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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 – March 12, 2021

Mecum Glendale Preview: 2016 Ferrari F12tdf With Only 449...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Originally owned by Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Team Penske owner Roger Penske and driven just 449 miles, this 2016 Ferrari F12tdf is one of only 799 produced worldwide. As befits a man who has excelled at the pursuit of speed and victory his entire life, the F12tdf demands respect for its approach to achieving supercar superiority. It is truly a demanding driver’s machine, one that requires a mental recalibration to appreciate the capabilities that qualify it to carry on the Tour de France tradition as the ultimate front-engined road Ferrari. The numbers are telling: its all-alloy 6.3L DOHC V-12 engine borrows from Ferrari’s F1 racers to deliver an increase over the “standard” F12’s 730 HP and 509 lb-ft of torque to 769 HP at 8,500 RPM and 520 lb-ft, the latter almost all in at just 2,500 RPM. A 7-speed dual-clutch F1 transmission features tighter ratios and microsecond shifts, combining with F1 traction control to launch passengers to 60 MPH in a hair-raising 2.9 seconds; top speed, if you dare, exceeds 210 MPH. With controls off, the F12tdf is the province of only the most skilled racing driver, but its virtually unobtrusive array of computer controls and precise programming modes that can be tailored to the individual transform it into one of the most exhilarating and rewarding Ferraris imaginable. Presenting in brilliant Rosso Corsa with a red and black interior and red-painted brake calipers behind 20-inch alloys fitted with Pirelli P-Zero rubber, this formerly Penske-owned example builds on that breathtaking performance with almost $55,000 in optional extras to drive its exclusivity to a level foreseen only by the Ferrari brain trust. Carbon fiber has been substituted in place of standard materials in the engine filter box cover, under-door covers, headlight and fog lamp enclosures, and on exterior trim, vents, intakes and rear diffuser. Alcantara lines the seating surfaces, headliner and boot, with carbon fiber again used for the rear shelf and bench trim. An air compressor, car cover, battery tender, books, tools, two keys and the factory window sticker complete this superb and exclusive offering. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Glendale 2021 event (March 18-20). View Listing

By Edward Jones – March 11, 2021

Mecum Glendale Preview: 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO

Presented by Mecum Auctions - The term GTO—Gran Turismo Omologato, Italian for Grand Touring Homologated—is a very special designation in Ferrari parlance that, until 2010, was used on only two Ferraris in the company’s history: the 1962 250 GTO and the 1984 288 GTO. Historically, homologation specials were built for road use to qualify their racing counterparts for sanctioned competition. Ferrari reversed that concept for the 599 GTO, which, rather than being built to go racing, was intended as a “road homologation” version of the track-purposed, extremely limited-production 599XX, upon which the 599 GTO relies for many components and experience in producing its extraordinary performance. In fact, the 599 GTO was the fastest, best-handling and most powerful roadgoing Ferrari to its moment, and, at just 599 produced worldwide and 125 assigned to the U.S. market, one of the most exclusive. Its front-midmounted 6.0L V-12 engine, which Ferrari described as being “90 percent 599XX,” generates 661 peak HP and 458 lb-ft of torque—then the highest figures in the history of roadgoing Ferraris—through a 6-speed F1 automatic gearbox on the way to a 208 MPH top speed. Extensive use of carbon fiber and lightweight alloys shaves 220 pounds from the 599 GTB’s specs, and magnetorheological suspension, red-painted calipers securing massive carbon-ceramic rotors and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on 10-spoke alloy wheels bestow the 599 GTO with otherworldly manoeuvrability. Because it’s a Ferrari, sheer beauty is integral to the 599 GTO’s character; in this Ferrari Classiche-certified 2011 example, it’s expressed in traditional Rosso Corsa paint with Scuderia shields. Beckoning with a mix of tan and black leather, sculpted carbon fiber and matte-finish alloy controls, the inviting, driver-focused interior is highlighted by an attention-getting yellow 10,000 RPM tachometer (supplemented with a shift indicator light ensconced at 12 o’clock on the Manettino-equipped steering wheel), 220 MPH speedometer, dual-zone climate control and Prancing Horse headrest emblems; a special dedication plate declaring “Ferrari 31 Formula 1 World Titles” is an appropriate finishing touch. Offered at a mere 175 miles and complete with all books, manuals, tools and accessories, this Ferrari Classiche-certified 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO is unquestionably worthy of its Gran Turismo Omologato title. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions’ Glendale 2021 event (March 18-20). View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 24, 2021

Muscle Car Collection Owned by Drag Race Legend Heading t...

