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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 – October 18, 2016

2018 Corvette ZR1 Prototype Caught in traffic

To make sure their latest supercar is ready to be a daily driver, Chevrolet engineers were caught testing the upcoming Corvette ZR1 along with several other support cars. The ZR1 will always be the king of GM's product offering, as a fitting tribute to a prolific Chief Engineer. Zora Duntov was a Russian Jew who barely escaped Paris before Nazi tanks arrived. Racing at top speed in his modified Alfa, he and his wife were only a few miles ahead of the advancing German onslaught.(Related - The Grand Tour Hosts Quizzed While Racing Corvette)As Corvette's Chief Engineer from 1955 to 1975, he reserved the ZR1 name for the ultimate street machine. Zora's influence on Chevrolet's performance vehicles also led to advances in racing, as he secretly built five Grand Sport race cars in 1963. Protecting the latest Corvette from spy photographers has been difficult, with many automotive journalists speculating on engine and body changes. Zora and his engineers testing the original ZR1 at Milford Proving Grounds (Photo from GM Heritage Archives)What you see below is the first HD footage of the ZR1 in action. Zora's successor Dave McLellan told me the old man always envisioned the ZR1 as a 7.0-liter mid-engined twin turbo AWD hypercar, but the experimental cars like the CERV and Corvette Indy were killed by the bean counters. Corvette Indy ConceptWe don't like to speculate on the differences, but the most obvious upgrades are a giant rear spoiler and a revised front grille. The Z06 on steroids will hopefully switch to a twin-turbo design instead of the supercharger for improved fuel economy and less heat soak issues. We might have to take a day trip to the Corvette Assembly plant after the Nashville Auto Show (November 18-20) to see if we can catch them rolling off the line. We tip our hats for the clean footage from IndianAutosBlog, so stay with us for more Corvette news.All Corvette ZR1 For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 17, 2016

Report: The Apple Car is No More

Our dreams of driving around in an auxiliary-jackless car and having Siri close your windows have been dashed as Bloomberg reports that the "Apple Car" will not come to fruition.There have been rumours that Apple was rethinking the idea of building their own car, but this seems to seal the deal. Bloomberg notes in an article released today that Apple has "drastically scaled back its automotive ambitions, leading to hundreds of job cuts." Apparently, the 1,000-person car team has been disbanded, with employees being let go, reassigned or leaving on their own terms.(Related - Mercedes-Benz Autonomous Driving Concept Previewed)However, the idea of an Apple-powered car is not out of the question. Bloomberg went on to report that the California-based tech company is now focusing on creating their own autonomous driving system, which they can provide to various vehicle manufacturers. This may be why many were reporting talks between McLaren and Apple not long ago.One thing worth looking at is how Apple's stock will react to this information. While it may look bad at first glance, it may actually be better in the long run. Bloomberg notes that carmakers typically work with net margins that are well below 10%, while tech companies, like Apple, have much higher margins. By dropping the Apple Car and focusing primarily on the tech itself, investors may either rest easier with their investments or potential investors might find the new direction easier to invest in.So, while we won't being seeing an Apple iCar anytime soon, we still may see an Apple-powered car in the future.Related Video:

By Edward Jones – September 26, 2016

Chris Harris and Rory Reid Join Matt LeBlanc as Top Gear ...

After the departure of Chris Evans from Top Gear, we've all been waiting to see who would become the new hosts to stand alongside Matt LeBlanc. One of the simplest options was Chris Harris, the Extra Gear host that has become somewhat of a YouTube celebrity with his Chris Harris Drives reviews.Well, if you thought Harris was going to be one of the new hosts, you were correct. In an article published by TopGear.com today, we learned that Harris and Rory Reid will be the new Top Gear hosts, alongside LeBlanc, who will be returning for series 24. The article also notes that LeBlanc has agreed to a two series deal with the BBC. Also joining in on the action will be Eddie Jordan, Sabine Schmitz and, of course, The Stig, each of which making regular appearances.Related Video:

By Andrew Nabors – September 23, 2016

Who Wins the World's Greatest Drag Race?

