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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 – June 18, 2018

Ford GT Carries Driver's Wheelchair

Jason Watt was once an up and coming race car driver in the mid to late 1990's. During 1999, he was promoted to the main Super Nova Racing squad in the International Formula 3000 championship. During his time in the squad, he managed to win twice and become the runner-up to the championship. Unfortunately, his racing dreams were dashed during the off-season in 1999 when he was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Because Watt's passion is everything cars, his injury hasn't held him back from the joys of driving fast cars. Although, he did use the best traffic attorneys to help him with each traffic ticket and points they took from his drivers license, and was even accused with a criminal case, so he went and got criminal defence lawyers to treat his case. Traffic lawyers understand that anyone on the roads can find themselves charged with an offence. They fight hard for all of our clients and understand that a charge does not mean you are guilty. On his Instagram account, he has posted up images of his new Ford GT that's specially equipped for him. Inside is a driving setup that allows him to drive the American supercar without having to use his feet. What's even more interesting is the fact that he can carry his wheelchair on top of the GT, thanks to the application of very strong suction cups. Now that's ingenuity. Hennessey Performance Goes 0-180 mph in Ford GT https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj-nCmgFW9i/ See the 2018 Ford GT Prices & Specs

By Edward Jones – April 26, 2018

Pro Drifts a Ford Raptor Around Nurburgring

Vaughn Gittin Jr. is one of Ford's poster boys when it comes to drifting. He can typically be found drifting his Mustang RTR on circuits across the globe. For one of his latest outings, he and Ford Performance wandered over to the Nurburgring for some fun sideways times in the Mustang RTR. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans for them and decided to cover the road in the rain.Vaughn Gittin Jr. Tests Out His New 900 hp Mustang RTRThankfully, Gittin Jr. and Ford Performance came prepared with a new F-150 Raptor truck. You'd expect that at this point I'd tell you they did some off-roading, but no. We're talking about Vaughn Gittin Jr. here! Of course he had to take the truck around the course in a sideways manner, sliding the massive truck around every corner. Check out the action for yourself in the video below and see how a professional drifter can make the best out of a crappy situation.

By Edward Jones – February 14, 2018

John Cena Says He did Nothing Wrong in Selling Ford GT

In December 2017, we reported that John Cena was being sued by Ford after he sold his GT supercar. Ford says that his resale of the car was "unauthorized" and that it caused “loss of brand value, ambassador activity, and customer goodwill due to the improper sale.” The American automaker is reportedly seeking the profit he made from the sale, as well as an amount to account for damages and losses accrued from the sale.Now, according to TMZ, Cena is saying he did nothing wrong.TMZ says that the new documents filed in the Michigan district court claim that the final contract did not mention a 24-month no-resale clause. They then go on to report that Cena said it was truly Ford's fault for not including the clause in the final contract and that he shouldn't be punished just because they "suck at paperwork." Cena is asking the judge to throw out the case that's been pinned against him.Stay with us for more information on Cena v Ford as it becomes available.2017 Ford GT Sells For $2.5 Million At Barrett-Jackson

By Edward Jones – February 12, 2018

Ford GT Delivery to Raj Nair, President of Ford North Ame...

Raj Nair is not only the Executive Vice President and President of Ford North America, he was also the person who led the Ford GT project. To put it bluntly, if it were not for Nair, the current GT and its race team would not exist.Story Behind the Riviera Blue 2017 Ford GTBeing such a force behind the company's supercar, he had to get himself his own GT, but one unlike any other. Our friends over at FordGTForum.com have just handled the delivery of Nair's 2018 GT, serial #0001.Nair's Ford GT is unlike any other, thanks to its "Victory" scheme that's only available to those within the company. In fact, Bill Ford and Mark Fields had their 2017 GT's (#0001 and #0002, respectively) in the same scheme, but in the 2016-2017 race team colors. For Nair's GT, he went with the 2018 race team colors, which include Liquid Red, Frozen White, and Lightning Blue.Huge thanks go out to Dave Bannister and Ford GT Forum for providing the information and images. Be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook!

By Edward Jones – December 01, 2017

Ford Suing John Cena for Selling his Ford GT

John Cena recently posted a video of him reviewing his new Ford GT to The Bella Twins YouTube channel. In the video, he seemed to really love the car and gave it a raving review. Now, TMZ and other outlets are reporting that John Cena sold his GT and now Ford is suing him over it. The resale of his car was apparently "unauthorized" and caused "loss of brand value, ambassador activity, and customer goodwill due to the improper sale." Ford is seeking the profit he made from the car as well as an amount due to suffering damages and losses from the sale. Cena has said that he sold the car and other pieces of property to pay bills.We'll keep you up to date with any more updates that develop regarding this story.Justin Verlander Just Got a One-Off Ford GT Supercar

