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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 02, 2020

Addictive Desert Designs Unveils New Fabrication Tables

Look around your shop and zero in on the most abused object you own. Dealing with snap rings, welding a consistent bead, or turbocharging your lawnmower require a steady surface. That's why our friends at Addictive Desert Designs have unveiled a trifecta of fabrication tables. Made of 3/16" and 1/8" high strength steel, the mechanic's table measures 6 x 3, and it has a fluid tray to keep your floor clean. Cutting sheet metal sends sparks and shavings in all directions. Therefore, the Cutting Fab Table is meant to support your project and catch the flak. We've all had pipe or tubing hanging off the edge, damaging the table and making a mess at the same time. Not only does it resemble a medieval torture device, but it can also be one if you are into that kinda fun. Learn More Last but not least is the Welding Fab Table. In my humble opinion, it is the most practical, thanks to insert clamps. The table surface has a grid of holes that are precisely drilled to hold your project while you weld. It has the same dimensions as the other two (6 x 3) and also made of 3/16" and 1/8" steel. Click the button above for all the details, and send your old table to Valhalla!

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2020

Alfa Romeo Celebrates 110th Anniversary

Today marks eleven decades of Alfa Romeo, so it is time for a big celebration. It started yesterday morning with a 1-hour documentary uploaded to YouTube. Their next move was to open the museum to the public. Over 150 cars from all eras are placed among countless trophies and championship history. A new exhibit "Alfa Romeo in Uniform" is dedicated to Italy's law enforcement officers. They have been provided with the fastest and most stylish police cars the world has ever seen. Looking to the future, the GTA badge will be spread across their lineup. Inspired by the 1965 "Gran Turismo Alleggerita", their goal is offer more power and less weight for the ultimate combination of luxury and performance. Six videos have been produced to offer a virtual tour of the museum since quarantine is looming on the horizon. Here is a synopsis of the series An introduction, offering a panoramic view of the museum The Timeline concept, describing the brand’s industrial continuity The Beauty area, combining style, design and lifestyle The Speed section, a summation of technology, competitive spirit and driving pleasure An exclusive view of the Storage area, featuring a collection of vehicles and artifacts previously unseen by the public An overview of the Archive, showcasing photographs, videos, technical drawings, sketches and production records Rounding out the festivities, Eberhard & Co have unveiled an anniversary chronograph while Compagnia Ducale are offering a 500-watt electric bicycle designed by Alfa Romeo's Centro Stile. The quality of their lineup speaks for itself, so click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all you Alfa Romeo news. Browse Alfa Romeo For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 23, 2020

Confederate Motorcycles Becomes Combat Motors

BIRMINGHAM, AL, USA, June 18, 2020 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Confederate Motorcycles LLC announces a change of its name to Combat Motors LLC to better reflect the spirit and the values of our team, manufacturing partners and clients. We stand with those fighting for change in the United States and are very happy to contribute an overdue but small part of that change. Confederate Motorcycles was established in 1991 as an international brand. "Our motorcycles are realized through a partnership with our various members of our team who design, build and distribute these one of a kind masterpieces. We feel that the new name better exemplifies the spirit and values of that team." "We stand with those peaceably fighting for change in the United States and are very happy to contribute an overdue but small part of that change." The F-117 Combat Fighter, P-51 Combat Fighter, FA-13 Combat Bomber and the Combat Wraith are each built upon the CX-4 frame, feature an S&S X-Wedge 117 or 132 cubic inch engine, BST wheels, RaceTech suspension, Beringer Brakes, Motogadget electronics, a Bandit clutch and have a frame carved entirely from solid billet blocks of aircraft-grade 6061 and 7075 aluminum built by 3D Systems, resulting in the most robust, fatigue-resistant motorcycle possible. "Each of our manufacturing partners makes doing what we do possible." The Combat Hellcat and Speedster are based on Harley Davidson Frames with CNC Aluminum tanks and other body parts, an upgraded Screaming Eagle 117 cubic inch engine which is homologated for worldwide delivery. True to his passion as "curator of the brand", Ernest Lee, owner of Combat Motors, has hired many of the design, assembly, sales, service and support team from the company's past, Jay Etheridge, Jason Reddick, Landers Sevier, Andrew Reuther, and Dave Hargreaves to name a few. "Our manufacturing vendors, our clients and our team are each integral to not only our current successes but also to determining our success in the future." Combat Motors makes a ritual of consulting with clients and those previously involved with the company while deciding on the appropriate path for the brand and have received overwhelming support for this change. "Our brand needed to be something that would match the values of the company and the feeling that people get when they see our motorcycles for the first time. As long as we have motorcycles on the road, we want our brand will shine through their owners." Combat Motors will continue to support Confederate branded motorcycles and is offering re-branding with any service at its Birmingham location for any Confederate Motorcycle owner interested in an update. Today's announcement signals to the world that Combat Motors will be built for many years to come. Look for them on the road. Browse Combat Motors For Sale https://www.facebook.com/combatmotorcycles/videos/2696722773985781/

By Andrew Nabors – June 23, 2020

Petersen Museum Vault Supercar & Hypercar Collection

Robert Petersen published 5,000 copies of his magazine in 1948. "Hot Rod" was the basis of his empire that would grow to several dozen titles and establish the National Hot Rod Association. His personal car collection was so mesmerizing that he decided to share it as a non-profit event space to preserve priceless cars and educate the world about the significance of each. Due to the outbreak limiting their attendance capacity, the staff have created a series of videos for the world to enjoy. While the main exhibit space has around 100 cars in 25 distinct galleries, "The Vault" is a basement loaded with countless other amazing rides that are not on display. This week they take us through the Supercar/Hypercar collection, so tell us your favorite in the comments below. Browse Hypercars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2020

