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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 – September 27, 2018

Stephen Colbert Cruises NYC in NASA's Mars Rover

NASA is developing a new prototype for the Mars Rover that will pave the way for exploration on the rocky planet. Having played a multitude of sci-video games and watched plenty of sci-fi television shows, this prototype looks like it fits the role of being an exploration vehicle on a distant planet. But my opinion doesn't really matter to NASA. For that, they've asked Stephen Colbert, along with friend and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, to take it for a cruise around New York City. In the cruise, they barely hit speeds higher than 3 mph, but this rover wasn't meant to win races. Check out the shenanigans for yourself in the video below. If you've ever wanted to see how these two would prepare for a space trip, you'll have your question answered in the video. Close Look at the New Lexus Spacecraft, SKYJET

By Edward Jones – September 27, 2018

Eric Clapton's $4 Million Ferrari SP12 EC Spotted

Eric Clapton is known to be quite the collector of cars, having amassed a collection that includes many Ferraris. For one of his latest acquisitions, he went straight to Ferrari to create a one-off sports car. The result is the SP12 EC, a bespoke car that was inspired by the 512 BB. It has many features that mirror the 512, and TheTFJJ's latest video gives us a chance to see the two cars next to each other for comparison's sake. The car was spotted by the YouTuber at HR Owen Ferrari, where it was surrounded by other incredible cars like an F40, LaFerrari, F12tdf and many others. Ferrari 458 Italia Specs, Price, Photos & Review Going back to the SP12 EC, it's based around on a 458, which is noticeable when you look at the wheels and exhaust. It's finished in the beautiful Rosso Fiorano paint, giving the car a nice deep shade of red. As for the name of the car, it's quite interesting. The name "SP12" may be a bit misleading to some because it's actually the eleventh Ferrari Special Project Car, according to TheTFJJ. He says that the reason for this is because Clapton's lucky number is three and 1+2=3, hence the use of the number "12" instead of "11." Check it all out in the video below.

By Andrew Nabors – September 25, 2018

President Trump's New Cadillac Spotted in Manhattan

If you need the ultimate in armored luxury, the Secret Service will not help you. That's because the Presidential Limo is loaded with top secret technology. Fox News published the first images of the new 'Beast' last night. It shares a resemblance to President Obama's Beast, but the advancements are easy to see. Using influences from the latest Cadillac CT6, that is all it shares with a production car. The Trump Lamborghini Aventador: Trumpventador What details we do know is that it rides on a heavy-duty truck chassis to support the thick armor. Everyone likes to think the engine is something advanced when in reality it is probably carbureted big-block Chevy with a points-style ignition. This makes it impervious to Electromagnetic Weapons, and the huge energy surge released by atomic weapons. You won't find these tires at any shop, because they have several composite layers in addition to a solid inner tube to support the car in case they are deflated. The cooling system has better ballistic protection than a tank because a radiator would be the first place an attacker would aim for. Look at the thick doors of Beast 1.0 (Source)For the 5 occupants inside, their air is treated for chemical, biological, and radiation before it reaches the A/C. The car also has onboard oxygen tanks in case of a dirty bomb. Being able to shrug off a 20mm incendiary is mandatory for traveling through scenic 3rd world destinations, and the way it does so uses the latest in metallurgy and acrylics. Along with redundant communication systems, the weight probably offers a smooth ride. Along with his family and the Secret Service, the Beast also carries the "Nuclear Football". If the US is attacked, it provides enough time to transmit launch orders to the National Command Authority. GM is building a dozen examples to keep the bad guys guessing, and to ensure our VIPs can survive any situation. Check out the prototype in the film below and stay with us for all your exotic car news. Click the link below to browse Terradyne Gurkhas for sale, because it is the closest we will ever get!Browse Gurkhas For Sale Featured Image Source: Instagram / @danscavino

By Andrew Nabors – September 25, 2018

Jamie Foxx Takes Delivery of Customized Vanderhall Venice

It has only been 8 months since Jamie Foxx took delivery of a new Vanderhall Venice. Since then, the factory in Provo, Utah has tripled in size to keep up with the backlog of orders. Their new custom shop has the ability to build your Vanderhall to order, so the talented Mr. Foxx had to see what they are capable of.Jamie Foxx And His New Vanderhall VeniceUploaded to his Instagram over the weekend, the new Venice arrived with some nice upgrades. The interior is diamond-stitched leather and the tires are more aggressive than earlier models. Black wheels and yellow calipers match the yellow accents on the body. A new rear fender for 2018 improves aerodynamics and keeps road debris out of the suspension.He is a savvy auto investor, as other items like his Rezvani Tank will also hold their value. The Venice is a bargain, as it offers turbocharged power for under $30,000. Driving one to the Orange County Auto Show last year, I can tell you they have shocking acceleration and incredible steering feedback. Click the link below to check out what's new for 2019, and stay with us for all your Vanderhall news.Button Text View this post on Instagram There is almost as much joy at rest as in motion with Vanderhall: @iamjamiefoxx taking delivery of his customized Venice. ?: @iamted7 @microtrilogy_films @daveophilly #vanderhall #theroadiscalling #escapethemundane #jamiefoxx A post shared by Vanderhall Motor Works (@vanderhall) on Sep 22, 2018 at 7:24am PDT Source: Instagram (@vanderhall, @iamjamiefoxx)

