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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

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By Tyler Rampersaud – September 16, 2024

Luka Dončić x Forza Horizon 5 Reveal New '69 Camaro Colla...

One of the NBA’s biggest stars enters the world of Forza Horizon. At only 25 years old, Luka Dončić has become one of the most prominent players in the NBA, rising to stardom in the Dallas Mavericks as one of the most talented and formidable players in the league. However, his fame has already expanded beyond basketball, debuting a line of sneakers with Jordan and now entering the world of racing video games with his latest collaboration with Forza Horizon 5. The thrilling open-world video game allows players to experience a fantastic collection of cars, exploring on and off-road environments behind the wheels of high-performance and unique, exclusive gems of the automotive industry. The new collaboration with Luka Dončić features a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. The legendary classic muscle car is transformed into a custom, exclusive edition with a wide body kit and a special livery that echoes the Luka Jordan 3. Details like the signature Jordan print and white Jordan script on the tires make the muscle car truly special. Players of Forza Horizon 5 can download the new Jordan Luka 3-inspired Chevrolet Camaro in the game now. If you don’t have the game, it’s available now for Xbox Series X systems, and you can buy the game and get behind the wheel of this stunning exclusive collaborative Chevrolet Camaro by clicking the button below. Shop Forza Horizon 5 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Forza Horizon (@forzahorizonofficial)

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 18, 2024

Drake & Arthur Kar Spotted Teasing The New NOCTA x L'Art ...

Drake x L'Art give us another sneak peek inside its upcoming release! Recently announced as one of the most popular streetwear collaborations of the year, L'Art de l'automobile preps for an exclusive upcoming release with Drake's NOCTA clothing line. Being a passionate car collector who's owned the keys to incredible cars that include the Ferrari LaFerrari, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet, Rolls-Royce Cullinan by Chrome Hearts, BRABUS Crawler, and many more, it's no surprise to hear the Drake (@champagnepapi) wanted the collection to be inspired by the legendary Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. The new collaboration was recently teased as Drake sat courtside at the Houston Rockets game wearing the NOCTA x L'Art de l'automobile blue racing jacket. On the other side of the world in Paris, France, Arthur Kar sported the same jacket as he posted a video tour around his jaw-dropping inventory of supercars with a pet rabbit in hand. Along with the already-revealed hat and jacket, the lineup will also include a pair of NOCTA x Nike sneakers. Teaser shots of the pieces showcased in the limited-edition apparel line are making waves in the streetwear community, guaranteeing an instant sellout upon its release. While we are still awaiting confirmation on an official release date, stay tuned into duPont REGISTRY for more updates on the all-new NOCTA x L'Art de l'automobile release. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HIGHSNOBIETY (@highsnobiety) Source: Highsnobiety

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 18, 2021

Watch Magnus Walker x Ishod Wair Talk Porsche And New Nik...

Combining Porsche x Sneakers x Skateboarding in one Nike SB Dunk. As we grow closer to the Nike SB x Magnus Walker ‘277’ sneaker release, we learn more about the DNA behind the project. In a video recently released on the Nike SB Instagram page, Magnus meets up with professional Nike skateboarder Ishod Wair to talk cars and shoes. As an avid Porsche enthusiast, Magnus explains the design behind the Nike SB ‘277’, and how underneath the shoe’s livery is a gold base, just like his car. While enjoying a drive through Los Angeles, Ishod Wair gives us a glimpse at his Porsche 964 Carrera, hoping for more space to buy more cars. The anticipated Nike SB x Magnus Walker ‘277’ sneaker is set to release on June 25th in select skate shops and online. Shop all of the current Nike SB Collections by clicking the link below. Shop Nike SB https://www.instagram.com/p/CQPNc4Spgb2/ For more Gear news, Check out The GearBox: Gear For The M8 Competition Gran Coupe

By Edward Jones – July 23, 2020

Jamie O'Brien's Baja Surfari Polaris General is the Most ...

Jamie O'Brien recently set off to explore the lost coast of Baja California in search of unknown waves to surf, but he needed something special to allow him to traverse the deserts. For that job, he had the wicked Baja Surfari Polaris General UTV built by UTV Underground. This UTV is anything but stock and is full of enhancements that make it a perfect vehicle for a Baja surf trip. The UTV itself is a Polaris General, but the upgrades have turned it into the Baja Surfari General. UTV Underground added a custom cage and front bumper just in case they saw a perfect wave break, got psyched, and didn't see a boulder in front of them. The custom UTV also has custom graphics, BFGoodrich tires around KMC Wheels, HCR Suspension Long Travel Suspension Kit, XDR Exhaust, plenty of lights to brighten up the Baja trails, PRP RS Suspension Seats, PRP 4.3 Harnesses, Rockford Fosgate audio system, radio communications, fire extinguisher kit, waterproof first-aid kit, fridge freezer, winch, tool kit, rinse kit, and, of course, surf racks. With all of those components combined, the Baja Surfari Polaris General is the perfect vehicle fora Baja surf trip. Don't believe me? Check out the video below to see J.O.B. take it out to some incredible point breaks in Baja California. Just imagine being on this trip and surfing these waves without having to worry about being snaked. What a dream. Source: UTV Undergound via HiConsumption

By Edward Jones – November 09, 2018

Conor McGregor Launches New Sneaker by Stepping Out of Fe...

Conor McGregor is back in the spotlight (as if he ever left) with the launch of the new 2018 Reebok Sole Fury sneakers. As an ambassador for the brand, he posted up with a white Ferrari 458 for a photo shoot while donning the new sneakers. The new Sole Fury's have also been endorsed by a number of other celebrities, including Cardi B, Lil Baby, Brandin Cooks and Nathalie Emmanuel. As for the sneaker itself, Reebok says they were built with a "distinctive split-tooling outsole that pay homage to '90s running shoes." They have a neoprene and mesh upper construction, as well as Reebok's Split Cushioning technology for maximum comfort and lightest weight. Their price tag is set for $90 in both men's and women's. shop these sneakers now https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp7ehRuDsvd/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=u866z073hucq

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