Celebrity Cars

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 – December 13, 2018

Ken Block's Hoonitruck Secrets Revealed

If you haven't been watching the progress of the Hoonigans, The Gymkhana Files is Amazon's hottest show. It details the trials and tribulations leading up to Gymkhana 10, including outtakes from their previous films. Aside from Mr. Block, the real star of the show is the Hoonitruck. Taking inspiration from the Hoonicorn Mustang, this twin-turbo 1977 F150 is All Wheel Drive. But unlike their previous builds, they chose the skilled fabricators at Detroit Speed. Starting with a stock 1977 Ford truck, the body and frame were 3D scanned, leaving only the cab floor and A-pillars original. Their modular system has revolutionized the aftermarket. Our friends at BLVD customs transformed a 1969 Camaro into a pro-touring masterpiece with their complete system. It uses clevis joints to join each section, which transforms service and replacement from days to minutes. Doors and bed sides were hammered out of aluminum, and they are replaced with steel when filming. The EcoBoost V6 has the same internal dimensions as the Raptor's production engine, but it uses a Roush-Yates billet block and heads from the LeMans-winning Ford GT. Ken lost his dad at an early age, and many of his warmest memories revolve around learning to drive in a '77 Ford. We're excited to see what this mean machine is capable of, so Amazon Prime members get ready for the action. If you don't have prime, it will eventually make it to YouTube, so stay with us for all your updates. Related: Check Out the Sultan of Brunei's Collection! Ken Block Previews Gymkhana 10

By Edward Jones – December 05, 2018

DJ La Fuente's TECHART GrandGT

DJ La Fuente, the famous electronic artist from The Netherlands, is a huge fan of cars. If you check his Instagram, you'll see plenty of different exotic cars, including his new TECHART GrandGT Supreme. This car is a based on the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Turismo and a sleek new style thanks to TECHART's distinctive kit. The TECHART GrandGT kit comes with a list of new body pieces that provide the new look. Up front is a new front apron with a splitter, as well as larger air intakes. Covering the engine is a new hood made of carbon fiber, which helps reduce the car's weight. Side skirts add flair, as do the wheel arches that widen the car by 50 mm in the front and 80 mm in the rear. Step to the back end and you're greeted with a new diffuser with four fins that border the tailpipes. You can learn more about TECHART by visiting their website.

By Andrew Nabors – June 13, 2018

TECHART Unveils 2018 Grand GT for DJ La Fuente

You can't deny the appeal of Porsche's new Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo. It has power and looks, but our friends at TECHART always find a way to improve everything they get their hands on. That's why the hottest DJ in the Netherlands asked them to transform his new Panamera into the Grand GT.TECHART GrandGT Takes Porsche Panamera to New LevelsDJ La Fuente (@djlafuente) wanted the very best, so the Grand GT arrived with their first production body kit. The carbon fiber components allow their Formula IV 2-tone wheels to give it the perfect stance. The high-flow stainless exhaust allows the turbos to be heard, and the tips are also carbon fiber. The hood is also carbon, along with a few interior accents. Every piece of leather is from TECHART's hand stitched interior artists, and this even includes the trunk mat. Take a look at their work below and stay with us for all your TECHART updates!

By Edward Jones – September 25, 2017

Ken Block Drifts Pikes Peak in 1,400 Horsepower Mustang

Pike's Peak is famous for its scenery, long stretch of twisting roads and treacherous nature. Many have lost their lives while sprinting up the hill climb, including Carl Sorensen, a motorcyclist that passed away on June 25, 2015 at the age of 39.To face the hill climb head-on, madman Ken Block took his 1,400 horsepower through the Pikes Peak hill climb. This insane drift car is actually called the 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2. Yes, this monster is the one-and-only Hoonicorn. What makes this 1,400 hp Mustang even cooler? It's all-wheel drive.Check out the glorious run in the video below. No music. No commentary. Just engine.

By Edward Jones – October 24, 2016

Jon Olsson's Monster Lamborghini Delivered: Fastest in Eu...

Jon Olsson, the professional skier/owner and driver of some of the coolest cars in the world, has just added a monster Lamborghini Huracan to his collection.About 7 months ago Olsson revealed a new addition to his collection: a white Huracan. In the pictures revealing the car, body panels on the car were taken off and he was alluding to a complete makeover of the car. We weren't exactly sure what that meant, but now we know what he had plans for.For this car, Olsson had Stertman Motorsport install a VF engineering supercharger kit as the base and then had them tweak the kit. In a blog post made on October 22 by Olsson, he notes that normal VF cars have around 800+ hp on tap, but this specific car is "quite a bit more extreme." SourceOther additions made to the car include an Akrapovic exhaust system, Eventure carbon fiber air intakes, K&W suspension, Girodisc brakes, 56Nord ski box and, of course, the camo wrap by Wrapzone.Will Olsson take this Lamborghini up a mountain? Will he take it on a rally? If his previous antics are any testament, then yes, he most certainly will but we'll have to wait to see it all happen.All Lamborghini For Sale

By Edward Jones – May 18, 2015

Jared Leto's Joker Seen in Vaydor G35 in Set Footage of S...

Update: The YouTube videos have been blocked by Warner Bros. Entertainment on copyright grounds. Every super hero or super villain needs an awesome ride, i.e. Batman and his Batmobile or Iron Man and his Audi R8. Now, it looks like Jared Leto's Joker character in the upcoming movie "Suicide Squad" will be driving a unique automobile.https://twitter.com/greenlanttern/status/600161644065464321In two videos uploaded yesterday, May 17, by YouTuber mrshinyguitar, we get our first look at Leto acting as the Joker on set with Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn). In the videos, Leto and Robbie are acting together, but one thing remains static: a chrome red car. After some searching, I found out that this car is actually an Infiniti G35 with a body kit by a company called Vaydor.See More Celebrity CarsCheck out the videos below to see Leto's Joker in action and see his new whip. Also, be sure to leave your thoughts on the new Joker and his car in the comments below.https://twitter.com/BatmanNewsCom/status/600189913326313472https://twitter.com/brittbellgardt/status/600268696989224960https://twitter.com/BatmanNewsCom/status/600184827103604736 (Source: YouTube via IGN and Batman-News)

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