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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 – December 13, 2016

2017 Porsche Carrera S Endurance Racing Edition For Sale

Porsche announced the 911 Carrera S World Endurance Racing Edition only a month ago, but Germans aren't known for wasting time. The first US-spec examples have arrived and they look just as stunning as the press release. The latest Carrera S is powered by a twin turbo 3.0L flat six making 420 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. If you are curious about the hood graphics, they are a horizontal abbreviation of Porsche Intelligent Performance, the motto of their racing efforts. It can also be found embossed into the lid of the center console along with carbon fiber interior trim.Porsche For Sale Los Angeles Embroidered headrests and the SportChrono package are standard, along with the PDK dual-clutch automatic. Even without the incredible hybrid system of the race car, the latest Carrera S offers 29 mpg highway and 20 mpg city. Only being produced in limited numbers, this edition is only available in white, blue & yellow. If you recorded any of the action from this year's LeMans race, the only way to catch the blistering 919 is to play the footage frame by frame. The car is so fast, it outruns the refresh rate of HD racing cameras. Unrestricted by silly top end governors, you will be able to cruise at 191 mph with the latest in safety and connectivity included. Your opportunity to own this collector's item is moving at the same speed, so catch it while you can.Porsche For Sale At Blue Grass Motorsport in Louisville, KY View Price and Info At Isringhausen Imports in Springfield, IL View Price and Info

By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2016

Outlaw FM700 by Ford of Murfreesboro

Ford fans have a brutal new F150 in the latest Raptor, but sport truck enthusiasts were sad to learn that Lightning only struck twice. The Ford Lightning was a regular cab short bed F150 with a monster V8. The first generation was built in 1993 to 95 as a response to Chevrolet's 454 Super Sport Silverado, and it was powered by a police-spec 351 Windsor small block. But because of Ford's over engineering, many were daily driven, so finding a preserved example is becoming increasingly hard. Lightning's 2nd and final generation debuted in 1999 with a supercharged 5.4 liter V8 that would later be used in the Ford GT.Reminiscing back to my college days, the Lightning was one of the fastest production vehicles on the market. The best part is, Lighting owners always want to race. But I learned my lesson the hard way. Once your friends hear that you were shamed by an F150, your social life evaporates. I still flinch at the sound of supercharger whine, but therapy has helped. Let's break it down by the numbers. The final production year was 2004 and the Lightning made 380 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. Everyone who has seen them in action knows the true output is considerably higher, but insurance companies and bean counters would have "outlawed" such a fast truck. Any Ford dealer will be happy to sell you a new truck with 3.5-liter twin turbo, and it does make 470 lb-ft of torque along with 375 hp. Yes, it shares many parts with the Raptor and Ford GT engines, but many people simply do not like six cylinder engines.The formula for building a fast Ford has been perfected only a few minutes from Nashville. Take a V8 powered short bed regular cab and install the largest supecharger available. Then drop it 3" front and 6" on the rear. Add Borla exhaust and a K&N intake and you have a 700 hp monster. I was able to get behind the wheel at the Nashville auto show, and it feels like a 10-second truck. The master technicians in their service department have engineered a proprietary fuel tune in order to build boost safely, so the Outlaw is backed by a full warranty. Each Outlaw is built to order, so please contact Special Vehicles Manager Ryan Greatrex for more information (877)-736-1408. View Inventory

By Edward Jones – December 13, 2016

Ferrari J50 Celebrates 50 Years in Japan

In Tokyo, Japan, Ferrari celebrated 50 years of being on the archipelago by premiering the new J50. This two-seater mid-rear-engined roadster has been modeled after the targas of the 70's and 80's, and was created by Ferrari's Special Project department and designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre team in Maranello.Laying the foundation of the car is a 488 Spider, including a modified version of the 3.9-liter V8 engine that won the 2016 International Engine of the Year Award. Further specifications on the engine were not given in the press release issued by Ferrari.One of the key aspects that Ferrari is getting across with this car is the revival of the barchetta design: an open two-seater sports car that can perform on the track that was popular in the past. What's more, the J50 has another interesting design aspect that may not be apparent at first. On its outside, there is a black line that divides the car laterally. This black line is similar to one found on cars like the F40, F50 All around, the Ferrari J50 is a fantastic looking sports car that houses a tried-and-true engine. One accomplishment of this car is that it has successfully reimagined the Ferrari designs of the past and brought them into the modern era. Unfortunately, only ten examples of the Ferrari J50 will be created, with a price point not given yet.Used Ferrari F430 Spider For Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2016

