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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 Jordan Aquistapace – June 01, 2021

The New BRABUS Marine x Jobe Collection Is Available Now

Take the performance-focused BRABUS look to the marina. As temperature rises and seasons change, the focus now is to get outside and enjoy yourself by the perfect body of water. German performance brand BRABUS is hanging up the track and off-road keys this summer to do just that. BRABUS Marine is proud to present its newest collaboration with premium water sports brand Jobe, a line of apparel and accessories perfectly picked for summer days. Made for the whole family, the stealth-styled products ranged from life vests to boating tubes. The collection features premium materials ensured to keep you comfortable and safe while on the water, just as BRABUS provides from any of its vehicles and watercraft. The all-new BRABUS Marine x Jobe water sports collection is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop BRABUS Marine x Jobe Media Source: BRABUS Marine For more Gear News, Check out ICON 4X4 Announces Custom Bag Auction To Support The Go Campaign

By Edward Jones – May 21, 2021

New BRABUS 800 Based on the AMG GLS 63 Revealed

Supercar specs from a luxury SUV. BRABUS has just unveiled their new creation based on the ever-popular Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+ and it's a true super SUV. The eight-cylinder engine has been given the BRABUS PowerXtra B40S-800 Performance upgrade, which brings the power up to 800 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque. That insane amount of power can rocket the SUV from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.8 seconds. There are also quite a few visual components that BRABUS has introduced for the model, making it sportier than ever before. These include the naked carbon fiber bodywork components, BRABUS Monoblock M "Platinum Edition forged 24-inch wheels and the ability to customize the interior to the customer's wish. To learn more about the new BRABUS 800 based on the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+, be sure to visit BRABUS.com. See All BRABUS For Sale Source: BRABUS

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By Jordan Aquistapace – March 04, 2021

The BRABUS Vintage Apparel Collection Is Now Available

While a company like BRABUS continues to push the boundaries of future performance and design, they also take moments to celebrate the past. The BRABUS Vintage Collection is the newest addition to the German performance shop’s clothing and accessory line. The collection includes sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts, t-shirts, and hats with graphics inspired by past BRABUS models. The Vintage Collection celebrates the beginning of BRABUS and excites the enthusiasts, as the models featured are vehicles that still hold significance in the automobile industry today. The BRABUS Vintage Collection is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Andrew Nabors – December 09, 2020

2021 Brabus Ultimate E Receives Power & Style

With ever-tightning restrictions on urban travel, life is too short to drive a boring urban box. The 2021 BRABUS Ultimate E has received power and style to become your "City Supercar". As the 3rd generation of their Smart EQ ForTwo Cabriolet, no detail was overlooked. Starting with their favorite recipe, Brabus engineers tuned the electric motor to offer 92 horsepower. https://www.facebook.com/brabus/videos/10158787071604294 This allows it to reach 62 mph in 10.9 seconds and cruise at 81 mph. The same methods and tooling utilized on their supercars has yielded 18" forged wheels and a comprehensive wide-body kit. To make use of the wider track, the shocks, springs, and sway bars are all manufactured in-house. With 133 lb-ft of torque you will have a range of 78 miles, so click the button below to learn more from BRABUS USA. Learn More

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 11, 2020

Watch BRABUS CEO Breakdown The 2021 BRABUS Collection

We recently covered the release of the BRABUS G Capsule Collection, a clothing line inspired by the iconic G V12 model. The Chief Executive Officer of BRABUS, Constantine Buschmann, took to his Instagram to breakdown the collection. The video gives more insight into the transition from the automotive industry to the world of fashion. The BRABUS collection features over 40 pieces, one being the new G900 Bomber Jacket that Constantine reviews. The new collection by BRABUS is currently available for all owners and enthusiasts to purchase and support the German high-performance automotive company. Shop the 2021 BRABUS Collection by clicking the link below. Shop Now https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQ40VZKIvT/