Presented by Zettlemoyer Auctions - Allen "Sonny" George, Jr. was a true drag racing legend, starting his career all the way back in 1959. After that year, Sonny raced up until his untimely passing in 2018. In fact, he qualified his 2017 COPO Camaro at 8.85 seconds at the NHRA Mello Yellow Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. While he was alive and racing, Sonny bought and raced a lot of muscle cars ranging in makes, models, and years. Let's face it: when you love drag racing and automobiles as much as Sonny did, you'd be hard-pressed not to have yourself a collection of your favorites. For Sonny, he had a penchant for Chevrolets but he also dabbled in other makes. Zettlemoyer Auction Co. is about to auction off his remaining collection which includes some serious muscle. The George family is hoping that his treasures will become part of someone else's treasures, being cherished as they were when they were in Sonny's hands. That being said, they know he would love to see his cars back at the drag strip. You can learn more about each of the offerings down below. 2017 COPO Camaro #15 Powered by a Ray Barton 350 engine with a Whipple supercharger, this COPO Camaro is the real deal. It ran as "Blue Screamer III" and was the one Sonny raced at the NHRA Mello Yellow Nationals. View Listing 1964 Pontiac GTO Everybody loves a GTO, especially a clean red-on-red example that's as clean as this one. It features the 389 engine with a four-speed transmission. View Listing 1962 Chevy Impala This right here is a 1962 Impala, but as you can see it's not your average classic Chevrolet. Running as the original "Blue Screamer," this Impala is much more than average. View Listing 2014 Camaro COPO This is another one of Sonny's COPO Camaros, this one running as "Blue Screamer II." Powered by the 350 NA engine by Ray Barton SN 005, this drag strip-ready COPO Camaro is ready for another race. View Listing 1962 Impala SS Convertible If drag cars aren't your thing, don't worry because this Impala Convertible is the perfect classic car for someone looking for a smooth Sunday cruise. It comes packing a 327/350 small block engine with a four-barrel Edelbrock carb. View Listing 1962 Chevy Impala SS Unlike the previous Impala, this one has a hardtop and is the "SS" version. Under this one's hood is a 409 engine that's mated to a four-speed transmission. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 21, 2021

GAA Classic Cars Feb. 2021 Auction: 1963 Chevrolet Corvet...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - At GAA Classic Cars' February 2021 event, a gorgeous 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Restomod will be crossing the auction block. Not only is this a split window, but this special Corvette hosts a long list of upgrades that a star of the event. If you lift up the hood of this Corvette, you'll find a built LS1 engine capable of 488 horsepower. That kind of power is something Corvette owners in the 60s dreamed of. On top of that, this Corvette features suspension with coilovers meant for the C4 Corvette. If you've ever wanted to drive a classic Corvette, but wanted the comfort and power of modern-day cars, this may be what you're looking for. This 1963 Corvette will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars' February 2021, which runs from the 25th to the 27th. For more information about the event, click here. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 20, 2021

GAA Classic Cars Feb. 2021 Auction: 1959 Dodge Custom Roy...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - Fans of classic cars ought to check this offering at GAA Classic Cars' upcoming February 2021 event. This Is a very rare 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Super D500. The owner states that this may be one of only a dozen or so left from a total build of 984 of all series. Finished in a two-tone red and white paint, this is the exact kind of design you think of when picturing a 1950's automobile. Its futuristic-for-the-time design makes this Dodge looks like a rocket ship on wheels, an aesthetic that dominated automotive design in the 1950s. It's also in impeccable condition after a rotisserie restoration was completed by Bo Malfors of Copper State Classics in Scottsdale, AZ. Notable features include its 383 CID V8 Engine with 345hp, power swivel seats, power windows, electric fuel pump, AM radio and power top. This 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Super D500 will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars' February 2021, which runs from the 25th to the 27th. For more information about the event, click here. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 19, 2021

GAA Classic Cars Feb. 2021 Auction: 2017 Acura NSX - Seri...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - GAA Classic Cars is auctioning off 2017 Acura NSX #2 which was produced for Rick Hendrick and is identical to #1 which is in his collection. If you didn't know, 2017 was actually the first year of the new NSX's production, making this a very special example. It features a custom Valencia Red paint that is eye-catching from any distance while the interior is in an all-black design. Both the exterior and interior are loaded with options, which is why the sticker price of this specific NSX is $206,000. From the driver's seat, the odometer reads just 200 miles but the low mileage isn't surprising considering the pristine condition of the car. In fact, it's still on its MSO title and that means the auction winner will be the first individual owner of this NSX. This 2017 Acura NSX will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars' February 2021, which runs from the 25th to the 27th. For more information about the event, click here. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 18, 2021