Lamborghini Teases New Engine

Since 1963, the motor company founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini has offered twelve-cylinder engines in almost every configuration. Early models like the 350 GT were a traditional front mounted layout with the engine between the front wheels. The Miura mounted the block east-west just behind the cockpit and the transverse layout kept a majority of weight over the driven wheels. A traditional north-south arrangement on the mid-mounted Countach has been the recipe for success until now, but what do they have in store for us? Occam's razor does not apply to supercars, so let's examine a few possibilities. The overseers at VW have a W12 based on the Jetta VR6, and the architecture is also used by Bugatti. As the foundation of the Bentley Bentayga, it uses four rows of three cylinders for a compact yet complicated design.Considering the need for ever tighter fuel economy standards, could we see a micro-sized V12? Something in the 3.0-liter range would sound amazing and save on fuel. Running a driveshaft to connect the front and rear axles is a waste of cockpit room that could be used for cup holders, so what about a V6 at both ends controlled by the same computer? I should have been an engineer. In all honesty, we would like to see a 60* V12 (to preserve 2nd order harmonic balance) with some form of Koenigsegg Freevalve wizardry. Timing chains and tensioners need to join Saturn and Oldsmobile in the history books. Imagine, if you will, an infinite possibility of intake and exhaust valve events, cruising on 4 cylinder efficiency on the highway, and even having two turbos along for the ride. A small bore and long stroke will keep the pistons at TDC longer to promote a clean burn, and also provide stump pulling torque when launch is required. Or they could license the LT4 from GM and add four cylinders. Either way, as soon as we have the details you will see them here first.Aventador For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 12, 2016

BMW Considers M Performance Versions of i3 and i8

If you need more vitamin M, BMW's performance division is looking to become a global force in performance cars. In an interview with Motoring.com.au, Vice President of sales Peter Quintus has alluded to expanding the lineup into the i Series cars. Purists will decry a dilution of the venerated M badge, but who wouldn't like more power? Not known for jumping into unproven technologies, BMW takes ample time ensuring the quality of their engineering before it is unleashed to the public. Case in point, we have been teased with the M2 for years and the waiting list keeps growing. He then went on to say that all of the building blocks are in place for electricity to become a part of the M Brand, but weight will need to be kept to a minimum.As the Ultimate Driving Machine, the best power to weight ratio is still achieved with traditional performance builds. Using the lessons learned on the 7 Series, the use of carbon fiber will be limited to smaller components along with aluminum and steel. Big changes to the popular models could alienate a dedicated customer base, or this could be an elaborate disinformation campaign to keep the competition in the dark. The i8 is a quick coupe that is capable of 28 mpg on a bad day, so an M version might tarnish its clean reputation. On the other hand, the boxy i3 could use a few hundred additional horses to be the ultimate sleeper. Battery boosted Bavarians could be in the works, so stay with us for all your BMW news.i8 For Sale|i3 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 12, 2016

McLaren 720S Will Debut at Geneva

To say that McLaren has perfected the internal combustion engine would be an understatement. Every recent model has been powered by a version of their 3.8-liter V8 with twin turbochargers. In terms of displacement, bigger is always better, so something new is in the works for the Geneva Auto Show. An all new 4.0-liter successor in Project P14 will be formally released as the McLaren 720S, according to AutoGespot. Spy shots and speculation have sent enthusiasts into a frenzy at the notion of more power, and AutoGespot notes that it will have 720 hp.(Related - Five Things Not to Hate About the McLaren 650S)As the flagship of the Super Series, it will arrive with several innovations for track and street. In full race configuration, the dash will lower for an unobstructed view of the pavement, according to the article. A true successor to the F1 is also in the works, and it will probably use a version of this new engine as its basis. You might be wondering how much more power can be added by an increase of 0.2 liters, but forced induction will make exponentially more boost from the increased exhaust flow. A series of private events aimed at courting potential owners is in the works, but get ready to wait. The rumor is that the initial build run has already been spoken for, so as soon as our dealers get their allotment, you will see them here on Autofluence.McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 12, 2016

