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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – April 27, 2021

2022 Cadillac Lyric Development Is 9 Months Ahead of Sche...

All hands on deck Aside from the upcoming Corvette Z06, GM has ordered everyone to concentrate on an all-electric future. From the announcement of the new Hummer EV truck and SUV, the electric future is well underway. We first saw the production-spec Cadillac Lyriq in the Big Game ads. Since then, computational fluid dynamics and an array of supercomputers have been finalizing the details of the Cadillac Lyric: Here are the deliverables that have been addressed: Cabin comfort for all passengers in cold and hot environments Advanced aerodynamics to help maximize range1 and on-road performance Aeroacoustics and active road noise cancellation for a more enjoyable ride Driver assistance and active safety features2 for peace of mind Protection of the Ultium battery in a wide variety of collision scenarios Using virtual tools, GM’s engineers were able to model airflow over the Cadillac LYRIQ’s exterior, including the use of a vented roof spoiler, reducing drag and optimizing the vehicle’s range. Using virtual tools, GM’s engineers were able to model airflow over the Cadillac LYRIQ’s exterior, including the use of a vented roof spoiler, reducing drag and optimizing the vehicle’s range. Mike Anderson, GM executive director of Virtual Design, Development and Validation had this to say: “While GM has been developing great products for more than 100 years, virtual engineering has allowed us to visualize aspects of our designs that have not been previously observable with conventional vehicle testing. This is one of many inherent strengths of virtual engineering that we’ve capitalized on to completely reimagine how we create and develop future mobility products like the Cadillac LYRIQ. This new approach certainly achieved our initial goal of drastically reducing our engineering spend on expensive prototypes, but, more importantly, has enabled us to run faster than ever before, and deliver better quality on our first production vehicle builds.” Starting at just under $60,000, you will have a range over 300 miles with 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. Click the button to learn more from our dealers! Browse Cadillac For Sale Images (C) GM

By Andrew Nabors – April 21, 2021

2023 Cadillac Lyriq Price & Specs Revealed

It comes on the heels of a massive EV investment Upon the ashes of the old Saturn plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, GM is building a $2.3 billion battery factory. Their new Ultium batteries are double-stacked to offer big power in the Hummer EV, and now they can be found in the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq. For $59,990 you will have 100 kWh, 340 horsepower, 325 lb-ft of torque, and a range of over 300 miles. It looks a tad more classy than Kim Kardashian's Escalade because GM has been working on this project for nearly a decade. Should you need a quick charge, 30 minutes will add 195 miles to the ticker, which should be enough to run a few errands after work. The brakes are massive, with 18" rotors on the rear axle. These are bigger than the wheels on my Cadillac CTS-V, so I see an upgrade in my future. GM is going all-in on EVs, so get ready for the Corvette E-Ray to drop in the coming weeks, and stay with us for all your Cadillac news. Images (C) GM

By Andrew Nabors – February 02, 2021

2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Arrives With 668 Horsepower

Last night they unveiled two of the most capable sedans in the history of General Motors, as the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing arrives with 668 horsepower. The most powerful Cadillac ever offered was also revealed alongside the slightly smaller CT4-V Blackwing. Both cars have six-speed manual transmissions, but a 10-speed automatic is optional. Magnetic ride control is found on the world's best cars, but it was Cadillac who developed it. As such, both cars have the 4th generation of the system. Playing their cards close to the chest, the new system won't immediately be available for license by other brands. You will have the option to stop with 16" carbon ceramic brakes, which are helpful since the top speed is over 200 mph. Only stopping for driver changes and fuel, both cars endured relentless testing on the track and on the street. The 6.2-liter V8 is built by hand at the Corvette assembly plant. It has been blessed with rotocast cylinder heads that have 46% better intake flow than the CTS-V. With 659 lb-ft of torque at almost all rpm, the automatic transmission begins priming once the car is unlocked. Little brother CT4-V Blackwing makes use of a twin-turbo 3.6-liter to offer 472 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. With a top speed of 189 mph, it shares the same track-ready electronic differential, carbon brakes, and transmission options. I tried in vain, but launch editions of both cars were offered at 7:30 pm last night, and all 250 examples sold out in 3 minutes. Our dealers have all the information on the new generation V-Series, so click the button for all the details. Browse Cadillac For Sale Image and video (C) General Motors

