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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 – May 03, 2018

Brabham Unveils the BT62

If you are looking for a powerful & unique track car, Brabham is back! The company was founded 70 years ago as an English-Australian race team. Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac named each car as BT, much in the same way David Brown named each Aston Martin DB.Managing Director David Brabham has taken his father's company to new heights with their latest creation, the BT62. It was unveiled at Australia House in London last night, and it is making waves across the pond. Crafted from carbon fiber, it is powered by a 5.4 liter V8 of their own design. Without fluids or a driver, it weighs in at only 2,142 lbs.He had this to say at the event: "It’s with great pride that I honour and continue my father’s legacy in revealing the next chapter in the evolving Brabham story. The team we have in place, and the vision it shares, provides a solid platform for Brabham Automotive to execute its long-term business strategy. Our first step to deliver on that strategy is the Brabham BT62, a car truly worthy of carrying the iconic Brabham name.”Only 70 cars will be built, one for each year of the company's history. The first 35 will celebrate the 35 Grand Prix victories. The engine is tuned to make 700 horsepower and 492 lb-ft of torque. The body generates a maximum of 2,645 lbs of downforce, and the carbon brakes have 6-piston calipers at all corners. A base price of one million pounds before taxes will ensure these end up in only the most deserving of collections. Stay with us for more Brabham updates and exotic cars for sale.Exotic Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2018

McLaren Announces 3 Track Events For North America

If you thought McLaren only raced in Europe, get ready to experience them closer to home. As the latest part of the Pure Mclaren program, three exclusive events were announced in a press release last night. It is the first time Pure McLaren has done three events in one year, and they are the best way to fine tune your driving skills. This year's events are: Le Circuit Mont Tremblant, Canada: June 2-4, 2018 The Thermal Club, California: October4-6, 2018 Circuit of the Americas, Texas: November 7-11, 2018 Pure McLaren Silverstone March 2018World Copyright: Patrick Gosling / BeadyeyeRef: Pure McLaren Silverstone-March2018-5594.CR2For the novice drivers, you will spend a half-day with an instructor in a new 570S. Veterans of Pure McLaren will be able to spend a full day behind the wheel of their own car, with feedback from the instructors. They will have video and telemetry playback along with a pit crew who can address any technical issues. Pure McLaren Silverstone March 2018World Copyright: Patrick Gosling / BeadyeyeVIP hospitality from start to finish includes a stay in a swanky hotel along with private transportation to and from the track. If you want the ultimate experience, a two and a half day session behind the wheel of a McLaren 570S GT4 race car will qualify you for a full IMSA GT racing license. Pricing and details can be found in the link below, so stay with us for all your McLaren news.View Details

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2018

Lamborghini's Future Might Be Hybrid

Its ok to have a big naturally aspirated engine. But it is also ok to help it out with a few batteries. That is the notion that Lamborghini's CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed to Top Gear Magazine. Both the Huracan and Aventador's successors will have plug-in capabilities and a limited range of electric cruising.Lamborghini Aventador Prototype Spied. SVJ?“The big questions are packaging and weight," Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini’s chief technical officer, told Top Gear. "Yes, this will be a silent Lamborghini, but push the accelerator and the engine will come. Silence will only last for some seconds then comes the sound.”The V10 and V12 engines aren't going anywhere, so don't worry. Just imagine a fully charged system boosting torque for a blistering AWD launch. The next Aventador is scheduled to arrive in 2020, probably for the '21 model year. He also said a pure electric drivetrain won't be able to perform up to their standards in the near future. The raging bulls are getting a high voltage cattle prod, it might just make them even more ferocious! Stay with us for all your Lamborghini newsBrowse Huracan Spyder For Sale

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 18, 2018

Ford & Cosworth Unveil Ken Block's Latest Ride

It is possible to transform any car into a World Rally contender, all it takes is time & $$$. The task is easier if you begin with a car that was designed to dominate: The Cosworth Escort. The English racing company was founded by Lotus employees who loved powerful engines. And over the years, Cosworth has helped almost every manufacturer along the way. Being that they have 176 victories in Formula 1, Hoonigan Racing decided on a mid 90's Cosworth Focus Group-A race car. In the press release, Ken mentioned he has owned the car for years, and he is happy to be reunited. Ken Blocks Chases Booze-Smuggling Top Gear Crew While he will still compete in some RallyCross events, Block will return to the World Racing Championship. This year's race in Spain will be his first WRC event since the same event in 2014. Other Hoonigan drivers will continue to field the Focus RS RX around the world. This season also marks another collaboration with Death Spray Custom for the graphics found on the Escort and Ken's race suit. We wish him and all the drivers a Hoonigan Racing a safe & successful season, so stay with us for all your Ford Performance news. Browse Ford Focus RS For Sale

