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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 05, 2021

Jerry Seinfeld's 2016 GT3 RS Can Be Yours!

Amelia Island is a great place to find your next Porsche 911 The Bonham's auction back in 2016 made waves around the world. It is there that Jerry Seinfeld's incredible collection was opened to the highest bidder. He has decided to make more room, and his 2016 GT3 RS can be yours. Loaded with options you never knew of, Liquid Chrome Blue Metallic interrupts every conversation. Inside you are treated to contrast stitching, leather everywhere, navigation, and the PDK transmission. Officially rated at 520 horsepower, this car carried a sticker price of $449,890 from all the "Special Wishes" requested by the original owner. The 991 series went out on top, and this example has only been outside for 1,500 miles. Estimated to bring upwards of $330,000, you need a new centerpiece for your collection. Tell us your favorite celebrity car in the comments below! View Details Images (C) Bonham's

By Edward Jones – December 14, 2020

See the Epic Porsche 911 from Cyberpunk 2077 Go for a Spi...

In the new Cyberpunk 2077 game, one of the main characters that you will get to know very well is Johnny Silverhand. This character is played by none other than Keanu Reeves, a man I'd consider to be among the coolest dudes ever. That's why it's a good thing that Johnny Silverhand's "cool" personality matches Keanu's, all the way down to the rides they drive. While we mostly see Keanu on one of his Arch motorcycles in real life, Johnny's ride of choice is a classic Porsche 911 that the automaker just so happened to recreate in real life. You can see the real-life version of this 911 in action in the video down below. Shop Cyberpunk 2077 on Gamestop.com

By Edward Jones – June 11, 2019

Porsche 911 GT2 of Jan Koum, Co-Founder of WhatsApp

Jan Koum co-founded WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, and sold it for a reported $19 billion. At the time of purchase, this was Facebook's largest acquisition ever and one of the largest of its kind, ever. This has afforded Koum the luxury of pursuing his passion for cars. According to Frank Troche, a Porsche aficionado, in a recent article from Porsche, Kaum's collection involves around 100 cars. This includes his prized 993 911 GT2. Kaum's 911 GT2 is one of just 194 examples that were ever created. What's more, it's the only 993 GT2 that was delivered in the Arena Red Metallic paint. After seeing the paint in the images, I wish there were more than just one. View All Porsche 911 GT3 For Sale Porsche's article also goes on to note how Walter Röhrl, the rally racing legend, has a "life-long free pass to take any of Koum's sizeable fleet out for a spin." This pass was given after Troche gave Kaum an amazing birthday present: a day driving around with Röhrl behind the wheel. Kaum was so impressed by Röhrl's precise driving that he gave him special permission when it came to his collection. Letting your friends drive your cars may be scary, but I can't imagine you'd have anything to worry about if someone like Röhrl is behind the wheel. See All Porsches For Sale Source: Porsche Newsroom

By Edward Jones – June 10, 2019

Coldplay Bassist, Guy Berryman, And His Beautiful Classic...

Guy Berryman, the bassist for Coldplay, started loving the Porsche 911 back when he saw Steve McQueen driving one in "Le Mans" (1971). We learn this tidbit of info in a new video from Porsche, where Berryman talks about his classic 1967 Porsche 911 S. The 911S came into the world as a more powerful example of Porsche's air-cooled sports car. How much power did it have? A whopping 160 horsepower. Okay, so that doesn't sound like a lot but it had an extra 30 horsepower than the first 911 models. All Porsche 911 GT2 RS for Sale In the video up above, Berryman talks about how he just had to have a 911 in his collection and he picked a winner. If you're going to have a 911 in your collection, a classic one is a perfect way to go. Berryman would agree, saying that his model is the "first iteration, the first design of the 911." He then goes on to say it's "very pure in its form." Also, Be sure to check out Guy Berryman's car collection. View All Porsche 911s For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 04, 2019

Jerry Seinfeld Tests and Reviews New Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Jerry Seinfeld has spent his life around cars and has even made a new show that involves him driving them (see: Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee). One of the cars he's been quite obsessive over is the Porsche. Whether it be an older model or newer, he seems to have a passion for them all. In fact, he recently visited The Collection to test drive the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Seinfeld noted in an Instagram post that he was "very surprised at the progress from Gen 1 RS" in the 991.2 GT3 RS. He also said: "GT2 is more of an overwhelm of power, of course, but I think for the Pure 911 Obsessed, me, this is the better drive." Seinfeld ended his review by saying the GT3 RS gave him the "most precise Porsche experience ever." Of course, Seinfeld has been in the news lately regarding the sale of a classic Porsche. The new owner has stated that the car is "inauthentic," but we're still awaiting evidence to substantiate the claims. However, Seinfeld's lawyer, Orin Snyder, has said that Seinfeld is “is willing to do what’s right and fair." view the collection's inventory Related Video: " width="680"> Sources: Instagram, AP News

