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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 – January 07, 2021

Tyga Goes Hypercar Shopping at Prestige Imports

Prestige Imports has an incredible inventory of hypercars, supercars and more that draw celebrities and collectors from across the world. One such celebrity, Tyga, recently visited Prestige Imports to see what hypercars he could add to his collection. Brett David, CEO of the dealership, showed him around the showroom floor. Currently, they have cars such as the Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, Pagani Huayra, McLaren Senna, Porsche 918 Spider and more for sale. Which car will he pick up to park next to his LaFerrari? Will it be one car or many? Let us know what car you think he should buy in the comments section down below. You can also read more celebrity car news. View Prestige Imports Inventory Source: Prestige Imports

By Andrew Nabors – January 06, 2021

Roger Federer Finds Relief In His 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

One of the perks of being the greatest Tennis Player of all time is being a Brand Ambassador. In a quick glimpse into his daily routine, we see that Roger Federer finds relief in his 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. If you thought it was impossible, the brand that invented the car has reinvented the notion of luxury. 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Price & Specs It is an order of magnitude stronger, more relaxing, and more insulated to the world outside. A new 429-horsepower straight-six is thrifty thanks to hybrid assistance, and the rear wheels have 10 degrees of steering to cut the turning radius in half. Click the button to find one of your own and stay with us for all your S-Class updates. Browse Mercedes-Benz S-Class For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 06, 2021

David Hasselhoff's Knight Rider Trans-Am Can Be Yours

In a much simpler time, all you needed to fight crime was an autonomous Pontiac with an English accent. If your best memories are limited to VHF, David Hasselhoff's Knight Rider Trans-Am can be yours. Perhaps one of the most famous cars on the small screen, this 1982 Pontiac Trans-AM was the centerpiece of the primetime show for 4 seasons. Sir Lewis Hamilton Knighted By Queen Elizabeth As the most prominent offering of "The Hoff Auction" Diligent Auction Services is planning to showcase 4 decades of David's memorabilia on January 23rd. As noted on LiveAuctioneers.com, if the winning bid is 25% of the reserve price, Mr. Hasselhoff will deliver the car personally to the winning bidder. Click the button to place your bid and stay with us for all your celebrity news. View Details Images (C) LiveAuctioneers.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 05, 2021

Watch DaBaby's Lamborghini Huracán Birthday Surprise By H...

As the world transitions into the new year, some may be lucky enough to go into it with a set of keys to a new vehicle. The iconic American rapper DaBaby is one of those lucky individuals, as he was gifted a Lamborghini Huracán Spyder for his 29TH birthday. The matte white Italian supercar was sourced and sold by Billy Wenk (@billywenk) and Evan Wiles (@evan_wiles) at HBi Auto of Carolinas (@hbi_auto), specialists in Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren. A YouTube video uploaded to the HBi Auto channel follows the setup and surprise outside of Eddie V’s in downtown Charlotte, where the CEO of South Coast Music Group, Arnold Taylor, reveals DaBaby’s new 610hp 10-cylinder Lamborghini. In addition to the supercar, DaBaby also received a custom Chevy SS to finishing off the new and old school pairing. Watch the HBi Auto x DaBaby Lamborghini Huracán Spyder birthday surprise by clicking on the video below. View All HBi Auto Inventory " width="680"> HBi Auto YouTube

By Edward Jones – December 31, 2020

See the World's Largest Fast & Furious Replica Car Collec...

One of the most iconic automotive films will forever be Fast & Furious. Even if you aren't a fan of the cars featured in the film, you cannot deny how it prompted a new generation of automotive enthusiasts. An example of someone who fell in love with the movie and its cars is Jorge, the star of Roads Untraveled's latest video. He became infatuated with the film just after the first race and has been honoring the film since then with an incredible collection. His collection consists of 24 replica cars from the Fast & Furious franchise. Iconic cars like the Ford Lightning, Toyota Supra, and Nissan GT-Rs are all in his collection. He's looking to add more for a total of 35 replicas and we can't wait to see what they are. Check out the video down below.

