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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 – November 23, 2016

Tommy Hilfiger's Ferrari Enzo Heading to RM Sotheby's Ari...

Fashion and Ferrari have been the motivating forces behind the world's most coveted cars. The founder of the company that bears his name, Enzo always stayed on the leading edge of the industry in terms of style and innovation. As our publisher can attest, naming a brand after yourself is a bold move. Thirty years ago the fashion industry probably scoffed at the idea of an unknown American designer who set out to change the industry. We have Tommy Hilfiger to thank for pulling us out of the despair of 80's clothing with his innovative and classy clothing. As a way to reward himself for becoming a menswear magnate, he purchased the car that changed the automotive world.(Related - This is What Taking Delivery of a Ferrari Enzo is Like) As a fitting tribute to the father of the brand, the Ferrari Enzo was a street-legal F1 car. The body is a one-piece monocoque of carbon fiber draped over a naturally aspirated V12 engine. Inboard suspension and carbon ceramic brakes were taken straight from the racing programs, along with technologies not allowed on the track. Traction control and active aerodynamics are banned in most racing classes in order to level the playing field. But a car worthy of this name is still capable of outperforming almost anything on the street, even thirteen years after it was produced.This 2003 Enzo was a wise investment, as they have been selling for nice profits in recent years. RM Sotheby's upcoming Arizona auction will bring many collectible cars to Scottsdale in January, but this one is predicted to be a show stopper. Ferrari only produced 349 examples of the Enzo, but this one has only seen 3,622 miles since 2003. Driven just enough to keep the battery charged, this is an opportunity to purchase a time capsule.No signs of wear inside or out, the original tires should probably be stored away for posterity. If you have a few million dollars burning a hole in your pocket, this Enzo is probably a wise investment. We will be in Scottsdale patiently waiting for this car to cross the block, so tell us what you think it will hammer for, and stay with us for complete coverage of the event. For more information on the car and how to register, please head over to RM Sotheby's here. We have a few other examples to choose from, so check out the listings from our dealers for a new centerpiece of your collection.All Ferrari Enzo For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 20, 2016

Could Paul Walker's Character Make a Comeback in Fast & F...

Paul Walker's character, Brian O'Connor, was noticeably cut short in the most recent installment of the Fast Franchise. Fans who mourned his untimely death in November 2013 have questions about how the franchise will continue on without him. According to a recent article from Entertainment Weekly, it's possible the franchise hasn't seen the end of the beloved Brian O'Connor.In the article, Walker's brothers, Caleb and Cody Walker, spoke about their brother's character returning to the films down the line, which could definitely be possible given there are three more movies already contracted. In the article, Walker's brother, Caleb, talks about a phone call he'd had with Vin Diesel in which they discussed the possibility of Walker's character returning. The brothers, the rest of the cast and Universal want to ensure that if the character does return, Walker's memory and image are respected.Fast 8 is scheduled for release in April 2017, and though the brothers stated O'Connor could appear "down the line" in the films, we be fans are wondering if he'll make an appearance in the new film. For now, here's a video of some great Brian O'Connor scenes from the movies.

By Edward Jones – September 12, 2016

BMW Champ Dustin Johnson and Pros Whip BMWs Around Track

Over the weekend, professional golfers gathered at the Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana for the 2016 BMW Championship. Taking the overall win was Dustin Johnson, with Paul Casey in second place and Roberto Castro in third.Before the golfers teed off for the championship, BMW invited a few out to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for some high-speed time with a few of their cars. "I enjoyed the M3," said Johnson in a video from BMW Golfsport. "I've owned a couple M3s, I liked 'em. I think they perform the best on the track." But could he drive as well as he golfs? Check out the videos below to see these professional golfers whip about some German sports cars before they hit the green. View All M3s For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 30, 2016

