Aston Martin News

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 – March 01, 2019

Full Aston Martin Valkyrie Power Figures Finally Revealed

Regarding the Aston Martin Valkyrie's ppower figures, the English automaker has been remarkably hush-hush. Thankfully, they have opened up and divulged all the details when it comes to how their new hypercar performs. Here's a breakdown of the performance figures that were just unveiled. The 6.5-liter V12 engine delivers 1,000 bhp @ 10,5000 rpm and 546 lb-ft of torque @ 7000 rpm. Full hybrid system delivers 1,160 hp @ 10,5000 rpm and 664 lb-ft of torque @ 6,000 rpm. Can rev up to 11,100 rpm. Those are some serious numbers from the Aston Martin Valkyrie, which is a road-going car. Aston Martin notes that the Valkyrie's ability to rev up to 11,100 rpm is a "world first for a naturally-aspirated, emissions-compliant road car." If you can't wait to see the AstoN Martin Valkyrie, you'll be happy to know that the first prototypes are in build right now. view all aston martins for sale

By Edward Jones – February 20, 2019

Aston Martin '003' Hypercar Confirmed

If you're paying attention to the automotive world, then you've seen that Aston Martin is on an absolute roll. Now, the English automaker is continuing the roll with the announcement of the Aston Martin '003' hypercar, which has just been confirmed. This new hypercar comes in right after the stupendous Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro models, which were 001 and 002, respectively, in the hypercar numbering system that Aston Martin has created. Hypercar 003 will be powered by a turbocharged hybrid engine and has DNA that is "deeply rooted in concepts and technology currently being developed for those revolutionary road and track-only machines," according to Aston Martin. What's more, 003 is going to be a road car and it will have space for luggage. Gasp! But it doesn't stop there, as Aston Martin says it will be fully homologated in all markets with the option for both left and right-hand drive models. The Aston Martin '003' hypercar will be limited to 500 coupe examples and the first ones will arrive to the market in late 2021. Yes, they specifically noted that they would be "coupes," so a roadster or convertible variant is likely. view all aston martin vulcans for sale Related Video: " width="680">

By Edward Jones – February 06, 2019

Aston Martin Lagonda All-Terrain Concept Debut Date Revealed

Aston Martin will be bringing a very special model to the 89th Geneva International Motor show that the public has not seen before: the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept. This new model's unveiling comes after the Lagonda Vision Concept's reveal at last year's Geneva Motor Show and the launch of Lagonda as Aston Martin's luxury zero emission brand. The unveiling will give the world the first glimpse into the first production model from Lagonda. Joining the Lagonda Vision Concept at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show will be the Vantage, DB11 AMR and DBS Superleggera. If you're interested in seeing them for yourself, you can visit Aston martin Lagonda's stand at Hall 2, stand #2229 at the event, which runs from March 5 to March 17. view all aston martins for sale

By Edward Jones – January 23, 2019

Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Track Performance Pack and Opti...

Coming out of England is news of the new Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Track Performance Pack that customers can opt for. This new pack contains track-only components that can be interchanged with the road-legal ones. When equipped, this pack allows the Valkyrie to deliver lap times that around 8 percent quicker than the standard model. There are also three different AMR livery designs available that can be tailored by "Q by Aston Martin - Commission." In this pack is a long list of features. Here's the breakdown: New aerodynamic front clam Second set of exterior body panels Titanium brakes Track-focused suspension Matte black magnesium wheel Carbon-fiber aero-disk set Customers who order this package can also order some gear to make their racing experience the best one out there, including pit garage and race suit accessories. Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Track Performance Pack Road-going Valkyrie hypercars also have a ton of options available. The four different Designer Specification themes are some of the most eye-catching options. These are for customers who would like to keep their Aston Martin hypercar's color scheme similar to what the designer had in mind. Q by Aston Martin Designer Specification - Ultimate They include Slipstream Green, Liquid Petroleum, Ethanol Silver and Maximum Orange. Of course, Aston Martin does offer the Ultimate Personalisation Program that allows owners to work with the Aston Martin Design Team and fully customize their Valkyrie (seen throughout the article). Q by Aston Martin Designer Specification - Mantis Aston Martin has divulged some of the Valkyrie options available to the customers. Here's a taste: Carbon fiber roof and rear engine cover Titanium wings badges Alcantara colors, patterns and finishes for the interior Six colors for the seatbelts Woven leather (similar to the One-77) Different finishes for the steering wheel switches The Gold Pack (24-carat gold leaf under the paint lacquer) Mokume Carbon Fiber Option Pack (Adds carbon fiber accents to exterior and interior) Q by Aston Martin Designer Specification - Spirit “This is simply the best car in the world if you want something bespoke," says Aston Martin's Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Mark Reichman. "Every single element of this hypercar, including its performance, can be personalized." view all aston martins for sale Also Check Out: Aston Martin Valkyrie V12 Screams to 11,000 RPM and Horsepower Revealed 2018 Aston Martin DB11 Specs, Price, Photos & Review Aston Martin DB11s For Sale Finally Hear What the Aston Martin Valkyrie Sounds Like

By Edward Jones – January 21, 2019

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera TAG Heuer Edition Revealed

In 2018, the new Aston Martin DBS Superleggera was unveiled as the next generation DBS model. It's powered by a massive 5.2-liter V12 engine that includes two turbos. Its output is rated at a whopping 715 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, making it a powerful beast. And now, Aston Martin has introduced the new DBS Superleggera Tag Heuer Edition that takes the new model to another level of luxury. This new edition is finished in a deep Monaco Black exterior paint that's joined by carbon fiber accents. Just about the entire exterior of the car is of a dark hue, except for the wheels that show a bit of red trim. This red and black scheme continues in the cabin, where just about everything is black, aside from the red piping and trim. Only 50 examples of this car will be made, but a price has not been announced just yet. However, they did announce that the car does come with a limited edition Tag Heuer watch. Related: Aston Martin Shows Off Electric Conversion for Their Classic Cars Aston Martin Begins Production of Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake Aston Martin is Testing an SUV Prototype Via Instagram

By Andrew Nabors – December 05, 2018

Aston Martin Shows Off Electric Conversion for Their Clas...

