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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 04, 2018

Japanese Electric Hypercar Aspark Owl Gets a Big Price Tag

The Aspark Owl is coming hot out of Japan as an electric hypercar that will run 0 to 62 mph in just 1.9 seconds. Its electric powertrain produces an astonishing 1,150 horsepower. That's quite the pedigree for new model out of the Osaka-based company.Now, according to Bloomberg, Aspark is taking pre-orders for the hypercar that'll require a non-refundable €1 million deposit, which equates to roughly $1.15 million in today's exchange rate. The entire cost of the car is set at around $3.6 million, but only 50 examples of the Owl will be created. Bloomberg learned this info at the Paris Motor Show, where Aspark is showing off the Owl. They note that the show car was essentially a shell and that the real test car was back in Japan.It may be a couple of years before the launch of the car, but the Owl's future is looking pretty bright.Related Video:

By Alyssa Mammano – September 27, 2018

James Dean's Former Home Listed for $3.9 Million

Once an entertainment hub for Hollywood Hills bigwigs, 6225 Quebec Drive in Los Angeles, California - the former home of superstar James Dean - has just hit the market for $999 per square foot at $3,995,000. Before he turned legend, Dean lived in the basement of the home owned by the former head of Warner Brothers, Hal B. Wallis, and worked as his personal handyman. One night during a party at the home, Dean was discovered by a casting director who thought his look was perfect for the big screen. Less than a month after he was spotted, Dean appeared in the film Rebel Without a Cause.Earlier this month, the home where he was first happened upon was listed with Eric Lavey of The Agency. The structure was first erected in a Spanish style in 1927 and has since been tremendously restored and updated to far surpass modern standards. Merging the traditional stylings with contemporary conveniences, the single family home has three bedrooms, four bathrooms and 4,000 square feet on a .27-acre lot.View LA Listings Source and Images: The Agency

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2018

Supercars Tied Up in Alleged $364 Million Ponzi Scheme

More than 400 people have been taken for a financial ride as three men (Kevin B. Merrill, Jay B. Ledford and Cameron R. Jezierski) have been indicted in an alleged $364 million Ponzi scheme. According to an indictment from the Federal prosecutors in Baltimore, the 400+ victims/investors were told the trio would be buying up consumer debt portfolios. They were told they would be making money when either the debt portfolios were sold to third-party debt buyers for a profit or they collected payments people made on their debts. Instead, the trio opened phony companies that resembled consumer debt sellers, told falsehoods about who they were buying debt portfolios from, created false records, and used $73 million of the investment to fuel their lavish lifestyle. This lifestyle included a number of real estate properties and a large number of cars and motorcycles. Here's a list of the cars the prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of from two of the defendants named in the indictment:Merrill's Cars 2014 Ford Explorer 2014 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster 2014 Mercedes-AMG S63 2015 BMW S1000R Motorcycle 2015 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special Edition Motorcycle 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB 2017 Audi R8 5.2 Plus 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Spyder 2017 Land Rover Range Rover 2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S 2017 Rolls-Royce Dawn 2017 Rolls-Royce Wraith 2018 McLaren 720S 2008 Bugatti Veyron 2013 Ferrari California 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe 2014 Ferrari F12berlinetta 2014 Pagani Huayra 2015 Mercedes-AMG S63 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV 2017 Lamborghini Aventador 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Ledford's Cars 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB 2016 Tesla Model S 2015 Bentley Flying Spur According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Maryland, this Ponzi scheme is "one of the largest ever charged in Maryland." Unfortunately for some of these victims, they are still in the dark as to what's happened with their investment. "Most of these investors are just learning that they have been victimized," said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur in the press release. "We urge anyone who thinks they may be a victim to contact the FBI at www.FBI.Gov/MerrillLedford or e-mail MerrillLedford@fbi.gov."Sources: Justice.gov, BaltimoreSun.com, Image via Bugatti

By Edward Jones – July 10, 2018

Automobili Pininfarina Teases New Electric Hypercar

Pininfarina has been known for decades thanks to their famous designs created for brands like Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and other automakers. Now, the Italian company is taking on another venture as Automobili Pininfarina, a new car brand aiming to create electric, ultra-luxury cars.In a recent release from Automobile Pininfarina, we learned that the first car out of the company is coming soon. Codenamed "PF0," this car will be created in very low quantities and is described as an "ultra-luxurious fully-electric hypercar." During the Monterey Car Week in August 2018, Automobili Pininfarina will be giving private viewing of PF0.Pininfarina to Actually Sell the Bizarre H2 Speed ConceptAutomobili Pininfarina also announced in the release that they have appointed new members of its Board of Directors. The new board members include: Michael Perschke - CEO Per Svantesson - COO Dan Connell - CBO Luca Borgogno - - Design Director Anika Rose - Human Resources Director Marcus Korbach - Sales Director Paolo Dellacha - Product and Platform Director “Automobili Pininfarina is a pioneering new business created to service the most discerning clients in the world," says Michael Perschke, Automobili Pininfarina CEO. "Our product portfolio will launch with an innovative, zero-emissions hypercar that represents the progression we aim to make at the pinnacle of the luxury and sports car market.”

