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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 Tyler Rampersaud – July 12, 2023

Audi RS 6 Performance Avant vs Audi R8: Which Wins A Drag...

A supercar goes toe-to-toe with a supercar in a station wagon’s clothing.

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 21, 2023

1,400HP Sheepey Race Twin-Turbo 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus For...

Complete with a list of aesthetic and performance upgrades, this high-horsepower Audi R8 is ready for any road or track.

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2021

Audi Sport Unveils Six Bright Shades of the R8 LMS GT2

Taste the rainbow! Monza was fun for almost everybody this year, and Audi dominated the event. To celebrate the prowess of the latest R8 LMS, six new colors have been added to the program. This celebrates 13 years of the R8 racing around the world, and their latest GT2 car is tough to beat. It arrives with 640 horsepower to all wheels, unencumbered by street-legal civilities. Two weeks ago we saw a double-victory at Monza. It prompted Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport Customer Racing to say: “With one model per color, our Color Edition guarantees pure individuality and will not be issued a second time like this. It is unique compared to our competitors and attracts attention – whether as a collector’s item or as a race car at track days and competitions.” In case you missed it, Audi Sport has revamped all the RS models along with a bit more power for the 2022 R8 lineup We invite you to see what makes the R8 so consistent and comfortable by clicking the button below, and stay with us for all your Audi news. Browse Audi R8 For Sale Images (C) Audi Sport GMBH

By Andrew Nabors – June 24, 2019

Audi R8 LMS Wins Nürburgring 2019

It is hard to believe you can walk into any of our Audi dealers and buy a race car. It is true since the Audi R8 LMS won Nürburgring 2019. Manthey Racing led most of the day in their Porsche 911 GT3 R, but they were slapped with a 5-minute penalty with an hour to go. This is what Team Phoenix needed to get their #4 Audi out front and keep it there. Audi Sport and Porsche are corporate cousins, but nothing is more divisive than racing at Germany's most hallowed track. This represents the 5th win for the R8 since 2012, so maybe the balance of performance might be adjusted for next year. Tell us what you thought of the race in the comments below, and click the link to find an R8 near you. Find Your Audi R8 Here " width="680">

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2019

Audi R8 V10 Decennium Revealed to Celebrate Ten Years of ...

The new Audi R8 V10 Decennium has been revealed as a new variant that is meant to celebrate ten years of the mean V10 engine. Audi chose the name "Decennium" because it means "decade" in Latin. Now on to what makes this new special edition car a... special edition. Its exterior is painted in exclusive Daytona Gray with a matte effect. Connecting the car to the ground are milled 20-inch wheels that's finished in matte bronze. Gloss black is found on the front spoiler, side sills and diffuser. Audi also chose to keep the side blades and mirror housings in clear carbon fiber. If the exclusive Daytona Gray isn't your style, there's Daytona Gray in pearl effect; Suzuka Gray in metallic; Floret Silver in metallic; Mythos Black in metallic; Ascari Blue in metallic and Kemora Gray in metallic. 2019 Audi R8 Gets More Power and Updated Style Inside is an entirely black interior with gloss carbon fiber on the sill trim and around the badge located on the center console. Another little addition to the interior is the "Decennium" logo that's projected from the door light onto the ground. As for power, the magnificent V10 engine puts out 620 horsepower and 427.8 lb-ft of torque. That power launched the R8 V10 Decennium from 0 to 62 mph in 3.1 seconds and it continues to a top speed of 205.7 mph. The new Audi R8 V10 Decennium will be available Spring 2019 with a price of around $250,000 USD (amount converted from 222,000 euro price tag). view all audi r8 for sale

By Edward Jones – July 11, 2017

New Audi Sport Performance Parts for R8 and TT Look Pheno...

The new Audi R8 and TT may already look aggressive as ever when it rolls off of the production block, but the new Audi Sport Performance Parts take the two sports cars to a whole new level. These new components include new pieces for the suspension, exhaust system, exterior and interior.“With the Audi Sport Performance Parts we are tapping into a new business segment,” says Stephan Winkelmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “Our wealth of experience garnered over many years of building sports cars is incorporated into every component we offer. Along with our expertise from motor racing, which is still the best test bed for volume production.”Audi R8For the suspension are the new two- or three-way coilover suspension systems. Now, you can't have a good suspension system without new wheels, so Audi Sport Performance now offers full-milled, black 20-inch wheels that drop the car's weight by 15.9 lbs on the TT and 17.6 lbs on the R8. Joining the wheels are new brake linings that are less prone to wear, as well as fluorescent red, titanium carrying plates for the brakes.Inside, the Audi Sport Performance Parts offer a new Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, carbon fiber reinforced plastic paddle shifters, and a strut cross brace made specifically for the TT (replacing the rear seats).