One of the challenges of our hobby is keeping old cars in running condition. Trying to find a set of points or a condenser for a rare classic can be next to impossible. That is why Aston Martin Works have future-proofed a 1970 DB6. In a press release this morning, we see the details of their new EV "casette". It is a self-contained electric conversion that bolts in place of the original engine. The technology it contains is a supporting piece of Aston Martin's EV strategy. An electric motor and its controller sit on the original engine and transmission mounts. It even includes a 12v supply to run the car's original accessories. The only interior modification is a small screen to control the battery and power management systems. They envision a future where older carbureted cars are restricted due to their polluting exhaust. It is very similar to our friends at Genovation. Their GXE is an electric supercar based on the Corvette Z06. It reminds me of the "Hover Conversion" business seen in Back to the Future II. Old cars are not going anywhere, so it's about time they get a high voltage makeover. Congrats to Aston Martin for taking the initiative, as it also applies to their other historic models. Click the link below for great deals on the Vanquish and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. View All Aston Martin Vanquish For Sale Related: Aston Martin Begins Production of Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake Aston Martin is Testing an SUV

By Andrew Nabors – November 28, 2018

Aston Martin Begins Production of Vanquish Zagato Shootin...

Every time Zagato gets a call from Aston Martin, the end result is breathtaking. In a photo uploaded to Instagram this morning, we have our first glimpse of the new Vanquish Zagato. A Shooting Brake is a truly European body style. It is not quite a wagon and not a traditional 2-door coupe. What it is, is breathtaking. By virtue of the sloping roof it fills a void in the aerodynamics that is usually turbulent air. It allows for ample interior room and a shape that is unmistakable. Aston Martin's first full-scale production of a Shooting Brake will be limited to 99 examples, so click the link below to find our dealer nearest you. Stay with us for all your Aston Martin updates. View All Aston Martin Vanquish For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqt99mHjndx/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=ttank2eljrgh

Aston Martin5th / 6th November 2018Photo: Drew Gibson

By Andrew Nabors – November 14, 2018

Aston Martin is Testing an SUV Prototype

Everyone wants an SUV, at least that's what the industry wants us to think. Aston Martin might be a little late to the game, but the DBX is poised for greatness. The name of their latest model was included along with a video in a press release this morning. It outlines their rigorous testing of the first prototype on a few stages of the Welsh Rally. This is making news in Wales, thanks to Aston Martin announcing a new factory in the Vale of Glamorgan. Their main plant in Warwickshire is running at full capacity building the Vantage and DB11, so a new team has been assembled for the DBX. It involves countless hours of simulation that will be followed by flogging the test mules from the Arctic to the Arabian desert. Aimed at a wide audience, it will be able to carve out impressive times at the track while being able to tow your boat on the weekend. CEO Andy Palmer also mentioned the new factory will be centered around an electric future. No mention of the powertrain, but we'll keep you informed as the DBX approaches a planned launch in late 2019. Tell us your thoughts on it and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. " width="680"> Related: Aston Martin's New Factory Ready For 2019 Production DBS Superleggera vs Mercedes-AMG GT R Drag Race Aston Martin DBS 59 Celebrates Historic LeMans Victory

By Andrew Nabors – November 12, 2018

Jay Leno Drives 2019 Aston Martin Vantage

Are you looking for a nimble V8 luxury car that is smaller than a Porsche 911? The new Aston Martin Vantage is smaller than it appears. In the latest upload from Jay Leno's Garage, he touches on the finer points of the 2019 model. They needed the best V8 available, and it sparked a collaboration between Mercedes-AMG. Aston Martin builds their own version of the 4-liter twin turbo, making 503 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque. This is sent to the rear 8-speed transmission by a carbon fiber torque tube. Placing the wheels at the very corners of the body allows the car to look larger than it is. Along with an all-new aluminum chassis, it allows the Vantage to weigh-in at only 3,300 lbs. For $150,000 you will have a great power-to-weight ratio along with English luxury and German reliability. Click the link below to find out more and stay with us for all your Aston Martin updates. Related: Aston Martin Begins Production of 2019 Vantage Check Out Jay Leno's Collection! Sultan of Brunei Has 7,000 Cars!

By Andrew Nabors – November 02, 2018

Aston-Martin DBS 59 Celebrates Their LeMans Victory

Sixty years ago, David Brown and his team shocked the world. Their DBR1 won the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1959, cementing Aston-Martin as a leader in world of high performance cars. To celebrate the anniversary of their win, Aston-Martin of Cambridge proposed a unique project. Working with the talented coach builders at Q by Aston-Martin, they have announced 24 examples of the 'DBS 59'. Based on the potent DBS Superleggera, each one will be delivered in British Racing Green. Sir Sterling Moss described the 1959 DBR1 as the most important Aston-Martin of all time, so the DBS 59 will have references to it inside and out. Saddle leather in the rear compartment is molded to hold the 1959-spec helmet and store the racing suit when you aren't at the track. The gloves are molded after the ones Carroll Shelby used to fight his way to 1st place. A 2-piece leather luggage set is also included. The 715 horsepower supercar is capable of 211 mph, and each example will be numbered 1-24. They will undoubtedly be right-hand drive, but our dealers have a great selection of DBS models to choose from View All Aston-Martin DBS For Sale " width="680">

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