By Edward Jones – May 14, 2018

6x6 Devel Monster Takes Down Supercar in Drag Race

Most people know about Devel Motors because of their insane Sixteen model, a car that packs over 4,000 horsepower. But Devel has also been hard at work creating their Sixty model, a 6x6 SUV that's an absolute beast of a vehicle. Not only is it massive in stature, it's also powered by a gigantic 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel V8 engine. This engine pumps out a punishing 700-1,500 horsepower that's routed to all six wheels. As a base model with 700 hp, it can run a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds, but with the maximum power out of 1,500 hp, who knows what's possible.Devel Motors was recently at the track testing the Sixty and Mo Vlogs was on-hand to check it out. The example they brought to the track was the base model (700 hp), and Devel decided to run it against multiple opponents like a Mercedes-AMG GT S. When racing the AMG, the Sixty ended up winning in the race, which was interesting considering Mercedes says it has a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds (two seconds quicker than the Sixty).Anyways, check out Devel's monstrous Sixty 6x6 in the video below.

By Edward Jones – May 04, 2018

Battling Cancer With Rides in a Lamborghini

Knowing someone that has been diagnosed with cancer leaves you wondering what you can do to help. Unfortunately, you can't cure them but there are plenty of things each person can do to help out someone close to you in a time of need. For Brett David, owner and CEO of Prestige Imports, he likes to put smiles on the faces of those battling through some of the toughest fights humans can face.Recently, Brett visited Angelo Almonte at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital where he is undergoing treatment for a unique form of cancer. When visiting, he brought along a new 2018 Lamborghini Huracan because Angelo is actually a huge car fan. But he didn't just let him check out the car. Instead, Angelo sat in the driver's seat, gave the supercar some hearty revs and was taken out for some exciting drives around the streets.This experience was put on by Ride2Revive, an organization founded by brother and sister team Brett and Brooke David. Their goal is to share the exotic supercar world with children who are undergoing medical treatment for life-threatening illnesses. This is a perfect example of how everyone has means to assist those in need, but we can all help in different ways. For Brett, he's an expert in the automotive industry and has access to just about any exotic car out there. His form of assistance is putting smiles on children's faces by way of supercars and creating experiences that they will always remember. If you're interested in how you can be a part of Ride2Revive, visit ride2revive.org for more information.Learn About Ride2Revivehttps://www.instagram.com/p/BiVJGf5hxMj/

By Edward Jones – April 19, 2018

Brabham BT62 Supercar Teased for First Time

Brabham racing cars have been around for decades now, but for the first time, they're creating their very own supercar. Called the Brabham BT62, this new supercar is the race company's first road-going supercar. Being built under the company Brabham Automotive, it will be officially unveiled in its entirety on May 2. That doesn't mean they haven't released the specs, because they most certainly have.Genesis Unveils Essentia Concept In New YorkThe BT62 will weigh in at just 2,143 pounds, making it an incredibly light car and more than likely not filled with luxuries and amenities you'd find in a Mercedes-AMG S-Class. That being said, Brabham isn't making a car focused on luxury: they're making a car that was inspired by racing heritage. Speaking of racing, the naturally-aspirated 5.4-liter V8 will pump out 720 horsepower, which will be enough power to make this a blast on the track. Just look at that power-to-weight ratio! Additionally, the BT62 will corner with ease thanks to its downforce of 2,645 pounds.Interested? The car will be selling for around $1.4 million and Brabham Automotive is planning on only building 70 examples. So, act fast!

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2018

UBER Rent: Great Deals On Great Cars

Some of us have control issues. Do you ever wish your ridesharing driver would go the speed limit? Why should you be forced to listen to life lessons and bad music? Uber has a solution! Partnering with the biggest names in the car rental business, UBER Rent is a new service that lets you be the driver, with special rates for hourly, weekly, and long-term rentals.The first is part of a collaboration with Getaround, and the hourly service is currently being tested in the San Francisco Bay area. A more popular weekly option comes from Hertz, and it is now live in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Orange County, Miami, New Orleans, and the San Francisco Bay Area. It starts at $214 per week with a one-time $200 deposit that will be refunded. The best part is, you get the option to renew every week. All it takes is 25 years of age and a credit or debit card.If you are reading this, you have probably considered making some extra cash by helping people get where they need to go. Unfortunately, most of us don't want to put miles on our precious machines. So if you have a few vacation days saved up, driving for Uber will cover the cost of the rental, and it might even finance your vacation.The final option is based around California's big cities. Fair is a long-term rental plan for those who don't own a car. Only offered in Orange County, San Diego, LA, San Francisco and Sacramento, this ingenious plan accounts for how many Californians prefer public transportation to the hassle of car ownership. Hertz does offer the Corvette Stingray as part of their Adrenaline Collection, so whats better than getting paid to scare unsuspecting riders in Race Mode? Click the links for more information and stay with us for more great deals.Rent From Uber