Will.i.am's Custom Wide Body Tesla Model S is Everything

When spending good money on a car, say around $100,000 or so, you might as well take it a step further and customize the vehicle to make it completely unique, right? Will.i.am, along with countless other celebrities, thought so. In this installment of amazing celebrity customizations, Will.i.am is the star alongside is Tesla Model S. This may well be the first time we've seen this extensive amount of customization on the completely electric car.(Related: Gordon Ramsay Spotted in his Ferrari California T)This wide-bodied Model S features specialty modifications to the door panels, rear and wheels, giving it a true, "supercar" feel to match its Ludicrous acceleration speeds. Intakes have been added to the door panels and the windows have been blacked out, adding to the menacing appearance of this custom job. The narrator of the YouTube video, effspot, states Will.i.am owns an auto shop, which would make it rather easy for him to make these extensive modifications to his vehicle. Check out the full video below for a look at the customized Tesla Model S.Tesla Model S for Sale

By Edward Jones – August 24, 2016

Floyd Mayweather Ordering Insane kode57 Supercar

Presented at The Quail during Monterey Car Week was a total surprise known as the kode57. The car was designed by Ken Okuyama,who is also responsible for cars like the Ferrari Enzo and Maserati Quattroporte. This new car pays homage to the year 1957, which Okuyama says was an iconic year in automotive manufacturing.Supercars For SaleThe car itself holds a unique visual appearance, which was crafted out of an aluminum space frame and carbon fiber body panels. For the driver and passenger, a cabin awaits them that is most definitely driver-oriented. To differentiate the two seats is a color coordinated interior made of leather and ultra-suede. Photo by: Jordan ShirakiPowering the car is a V12 engine that is capable of 612 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of torque. With an available NOVITEC upgrade, the V12 will be able to produce 692 horsepower and 472 lb-ft. Power from the V12 is routed through a 6-speed semi-automatic transmission.One collector who plans on purchasing the car is none other than Floyd Mayweather. When speaking with Obi Okeke, the North American contact for sales, he told us that Mayweather does plan on ordering a kode57 for his own personal collection. If you're interested in picking one up for yourself, be sure to contact Obi by visiting LiquidTorque.com.

By Edward Jones – July 18, 2016

The Rock Arrives to "Ballers" Premiere in Custom Pagani H...

For the premiere of HBO's hit television show Ballers, the star of the show, The Rock, showed up in a Pagani Huayra driven by Brett David, owner of Prestige Imports and Pagani Miami.Named "Project Vulcan", this Huayra was built specifically for David. The whole process of customizing his car and having it built took a total of two years, and it was finally delivered to him at the end of last year. “The entire process has been amazing. It’s things like being able to go behind the curtains and seeing what goes on behind the scenes that makes ordering a Pagani so special," said Brett. "Instead of feeling like a dealer, I felt like a customer for once.”Learn More About This Pagani Huayra Source: Instagram/@brett_davidKnowing just how rare and special this car is, it's fitting that it was the ride of choice for The Rock when traveling to the premiere of his show that is all about living a lavish life. And it's even more fitting that the premiere took place in Miami, where the show takes place. In the show, he's driven cars like the McLaren 650S and a custom Porsche Panamera.What's funny about the whole scenario is that the massive actor surely had to struggle to get out of the car. In an Instagram post he said in the caption: "0-60 in 2.9 seconds. And it took me 16.8 seconds to exit the vehicle cause I don't f*ckin' fit in it." View Paganis For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 14, 2016

Patrick Dempsey Introduces the 2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo

When he is not acting, Patrick Dempsey enjoys winning races. As an owner/driver he currently competes in the Tudor United Sports Car Series in his 911 GT America. As a global ambassador for the brand, he invited Porsche inside his elegant home for a retrospective interview. Uploaded earlier today, this unique format is a series of still photos and short videos that require a lot of scrolling.His addiction began at age 18 when he bought a 1963 Porsche 356 Speedster, which he still owns. Moving on to the Panamera Turbo, he contrasts the advances of the new model and addresses some of the weaker points of the previous generation. Under the hood is a new 4.0L V8 with reverse-flow cylinder heads that place the turbos in the V. Mercedes will probably call them a copycat, but you can't argue with 542 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque sent to all wheels. For the complete interview click here.More than just a spokesperson, he took the car to Goodwood earlier this month. Offering the engineers critical feedback at the hill climb is just one of the reasons why the new Panamera is light years beyond its predecessor.Panameras For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 19, 2016

Danica Patrick the... Lyft Driver?

