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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 – October 11, 2021

TOYZ autoart Reveals One-of-a-Kind TECHART Kobe Bryant Ho...

A legendary homage to the legend himself. It's been well over a year since Kobe Bryant's passing, but the world has shown that they will never forget him. A perfect example of this is TOYZ autoart's latest creation, a one-of-a-kind TECHART Turbo that's an homage to the legendary Kobe Bryant. This very special supercar is based on the Porsche 911 Turbo S but it is far from being stock. As you can see from the images down below, it features a purple and yellow color scheme that mimics the LA Lakers jersey. From what we can tell, it's loaded with TECHART touches like the aerokit and sports exhaust system. TECHART notes in the Instagram post that more will be coming of this home supercar, so be sure to check back with us for more information and images as it's all released. View TOYZ autoart Inventory View this post on Instagram A post shared by TECHART (@techart_germany)

By Edward Jones – October 06, 2021

See Ken Block Drive the Electric Audi e-tron Vision GT Co...

Never thought we'd see this happen, that's for sure. We know that Ken Block is a master of driving cars powered by internal combustion engines. But, what about electric race cars? Block gave us the answer to that question in his most recent video where he test out the insane electric Audi e-tron Vision GT concept race car. It's honestly wild that this moment happened considering that the e-tron Vision GT was made for a video game and it's rare that automakers create real-life versions of digital concepts. What's more, the fact that Block was able to drive it during his visit to Ingolstadt, Germany is also wild. Granted, this is just one of the many perks that Block now has since he partnered with Audi. Click play up above to see Block rip the three-motor electric race car, as well as an Audi V8 DTM Car around the track. Also, if you haven't check it out, you should see him take the Group B Sport Quattro S1 E2 out for a spin. Audi R8s For Sale Source: Ken Block/YouTube

By Edward Jones – October 01, 2021

Ken Block Drives and Drifts Iconic Audi Rally Cars

A Sport Quattro would be a great replacement for the Hoonicorn. While it was sad to see Ken Block and Ford part ways, he has found a new life with Audi and the benefits are already coming to fruition. Block recently visited Audi's headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany, and made a stop by Audi Tradition. If you've never heard of Audi Tradition, that's because it's actually the automaker's secret storage facility where dream cars are stored. While his visit was a dream experience in and of itself, it became even an even better experience when he got to drive two of the historic cars. The cars Block was able to drive were a Group B Sport Quattro S1 E2 that Walter Röhrl drove and a secret Group S prototype car. Group S was actually a planned series that would have essentially been even more extreme than the already treacherous Group B. After Group B was canceled, it makes sense that Group S followed suit. Now, enough talk. Click play up above to see these historic rally cars in action for yourself. " width="680"> Source: Ken Block/YouTube

By Edward Jones – September 30, 2021

DeMarcus Ware and DeMarcus Lawrence Meet Up in Ultra-Luxu...

Introducing Avondale Group's first episode of "INTERSECTIONS," a series dedicated to bringing together business leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and creative visionaries so that they can discover common "intersections" between them. For the first episode of Avondale Group's "INTERSECTIONS," they brought together DeMarcus Ware, a former Dallas Cowboy, and DeMarcus Lawrence, a current Dallas Cowboy. The video takes place at The Olana, a beautiful event venue located in Hickory Creek, Texas. Their rides that provided travel to the event were provided by Avondale Group and were a 2021 Bentley Flying Spur W12 and a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost. These two ultra-luxury vehicles may be from different automakers, but they both offer abundant luxury albeit in different manners. Click play on the video above to see the compelling video for yourself and learn more about these two incredible athletes. View Avondale Group Inventory Source: Avondale Group

By Edward Jones – September 22, 2021

Ken Block Joins Forces With Audi

Can we please see him drive the Audi RS Q e-tron? Ken Block and Audi have just announced a new and exciting partnership that will have the famous rally driver in a much more electrified position. Block will be aiding Audi in their future electric mobility department and will be launching exclusive projects in the future. While he may be known for driving so many race cars with internal combustion engines, like the Hoonicorn, he will be looking towards the future of electrified vehicles. “Electric mobility is the future”, says Block. “I see the electric car as a leap forward for us as a society in order to create something that can not only reduce emissions and hopefully make the planet a better place. But not only that: it’s also about performance. I love anything that makes me go faster. Electric cars can do that. And as far as sound goes, I have kids who don’t care about that. They think that the sound of electric cars is just as cool as the sound of internal combustion engines.” Be sure to keep an eye out for more from Ken Block and Audi in the future. Browse Audi e-trons For Sale Source: Audi