By Edward Jones – March 06, 2018

Rimac C_Two Promises the Most Insane 0-60 Time Yet

The Rimac Concept_One is already a competent hypercar, having 1,24 horsepower on tap and a 0 to 62 mph time of 2.5 seconds. With the new Rimac C_Two (Concept_Two), however, those numbers see a bit more inadequate.Electric Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo RevealedJust announced at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the C_Two is an even more extreme electric hypercar that has enough power to probably literally blow your socks off and give you a decent amount of whiplash. With 1,914 horsepower and 1,696 lb-ft of torque at the ready, the C_Two will rocket from 0 to 60 mph in an absurd 1.85 seconds. No, that's not a typo. Rimac is currently claiming a 0-60 time that's pretty well into the 1's. And just because it's an electric car, don't count out the C_Two in terms of a top end as it has a top speed of 258 mph. What's more, this electric hypercar has a range of 403 miles.

By Andrew Nabors – February 16, 2018

Why a Truck Needs to be the Next Addition to Your Collection

Browsing the New York Times yesterday, we came across some interesting statistics: American trucks are back in a big way. Over the past decade, every manufacturer has followed each other down the rabbit hole of building crossovers. These family haulers are basically jacked-up sedans with poor visibility, limited cargo space, and wimpy towing abilities.The notion that a crossover can be luxurious is hard to contemplate, so the big 3 have responded in a classic way. The luxury full-size SUV and truck market is hot. Ford has taken the aluminum construction of the F150 series and adapted it to the new Lincoln Navigator. Using the same massaging seats as the Continental, the EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 will give the Escalade a run for its money. Speaking of Cadillac, GM finally allowed Chevrolet to build a Tahoe with the 6.2 Liter engine that has been previously exclusive to Cadillac and GMC's Denali models. Sales in 2017 were so strong that GM gave every hourly employee a nice bonus for their efforts.New 2019 Silverado GalleryThe new Chevy Silverado RST is smaller and lighter than the Suburban, and it combines Corvette power with Brembo brakes and a mean exhaust note. Essentially it's the Police Interceptor package along with snazzy styling upgrades. Since it has a more affordable price than import SUVs, dealers are having a hard time keeping them in stock. The NYT article also states that GMC is having to ramp up production on their Denali versions of the Sierra and Yukon to keep up with demand. Mr. duPont even traded in his Porsche Macan for a 6.2 powered Yukon, and it is a beast!Ford Announces Ranger Raptor and We Want It…Now All RAM Trucks for SaleFiat-Chrysler's new Ram is poised to steal everyone's thunder with the 2019 Ram series. The multi-chamber air suspension and the small Eco-Diesel engines make it a comfortable & efficient option. The Silverado and Sierra are also new for 2019. Focusing on aerodynamics and weight, the smoothed front is comprised of more aluminum than they have ever offered. The bed is still cold-rolled steel to handle the abuse of a job site. And Ford's sales of the F150 Raptor are helped by the aftermarket. All Roush Raptors for SaleThe Roush Raptor offers 500 horsepower and 562 lb-ft of torque. Working with RPG offroad, it arrives with LED lighting, Fox Racing 3.0 shocks, tubular bumpers and more. Sometimes four tires won't do, so allow John Hennessey and his team to build your very own VelociRaptor 6x6. They boost the output to 602 horsepower and 622 lb-ft of torque, which is sent through 3 locking differentials.Full-size trucks have grown larger and more luxurious, which has opened the door for the return of the midsize pickup. Ford has shocked the world with the return of the Ranger, with a Raptor version that has no equal on the market. GM's Colorado and Canyon twins offer the same V6 found in the Camaro and Cadillac, and their biggest hit has been the ZR2 package. The suspension is by MultiMatic, the same experts responsible for the Camaro ZL1 and the Ford GT. Mercedes-Benz even released a pickup, but it is illegal in the US. Bruiser Conversions' 6x6 JeepIn some situations, only a Jeep Wrangler will do. That's why Bruiser Conversions was the first shop to LS swap the new Wrangler JL. They also offer the JK Crew in 4x4 and 6x6 configurations. They have been a fixture at our Cars & Coffee shows because the 6 Wheel Drive spreads weight so evenly that it doesn't disturb our landscaping (plus, it's doubtful any other rig could pull them from atop the hill). All Silverado 2500s for SaleIf you are dead-set on a rugged German SUV, the new G63 AMG are still on the slow boat from Deutschland. Their rivals are the BMW X Series, which are not actually German. From the X1 to the X6, each one is built by BMW USA in Greer, South Carolina. Nissan and Mercedes-Benz are also planning to expand their US factories to meet demand around the world. Don't forget about our other aftermarket friends like Brabus, because they will expand your horizons. Tell us which new truck you would consider in the comments below. All F-150 Raptors for Sale

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