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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 – May 24, 2017

Jay Leno's 2017 Ford GT Has Been Delivered

The man, the myth, the legend, Jay Leno, has had his brand-new 2017 Ford GT delivered. His example of the American supercar is finished in a gloss black with red racing stripes running down the center. To say that I'm a sucker for the red/black combo is an understatement. Immediately after he received his car, he had Protective Film Solutions apply a protective layer on the car to protect it for years to come.Back in 2015, Leno had the then top-secret Ford GT on his show. Originally, Ford had revealed the car on January, 2015at the New York Auto Show, but then kept it pretty hidden. Now, two years later, Leno has a new Ford GT he can call his own and let it rest in his famous garage. However, I'm almost 100% sure we'll be seeing a Jay Leno's Garage video on this new car very soon.https://www.instagram.com/p/BUaoJ8kgFIT/

By Edward Jones – January 18, 2017

The Rock Surprises Veteran With a New 2018 Mustang

Well, looks like I'm starting the day off with a few tears in my eyes...Marlene, a veteran, Purple Heart recipient and a fan of The Rock, was recently by surprised by both Ford and her favorite wrestler. In what looks like a sound booth, Marlene told her story to the camera while Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson watched from behind the stage. She thought she was just receiving a reward, but there was so much more in store for her.(Also Check Out - The Rock Buys His Dad a New Ford Explorer for Christmas)The Rock walked out from behind the stage to surprise a stunned Marlene with tickets to the Baywatch premiere, but that wasn't all. When she thought it was all over, he gave the signal for the curtain behind them to drop and reveal a brand-new 2018 Ford Mustang GT. This is when the waterworks really started... See for yourself in the video below and always remember to thank those who have served.Ford Mustang For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 22, 2016

Ken Block Catches Air and Goes Wild in the New 2017 Ford ...

The new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is the most anticipated version of the truck since it was released. With impeccable suspension and a hearty powerhouse, it's going to be a mental truck.The new Raptor will see its EcoBoost engine creating 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. These power figures are much higher than the V8’s rating of 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque.(Also Check Out - Ken Block Drifts and Tears Through London, Extended Cut)To show all of this power off, Ken Block took the truck out to some fresh snow and did what he does best: go absolutely nuts. He took the truck sideways, utilized the suspension to its fullest extent and even caught some air. Check out the video below to see what the new truck is capable of in the white stuff.All Ford F-150 For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 21, 2016

Ken Block to Tear Up Pikes Peak in 1,400 HP Mustang Hooni...

Ken Block's new 1965 Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2 is the definition of a road monster. Its V8 engine is twin-turbocharged, it's fueled by methanol and it has 1,400-freakin'-horsepower on tap. That means this little Mustang has more power than the Bugatti Veyron.(Related - Jon Olsson's Lamborghini Murcielago Gets Spiked Tires For Race Up Mountain)To show off the car's capabilities, Ken Block has teamed up with Toyo to take on the legendary and dangerous Pikes Peak road course. I say it's dangerous because five people have passed away on the course and massive crashes aren't uncommon. With such treacherous twists and turns, it's going to be quite thrilling to see Block take this monstrous Hoonicorn up 14,000 feet of road.Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until the Summer of 2017 to see the full run, but luckily Toyo Tires has released a teaser video for the event. This teaser can be found just below. Check it out!All Mustang For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 12, 2016