It's just a normal weekday and you're ready to call Lyft for a ride home from work. The driver, though nice enough, keeps making strange references to racing and challenges other drivers to stop light drag races. She seems a little aggressive, talking about how she takes turns too fast and hates waiting at stop lights. Maybe a little panic comes over you, or maybe this is exactly the kind of ride you needed after a long day at the office. Well this is different, you think to yourself, and then that Lyft driver reveals that's she's actually the famous race-car driver, Danica Patrick. Day. Made.Danica Patrick, the most successful woman race driver in American history, turned heads and made a name for herself when she stepped out on the scene at the Indianapolis 500 in May 2005. During the race, she led for 19 laps and took home 4th place-- a first for a woman in the industry. She continues to dominate the scene today, and only gets better with time.Concealing her identity with some oversized aviator glasses and a floppy beanie, Danica Patrick gives a few unsuspecting Lyft customers a ride they won't soon forget. In the video below, watch the hilarious reactions from the Lyft passengers at Patrick's mercy. All we know is we're wishing we were in Charlotte, North Carolina and in need of a Lyft that day.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 09, 2016

Did Lionel Messi Buy a $35.7 Million Ferrari?

A certain 1957 Ferrari, which sold for $35.7 million, garnered much attention at the 2016 Retromobile Salon held in France. Artcurial is stating that this is the "world record price for a motor car at auction" in a press release dated February 2, 2016 (in the release they note that it is the world auction record for a collectors' car in euros and sterling). The buyer who is currently unknown, is suspected to be Lionel Messi. Autoevolution reports that some famous soccer players (Cristian Ronaldo and Lionel Messi) both placed bets on the car. Though the purchase has not been confirmed at this time, it has been reported in a press release from Sport.es that Messi placed the highest bet and won the vehicle. Messi Car Collection :: How Many Cars Does He Own? However, CNBC is also reporting that the owner of the car is actually Brian Ross, the owner of Ross Development in Cortland, Ohio. The 1957 Ferrari in question is a beautiful, limited edition 335 Sport Spider Scaglietti. Finished in Ferrari's signature red, this 335 was the first to break 200 kph (approx 124 mph) at the Le Mans 24 Hour. The car boasts 400-hp and a 4.1-liter V12 Tipo 140 engine. So, do you think Lionel Messi went home with this incredible example? Check out the video below for more details on the 355.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 08, 2016

Revealed: List of 18 Cars from Jerry Seinfeld's Collectio...

This year's Amelia Island Auction, slated for March 11, 2016 in Amelia Island, Florida will proudly auction off a selection of collector cars from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection. Gooding & Company released the full selection from The Seinfeld Collection late last week. As stated in the press release, the selection will include: 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder (est. $5-6 million) 1959 Porsche 718 RSK 1958 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS/GT Carrera Speedster (est. $2-2.5 million) 2000 Porsche Carrera GT Prototype 1990 Porsche 962C 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR (est. $1.2-1.5 million) 1998 Porsche 993 3.8 Cup RSR 1963 Porsche 356 B 2000 GS Carrera 2 Coupe 1994 Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 S Flachbau 1957 Porsche 356 A Speedster 2012 Porsche 997 GT3 4.0 Cup “Brumos Commemorative Edition” 1958 Porsche 597 Jagdwagen 2011 Porsche 997 Speedster 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster 1966 Porsche 911 1964 Volkswagen Camper 1960 Volkswagen Beetle Jerry Seinfeld, a long-time lover and collector of many exclusive Porsche models stated:“Each one of these cars is a pinnacle of mechanical culture to me. Many are the best examples that exist in the world. I’ve loved being entrusted with their care, and I’m proud of the level to which we have brought each and every one of these wonderful machines... And the reason I wanted to bid these cars farewell in this way is really just to see the look of excitement on the faces of the next owners who I know will be out of their minds with joy that they are going to get to experience them."Which example from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection would you love to get your hands on? Tell us in the comments below.Porsches For Sale

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