By Andrew Nabors – September 24, 2018

John Cena's 2017 Ford GT Being Auctioned, Again

Unlike anything in their past, Ford selects who can purchase a new GT. The 647 horsepower LeMans winner has put Ford back on top, so they want to protect the image of the car. If your application was not accepted, there is only 1 pre-owned Ford GT on the market. Originally purchased by John Cena, car #77 is en route to Mecum's Dallas auction.The twin-turbo V6 is 3.5-liters and it makes 550 lb-ft of torque. Built to win races, it has a body of carbon fiber with and integrated roll cage. Multimatic's DSSV suspensions ride on spool valves for the street, and it drops 2" on to torsion bars for the ultimate track grip.We didn't believe our friend Mr. Cena would fit in the racing-inspired cockpit, but we're sure he was just making room for something new in his collection. So if you want a Ford GT and a celebrity car, be sure to register now. Mecum Dallas starts October 3rd and runs until the 6th, so be sure to tune in on their Youtube streams and stay with us for complete coverage.Click Here To View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – September 24, 2018

Burt Reynolds' Last Cars Heading to Barrett-Jackson Las V...

It was a historic moment back in Scottsdale in 2016. Barrett-Jackson CEO Craig Jackson gave the mic over to The Bandit. Burt Reynolds was 80 years old, but his most famous role is timeless. One of the hero cars from Smokey & The Bandit hammered for $550,000, something he could have never foreseen 4 decades ago.In a press release over the weekend, Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auctions announced Mr. Reynolds last 3 cars are heading to their Las Vegas auction. First up is an '87 Chevrolet Crew Cab Dually. It is identical to the race truck used in 1981's Cannonball Run. Originally equipped with a carbureted 454, it has been restored with a fuel-injected 496 along with A/C and a 4L80E overdrive transmission. Next up is a red 1978 Firebird Formula. It is a tribute to the '78 film 'Hooper'. The plot involves the world's greatest stuntman and a rocket-powered Pontiac. Finally, the star of the show is a '78 Bandit Edition Trans-Am. From the Hurst-edition T-tops to the police scanner, every detail was researched by analyzing the film frame-by-frame. Reynolds and his friend Gene Kennedy formed Bandit Movie Cars to authenticate the promotional cars along with help from the film's director Hal Needham. These are the last 3 vehicles owned by The Bandit, so follow our coverage of Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas this weekend. The 1978 Firebirds were built to celebrate 50 years of Pontiac, and they are the most cherished cars the brand ever produced. If you want a piece of history, click the link below to find one for yourself.Browse Firebird Trans-Am For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 24, 2018

Muhammad Ali's Rolls-Royce Being Auctioned

Bonhams is set to offer up a 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward Convertible that was originally owned by Muhammad Ali. It was one of only 272 left-hand driver Convertibles produced. The car was originally purchased back in 1970 when he had his boxing certificate re-awarded to him after it was taken away due to his refusal to join the U.S. military in the Vietnam War. Ali owned the Rolls-Royce for several years, but it was eventually sold to an enthusiast in Holland and it has remained there since then. Bonhams states that the car is in "beautifully original condition." The car is expected to sell between $47,000-$71,000 with no reserve. The car will be at Bonhams' "The Zoute Sale" on October 5, 2018. Source: Bonhams

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2018

Rent Baker Mayfield's RV For an Exclusive Browns Experience

Well, the Cleveland Browns finally did it. They won a game. The Browns actually did it. To put the win into perspective, they haven't won a game since Obama was in office. Yeah, it's a bid deal. It's just a big deal, in fact, that Bud Light places fridges in bars around Cleveland packed with free beer, but they couldn't be opened until the Browns won a game. Making all of this possible was backup quarterback Baker Mayfield's performance after taking over for Tyrod Taylor. He managed to lead the team to a 21-17 victory over the New York Jets. Mayfield was the very first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and was given a multi-million dollar rookie contract with the Browns. This allowed him to purchase a 2018 Forest River Georgetown Class A RV. He would park this RV at the training field during the offseason, allowing players to relax and nap in it. The RV became quite popular and Brad Paisley was actually given a tour of it on HBO's Hard Knocks show. Now, you can rent this RV as part of an all-inclusive tailgating package from Neff Bros RV. The package includes the RV, a personal driver, seating, tables and more. Interested? It'll cost you $4,900. Learn more about it here.View All RVs For SaleSource: NeffBrosRV.com via Motor1.com

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2018

Post Malone's New Lamborghini Aventador SV is a Screamer

Post Malone's days are getting better after being in a plane that had its tires pop and having a car smash into his Rolls-Royce. To start, he purchased himself a new Rolls-Royce Phantom to make up for the wrecked Rolls. Now, he's taken delivery of a wild new Lamborghini Aventador SV. That car was modified by R1 Motorsport in Los Angeles, California and it's a beauty. The exterior of Post's Lamborghini has been enhanced with Novitec's carbon fiber kit and lowering springs, as well as Brixton Forged wheels. However, the cherry on top of this supercar has to be the new exhaust system from R1 Motorsport. When the car was delivered, the driver gave it a few revs. The result was deafening to the point where Post had to cover his ears. Post Malone's Car Collection is Epic https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn-OoYRB24O/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn959O6hSF0/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn9XQJKBdH3/ Featured Image via Instagram/@R1Motorsport

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

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