Ferrari Finali Mondiali Mega Gallery

Daytona International Speedway was recently host to Ferrari's Finali Mondiali. An unprecedented gathering of cars from around the world. Since we are only 2 hours away, our social media team bravely traversed the most dangerous highway in the US to cover the event. Armed with pit passes, photographers included Tanner Mashburn and Chad Donohoe. Our sales representatives Nick Stearns and Dylan Orluck made their way across the state and fell in love with the masterpieces from Modena.All Ferrari For SaleThe largest gathering of LaFerraris was also the first time all versions of the XX program were seen together. Since it was the final race of the season, 89 examples of the 458 Challenge were in attendance. An official unveiling of the 488 Challenge car preceded a private dinner with CEO Sergio Marchionne. Formula 1 cars from past, to present made for a wild parade lap. Famous racers like the F333 SP and 166 MM Barchetta were seen alongside recent projects like the F12 tdf and the gorgeous SP275 RW. The logistics of transporting such a staggering number of priceless cars is hard to comprehend. Ferrari has the most dedicated fan base in the automotive world, and we applaud them for allowing us to take part in the action.Chad Donohoe/C12 Productions Tanner Mashburn/TMashPhotos Tell us your favorite car of the event and stay with us for coverage of Ferrari Challenge 2017.

By Edward Jones – December 09, 2016

New, More Powerful Lamborghini Aventador on the Way

Five years after its unveiling back in 2011, the Lamborghini Aventador is getting a refresh. According to Autocar.co.uk, who received an invite for the unveiling of the car, posted an article yesterday that talks about the upcoming Aventador S.They wrote that the invite they received describes the car as having a "new design, superior power and a mix of advanced technologies." The car's launch will happen at the Ricardo Tormo Formula 1 track in January of next year. The invite noted that this track would allow Lamborghini to display the car's "active technology".(Related - BMW Regrets Trying to Race Lamborghini Huracan)Unfortunately, power numbers for the car were not given, but Autocar suggests that it will likely have a tune that's along the lines of the Centenario. This means we could ballpark the power at around 760 hp, but this is just pure speculation.Stay with Autofluence for more information on the Lamborghini Aventador S as it's released.All Lamborghini Aventador For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 09, 2016

Ford Unveils Race-Ready Shelby FP350S Mustang

On any given weekend, you will find many flavors of Mustang competing at track days. You can't deny that the Shelby GT350 is a potent machine, but Ford fans might be reluctant to modify such a new car in order to be certified to race. Keeping a watchful eye on motorsports, Ford Performance has released a new model that arrives ready for record times and race tracks.The Shelby FP350S is aimed at SCCA and Trans Am series racers who might be scared away from the flat-plane crankshaft of the GT350. Under the hood is a version of the 5.2 liter Aluminator crate engine which uses a traditional firing order and four valves per cylinder. Other goodies include an oil cooler and Motec data recorder.(Related - Custom SEMA Ford Mustangs Unveiled Ahead of Event)Each body panel is continuously welded instead of the spot welds found on production Mustangs. This makes the body much stronger and able to cope with the stress of racing. An FIA legal six-point roll cage is also included as standard equipment. The only transmission offered is a Tremec six-speed manual which has an internal oil pump and cooling system. The press release did not mention any suspension upgrades other than a 3.73 differential.For more information, contact Ford of Murfreesboro in the link below.Learn More

By Edward Jones – December 09, 2016

Hennessey Makes 1,000 HP Camaros Possible

Hennessey Performance recently showed us how powerful the new 2017 Camaro ZL1 is when stood up against the Corvette Z06. Now, they're showing us that they're capable of creating a 1,000 bhp Camaro ZL1.On their website, the Texas-based automotive performance company details the HPE1000 package that make this much power possible in the new ZL1. They include:• High-flow Supercharger System• Forged Pistons• Forged Steel Rods• Custom HPE Camshaft• Ported Cylinder Heads• Upgraded Fuel Injectors• Upgraded Fuel System• High Flow Intercooling System• Intercooler Heat Exchanger Upgrade• Long-tube Stainless Steel Headers• Stainless Steel Midpipes• High Flow Catalytic Converters• All Necessary Gaskets & Fluids• HPE Engine Management CalibrationOn top of these upgrades, the HPE1000 upgrade includes dyno tuning and road testing, serial-numbered plaques, Hennessey badging, and a 1 year/12,000 mile limited warranty. They also offer their own carbon fiber door sill plates and Hennessey H10 Monoblock wheels. So, if you were looking to take your new ZL1 to the boss level, this looks like the way to do it. Learn more at HennesseyPerformance.com.All Chevrolet Camaro For Sale

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