What happens when 13 of the world's fastest cars line up? For the 6th version of the world's greatest drag race, Motor Trend brought something for everyone. Germany was well represented by the BMW M4 GTS, Audi R8 V10 Plus, Porsche 911 Carrera S, and the Mercedes-AMG GT S. For Queen and Country the English competitors consisted of a McLaren 570S along with a Jaguar F-Type SVR and Aston-Martin V12 Vantage S.(Related - 10 Cars Tested In One Quarter Mile Drag Race)Looking for a home field advantage the domestic contingent was Ford's Shelby GT350 R, Camaro 1LE, and for a Dodge Viper ACR making its Grand Finale. The only sedan in the race was a Charger Hellcat on slightly used tires. Although the Acura NSX is built in Ohio, it is as Japanese as Nissan's GT-R. At first, you might disregard the rear wheel drive cars for being at a disadvantage, but most of the competitors have some form of launch control. Boost pressure can turn mice into monsters, so maybe forced induction will produce a winner. Needless to say, you will be surprised who reaches the end of the quarter-mile first. Some of these cars have tall differential gears, so tell us who would win the half-mile in the comments below.View Sports Cars For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 23, 2016

New World Record for Venturie Electric Vehicle Set at 341...

It's official. The Venturi VBB-3 has made history as the world's fastest electric car. The dart-like automobile and the Center for Automotive Research at Ohio State University partnered up for another run on the Bonneville salt flats in Ohio to test the Venturi VBB-3's speed capabilities. This is the fifth record set for Venturi and OSU.(Related - The Iron Knight: World's Fastest Truck)The record was three years in the making as the VBB-3 was actually completed and ready to run in 2013, but severe weather in Ohio postponed the testing three years in a row. Considered the most powerful electric car in production, the VBB-3 makes an incredible 300- horsepower, but you won't see this one on the roadways. It's sleek, slim dart-like design is made for research and racing only, but as a leader in the electric car industry, don't put it past Venturi to come up with a road-ready vehicle in the future.Footage from 2015

By Andrew Nabors – September 13, 2016

Ferrari F12 Novitec N Largo Hits 185 MPH

Aftermarket exhaust is a matter of debate among exotic car owners. The first group argues that engineers at the factory spent countless hours on the computer designing the perfect system. But the other half chooses custom pipes for more performance and a wild sound. Novitec Rosso transformed the F12berlinetta into the N-Largo, a widebody supercar with 781 hp and 532 lb-ft of torque. With changes to almost every surface and system, only a handful were built.Our friends at AutoTopNL have an eye for spotting rare cars, and they were able to climb inside an N Largo for a few high speed runs. In a video uploaded yesterday the tuned Italian reached 185 mph on a closed runway. When filmed from a stationary camera, the soundtrack matches the aggressive looks of the car. At least we can hear it hit 3rd gear, but as the car approaches Mach 1 the exhaust becomes muted by the sound barrier. If you had an F12 would you leave it stock? View F12 Berlinettas For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 13, 2016

New Peugeot 3008 DKR Ready for the Dakar Challenge

The Dakar Challenge is undoubtedly one of the most grueling races in the world. The race takes competitors in cars and trucks and on motorcycles and quad bikes across Argentina and Bolivia over the course of fifteen days. Each year automakers come out with new vehicles to take on the race, each of which are incredibly capable, durable and powerful. For this year, Peugeot has created the 3008 DKR, one of the most intense looking trucks that will take on the challenge."The new 3008 symbolizes the next step," said team director Bruno Famin in a press release from Peugeot. "Our goal with this car was to take the weaker points of the existing car and make them stronger, while capitalizing on all the existing strengths to improve them still further. There are also some new regulations, which we obviously needed to comply with."The 3008 DKR is based on the new 3008 SUV from the automaker and is loyal to the company's two-wheel drive philosophy. This two-wheel-drive philosophy began 15 years and nine months ago when the first win for a two-wheel drive car happened.But, the icing on the cake for this desert racer?Air conditioning.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 09, 2016

