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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 Edward Jones – June 25, 2022

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Being Auctioned at Barrett-Jac...

Presented by Barrett-Jackson. Finished in Royal Maroon, this 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 was assigned KK#1358 when it left Kar Kraft on its way to Burk Ford in Perry, Iowa. It recently underwent a complete restoration at Muscle Car Restoration in Owasso, OK. Power comes from the S Boss 429ci engine backed by its correct RUGAE2 4-speed manual transmission and N case 3.91 rear end. Equipped with a correct HP block with early style intake, correct carburetor and distributor, correct KKX spindles, rear sway bar and trunk-mounted battery. This vehicle will be offered at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas Event, which takes place from June 30 to July 2, 2022. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Listing

739 85659 1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE CUSTOM COUPE

By Edward Jones – June 24, 2022

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Resto-Mod Being Auctioned at Barr...

Presented by Barrett-Jackson. This custom 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Resto-Mod is powered by a BluePrint LS 427/770hp V8 engine with a Magnuson supercharger backed by a 4L80E automatic transmission. Equipped with Energy Suspension motor mounts, Drivelines Inc. driveshaft, GForce Racing Technologies and Suspension cross member, Spectre Performance air intake, Holley oil pan, CPP steering box, dual electric radiator fans, power steering cooling reservoir, and extra battery posts under passenger door with an Optima Yellowtop battery. The Hotchkis Sport suspension features front CPP Performance coilovers with rear Viking Performance coilovers while stopping is provided by a Wilwood performance brake system with drilled and slotted rotors and an E-Stop push-button electronic emergency brake. The custom-fabricated Quick Time Performance electric 2.5-inch exhaust cut-out system features long tube headers. Finished in PPG Black, the exterior sports an Eddie Motorsports billet hood, black chrome bumpers, LED headlights and LED taillights, all riding on Avant Garde wheels. The custom Napa leather interior features a roll cage, custom fabricated door panels with Lokar IDH billet door handles, a custom console with 4-USB charging ports, Dakota Digital gauges, Ididit touch start steering column, Billet Specialties Billet Fast Lane 14-inch steering wheel, Resto-Mod air conditioning with PODS red LED controls as well as power windows and power locks. Additionally, it features a Pioneer AVH-2300NEX touchscreen Bluetooth radio with PBX speakers and an Image Dynamics 10-inch subwoofer. This vehicle will be offered at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas Event, which takes place from June 30 to July 2, 2022. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Listing

By Edward Jones – June 23, 2022

King Kong 1971 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda Being Auctioned at Bar...

Presented by Barrett-Jackson. This King Kong 1971 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda is one of 59 4-speeds produced and is the recipient of a rotisserie restoration. This 4:10 Dana Super Track Pak car is powered by the original 426/425hp HEMI V8 engine backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. It features the original Fender Tag and includes the Build Sheet. This vehicle will be offered at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas Event, which takes place from June 30 to July 2, 2022. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Listing

By Edward Jones – June 22, 2022

1971 Plymouth Cuda Convertible Being Auctioned at Barrett...

Presented by Barrett-Jackson. This matching-numbers 1971 Plymouth Cuda convertible underwent a rotisserie restoration. It is powered by the original matching-numbers 383ci V8 big block engine mated to the original matching-numbers 4-speed manual transmission with a pistol grip shifter. Includes its Build Sheet and copies of the paperwork when the serviceman ordered it through Zurich, Switzerland. This vehicle will be offered at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas Event, which takes place from June 30 to July 2, 2022. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Listing

732 85679 2022 GMC HUMMER EV EDITION 1 PICKUP

By Edward Jones – June 21, 2022

2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 Being Auctioned at Barrett-J...

Presented by Barrett-Jackson. General Motors resurrected the Hummer name on the world's first all-electric super-truck engineered to forge new paths with zero emissions. Built around the firm's Ultrium technology, the Hummer EV stands out with a powerful electric drivetrain and several off-road-focused features including a four-wheel-steering system with a CrabWalk mode capable of turning the four wheels in the same direction. Power comes from three electric motors, which draw electricity from a 212-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack to give all four wheels with a GM-estimated 1,000 total horsepower and 11,500 ft/lbs. of torque. The EV has a 350-mile range on a full charge and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3-seconds per GM estimates. This Hummer EV is equipped with 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires, an adaptive air ride suspension system with Extract Mode which raises the truck up to 6-inches, a Multi-Pro tailgate, an infinity roof with removable transparent sky panels and a 14-speaker Bose surround sound system. Other features include LED exterior lighting, rock rails, LED lighting in the cargo box, heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, power-adjustable steering column, 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, navigation system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, supercruise compatibility, trailer brake controller, and UltraVision front and rear underbody cameras. This EV is a one-owner vehicle with just 48 miles on the odometer. The original window sticker is included in the sale. This vehicle will be offered at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas Event, which takes place from June 30 to July 2, 2022. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Listing