By Edward Jones – September 17, 2021

Real-Life Halo Warthog Built by Hoonigan

Rear-mounted machine gun not included. Duh. If you happened to be at the premiere for the film 'Fall Guy,' you probably saw a wicked real-life Warthog from the video game series 'Halo'. That specific Warthog was actually created by Ken Block's team at Hoonigan and it's most definitely not just a show car. Powering this Warthog is a Ford Windsor 438ci V8 engine with two Garrett Motion turbo attached. In total, this Halo-inspired off-roader can push out over 1,000 horsepower. And when I say it's an off-roader, I truly mean it. Hoonigan equipped this Warthog with four-wheel steering, suspension that's ready to travel, and big beefy tires bigger than Beaver Creek. Down below, you can see the build process for Hoonigan's Halo Warthog, included its first start-up. If you'd like to drive a Warthog yourself, you can do that and more in Halo Infinite which releases on December 8, 2021. " width="680"> " width="680">

By Edward Jones – September 16, 2021

Dennis Schroder Posts About "Fumbling The Bag" With His B...

Making light of his... situation. Dennis Schroder is having a good time making fun of his decision to reject the LA Laker's contract offer of $84 million for four years, only to sign with the Boston Celtics for $5.9 million for one year. Recently, Schroder posted a gallery to his Instagram page that not only includes memes about him "fumbling the bag," but also his Rolls-Royce Dawn and Bugatti Chiron. While he is making less than what he would've been if he had signed the other contract, he's still able to flex by loading up his Bugatti with his owns bags. That Bugatti Chiron alone is worth around $3 million, so he's doing quite well no matter the contract he signed. Browse Bugatti Chirons For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CT2ibrTsWAK/

By Edward Jones – September 13, 2021

Vin Diesel Paid Lewis Hamilton a Visit at the Italian GP

At least Hamilton had a friend at Monza to cheer him up. The 2021 Italian GP at Monza was undoubtedly an exciting race for many reasons, whether it be Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris taking first and second place for McLaren, or the terrifying crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. While Ricciardo and Norris were celebrating, Hamilton was dealing with a DNF and Verstappen would eventually learn of his penalties for the accident. At the very least, Hamilton did have a special visitor in the paddock and that would be none other than Vin Diesel. Hamilton posted images of the two together on his Instagram account, including one of Vin Diesel posing with the Mercedes-AMG F1 car. It's always nice to have friends nearby when you hit tough times. https://www.instagram.com/p/CTxACSpFJgt/ Source: @lewishamilton/Instagram

By Edward Jones – September 02, 2021

will.i.am Reveals the New 831 HP Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E P...

Introducing Mercedes-AMG's most powerful vehicle to date. Out of nowhere, will.i.am has introduced the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance to the world and it's a new hybrid model that's honestly shocked us all. This new AMG sedan is powered by a hybrid powertrain that is out of this world. Consisting of a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine and an electric motor, the entire powertrain's output is a whopping 831 horsepower and 1,033 lb-ft of torque. Those figures make the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance the most powerful production car from Affalterbach. Mercedes-AMG notes that the sedan can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 196 mph. As mentioned before, will.i.am was the one behind the unveiling of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance and there's a reason behind it. Going forward, will.i.am will be Mercedes-AMG's brand ambassador for all electrified models or their "Future of Driving Performance" vehicles. So, be sure to keep an eye out for him because every time he appears with a Mercedes, it will be with an exciting electrified one. It should be mentioned that the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance that was unveiled was for Europe only and a model adapted for the U.S. market will be announced in the future. See All Mercedes-AMG GT 63 For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz

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By Edward Jones – August 09, 2021

Cristiano Ronaldo's New BRABUS G-Wagon is Stunning

He showed his new ride on Instagram. While Lionel Messi is in the news for his departure from Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo is showing off his beautiful new ride. This new ride is his BRABUS 800 SUV based on the Mercedes-AMG G63. With 789 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque, Ronaldo's new SUV is capable of running 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. Let's be honest, a player as fast as Ronaldo needs an equally fast SUV, and that's where BRABUS comes in. His example has also been given an all-black appearance that's seriously stylish. Cristiano Ronaldo has also been in the automotive news recently for his visit to Ferrari's headquarters and his purchase of a McLaren Senna. If you'd like to learn more about BRABUS and their incredible creations, be sure to visit BRABUS.com. https://www.instagram.com/p/CSXIAR3KV-0/?utm_medium=copy_link Source: @cristiano/Instagram via @constantin_brabus/Instagram

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