshot Grand Touring LE limited-edition model as an addition to their lineup. This new model will come with the new 2020 AutoDrive transmission, which provides an "automatic-like driving experience without the need for clutching or shifting," according to Polaris. It dons a Fairway Green paint that's contrasted by the bronze accents and bronze wheels. If you're a fan of the green/gold combo, like me, you'll love the look of this color scheme. In the cockpit are Quilted Comfort Seats, a seven-inch Ride Command infotainment system and more amenities. Powering the Slingshot Grand Touring LE is the 178 hp ProStar 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. if you're interested, it starts at $33,999 before you add any of the options like the Stage 1 Tune upgrade that brings the power output up to 203 hp. For more information, you can click here to visit Polaris' website. See Slingshots for Sale Source: Polaris Inc.

By Andrew Nabors – June 30, 2020

Rivian R1T Final Shakedown Tests in Arizona

Amazon and T. Rowe Price have invested nearly $2 Billion into a new EV manufacturer. Rivian is poised to shake up the status quo with their pair of American electrics. The R1S is a full-size SUV, and it shares a common chassis with the R1T pickup. Their latest round of was not done with a prototype. To prove the production version will meet expectations, it easily showed prowess while rock crawling, drifting, and launching across the desert. Outrunning their drone, it handles high-speed trails like a seasoned pre-runner. This was done to prove the battery cooling, heat, and A/C exceeded production goals, and this playlist has coincided with the opening of pre-orders. Best Ford Mustangs Of All Time Each Rivian has a motor at each wheel for a combined 750 horsepower. It can ford 3 feet of water, reach 60 mph in 3 seconds, and offer 400 miles of range. That's enough for a round trip between San Francisco and Yosemite, a scenic drive you will never forget. Click the button below to reserve yours and stay with us for all your Rivian updates. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 16, 2020

All New 2021 Lexus IS Arrives This Fall

Lexus was founded by Toyota engineers who wanted to dominate the luxury car market. With a goal of combining performance, safety and fun, it was the IS that got a young enthusiast hooked on racing. Knowing full well the expectations of his family, Akio Toyoda worked his way to the top.The LF-A was his first claim to fame, and now he has turned his attention to where it all started. The all new 2021 Lexus IS series will arrive this fall, as we learned in the live reveal last night. Instead of a mid-cycle refresh, they started from scratch. He set incredible targets for performance and safety without compromising comfort or civility. In order to meet these goals, the company built a new testing facility. The Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama allows engineers and professional racers to share experiences and data. This was essential in tuning the new chassis for performance in any situation. For instance, a harsh rebound from the rear wheels created a vibration that traveled up the C-pillar, encompassing the rear seats as it climbed. So engineers added thicker and stronger steel from the control arms to the roof panel, effectively chasing the vibration out of the car. This process was repeated after thousands of miles on the track, and each time it was an opportunity to increase passenger safety simultaneously. If you want the ultimate example, the IS F Sport is based on the IS 350. It will arrive with 311 horsepower, 19" wheels, and meaty 265/35 tires. Not just for looks, it has specific aerodynamic attributes in the lower front spoiler, belly pan, rocker panels and the sculpted trunk lid. Adaptive Variable Suspension is tuned for optional forged BBS wheels, proving that no detail was overlooked. Dynamic Handling Package offers more grip in the corners thanks to bespoke stability parameters and a Torsen differential. The IS 300 offers a 241 horsepower turbo-4, and both models are available with AWD. If you need the comfort and quality only Lexus can provide, click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for a complete review once they arrive. Browse Lexus IS For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 04, 2020

Radical Introduces New SR3 XX Track Car

Radical has unveiled their newest track car called the SR3 XX. This new track car touts an all-new electric architecture making it the first of its kind to have AiM Technology's solid-state tech. With this new technology, drivers can acquire more data from their time on the track that they can study to get even better lap times. Allowing the driver's to easily access this data is the newly design cockput with a dashboard built around the new steering wheel. With a built-in LCD display, vehicle control buttons and more, the driver has everything quite literally at their fingertips. As for power, there's either the RPE-Suzuki 1340cc (195 bhp) or 1500cc (226 bhp) four cylinder engines. Each engine is mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox that's controlled by paddle shifters. With the 1340cc engine, the 0 to 60 mph time is 3.3 seconds and top speed is 141 mph. If the more powerful 1500cc engine is picked, the 0 to 60 mph time is reduced to 3.1 seconds and top speed is raised to 147 mph. If you've ever wanted to have a blast on the track, the new Radical SR3 XX is the way to go. Learn more by clicking the button below. Learn More Source: RadicalSportsCars.com

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