727 85693 1967 FORD MUSTANG ELEANOR TRIBUTE EDITION 1

By Edward Jones – June 20, 2022

Officially Licensed 1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor Tribute Edi...

Presented by Barrett-Jackson. This custom 1967 Ford Mustang is an official licensed and certified "Eleanor Tribute" build and comes with the Genuine Eleanor Certification paperwork, Eleanor Body VIN plate and emblems issued by Gone in 60 Seconds LLC. It features all the movie-correct Eleanor body modifications and accessories, including a side-exit dual exhaust and of course, it would not be Eleanor without the wired Go-Baby-Go NOS ARMED dash switch and Eleanor nitrous bottle (non-op) and shifter knob. Underneath the distinctive domed Eleanor hood sits a freshly built, supercharged Ford FE 428ci big-block V8 engine, which was dyno'd at a hefty 505 ft/lbs of torque. This potent 428 is coupled to a factory-issue 4-speed Toploader manual transmission with a Hurst shifter. It exhales through a 2.5-inch exhaust, which exits through the side rockers and is equipped with Electric Variable-Controlled exhaust dumps. The updated and modern suspension includes upgraded rear 4-link rear suspension with adjustable coilovers, a Ford 9-inch rear end and front adjustable coilover shocks. Additional features include power steering, 4-wheel power disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors and an aluminum radiator with an electric fan. Finished in Pepper Gray Metallic 2-Stage PPG along with rich Black rally body stripes and multiple layers of clear coat over top. The underside of the fastback and the engine compartment areas were also painted body color with many coats of clear. Everything is Eleanor correct, right down to the proper sequential taillights, stainless steel Bullet-Style side view mirror and Eleanor-style flip-up gas-filler lid. The all-new deluxe interior features custom seats, a custom painted roll bar with a certified seatbelt harness, a custom center console and stainless-steel billet trim on the dash and door panels as well as Vintage-styled modern air conditioning. The rear area is equipped with a matching factory-style fold-down seat with the NOS bottle located behind it. The dash cluster is fitted with retro-styled modern Velocity gauges and a custom wood-styled Vintage steering wheel. Sound is provided by a Retro-Sound Stereo with Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, it has custom show-ready LED lighting in the engine area, cabin, as well as exterior ground effects. It rolls on custom Eleanor-style wheels and comes complete with a full start-to-finish build book and a 30x40-inch professionally assembled "Gone in 60 seconds" framed presentation of the official movie poster along with authentic officially "signed" photos of the lead cast members Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie. This vehicle will be offered at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas Event, which takes place from June 30 to July 2, 2022. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 16, 2022

Mecum's Second Annual Tulsa Auction Sold $17 Million Of M...

Mecum’s second Tulsa auction continues success. With 643 vehicles crossing the block and a 77% sell-through rate, Mecum Auctions sold $17 million in total this past weekend at its second annual auction in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Held at the SageNet Center at Expo Square, the auction was characterized by a variety of cars, ranging from classics to muscle cars, to modern performance machines, all of them desirable, unique, and very worthy of a Mecum auction. The top ten sellers at the auction all sold for over 6 figures, and represent automotive icons from all over the world. MUST READ: A New Corvette Z06 NFT Will Auction Along With A Real-Life 2023 Z06 In A One-Off Color The very top seller was a 1965 Shelby Cobra CSX4000 Series Roadster which sold for $409,750, which was followed by another car from 1965, a Mercury Comet A/FX Lightweight which sold for $313,500. Following that was a 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT R that sold for $189,750. In fourth place was a 1985 Toyota FJ-45 Land Cruiser Custom which sold for $173,250, followed by two cars that sold for $165,000: a 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and a 1969 Plymouth Hemi Road Runner Coupe. In seventh place was a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T that sold for $152,900, followed by a 1962 Chevrolet Biscayne Custom that sold for $132,000. In ninth place was a 1964 Plymouth Savoy Lightweight selling for $129,250, and finishing off the top ten was a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom selling for $126,500. Mecum’s next auction comes to Florida with the Orlando Summer Special Auction, which will be held July 6-9. View All Exotic And Luxury Cars For Sale Source: Mecum Auctions

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 15, 2022

A New Corvette Z06 NFT Will Auction Along With A Real-Lif...