By Edward Jones – November 22, 2017

Justin Verlander Just Got a One-Off Ford GT Supercar

After winning the World Series with the Houston Astros and getting married to his wife Kate Upton, it seems as though everything is going just right for Justin Verlander. Now, he's made his life even more enjoyable by adding a new Ford GT supercar to his collection. The delivery was made public on his Instagram account where he shared both a video and picture of his new ride. Verlander decided to have his version of the GT finished in Liquid Ice Blue, making it a one-of-one rendition of the supercar. This car joins his collection that consists of an Aston Martin DBS, Ferrari 458, Ferrari California, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, Maserati GranTurismo, Mercedes-Benz SL55 and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series, according to Detroit Free Press.2017 Ford GT Review: By John Cenahttps://www.instagram.com/p/BbxHy1hhV_Q/?hl=en&taken-by=justinverlander2018 Ford GT Specs & Prices

By Andrew Nabors – November 21, 2017

2017 Ford GT Review: By John Cena

If you are in the market for an American Supercar, the Ford GT seems to be at the top of everyone's list. We've seen them in countless videos and we've been patiently waiting for the chance to drive one. Our local Ford dealer was ready to allow us to film a delivery of the new GT, but we arrived only to be second in line. John Cena had beaten us to the punch, and we are not about to protest.Top 10 Fastest Quarter-Mile TimesElder Ford of Tampa was the site of the sensation, and they let Mr. Cena get behind the wheel. The GT is powered by a 3.5-liter twin turbo V6. He is quick to note the similarities between it and the V6 found in the F150, but they are two different animals. The truck version is found in the Raptor and in the SUV lineup, and it is designed to spool up early in order to haul a family and their toys. On the other hand, the Ford GT doesn't come alive until after 5,000 rpm. Once the turbos awaken, you will have 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque at your command. Those numbers speak for themselves, but if you need more inspiration check out the video below and stay with us for more of John's automotive insights.View All Ford GTs For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 28, 2017

Ian Poulter Gets His New Matte Black Ford GT

Professional golfer Ian Poulter has a good taste in cars, having purchased the five Ferrari halo supercars. Now, he has added the new Ford GT to his collection.He announced the arrival of his new supercar on his Instagram account, showing off the interior and exterior in a series of photos. The exterior color he chose was the dark matte black paint, which was one of the choices in the option box that Ford sent to those eligible to buy a new GT.Just like his drives, the Ford GT is extremely powerful. The new GT revival is forged with a twin turbo V6 EcoBoost engine that yields more than 600 horsepower, making it the most powerful EcoBoost engine Ford has ever created.Congrats to Ian Poulter on his new purchase!https://www.instagram.com/p/BYWLsOTBvrR/View the Complete 2018 Ford GT Specs

By Andrew Nabors – July 14, 2017

Jay Leno Wraps His New Ford GT

Do you want to change the color of your car? We know you are probably wondering why Jay Leno would vinyl wrap his brand new Ford GT, but appearances can be deceiving. He's not looking to destroy the resale value of the supercar, in fact quite the opposite. Vinyl can be ordered in any color one could imagine, but for those looking to protect their investment, clear wrap is a clever solution. Vinyl protection technology has made great leaps in technology in the past two years, so if you value your paint its time to give it another thought.Also Check Out: Jay Leno Reviews His Ford GTProtective Film Solutions is one of the major players in the industry, supplying their dealers with pre-cut kits that are measured and produced with laser precision. A competitive advantage is being first to market with a new model, so their team was able to scan the 2017 Ford GT in Dearborn before it was launched. As an OEM supplier, PFS kits are dealer options and are an affordable way to keep your paint factory fresh. If you would like a quote, our Elite Detailer Alliance will be happy to find a specialist near you. If your garage is lacking a supercar worthy of protection, check out these Ford GT for sale. Stay with us for all the updates from Jay Leno's garage, and we'll keep you on the cutting edge.

By Andrew Nabors – July 10, 2017

Jay Leno Reviews His New Ford GT

From a unique ordering process to the delivery, the new Ford GT is unlike any other supercar. We have followed along with our dealers and clients who were accepted, and we applaud Ford Motor Company for their dedication to their customers. In order to show the world what the car is capable of, Jay Leno's Ford GT was among the early builds. In a YouTube upload early this morning, he shows the configurator, and it's not a web page. Ford sends a unique box to the owner, and inside are paint, wheel, and interior samples to choose from. Once the options are confirmed, a series of production photos show the progress of the build. Also Check Out: Jay Leno's Cars After 1,000 trouble-free miles, Jay touches on the finer points of the car. All vital controls except the shifter are on the steering wheel. It keeps your hands and eyes on the road ahead, but it looks straight out of a simulator. The hydraulic suspension has the ability to raise the nose 2" at an instant, while most other cars have slow working air assist. To lock the car, a hidden touchpad on the quarter glass will set the alarm. The new Ford GT is a race car for the street, and a quick spin around Burbank shows off its abilities. It is very difficult to make a V6 sound appealing, but the GT is a symphony. My acceptance letter must have been lost in the mail, so turn up your audio and take a ride with Jay. If you have been looking for a Ford GT for sale, check out the listings our dealers and stay with us for all your updates from Jay Leno's Garage. View the 2018 Ford GT Specs, Price, Photos & Review

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