13-Year-Old Steven Aghakhani Can't Stop Winning

Putting in countless hours, listening to a driving coach and putting his head in the game time and again is really paying off for 13-year-old Steven Aghakhani. This time, Aghakhani took to the Willow Springs Raceway where he faced off with several worthy opponents, some of which came equipped with 900+ horsepower vehicles. Considered the underdog of the event, the 13-year-old was a bit nervous, which is rare for him. He's usually incredibly comfortable behind the wheel thanks to extensive training and a natural aptitude for racing.Aghakhani, and his US Race Tronics team brought out his Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo for the event, and he reports hitting a new personal lap time of 1.24.5. He's always been a Lamborghini fan and loves the Gallardo for its grip and downforce. He came out on top at Willow Springs Raceway, which is something the young driver is known for.According to his father, Armik Aghakhani, it looks like his next adventure will be Formula 1 training in a Grand Prix vehicle and will practice with the iconic Porsche Martini Racing team.Check out the video below for more!

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 08, 2016

Place Your Bid on the Last Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Ever

With the early 2000s came the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The compact, agile vehicle sought to set the standard for affordable, four-door sports cars. In a press release, Mitsubishi stated, " the Lancer Evolution is applauded worldwide for its combination of power, agility and Super All-Wheel Control," in its prime. The Lancer Evo has seen its last days though, and the opportunity to own one is dwindling with each passing day.Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition Specs Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine Horsepower: 303 hp Torque: 305 lb-ft Transmission: 5-speed 2015 Lancer Evolution Final EditionLuckily, the Final Edition was crafted to conclude the line, and the last Lancer Evo Final Edition, which is known as US1600, is available for auction. Mitsubishi is conducting the auction through Ebay, giving potential owners from all corners the opportunity to own the vehicle. The auction is currently live and scheduled to end a week from today, on Thursday, September 15 at 9:00 a.m. PT. To sweeten the deal, all proceeds from the auction of the car maker's final Lancer Evo will be donated to esteemed nonprofit, Feeding America.The Final Edition features a host of upgraded specs including a DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine capable of 303 horsepower and a 5-speed transmission. It is fitted with the Final Edition Badge, dark chrome painted wheels and grille and red accent stitching. You can place your bid for US1600 here. 2015 Lancer Evolution Final Edition

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 08, 2016

Sports Cars and Supercars with Apple CarPlay for Your iPh...

Yesterday, Apple rocked the tech world with their announcement of the iPhone 7, which features a new, improved camera, water-resistant body and is missing a notably iconic feature: the headphone jack.Those not well-versed in the tech world (me) wondered why the missing headphone jack was such a big deal. Obviously, it makes things a little difficult when wanting to use wired headphones (oh wait! Apple created an adapter for this known as the Lightning port), but other than that, what's the big deal? As it turns out, removing the headphone jack from the device is such a bold move because these types of jacks have been in place in the tech industry for over 100 years, starting with the old school switchboards where you'd have to call an operator to have her connect your phone line to the person's line you wanted to reach. Once I learned about this history, I understood a little better the frenzy caused by the removal of the headphone jack. But I digress.Listening to music in your car is just as important as being able to plug in a pair of headphones and jam out. In celebration of the newly redesigned iPhone 7, sans headphone jack, here's a list of supercars and sports cars offering Apple CarPlay.Preorder the iPhone 7 (AT&T) | Preorder the iPhone 7 (Verizon) Acura 2017 NSX Bentley2017 BentaygaCadillac 2016 ATS-V 2016 CTS-V Ferrari 2016 488 GTB 2016 488 Spider 2016 California T 2016 F12 Berlinetta 2016 F12 tdf 2016 FF 2017 GTC4Lusso Lamborghini2017 CentenarioMercedes 2016 A-Class 2016 B-Class 2016 CLA-Class 2016 CLS-Class 2016 E-Class Cabriolet 2016 E-Class Coupe 2016 GLA-Class 2016 GLE-Class Porsche 2017 718 Cayman 2017 718 Boxster 2017 911 2017 Cayenne 2017 Macan Which one would be your choice? Let us know in the comments!

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