GAA Classic Cars Feb. 2021 Auction: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - There's nothing like a classic Corvette, especially this one that's being auctioned off by GAA Classic Cars at their upcoming February 2021 event. This Goodwood Green 1967 Corvette is a numbers-matching masterpiece. It's been recently inspected and authenticated by Mr. Pancho Thompson and has just over 26,000 original miles. A list of original options can also be found through this Corvette, including the auxiliary hardtop, AM-FM radio, 3.70 Posi Traction and M21 transmission. Who ever gets the winning bid on this Corvette will not only get the classic Chevrolet, but also quite a few other items. This includes the original owner's manual with tear-off card, trim ring card, protect-o-plate, original Corvette order copy document and more. This 1967 Chevrolet Corvette will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars' February 2021, which runs from the 25th to the 27th. For more information about the event, click here. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 17, 2021

GAA Classic Cars Feb. 2021 Auction: 1953 Cadillac Eldorado

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - GAA Classic Cars is auctioning off an incredible 1953 Cadillac Eldorado at their upcoming February 2021 event. If you're a fan of 1950's automobile design, this classic car is a perfect ride for you. From the inside out, it's in impeccable condition and is ready to prowl the streets as a rolling time capsule. Finished in Azure Blue with a matching interior, this Eldorado is as stylish as they come. It's one of just 532 built for 1953 and was actually the AACA Senior National First Award Winner in 2015. It comes restored with a 331 CID V8 engine, power steering, automatic transmission, wire wheels with wide whitewall tires and power windows. This 1953 Cadillac Eldorado will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars' February 2021, which run from the 25th to the 27th. For more information about the event, click here. View Listing

By Edward Jones – February 16, 2021

GAA Classic Cars Feb. 2021 Auction: 1970 Challenger 440/4...

Presented by GAA Classic Cars - Going up for auction at GAA Classic Cars' February 2021 event is one of only 34 1970 Challenger 440/4-Speed Convertibles ever produced. This example is finished in the Go Mango Orange paint that has black racing stripes running down the center and its sides. Matching those stripes is the black convertible top. Inside is Bright White upholstery that has contrasting carpet in black. The driver of this classic muscle car will also be delighted to see the correct Rallye Gauges and correct Chrysler Solid State radio. If you open the hood, you'll find an original 440 cubic inch RB V8 that follows a correct 2536430 casting number and October 31st, 1969 casting date with a matching partial VIN. And, aesthetically, the bright engine bay presents as expected, from its correct decals and original oil pan all the way to its factory inspection marks. It has been upgraded with a date-coded factory-correct six-pack induction. All the original 4 barrel components and distributor come with the car if the new owner wishes to convert back. This 1970 Challenger 440/4-Speed Convertible will be auctioned off at GAA Classic Cars' February 2021, which run from the 25th to the 27th. For more information about the event, click here. View Listing

By Edward Jones – January 25, 2021

RM Sotheby's Posts $35 Million Result in Arizona - Top 10...

RM Sotheby's just held their Arizona auction which was their first live event of 2021. If you needed a sign that live auctions are back in a big way, this event is that sign. With over $35 million in sales and a 90% sell-through rate, their Arizona event was more than a success. Held at the OTTO Car Club in Scottsdale, the sales were led by a historic 1955 Jaguar D-Type which sold for a staggering $6 million. There was also a modern hypercar in the top three sales, a McLaren Speedtail. The sale of this Speedtail was being watched closely by many as it was the first of its kind to be auctioned and it managed to garner a hammer price of $3,277,500. You can view the rest of the top 10 sales down below. Each sales price does include the buyer's premium. Be on the lookout for RM Sotheby's next event, their Paris sale, on February 13. Car Sold Auction Price 1. 1955 Jaguar D-Type $6,000,000 2. 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica $4,735,000 3. 2020 McLaren Speedtail $3,277,500 4. 1954 Ferrari 375 America Coupe by Vignale $2,557,000 5. 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coupe by Boano $1,352,500 6. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster $1,066,500 7. 2019 McLaren Senna $1,044,000 8. 1932 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe by Fisher $1,022,500 9. 2019 Ford GT 'Lightweight’ $967,500 10. 1933 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich $819,000 " width="680">

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