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 21, 2020

Graham Rahal Announces A New GRP Membership Track Series

Any automotive motorsport enthusiast can agree that although watching drivers like Graham Rahal race around a track at high speeds competing for victory is entertaining. The real fun lies behind the wheel for themselves. Graham Rahal and the team at Graham Rahal Performance, are proud to announce a chance to participate in a structured race membership GRP Track Series open to the public. The new venture allows people of all ages and driving experiences to race on a track beside Graham Rahal. The new public track series includes nine scheduled track days on seven different U.S. courses using the member's vehicle. The membership also includes: a one-on-one driving instruction with Graham Rahal, 10% of GRP labor during the length of membership, breakfast and lunch for each on-track day, a one-night hotel stay at each track, GRP technician on-site at each event, and membership-exclusive experiences. The Graham Rahal Race Membership can be purchased online for $8,000 with a 50% non-refundable deposit required, and the remaining $4,000 due by March 15th, 2021. Registration and additional information are on the GRP Track Series website. Learn more and register for the Graham Rahal Performance Track Series by clicking the link below. Visit GRP Track Series

By Edward Jones – December 14, 2020

See the Epic Porsche 911 from Cyberpunk 2077 Go for a Spi...

In the new Cyberpunk 2077 game, one of the main characters that you will get to know very well is Johnny Silverhand. This character is played by none other than Keanu Reeves, a man I'd consider to be among the coolest dudes ever. That's why it's a good thing that Johnny Silverhand's "cool" personality matches Keanu's, all the way down to the rides they drive. While we mostly see Keanu on one of his Arch motorcycles in real life, Johnny's ride of choice is a classic Porsche 911 that the automaker just so happened to recreate in real life. You can see the real-life version of this 911 in action in the video down below. Shop Cyberpunk 2077 on Gamestop.com

By Edward Jones – December 14, 2020

Help Jon Olsson Pick Out His Next Car: Audi, Lamborghini ...

After Jon Olsson sold his insane Audi RS6, he's left with a presumed empty space in his garage that he's looking to fill. To help him decide what to get, he's turned to his massive Instagram following. In the running for his next car are three different vehicles, each sporting Mansory kits, Brixton Forged JO01 wheels and 900 horsepower. They include a Porsche Panamera, Audi RS Q8 and Lamborghini Urus. Each of the renders he posted online looks fitting for a Jon Olsson ride, so I can see why the decision is tough. Help him decide by leaving him a comment on his Instagram post found down below. https://www.instagram.com/p/CIlpSmMHAEB/ Featured Image Source: @jonolsson1/Instagram

By Edward Jones – December 09, 2020

Kris Jenner Has Been Delivered the First 2021 Rolls-Royce...

O'Gara Coach has just announced that they have delivered the very first 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost in North America to none other than Kris Jenner. This new Ghost joins the other bespoke Rolls-Royce vehicles Kris has already commissioned. The spec she ordered is absolutely stunning and will surely catch some eyes when on the road. Landing on the west coast, this 2021 Ghost was delivered the day before Thanksgiving. The delivery took place at the O'Gara Motorsport facility located inside the Thermal Club Private Track in Palm Springs. As you can see from the pictures, the new Ghost has a long list of visual updates that give it a fresh and stylish new look. But it's not just looks that make the new Ghost so exciting to customers. Rolls-Royce has added a litany of new features that make the Ghost most attractive and accessible than ever before. For example, there is the new illuminated fascia as well as the power opening/closing doors and a true focus on a silent ride. The new 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost is truly a remarkable vehicle that defines what an ultra-luxury automobile is. View Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills Inventory Source: O'Gara Coach, Images by Grubbs Photography

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2020

LeBron James Spotted Driving a Porsche 918 Spyder

While TikToker and Instagram account @e30alex99 was cruising down the street, he noticed something quite peculiar: a Porsche 918 Spyder. Naturally, they pulled out their phone and record a video of the hypercar and as the car drove past, the driver could be seen. The driver was none other than LeBron James. That's quite the car to be driving considering they sell for well over $1 million and have a 0 to 60 mph time of around 2.2 to 2.4 seconds. It's also an incredible car to have in his collection. I also noticed that he has the top off, but that may be due to his height of 6'9". Check out the video that @e30alex99 captured down below and click the button if you want to see other Porsche 918 Spyders for sale. READ: Porsche 918 Spyder Price, Specs & Review See All Porsche 918s For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CIgOq6dhrab/ Featured Image Source: @e30alex99/Instagram

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