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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 – July 24, 2019

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport & 935 will Debut at Spa

One of the most famous races in history will take place this weekend. Nestled in the Ardennes forest of Belgium, the 24 hours of Spa dates back to 1924. It is viewed by millions around the world, so we're glad to learn that the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport and the 935 will debut at Spa. Both cars are prominent contenders in the GT2 class, but they are cut from a different cloth. We first saw the 935 when it was unveiled at RennSport Reunion VI at Laguna Seca in 2018. It was inspired by Moby Dick, the legendary 935/78 that was built for Le Mans. Under the long rear deck is a 3.8L 700 horsepower twin-turbo flat-six based on the GT2 RS. The carbon fiber body is optimized for high speeds, and Porsche is only building 77 examples. Alongside will be the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport. It is a track-only, hardcore version of the GT2 RS. Like the 935, it also has 700 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. It is more affordable than the 935, and production will be limited to 200 cars. While they are battling against the other GT2 series cars, nine examples of the 911 GT3 will be fielded by teams from around the world. Six cars will be GTE-Pro class and the other three will be the new 911 GT3 R fielded by Rowe Racing. Tell us which car you like the best in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Find Your Porsche 911 Here! " width="680">

By Edward Jones – January 03, 2019

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS in Mexico Blue In-Depth Review

Porsche West Palm Beach, part of Braman Motor Cars, have had the pleasure of hosting a gorgeous new 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS in their showroom. This specific example is finished in a vibrant paint-to-sample Mexico Blue paint that contrasts perfectly against the visible carbon fiber accents found across the car's body. View the Complete Porsche 911 GT2 RS Price & Horsepower It's also fitted with the Weissach Package. With both the Mexico Blue paint and Weissach Package included on this Porsche, it truly is one unique and exclusive vehicle. Be sure to check out the in-depth review of this 911 GT2 RS in the video below and see some detailed images of it in the gallery below. view braman motor cars inventory

By Andrew Nabors – October 29, 2018

Porsche Classic's Project Gold Sells for $3 Million

Some of us thought it was crazy. Why would Porsche restore a car that is 20 years old? Project Gold is a statement to the world. Porsche Classic should be your first resource when looking for original parts. If you have wanted a new 1998 Turbo S, it was the highlight of RM Sotheby's 'The Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction 2018' in Atlanta over the weekend.Porsche 993 Specs, Photos, Prices & ReviewNo detail was overlooked in the year and a half build. Assembled by hand, it consists of 6,500 original parts that are available for every 993 series 911. In a press release this morning, we learned that it sparked a bidding war. Ten minutes of battle were silenced by the hammer. It signaled the net proceeds of 2.9 Million dollars are going to the (not-for-profit) Ferry Porsche Foundation.Painted in the same Golden Yellow as the 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series, it has two custom accents that are now available at your local dealer. The new aluminum gas cap and a blacked-out tailpipe will fit any 1980 to '98 example. This will serve as a statement to all owners and restorers of air-cooled classics. If you thought the market was a bubble, think again. Click the link below to find your Porsche 911 Turbo S and stay with us for all your Porsche news. View All Porsche 911 For Sale Here

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2018

Porsche Answers fan mail with a GT2 RS

You might think that writing a letter to Porsche would be like writing to Santa Claus. But Porsche wouldn't be at the top of the automotive world without input from their fans. They are celebrating seven decades north of the border with a new campaign, and this one will make you smile. For one youngster, his letter was answered in an epic way. Christian is 13 years old Candian and his dream car is the new 911 GT2 RS.2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Specs, Price, Photos, & ReviewHe mentioned a future in car design and we see a few of his sketches. You might be surprised at how Porsche responds in their latest YouTube upload, but it shows their dedication to encouraging the next generation. Decades of dreamers have turned from Porsche fans into their loyal employees, so we hope to see Christian at Porsche Design in a decade from now.Browse Porsche 911 GT2 RS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 16, 2018

Porsche Partners with Epic Games & Nvidia

One of the most popular video games in recent history has been Fortnite. It uses the latest Unreal platform by Epic Games to create lifelike gameplay. The software is so powerful that Porsche has announced a triple-alliance with Epic Games and Nvidia. Automotive News reported that their first video will be seen at the SIGGRAPH IT conference in Vancouver on Monday. "The Speed of Light" features the new Porsche 911 Speedster Concept looking as real as anyone could tell.Porsche is Celebrating 70 Years With New 911 SpeedsterThis new way of rendering a car (or anything) in 3D is known as Ray Tracing. It allows the user to move the light source to any point in the virtual realm. Then the car can be moved on all axes to see how light accentuates each curve and seam. This will create realistic shadows and effects never seen before. Nvidia's graphics hardware is among the best in the world, and they supply most of Tesla's processing power.Plato talked about such works in Sophist back in 360 BC, when a master artist paints two versions of the same object and tries to teach students reality from fiction (simulacra vs simulation).Porsche is challenging the entire industry by destroying how cars are shown, and the technology will undoubtedly help designers visualize the car before the first mold is made. If you want to experience the latest Porsches in the real world, click the link below and stay with us for all your 911 news.Porsche 911 For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Z85aPqqJzs0

