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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 – June 29, 2018

Dodge Unveils 2019 Challenger SRT Redeye

It was a sad moment when we saw the final 2018 Dodge Demon and the last Viper sell at Barrett Jackson Northeast last week. But our sadness was ended by a press release last night. Dodge's SRT division has been hard at work taking lessons learned on the Demon to develop the new SRT Challenger Hellcat Redeye. It arrives with 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to reach 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and run consistent 10.8 quarter mile times at 131 mph. If you stay on the skinny pedal, you will reach a top speed of 203 mph!2019 Dodge Charger Hellcat Updated and MoreUnlike the Demon, it doesn't come with a crate of tools, and it can't be ordered without carpet or seats. And it will not have the ability to run race fuel. Nevertheless, Dodge claims it is the fastest Grand Touring car in production.If you don't need Redeye power, the regular Challenger Hellcat arrives with 717 hp and 656 lb-ft of torque. A new dual-snorkel hood on all Hellcats takes inspiration from the classic 1970 Dart Swinger and the original 1971 Demon.The next level down is the Challenger Scat Pack. It now receives the widebody treatment from its big brothers. It also gets the power bulge hood from last year's Hellcats. The lineup is rounded out by the traditional 5.7-liter Challenger R/T and the efficient V6 powered GT models.Browse Challenger Hellcat For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=o9utmZvcdd4

By Andrew Nabors – June 28, 2018

Koenigsegg CCX Sold Down Under

If you stood at Christian von Koenigsegg's factory in Angelholm, Sweden, you would be mesmerized by all the hypercars in production. Also, if you drilled straight through the center of the Earth, you would be in Melbourne, Australia. As the capital of Victoria, it is also the new home of Koenigsegg of Australia and New Zealand. Things are going well down under..... Congratulations to @koenigsegg_automotive_aus_nz and @lorbekluxurycars who, on their first day of operations, negotiated the sale of this CCX at an all-new WORLD RECORD PRICE for the model of A$3.1 million!! This is a wonderful compliment to the multiple orders they’ve secured for new Koenigsegg vehicles to arrive in future years. Impact! #fastcarsellsfast #koenigseggaustralia #koenigsegg #ccx #aboveandbeyond #fastestcarsintheworld A post shared by Koenigsegg (@koenigseggautomotive) on Jun 27, 2018 at 1:37pm PDT As the newest member of Lorbek Luxury Cars, they decided to commemorate the first sale at their new Coffee & Koenigseggs show. It happened on Saturday morning, which is Friday afternoon in the US, and a stunning CCX met its new owner. If you are interested in a new Swedish Hypercar, click the link below and stay with us for all your Koenigsegg updates. Browse Koenigsegg For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 22, 2018

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Unleashed in Portugal

In a move of total brilliance, the engineers at Jaguar have stuffed their most powerful engine into their smallest sedan. We have been teased by the XE SV Project 8 for two years, but the last time we saw it in action was at Goodwood in July of last year.Under the bonnet is the same supercharged 5.0L V8 found in the F-Type SVR and the Range Rover SVR. It delivers almost 600 horsepower, which puts it in the crosshairs of the CTS-V and the C63 AMG. It makes twice the power of the 1996 XJS, which had a 6.0L V12! But unlike the competition, Jaguar is only building 300 examples for the entire planet. It has the largest brakes and most aggressive aerodynamics they have ever offered.Jaguar XE SV Project 8 In Action, Proves its WorthAn active center differential keeps the AWD system sending most of the power to the rear wheels, but it also uses the front end to keep you glued to the corners. I have mine reserved so you will have to fight everyone else for the remaining 299 cars. If you are interested, click the link below to find our Jaguar/Land Rover dealer near you and have a great weekend!Browse Jaguar XE For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 22, 2018

Chevrolet Unveils 2019 Blazer

Everyone has a story about Chevy's popular SUV, and the Blazer is back for 2019. In a video uploaded to their media site last night, Design Director Mike Pevovar shows us the details of this impressive SUV. It was released at a special event yesterday in Atlanta, and we've learned some nice details about this Camaro-inspired family hauler.It will arrive in two trim levels, RS and Premier. The standard engine will be the 2.5L four, and the optional 3.6L V6 will allow it to tow 4,500 lbs. Not only does the grille borrow Camaro's menacing look, the interior also shares the innovative AC controls and the 8" touchscreen. Other standard goodies include a cargo management system, led exterior lights, and 4G LTE connectivity. We don't normally write about SUVs, but you can't deny how impressive this new Blazer is, inside and out. If you can't wait for it, our dealers have plenty of classic ones to choose from. See the USA in your Chevrolet

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 – June 07, 2018

Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee Returns...

If you haven't seen the best car show ever made, Jerry Seinfeld just uploaded a preview of the new season. It is not "a show about nothing". The premise is that Jerry Finds a unique and memorable car and interviews famous comedians. Notable guests have been the cast of Seinfeld, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and my personal favorite episode was with Steve Harvey. Jay Leno & Jerry Seinfeld Discuss the Acura NSXAside from being a side-splitting comedian and producer, Jerry has the most extensive Porsche collection outside of Germany. One of the early episodes was with Jay Leno when they cruised around in Jerry's 1949 Porsche 356. As one of the original Gmund bodies, it is one of the 47 examples built in Austria before production moved to Stuttgart. Other notable cars have included a Lamborghini Miura, 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air, and he took President Obama for a ride in a 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe.As one of the most popular shows on Netflix, the new season will premiere on July 6th. In the preview uploaded to his Facebook page, guests will include the late Jerry Lewis, Zach Galifianakis, Ellen DeGeneres, Alec Baldwin, Dana Carvey and more. Tell us your favorite car and/or guest in the comments below and stay with us for more Seinfeld updates.

By Andrew Nabors – May 24, 2018

See the 1,200 HP Zenvo TSR-S and Its Wild Wing

When Zenvo first unveiled their ST1, we figured it would be another LS-powered kit car. But the turbo & supercharged masterpiece shocked the world. Now their latest creation is the TSR, and it comes in two flavors. If you want a potent track car, the TSR has a twin-supercharged 5.8 liter V8 of their own design. Its street-legal sibling is the TSR-S, and it makes use of wild aerodynamics to outperform the competition.SupercarSunday 2018: $50 Million Hypercar GatheringIn the latest YouTube upload by Carspotter Jeroen, the Danish supercar shows off its tilting spoiler. The flat-plane V8 revs instantly and offers an exotic soundtrack. At a recent track day at the TT Racetrack in Assen, Netherlands, we see a 2018 Ford GT, Corvettes, Rimac, Lamborghini Centenario, LaFerrari, Koenigseggs, and a few other exotics battle it out on this historic 2.8-mile track. It was part of Supercar Sunday, a $50 Million gathering of Europe's best cars.Browse Exotic Cars For Sale

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 – May 03, 2018

Brabham Unveils the BT62

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

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2018

McLaren Announces 3 Track Events For North America

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

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