The first-ever CT5-V builds on the precision-focused details of

By Andrew Nabors – September 15, 2020

Cadillac CT5-V V8 Surprises Everyone At Cars & Coffee

Say what you want about the latest Cadillacs, the have transformed one special edition into their performance division. While originally intended to arrive with their Blackwing DOHC Twin Turbo, that beast proved too heavy for proper handling. That's why engineers updated the LT4 Supercharged 6.2 from the CTS-V and gave it a new home. That's why a pair of CT5-V V8 cars surprised everyone at Cars & Coffee. https://www.instagram.com/p/CFCh4qRn8Xs/ Browse CTS-V For Sale While we are hoping its the 755 horsepower beast from the Corvette ZR1, their confirmation of a manual transmission makes this notion a bit unruly. If you don't need V8 power, the normal CT5-V offers 360 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbo 3-liter to all wheels. This means late-model CTS-Vs will become very affordable, so click the button above and find one for yourself.

On Jan. 13, 2019, Cadillac released the first images of a future

By Andrew Nabors – July 30, 2020

Cadillac Lyriq to be Unveiled August 6th

Back in March, GM's CEO Mary Barra announced their new Ultium Battery technology. It is a joint project with LG to offer a modular design capable of 200 kWh at 800 volts. Their goal is a range of 400 miles in city driving, and the first example will be the Cadillac Lyriq. While the CT6 was a great car, it had to be discontinued to make way for the future. Cadillac Confirms Manual Transmission CT4-V & CT5-V Blackwing Last year she mentioned that Cadillac will be the starting point for GM to phase out gas and become an EV-only automaker. In case you forgot, Cadillac did offer the ELR as a luxury version of the Chevy Volt. I thought it was a great car but the press ridiculed it to death. Next Thursday at 7 p.m. (Eastern) we will see the future of GM's flagship brand. Browse Cadillac For Sale " width="680">

Oscar®-winning actress and acclaimed director Regina King behin

By Andrew Nabors – February 07, 2020

Cadillac Previews new #MakeYourWay Campaign

Sunday marks the 92nd Oscar Awards, and it is primetime for luxury automakers. With so many updates and new models, Cadillac has previewed their new #MakeYourWay ad campaign. These new spots were uploaded last night to their YouTube page, and the first ones feature director Spike Lee along with Oscar winner Regina King. It is a compelling way to introduce the 5th generation Escalade, along with the XT and CT lineups. Click the button below to find our Caddy dealer near you and stay with us for all your automotive news. Browse All Cadillac For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 27, 2020

Cadillac Dominates Rolex 24 at Daytona

To mark the beginning of Daytona Speedweeks, the world's fastest drivers and cars came to Florida. The cool and clear weather made for a perfect weekend and Cadillac dominated the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Racing twice around the clock for a priceless Rolex watch, we congratulate Team Konica Minolta in their Cadillac DPi. Finishing 1st, they also ran the race's fastest lap, ad 1:34.652. Leading the way to victory lane, Mustang Sampling/ JDC MotorSports took 3rd and 5th place. Whelen Engineering crossed the line in 7th place, with all drivers thankful for their Cadillac DPi cars. This is a testament to the 6.2L V8 found in the CTS-V, Camaro ZL1, and the previous-generations of Corvette. By Chad Donohoe/C12Productions.com This was Team Corvette's first outing with the mid-engine 2020 Corvette C8, and its new 5.5L Dual Overhead Cam V8. They finished 4th and 7th respectively in the GTLM class. First place in GTLM was the new BMW M8 GTE by BMW Team RLL. 2nd and 3rd were Porsche 911 RSRs, fielded by the factory Porsche GT Team. Five Huracans Competed in GTD Class GT Daytona class was won by Paul Miller Racing in a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 from Paul Miller Racing. Runner up was another Huracan from GRT Magnus. Click Here For Race Results https://www.facebook.com/IMSA/videos/764473914074141/

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