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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 – September 19, 2016

World's Fastest VW Beetle Just Hit Over 200 MPH

The Volkswagen Beetle is more than a car, it's an icon. No, it's not the fastest or prettiest car out there, but we all know what it is and we know that hippies used to love the heck out of them. Today, the Beetle has become a jack-of-all-trades that can compete in various forms of racing and also look good cruising down the beach with the top down. To add to the model's lineage, a very special tuned Beetle LSR has broken the record for being the world's fastest Beetle.At the Bonneville Salt Flats, a little yellow Beetle LSR took off until it hit a top speed of 205.122 mph. This top speed made it the world's fastest Beetle, ever. To make this Beetle capable of such a feet was an engine overhaul that included new "new turbochargers, pistons, camshafts, connecting rods, and head modifications," according to a press release from Volkswagen. These modifications allowed the 2.0-liter engine to create 543 hp and 421 lb-ft of torque.“We are completely thrilled with the Beetle LSR’s performance at Bonneville,” said Dr. Hendrik Muth, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc, in the press release. “The Beetle is not the most aerodynamic car in our portfolio, so running 205 mph is a testament to the power that can be made from the EA888 TSI four-cylinder engine. This feat truly underscores the sporty and pugnacious spirit of the Beetle.”There were also other changes made to the car, including a lower ride, special wheels and tires, limited-slip differential and more.View All VWs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 19, 2016

Saleen to Produce Seven Limited Edition S7's

Racing history is in the Saleen blood, as characterized by their over a dozen racing championship wins from 1996 to 2002. The Saleen S7 has raced and won in every major event from Dayton to LeMans. It has also been featured in some major motion pictures. Dubbed America's, "Only true supercar," by President and CEO of Saleen Automotive, Steve Saleen, the Saleen will make a comeback with seven limited edition models. Each will come equipped with customized livery and design as well as various performance enhancements. According to a company press release, "The new S7 LM supercar will be powered by a 7.0L twin-turbo engine rated at 1,000 horsepower and each one will be hand built at Saleen’s Corona, CA headquarters." Though no other information has been publicly released at this time, Saleen can be contacted for additional information with regard to purchase, etc. View Saleen S7s For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 16, 2016

New BMW 5 Series Equipped with Automated Driving Features

The future is officially here with the new BMW 5 Series. In a Facebook post, the car maker provided insight for a couple of the many new features they have created, which will be included in their new 5 Series lineup. Two of the "many" features offered will be Steering and Lane Control Assistant and Crossroads Warning. Both of these features elude to the future of automated driving, as they help the driver make intuitive decisions based on road and traffic conditions. The Crossroads Warning helps the driver brake and supports the driver in case a car coming from a crossroad darts out in front of them.(Related - Leicester City Players Get Confused, Have to Wrap BMW i8s)Both of these features point to the future, which is undoubtedly headed the way of complete automated driving. In the video, BMW also eludes to "many other features," but doesn't give any details as to what these features are capable of. At the moment, no further information has been released about the upcoming 5 Series. Stay tuned for updates as more information comes available. View BMWs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 16, 2016

Bugatti Chiron Debuts in Singapore

Bugatti's newest hypercar, the Chiron, is in them middle of it's world tour and just recently, it made a stop in Singapore for its South-East Asia debut. This marks the third stop after Europe and North America. The car has been shown to private buyers in exclusive appointment-only settings, and it has now officially made it's public debut in the region. Chiron will also be on display this weekend for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.(Also Check Out - Bugatti Chiron and Vision GT Sold to this Guy for How Much?)The South-East Asian market is an important one for Bugatti as there are many collectors and brand ambassadors in the area. Their debuting the Chiron in the area gives insight into just how important the region's market is. In conjunction with East Asian brand, Wearnes Automotive, Bugatti was able to create a Chiron-centered presentation. Interactive in design, the presentation, "focuses on exhibits and animations highlighting the extraordinary technical achievements and the elegant and aggressive design of the super sports car as well as the history of the brand," according to a Bugatti press release."It is truly the world’s most powerful, fastest, most luxurious and most exclusive production super sports car, and we are honoured to showcase the actual car for the very first time in Asia to an exclusive group of customers and guests here.”The South-East Asian region was happy to receive the Chiron, and it's easy to understand why. As stated by Pang Cheong Yan, Managing Director of the Prestige Division of Wearnes Automotive Pte Ltd. View All Bugattis For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 16, 2016

Revealed: 2017 Audi TT RS Coupé and Audi TT RS Roadster

Audi officially introduced the most powerful TT ever, and it stands at the helm of its class. The new TT includes a completely new five-cylinder engine which is capable of putting out 44 horsepower-- the most hp ever produced in a TT vehicle.Audi RS Coupe / Roadster Specs Engine: 2.5 TFSI engine Horsepower: 400 hp (17 percent increase) Torque: 354 lb-ft 0-60: 3.7 seconds / 3.9 seconds Top Speed: 155.3 mph (optional 174 mph) Transmission: 7-speed S tronic w/ launch control Audi introduced both the RS Coupe and the RS Roadster edition of the car. Both models exude performance and handling with special features to make for a truly enjoyable drive. Both include a "grippy sport steering wheel" and both have bodies low to the ground to promote superior control around the curves. The sporty look continues through the interior. Buyers have the choice of aluminum or carbon interior trim and the engine, "starts directly from the steering wheel," taking a page from the Audi R8's book. Drivers have four driving mode options which range from the comfort of everyday driving to the dynamic characteristics of performance driving.Both vehicles are also equipped with the most innovative technology from Wi-Fi hotspots to a full-range infotainments system. Those riding in an RS can find out anything from weather to area gas prices with the touch of a button.Starting prices are 66,400 euros ($74,099) for the Coupe and 69,200 ($77,224) for the Roadster. View All Audi TTs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 14, 2016