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2018

Singer DLS Porsche 911 Revealed at Goodwood

Just when we though Singer had built the ultimate Porsche 964, they have outdone themselves again. In a press release earlier today, their "Design and Lightweighting Study" was revealed. Expanding their collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering, it was inspired by a client to see just how light and fast an air-cooled car can be. One will be on display and the other will participate in the Hillclimb.Singer Vehicle Design Joins Forces With Williams For New PowerThe Porsche 964 is the internal codename for the 1989 to 1994 model-year 911. Singer doesn't build new ones, their goal is to restore originals beyond what anyone thought possible. We saw an example of their workmanship at the Amelia Island Concours earlier this year, and it was a carbon fiber masterpiece. It was powered by Williams' latest 4.0L flat six. Top Gear already got their hands on it, so tell us what you think of the latest Singer in the comments below.Find Your Porsche 911 Here!

By Andrew Nabors – June 20, 2018

Porsche Joins Forces With Rimac

If you can't beat them, join them. You can't deny the abilities of Rimac's electric sportscar. It combines aerodynamics, composites, and a powerful battery into a safe chassis. As seen on The Grand Tour, Richard Hammond walked away after the car went off a cliff. Perhaps that is why Porsche issued a press release this morning.The New Electric Porsche Has a Name: TaycanWhat's recently got our attention is that Porsche purchased 10% of Rimac Automobili. The company was founded in 2009 by Croatian genius Mate Rimac. He might be only 30 years old, but his electric hypercars have shocked the world. The crash by Hammond put him on the world stage and allowed the company to significantly improve their design. The Rimac C2 was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and the 2,000 horsepower beast is capable of 256 mph. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume & Mate RimacEvery manufacturer has a skunkworks, where the reverse-engineer their competitors. Porsche probably dissected a Rimac and found something revolutionary. This also coincides with their 70th-anniversary celebration. Young engineers have changed the world, and it was 18-year-old Ferdinand Porsche who built the first gas-electric hybrid in 1900. This new partnership is destined to build something wild, so stay with us for all your Porshe & Rimac news.Have You Driven The New Panamera?

By Andrew Nabors – June 07, 2018

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Top Speed on the Autobahn

Instead of throwback Thursday, what about Top Speed Thursday? Our friends at AutoTopNL have been teasing us for a few days, and now it is here. The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS attempting to break the sound barrier. For a quick refresher, this 700 horsepower twin turbo machine can reach 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 211. Maria Sharapova & Mark Webber Test the Porsche 911 GT2 RS It has 553 lb-ft of torque across most of the tachometer, and it sends all its power to the rear wheels only. Porsche says the highest track speed is 211 mph...so we're a bit perplexed by this footage. Perhaps the factory was wrong or this car's speedometer is off by a little. But by our calculations, 342 kilometers per hour is 212.5 mph. Your car can't do this, your friend's supercharged Vette? Nope! Not even the fastest Supra ever tested. The Porsche 911 GT2 RS is simply a masterpiece. If you would like to experience one for yourself, they will be arriving in the US in a few weeks. Click the link below and stay with us for more AutoTopNL Autobahn accelerations! Find Your Closest Porsche Dealer Read the 2018 Porsche GT2 RS Specs & Review

By Andrew Nabors – May 03, 2018

Porsche 919 Hybrid Parades Around NYC

Start spreading the news, Porsche is leaving today! Well probably, since the 919 Hybrid and a Panamera Turbo S E Hybrid took a tour of the Big Apple yesterday. As part of the "919tribute", the victorious supercar took a tour of Manhattan. Obviously, the roads were closed, but the roads were closed for the filming, and the nostalgia evoked in this clip will make you smile.New York City was the first place many Germans landed in America, and so it was also the first place we could experience Porsches for sale. To kick off the tribute tour, they started downtown and then up through Central Park. Other famous scenes include the West Side Highway and the Brooklyn Bridge, so we wonder how fast the 919 could lap the island. Somewhere in the city is one of the original 48 Porsche 356 models that were built in Gmund, Austria. It would have been nice to see it along for the filming, but Mr. Seinfeld has a busy schedule. Where will the 919tribute head to next? Click the link below and stay with us for all your Porsche updates.919 Tribute Tour

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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