Ken Block's Hoonicorn V2: 1,400 hp, Twin Turbo, AWD Mustang

Are you jealous of Ken Block? Join the club. The man gets to race professionally, film some of the most insane videos and drive the wildest cars. Heck, he even has his own car, the Hoonicorn. If you haven't met the first Hoonicorn before, don't worry, because the Hoonicorn V2 is all you need to worry about.(Related - Vaughn Gittin Jr. Tests Out His New 900 hp Mustang RTR)The new Hoonicorn V2 was teased on Ken Block's official Facebook, where he could be seen roasting marshmallows with the car's flames. In the description, we learn that this new Hoonicorn is packing 1,400 hp thanks to a twin-turbo, methanol-fed V8 engine. What's more? It's all-wheel drive.We'll be learning more about this car as the day goes on, so be sure to check back with Autofluence.Mustangs For Sale Hoonicorn V2: turbo marshmallow roastHoonicorn V2: see and (more importantly) HEAR the sounds of two turbos bolted to a methanol-fed V8. And since it shoots fire, I thought it would be perfect for a quick marshmallow roast last night! A 1400 horsepower marshmallow roast. All filmed with GoPro Hero5. #twinturbo #AWD #hoonicornboostedonmeth #1400hp #methmallows #HoonicornV2 Posted by Ken Block on Tuesday, October 11, 2016

By Edward Jones – April 06, 2016

Vaughn Gittin Jr. Tests Out His New 900 hp Mustang RTR

Automotive madman Vuagh Gittin Jr. unveiled the new Mustang RTR back in 2014. According to the car's website, the “Mustang RTR takes the best of multiple automotive cultures and tastefully meshes them together into a final product that anyone can immediately appreciate and see themselves behind the wheel of – whether they are ‘slaying’ a set of tires, blasting a straight, carving some turns, linking a section on the drift circuit, or simply just cruising along with their better half.”If you need to be convinced more about the power of the RTR, check out Gittin testing very own 900 hp 2016 Mustang RTR in a new video from Ford Performance found below. Now this is how you spin tires and burn rubber in a Mustang.Mustang For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 18, 2016

Ken Block's Ford Fiesta Rally Car Up For Sale

Ever watch a video of Ken Block's Gymkhana and think to yourself, "I could do that"? Well, now you have the chance to prove yourself.Available through Motorsport Auctions is Ken Block's very own Ford Fiesta HFHV Rally car. This car has been featured in the Gymkhana videos and actually won the Rally of Whangarei 2015, with Block behind the wheel.It's being sold in complete rally spec, which pretty much means if the new owner wants to take this car to a rally competition, they could. That also means that the new owner needs to have the necessary skills in order to compete, as the car doesn't make the driver.This Fiesta was built in the United Kingdom where it was fitted with a new powertrain that would allow it to compete in the Global RallyCross rounds. Motorsports Auctions notes that the sale of this car includes the parts that could convert the car from rally spec to rallycross spec. Powering the car is a 2,000cc Pipo Motors engine that has been modified to produce 600 bhp and 663 lb-ft of torque. Right now, being in rally spec, it produces 350 bhp.The car's listing has it priced at £250,000, which equates to roughly $350,000 USD, and it's currently available in the United States.

By Caitlin Duffy – October 08, 2015

Ford GT Getting a New Front at Gas Monkey Garage

The guys at Dallas' Gas Monkey Garage were able to work their magic on a Ferrari F40 that was nearly totaled, but can they bring this Ford GT back to life?Andy House, Owner of Ultra Hot Motor Sports, had a visit from Richard Rawlings and Mike Coy of Gas Monkey Garage, who came to check out one of their Ford GTs that was in particularly rough shape. The front end was almost completely torn off after it was hit from the left, but as House explains in one of the Oct. 5 YouTube teasers from Discovery, it still runs and drives just fine.Thanks to the rear-engine layout, the truly important parts of the GT remained essentially untouched. But aside from the front axle and wheels, the car's entire front end sat in pieces a few feet away.With just 4,000 miles on its odometer, there's no doubt this car could be worth a pretty penny - Ford GTs with under 10,000 miles can be priced anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000. And with the Gas Monkey Garage touch, the $140,000 Rawlings spent on this GT could easily be half of what he'll sell it for.Ford GT Price, Specs, Photos 2004-2005To see what winds up happening, be sure to catch their show "Fast N' Loud" on Discovery Channel Mondays at 9 pm EST, and find your own GT that's already quite whole from our exclusive listings at the button below.Ford GTs For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Celebrity Car News

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