By Andrew Nabors – February 21, 2017

Why the Audi R8 V10 Plus Is Amazing

It feels like a compromise between siblings. The limited-edition R8 GT was too much of a good thing to let it completely slip away, so we each get to keep half. That’s roughly how many parts Audi says the latest V-10 Plus shares with the track focused R8 GT. With half of the track-car’s upgrades, the R8 V-10 Plus doesn’t offer the same weight reduction, but it has shed quite a few pounds and makes up for the difference with a whole new quicker-shifting transmission. It starts with a 550-horsepower version of the 5.2-liter V-10. The upgraded engine first showed up in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. For the R8, it’s a 25 horsepower increase over the base V-10 and only 10 shy of the GT. We also get the ceramic brakes and a host of carbon-fiber bits, reducing the vehicle’s weight by 130 pounds. As would be expected, it’s nearly half the GT’s 220-pound reduction. The biggest change is the new transmission. Ditching the first generation R8 single clutch automatic, the Plus shares a dual clutch gearbox with the Huracan. With less weight and a more capable driveline it reduces the zero-to-60 time by 0.3 of a second, helping take the R8 V-10 Plus down to 3.3 seconds for the 0–60 rush and holding gears and blipping the throttle with the best of them. The new trim and transmission are part of other subtle tweaks for the new year, which includes a new grille and full-LED lights on the outside and diamond stitched leather seats on the inside. In terms of supercars for sale,our dealers can't seem to keep them in stock because of the extensive improvements. Price: $170,000 Engine: 5.2-liter V-10 Horsepower: 550 0 - 60: 3.3 seconds Top Speed: 197 mph Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Torque: 398 foot-pounds

By Edward Jones – November 21, 2016

Audi R8 Crashes and Flips, Still Wins Race

This is a lesson in that even if you crash and burn, literally, you can still come out on top.At the recent Macau Grand Prix, Laurens Vanthoor was taking his Audi R8 around a corner at high speeds when trouble started. He seemed to have clipped a corner, causing his tail end to come out from behind this. Vanthoor immediately lost control, sending him into a wall. After the initial impact, air got beneath his car and lifted the nose up until the R8 was flipped onto its roof.(Related - Ten of the Luckiest Nurburgring Drivers and Their Near-Crashes)He slid for some time and onlookers watched in horror. After his car had settled fire could be seen on the stationary car. Luckily, Vanthoor escaped the wreck just fine, but what's even more incredible is that he escaped the wreck with a win.After the crash, the race was red-flagged and there was no time for a restart. Because of the situation, the winner of the race would be decided based on the standings of the previous lap, which Vanthoor was first place in. Therefore, Vanthoor won the race even though he crashed and ended the event.This is definitely a bizarre occurrence, leading many to be up in arms over his win. You can see the crash below.All Audi R8 For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 11, 2016

Audi R8 Star of Lucis for Final Fantasy XV

The video game series Final Fantasy has been around since 1987, being featured on too many gaming consoles to count. The latest release in the series, Final Fantasy XV, has been hyped up for years now, but is finally being released on November 29 of this year.To celebrate this game's launch, Audi has created the R8 Star of Lucis edition. This car actually appeared in the short Kingsglaive Final Fantasy XV film, but is now being made in real life.So, what's with all the fancy design all over the car? On the car's minisite, Audi describes the pattern found throughout the car as an "Arabesque pattern," that is traditional to the fictional Kingdom of Lucis within the game. It stands for peace, blessing and well being. But, what's even more interesting than the pattern are the insanely detailed wheels, which even feature swords in them. Yeah, swords.Now, to get into the performance aspect of this car. Of course this special edition R8 is packing the 5.2-liter V10 engine. I mean, this thing has to be fit for a king, right? This means that the R8 Star of Lucis has 540 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque on tap.Interested in picking up one of these editions? Well, there is only going to be one ever made and it's selling for 50,000,015 yen or around $470,000 USD. Interested buyers will have to enter a special raffle on November 21.All Audi R8 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 03, 2016

Audi Unveils Laser Headlights on 2017 R8 V10 Plus Exclusive

If you wonder what keeps our government awake at night, it is taking pleasure in denying us from having the latest in technology. Audi patented laser headlights a few years ago, and they are optional equipment on several European models. But our NHTSA takes years to evaluate changes in the industry. To celebrate this new legislation, the first car in the US to be equipped with laser lighting is their flagship R8 V10 Plus. We are just now becoming accustomed to LED lights, which will continue as standard equipment on lesser models.(Sports Cars For Sale) The R8 V10 Plus Exclusive edition's LED matrix will be augmented by a small laser with a blue wavelength of ~450 nm. Both the full laser lights and the LED units aim the powerful beams at a phosphor element which produces a brilliant glow. Other new features of the Exclusive edition are Quantum Gray paint with titanium black accents. The interior is awash in black leather with signal orange accents. They even lined the luggage compartment in Alcantara, soft bags only, please. We've been waiting for the ten-cylinder R8 to move up-market for some time, but only 25 cars will be built. The MSRP of $229,200 is a bargain for the power and quality, so be sure to stay with us for a feature when they arrive.All R8 For Sale

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