Exclusively on SuperRare, the C8 Corvette Z06 enters the Web3 space in a unique way. With this upcoming NFT auction, Chevrolet gives bidders the chance to not only own a piece of Corvette Z06 NFT artwork, and not only a Corvette Z06, but also the color that the car is painted in. The first auction, happening June 20-24 on SuperRare with bids available to be placed in Ethereum, is for a piece of NFT artwork inspired by the Corvette Z06, by artist xsullo, as well as a Corvette Z06, which is equipped with the Z07 performance package, a commemorative plaque, carbon-fiber wheels, and permanently associated with the auction through the option code RFN, as well as the exclusive color of Minted Green. MUST READ: Barrett-Jackson Is Selling KISS Guitarist Paul Stanley’s Corvette In Las Vegas What makes this Minted Green color unique is the fact that it is featured on the NFT and the car, and the winning bidder will “Own the Color,” as the auction itself is aptly named because Chevrolet promises that it will not paint another production 2023 Corvette Z06 in the Minted Green color. The auction will benefit DonorsChoose, an organization that makes it easy to help teachers in need towards an education system that empowers all American students. With the auction beginning June 20, the artwork will be available to view at The Crypt Gallery during NFT NYC, bridging the gap between virtual art and the real world. View All Corvettes For Sale Image Source: Chevrolet Source: Chevrolet

By Edward Jones – June 14, 2022

Freije Auctioneers Offering The Brian Wedding Collection ...

Presented by Freije & Freije Auctioneers. The Brian Wedding Collection represents a carefully curated and well-maintained collection of American muscle cars from the 1960s through the present. The Auction features over 150 classic cars, trucks, and other items from the Brian Wedding Collection as well as other select no reserve consignments selling on Saturday, June 25th at 10 AM in Evansville, Indiana. Saturday’s offering will also include rare and collectible automobiles, gas pumps, and vintage road art and signage. Click Here For More Info 1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STING RAY RARE CORRECT SILVER EXTERIOR & SILVER INTERIOR. VIN: 194675S100661 2001 PORSCHE 911 2 DOOR COUPE, 6 SPEED M/T, CRUISE, LEATHER, PREMIUM AUDIO SYS, SUN ROOF, AC/HEAT, AUTOMATIC WINDOWS/LOCKS, ALLOY WHEELS, ODOMETER READS: 54454. VIN: WP0AA29971S621420 1967 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE 2 DOOR, 289 CU. IN. V8, A/T, STEEL WHEELS, TEAL PAINT, ODOMETER READS: 32274. VIN: 7F03C214363 1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE BRIGHT RED, ODOMETER READS: 78,608, BUILT IN ST LOUIS, MISSOURI PLANT, ODOMETER READS: 78625. VIN: 20867S112730 1978 FERRARI 308 GTS 2 DOOR COUPE, 2.9L V8, 5 SPEED M/T, LEATHER, AC/HEAT, ALLOY WHEELS, ODOMETER READS: 26526 **ACTUAL MILES** VIN: 23565

By Edward Jones – June 13, 2022

1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB “Tour de France” Being Auctioned

Presented by Broad Arrow Group. Designed by Pinin Farina and built by Scaglietti, this 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB “Tour de France”, chassis number 0619 GT, represents one of the finest examples of its kind. Offered at Broad Arrow Auctions upcoming Monterey Jet Center event this coming 18 August, this highly presented example comes with known history from new, including past ownership from noted N.A.R.T. race team mechanic, Ferrari guru and gentleman driver, Mr. Wayne Sparling. Impressive period European race history with multiple major awards, most recently at the 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (Vitesse ~ Elegance trophy) and 2021 Cavallino Classic (Finest competition Ferrari), it is accompanied by its Ferrari “Red Book” Classiche Certification, confirming this 250 TdF retains its original chassis, engine, gearbox and body. For more information please visit broadarrowauctions.com or click the button below. Learn More

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