The Ultimate Aston Martin Experience: The Brand Boutique

London's Mayfair District was made a little more exciting last week with the opening of the Aston Martin Brand Experience Boutique. The boutique, which is located "No. 8 Dover Street" in the district, provides fans and enthusiasts with the full Aston Martin brand experience. From gear to collaborations to clothing and more, the brand experience boutique allows visitors to take part in everything Aston Martin. Beautiful Aston Martins, protected by velvet ropes, line the outside of the storefront. Inside, visitors can experience the brand's history and current collections.The interior was designed personally by Aston Martin's EVP & Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, along with his hand-selected team. The boutique will also show products from esteemed partners like Hackett London, Marma London, Quintessence Yachts, Emilia Burano and more. Artwork and hand-made fixtures from London's finest artists adorn the walls. Much more than a store, the Aston Martin Experience Boutique will become a cultural hub, hosting art exhibits, design classes, exclusive parties and gatherings.Check out more photos on Aston Martin's Facebook page, and you can read more details here. View All Aston Martins For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 14, 2016

Land Rover's Designers Let Their Kids Design New Discover...

It is no surprise that SUVs have largely become a staple vehicle for families. With ample ample space, needed seating and superior performance and driving capabilities, the SUV is the perfect family vehicle. Land Rover wanted to improve upon the family vehicle when they created the new Discovery. When it came to design, they looked no further than their own families, and the results were, well, definitely family oriented. Using drawings from their children, Land Rover designed the all new Discover with an exterior finished in a new kind of camouflage.(Also Read - Land Rover Unveils New 2017 Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic)After the design was complete, the team's children were able to come out to Land Rover's super secret testing facility to ride in the vehicle, which was splashed with each of their drawings. Rugged terrain, high waters and thick mud were just some of the elements the Discovery was subjected to. The all new Discovery will be coming soon, but until then, check out this video for a little mid-day pick me up. Land Rover Discovery for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 14, 2016

Mercedes-AMG Teases New GT C Roadster

Convertible fans rejoice, a new drop-top is almost here. A silhouette of the upcoming GT C was uploaded to YouTube on Monday, and it evokes fond memories of its predecessor. The SLS AMG Roadster was released in late 2011, and our esteemed Publisher ordered one in "Alubeam Silver" with a red top. Featured on the cover of our January 2012 issue, it was part of our collection for two years.Under the long hood was a naturally aspirated 6.3-liter V8 making 563 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. It was a blast to drive thanks to conventional hydraulic power steering and the Bang & Olufsen audio. But the distance between the front wheels and the cockpit made the car nose heavy in the corners and prone to hydroplaning in wet weather.The new Mercedes-AMG GT C will be more than a topless GT S. Modern convertibles have to meet strict rollover and side impact regulations, which require extensive reinforcements to the chassis. Braking and stability controls must also be re-calibrated. The new GT R has nine distinct braking and stability modes, and we hope some of this technology will make its way to the roadster. The compact design of their latest 4.0-liter V8 places the turbos in the engine valley along the firewall. Horsepower will probably be 510 from the GT S with torque of 479 to match the 2012 model. It will offer much better balance since the small engine and turbos take up less space than the 6.3. We're glad the styling is reminiscent of the previous car and we can't wait to get behind the wheel. Stay with us for more updates and the latest from Mercedes-AMG. In the meantime check out these great deals on the AMG GT coupes:View AMG GT S For Sale

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 Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 13, 2016

Introducing the BMW Individual 7 Series by Esther Mahlangu

She's iconic in that she's the first woman to ever collaborate with BMW on an Art Car, and she's back at it again. After 25 years, Esther Mahlangu joined with BMW again to create the BMW Individual 7 Series. A prominent South African artist, Mahlangu is known for her incorporation of traditional African colors and designs against modern pieces like architecture and yes, luxury vehicles. She's won numerous awards, studied in France and even opened an art school, and BMW was happy to partner with her once again for this newest creation.The BMW Individual 7 Series features Mahlangu's hand painted pieces across the dash and the doors to create a truly appealing interior design. Complimented by an ivory interior with dark gray contrast stitching, the BMW Individual 7 Series showcases Mahlangu's designs without distracting from them. The one-off vehicle will be used in a silent auction and the proceeds will, "benefit a good cause," according to BMW's Facebook page. For more information and photos on this piece of art, check out the BMW Facebook Page here. You can find out more about the auction by clicking here. BMW 7 Series for Sale

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