By Andrew Nabors – October 21, 2020

BRABUS Teases New Widebody Rocket Sedan

Nothing will explain what Brabus is capable of unless you drive one. When we toured their headquarters in Bottrop, we didn't want to inquire about their future supercars. However, a team was already at work reverse-engineering the AMG 63 S sedan. After nearly a year of development, the BRABUS 800 arrived. Not only was the interior replaced with their hand-stitched hides, but the 800 horsepower beast also reached 62 mph in 2.9 seconds. It does this thanks to forged internals, big turbos and 738 lb-ft of torque. Now they are poised to make the 800 look tame, as BRABUS has teased a new Rocket Widebody sedan. BRABUS Shadow 900 XC Cross Cabin Announced While it is easy to see that it started life as a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S, the imposing grille and wide fenders will undoubtedly house meaty tires. The wheels look to have forged hubs with carbon fiber aerodynamic flanges. Something giving the car the best of strength and downforce. Like all proper widebody builds, the doors and rockers are flared to keep the lines in proportion. Don't tell us you wouldn't drive this, because every BRABUS rocket offers no excuses- neither should you. As soon as we have more info you will see it here first. In the meantime, click the button below to view their latest builds. Browse BRABUS For Sale

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By Edward Jones – September 02, 2020

Epic Video Where the BRABUS 800 XLP Adventure Meets an Ae...

The BRABUS 800 XLP Adventure is a vehicle ready for anything exciting, whether it be on the road, off of the road or on the runway of an airport. Recently, BRABUS teamed up with ExtraNG to show off four examples of their 800 XLP Adventures partaking in a high-speed runway race with an acrobatic airplane by ExrtaNG. Seeing the plane fly so close to these rugged off-road vehicles is exciting to see, but just imagine being one of the drivers and seeing a plane that close to you. I'd be whiteknuckling the steering wheel, that's for sure. You can see it all for yourself in the video up above. Down below, however, you can see the "making of" video that shows some behind-the-scenes footage. Check them both out and click the button below to learn more about the BRABUS 800 XLP Adventure. Brabus 800 G63 For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – August 19, 2020

BRABUS is Teasing Something Epic with ExtraNG

BRABUS has just posted a video that is teasing something that looks to be quite epic.In the video, we sea two BRABUS 800 XLP Adventures on a runway with one of ExtraNG's aerobatic airplanes. Both vehicles are able to travel at a high rate of speed but one is in the skies while the other traverses the ground below. Could we be in for a race between the two? I'm not sure but we'll find out this Friday. In the meantime, you can learn more about the BRABUS 800 XLP Adventure by clicking the button below. Visit BRABUS.com

By Andrew Nabors – August 04, 2020

STARTECH Finalizes Land Rover Defender Upgrades

Two months ago our friends at STARTECH teased a few ideas for the ultimate Land Rover Defender. Based on the clicks and emails, they have confirmed a full widebody kit, front and rear bumpers, vented hood, and LED running lights on the roof. They are a division of BRABUS Automotive that deals with English luxury brands along with Tesla. Every part they offer is better than OEM quality, so that is why your new Defender needs the full STARTECH treatment. Click the button below to find a STARTECH shop near you and stay with us for all your Defender updates. Learn More

By Edward Jones – May 15, 2020

BRABUS Shadow 900 Range Wins Prestigious Award

BRABUS Marine has just been presented with a very prestigious award, and they should be more than proud about it. The annual Red Dot Design Awards are insanely sought after in the design world, and BRABUS Marine has won an award in the highly contested Product Design category. More specifically, their Shadow 900 range was given the award. "Ours is a new way of working within the industry," says Jan-Erik Viitala, Axopar and BRABUS Marine Creative and Innovations Director. "By utilising our ‘shared-platform’ thinking, design of the Shadow 900 range is the result of four unique parties, namely, Axopar Boats, BRABUS, BRABUS Marine and Navia design agency co-contributing and therefore co-designing together." BRABUS Marine lineup includes the Shadow 900 Spyder, Shadow 900 Sun-Top. and the ultra-exclusive Black Ops Limited Edition '1 of 37'. You can learn more about these incredible vessels by clicking the button below to visit BRABUS Marine's website. Visit BRABUSMarine.com

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