Range Rover Fifty Celebrates Five Decades of 4WD Dominance

Muscle Cars reigned supreme in 1969. Families traveled in giant sedans and trucks were reserved for the handyman or the corporate fleet. While the Ford Bronco and the Chevy Blazer offered the option of off-road fun, they were never designed or tested for the world's most challenging terrain. That is why they were eclipsed in 1970, as the new Range Rover for sale arrived with full-time 4WD. What began as one body style has evolved into a family. In addition to full-size, customers can choose from the Evoque, Velar, and Sport models. 2018 Range Rover Velar Prices and Specs Revealed A Golden Anniversary wouldn't be complete without a celebration, so the Range Rover Fifty will consist of 1,970 examples for the world. Each one will arrive with "Fifty" badges on and throughout the interior. The motif was designed by Professor Gerry McGovern, OBE, Chief Creative Officer. He says: “In the world of luxury vehicles, the Range Rover has always stood apart as peerless and enduring. Its unique and pioneering sensibilities together with an unrivalled engineering approach have been the intrinsic values which our customers have admired since the first of the breed was revealed in 1970.” Offered in long and short wheelbase, the four anniversary exteriors are Carpathian Grey, Rosello Red, Aruba, and Santorini Black. Invoking the attention of Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations will unlock three Heritage exterior solid paints reproduced from the original Range Rover paint palette; Tuscan Blue, Bahama Gold and Davos White. With over a million Range Rovers sold, the 4th generation sets the standard for luxurious and capable SUVs. Click the button below to reserve yours, and stay with us for all your Jaguar/Land Rover news. Browse Range Rover For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2020

Porsche 911 Magazine Explains Targa Details

Understanding your customer is the most important way to stay at the top of your industry. It might seem foolish for an automaker to offer a dozen distinct versions of their flagship, but Porsche has never conformed to industry trends. That is why each new version of the 992 Seris Porsche 911 for sale is greeted with open arms by enthusiasts around the world. Porsche Design Introduces the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition Chronograph Now that the new Turbo S is heading our way, we are delighted at the details of the Targa. From the return of its manual transmission to the Heritage Edition, it is unlike anything else on the market. We have touched on the details in previous posts, so now its time for Porsche 911 Magazine to explain the finer points of the new Porsche 911 Targa for sale. Browse Porsche Targa 4 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 11, 2020

CNBC: The Rise of Ferrari

Hindsight is 20/20, and there will always be an investment that was overlooked. When we hear rumors that Fiat-Chrysler was considering an IPO, many figured it would be for something outside their core business. However, when Ferrari debuted on the NYSE, ripples were felt through the financial and automotive world. As greatest achievement in the lifetime of a corporate genius, the late Sergio Marchionne saw the future. Ferrari (NYSE: RACE) opened at $52/share with a market cap of 9.8 Billion in late 2015. Fast forward to Star Wars Day 2020. May the 4th be with you saw Ferrari reach a valuation of $30 Billion dollars. That's more than Ford, GM, or their cousins at Fiat-Chrysler. Although Sergio passed away in 2018, he knew full well what would happen. Being unchained from FCA, Ferrari has poured cash into R&D and expansion of the lineup. As a result, we have the new Roma coupe along with the SF90 Stradale, the most powerful series-production car of all time. If you missed out on the stock, you can still enjoy an incredible Italian masterpiece everyday. Click the button below to find a new Ferrari for sale and tell us if your best automotive investments in the comments below. Browse Ferrari For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 09, 2020

Karma Revero GT Receives New Option Packages

There are many ways to combine gas and electric power. Karma Automotive never fails to impress everyone with new charging strategies and battery efficiency. For owners and prospective buyers, the 2020 Revero GT has been treated to 2 new option packages. Starting with the Sports Package, you will have exposed carbon fiber around the exterior. The new color is Borrego Black, and other goodies include red calipers, drilled rotors, and black chrome 22" wheels. If you want to fly under the radar, the Performance Package offers the interior upgrades of the Sports Package with a stock exterior. Both offer revised torque vectoring. Reaching 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, you will have 80 miles of electric cruising thanks to a 28 kWh battery. Our dealers have all the details, so click the button below to find out more and stay with us for all your Karma updates. Browse Karma Revero For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 01, 2020

Jay Leno Drives the Vanderhall Edison²

As the king of Late Night, Jay Leno is quite capable of adapting to any situation. So just before Burbank, California went on lockdown, he filmed a few quick outdoor drives to keep us entertained. Our friend Steve Hall is a brilliant inventor who wanted the all-American 3-wheel performance machine. Check Out Jay Leno's Car Collection With a range between 150 to 200 miles, it is much more fun than any full-size electric car. Each front wheel has its own AC motor to offer a combined 180 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Just like the gas-powered models, the chassis is a patented interlocking aluminum structure that is hydroformed and welded at their massive facility in Provo, Utah. It allows the 1,400-lb roadster to accelerate faster than almost any supercar. All this can be had for under $35,000. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all updates from Jay Leno's garage. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – May 29, 2020

Audi RS 5 Behind the Scenes

For many years, Audi has kept their hottest models in Europe. That was because the relatively small number of RS enthusiats were not enough to justify the process to federalize the cars. Now with Audi's popularity at an all-time high, the RS Series are hard for dealers to keep in stock. Offered as a coupe and Sportback. Both start at $74,200, which is a bargain considering the 2.9-liter twin-turbo offers 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Using the latest in Quattro AWD, it leaps to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 174 mph. Click the button for great incentives from our dealers and stay with us for all your Audi news. Browse Audi RS 5 For Sale

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