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ 4-Türer Coupé

By Andrew Nabors – April 13, 2018

Mercedes-Benz Announces Car Subscription Service

If your current situation precludes you from buying or leasing a new Mercedes-Benz, they have a new & unique option for you. In a press release early this morning, the Mercedes-Benz Collection is a great way to enjoy their products. In what looks to be a long-term rental, all service and maintenance are included.You can also change vehicles at any time, and this is arranged with the collection's Concierge. Customers eligible for the top-tier level can even choose from AMG's impressive lineup. The monthly fee includes insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and no-cost service visits. This experimental program will be launched in Nashville and Philadelphia, but we anticipate it will be a smashing success. Get your application in early by clicking the link below and have a great weekend!View Details

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 Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2018

Lamborghini Aventador Prototype Spied. SVJ?

One of the most exciting events of the year happens in early April. The Industrie-Pool is a gathering of the worlds fastest production cars along with their engineers. To level the playing field, everyone gathers at the legendary Nurburgring. In a video uploaded by EMS Nordschleife TV, we see all the usual suspects.The Corvette ZR1 has finally lost its camouflage, but it is still too loud for German race tracks and is forced to wear left-exit tailpipe extensions. The Lamborghini Urus and BMW Z5 are still undercover, and the Mercedes-AMG GTR is trying out a new front end. But the biggest shocker is a wild Lamborghini Aventador with a giant rear spoiler. Could this be the rumored Aventador SVJ or something along the lines of a Performante?Lamborghini Huracan Performante: Raging TechnologyWatch the video below and keep your eyes on the rear spoiler. The Huracan Performante makes use of a hollow rear spoiler. It releases high-pressure air that is fed through its supports to increase downforce. This prototype has supports at its right and left edges, perfect to send air up to the hollow blade. The Aventador SV could only be eclipsed by something more sinister, so as soon as we have more info, you will see it here first. Tell us what you think it is in the comments below and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2018

Ferrari 488 GTB vs McLaren 570S vs Audi R8 V10 Plus

One of these is not like the others. Audi's 5.2L V10 has been found in the R8 for almost a decade. To keep up with the competition, it has been pushed beyond what we thought possible in the new R8 V10 Plus. Not everyone wants a small engine with turbos, so Audi's engineers have lifted this engine directly from the Huracan LP610-4. But how does a naturally aspirated AWD autobahn rocket compare to the latest from Ferrari and McLaren? CARmagazineTV decided to compare these very different cars to find the answer.For the Italian, the 488 GTB is rated at 661 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. McLaren's new entry-level coupe is the 570S, horsepower measures in at 562 with the torque of 443. Not to be outdone by these new featherweights, Audi pulled this V10 directly from the Huracan for 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of rotational force. Yes, the R8 is heavier, but it has quattro AWD. Each one has its one unique features, so tell us which one you would choose. Stay tuned for more wild supercar comparisons.Supercars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2018

Pirelli Unveils Classic Sizes For Ferrari & Porsche

High-performance tires in classic sizes can be hard to find unless you happen to own a Ferrari 250 GTO. In a press release on Friday, they announced a new run of classic sizes. We first saw them earlier this month where they were the sponsor of the Porsche Werks Reunion.To showcase the new Collezione in Europe, they are partnering with Ferrari, the new Stelvio Corsa tire will be seen on a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at the Paddock Club in Monza. Also on display will be the Cinturato for Maserati and the P7 tires for Porsche. Riding on 15" tires with tall sidewalls might be counter-intuitive to today's cars, but they will never lie to you. These classic sizes are easy to control because they scream bloody murder to let you know just how close to the edge you are.Popular sizes like 227/70/15, 215/70/15, and even a few 14" sizes will be available soon, so tell us your thoughts on big tires on small wheels in the comments below.

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