By Andrew Nabors – September 17, 2018

Magnus Walker's Favorite Porsche 911

Magnus Walker has a goal: he wants an example of every Porsche sports car to be in his collection. No matter how many cars he eventually aquires, nothing compares to #277. What started life as a 911 T from 1971, it began a transformation to resemble a '73 RS Carrera. Once he realized the potential of this masterpiece, he raced the car 40-50 times a year. Porsche uploaded the video to YouTube, and it sparked a debate about low-mileage collectibles vs cars that actually get driven.Timelapse Build of Magnus Walker’s Porsche EngineI bought my dream car back in 2001, and it's approaching 100,000 miles. And like Magnus mentions, it is therapeutic to get behind the wheel of an old friend. You know every control without looking, and you also know how hard it can be pushed on the street. Tell us your thoughts on his ideology in the comments below and stay with us for all your Porsche news.Find Your Porsche 911 Here

By Andrew Nabors – August 07, 2018

Porsche Driver Mark Webber and the GT2 RS

It would be a great honor to be chosen to race for Porsche. Their team doesn't make decisions on a whim. They followed the career of Mark Webber, analyzing more variables that we can cover here. In 1994 he was 18 years old. His friend let him drive a new Porsche 911, and he was hooked. His abilities as a driver and being able to work as a team member allowed them to win the World Championship in Bahrain.His thoughts on the latest 911 GT2 RS is that Porsche is never satisfied. The new turbo technology that holds the intake open during brief off-throttle moments allows the car to maintain power through a corner. This footage speaks for itself, so allow Mr. Webber to describe the feelings it evokes, and click the link below to find your new Porsche 911.Porsche 911 GT2 RS For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 06, 2018

Austin Rivers Gets All-Black Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS is starting to be delivered customers all around the globe. One of the recent recipients is none other than Austin Rivers of the Washington Wizards. His example of the Porsche supercar is finished in an all-black color scheme, wheels included. His new ride comes packing an engine capable of producing 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. This engine can propel the super from 0 to 60 mph in a superfast 2.7 seconds, and it was enough to take the car to the top of the Nurburgring leaderboard. Unfortunately, it was recently topped by the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.View the Complete 2018 Porsche GT2 RS Price, Photos & SpecsRivers is no stranger to exotic cars. If you take a scroll through his Instagram account, you'll see pictures of his Mercedes G Wagen, multiple Rolls-Royces and Ferrari F12berlinetta. We can't wait to see what Rivers' career has in store for him and what car he'll pick up next!https://www.instagram.com/p/BmIDbGaBxE0/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1nb48fpgz2jxn

By Andrew Nabors – July 26, 2018

Pro Golfer Paul Casey Warms Up With Porsche 911 GT3 RS

As a native Floridian, golf is a way of life for me. That's why we invited Paul Casey to our office after he won the Valspar Championship at a course near our headquarters. Now, he is preparing for the Porsche European Open, and Porsche allowed him to test the agility of their latest models.2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Specs, Photos, Price & ReviewIn a press release from Porsche, we learn he is ready to take on the world again. The event will take place at the Green Eagle Golf Course today until Sunday. Nearby is the headquarters for ADAC, Germany's largest car club. It has challenging tracks and offroad courses so members can push their cars to their limits, so Mr. Casey was allowed to see just how capable the new 911 GT3 RS really is. Then it was time for vertical adventures in a black 2019 Cayenne. If you want to experience what a new Porsche 911 is capable of, click the link below. Best of luck Mr. Casey, from all of us at duPont REGISTRY!Buy a New Porsche 911

By Andrew Nabors – June 07, 2018

Porsche 911 GT3 RS Talk w/ Mark Webber & Andeas Preuninger

As a Porsche Werks driver, Mark Webber was a brilliant racer in the World Endurance Championship. As the director of Porsche's GT program, Andeas Preuninger knows how to find horsepower in the most unlikely of places.So in a YouTube video uploaded this morning, these two discuss the finer points of the 991.2 GT3 RS. Compared to the 2016 (991.1) model, they deleted every last piece of insulation for a gain of over 6 lbs. To make the engine more robust, the diameter of the crank was increased, and it is fully cross-drilled to keep the rod bearings happy.Most Epic Hypercar Drag Races Include Porsche 911 GT1 vs Mercedes CLK GTRThis was done to tune out new harmonics caused by the elimination of hydraulic lifters. That's right, Porsche is going old-school with a solid lifter valvetrain. Not only do they sound amazing it allows the 346 lb-ft of torque to arrive at lower rpm. Without the oil pump having to support 12 lifters, drag was reduced on the accessory drive. This unlocked 20 horsepower and it offers a great acoustical symphony. Andreas is correct in saying these are the sounds we love, even the pebbles hitting the carbon fiber inner fenders are useful info to the driver. Of course, if you want all the specs, click the link below and stay with us for all your Porsche 911 updates.Browse Porsche 911 GT3 RS For Sale

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