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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

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By Andrew Nabors – February 02, 2021

Lamborghini & Lady Gaga Are Making Dreams Possible

Stefani Germanotta is proud to be an Italian-American, and her latest collaboration is with an iconic Italian supercar manufacturer. Lamborghini and Lady Gaga are making dreams possible for kids across the U.S. As the founder of Born This Way Foundation, she and her mother Cynthia raised $333,800 by listing her Huracan EVO RWD coupe on Omaze. Today, we see the benefactors describe how the donations will be utilized. Born This Way Foundation seeks to improve the mental health of children in tough situations. We applaud Lamborghini and Lady Gaga for stepping up to such a noble task. The car was featured in her music video "911", and the Huracan EVO RWD sends 602 horsepower to the rear wheels. The only choice you need to make is coupe or spyder! Lamborghini Huracan For Sale Image (C) Lamborghini

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 – October 25, 2019

Muse Band Members Take Lamborghinis Out to Race

The international phenomenon known as Muse was recently invited out to Sant'Agata Bolognese to test their driving abilities behind the wheel of Lamborghini Huracan Performantes. Members Matt Bellamy, Dom Howard and Chris Wolstenholme were interviewed after their outing by Lamborghini, expressing their passion for cars. In fact, they featured a Lamborghini Countach in their recent 'Something Human' music video from the album 'Simulation Theory'. You can read the entire interview by clicking here. see all lamborghinis for sale

By Edward Jones – July 03, 2019

Mad Mike's New Lamborghini Drift Car Takes On Kamaz Truck

In the world of drifting, there are some absolutely out of this world creations. Some of these drifters take cars and completely reinvent them so that can be properly slid around corners. One such drifter is Mad Mike, who just showed off his latest drift creation in a video from Red Bull. The creation? A Lamborghini Huracan that's unlike any other you've seen before. The video itself is quite cheeky, involving a race between Mad Mike in the Huracan and Eduard Nikolaev in a Kamaz Truck built for the Dakar Rally. Their finish line? The Goodwood Festival of Speed parking lot. © Patrik Lundin / Red Bull Content Pool Their entire trek to the parking lot involves drifting, speeding, racing and the truck even jumps over the Huracan at one point. It's worth the watch for sure. © Patrik Lundin / Red Bull Content Pool Archie Hamilton, who made an appearance in the video, also posted a video that gives us a deep look into the Huracan thanks to Mad Mike himself. Mad Mike talks all about the car, like how it's paint (not wrapped), he only drove it five laps before shooting the video, how they adjusted steering for drifting, its suspension, its engine and more. Surprisingly enough, this Huracan remains naturally aspirated. That being said, Mad Mike notes that they will be able to push out 900 horsepower out of it after its upcoming tuning session. Check this video out down below. See All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 17, 2018

Jeremy Clarkson Picks His Car of the Year

Jeremy Clarkson, a man automotive enthusiasts have listened to on Top Gear and The Grand Tour for years has selected his car of the year for 2018. His pick? The Lamborghini Huracan Performante. His announcement was made at an awards event at the New Corp's London Headquarters.This is what Jezza had to say about the Huracan Performante being his car of the year: “This is about the car that appealed more than anything. You get into it and you don’t know what it is that’s tingling the back of your head, but you think ‘this thing’s good’. There’s something about it: it’s not the speed, it’s not the looks. There’s only really been one car in the last twelve months where I’ve had that feeling, and that’s the Lamborghini Huracán Performante.” J.Clarkson, M. Reggiani, J. WhiteThe Huracan Performante is quite deserving of the title, considering its abilities on the track. If you recall, this model was the fastest car around Nurburgring until it was bested by the Porsche 911 GT2 RS. And then Lamborghini punched back with the Aventador SVJ, which is now the fastest production car around Green Hell. Still, it's the third fastest car around Nurburgring. If you'd like to own one of the quick Lamborghini has to offer and Clarkson's favorite car of 2018, click the button below. Lamborghini Huracan Performantes For Sale Lamborghini Huracan Performante Specs Related Video: Source: Lamborghini

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2018

Jon Olsson and Friends Drift Lamborghinis in the Snow

Jon Olsson, the man who just chopped the top off of his Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4² and had an extreme Audi RS6+ built has just ventured off into the mountains to drift some Lamborghinis in the snow. What I'm trying to say is this: Jon Olsson is living the freakin' life.In his most recent vlog, he and a few friends went out to the mountains of Livigno, Italy for Roger Dubuis' latest timepiece launch at the Lamborghini Winter Academia. The watch being unveiled was the Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero. The connection between the two is that the band of the watches uses parts of the Pirelli Sottozero tire, which is meant for snow driving. Those are the also the same wheels that the Lamborghinis are using for the Winter Academia.Check out the video below to see Jon Olsson and friends takes Lamborghinis like the Huracan and Aventador out for some serious snow drifts.2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante: Price, Specs & Review

By Edward Jones – November 15, 2017

Pope Francis Gets His Own Special Lamborghini

Lamborghini has presented Pope Francis with a very special Huracan that was created especially for His Holiness. The car is the rear-wheel-drive version of the Huracan and was heavily modified by Ad Personam, Lamborghini's customization department. Ad Personam had the supercar finished in Bianco Monocerus (white) with Giallo Tiberino (yellow) stripes, an homage to the flag of Vatican City.Luxury Cars for Sale Pope Francis will be auctioning the Lamborghini supercar off through RM Sotheby's on May 12, 2018. Proceeds from the auctions will be given to the Pontifical Foundation “Aiuto alla Chiesa che Soffre” (Aid to the Church in Need), the Pope John XXIII Community, GICAM headed by Dr. Marco Lanzetta (hand surgeon) and “Amici per il Centrafrica” (Friends of Central Africa).Final LaFerrari Coupe to Benefit Earthquake Victims

By Edward Jones – January 16, 2017

Jon Olsson Drifts a RWD Lamborghini Huracan

"It feels so wrong to do it in this car but so awesome." - Jon Olsson on drifting a Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2.In Olsson's latest VLOG, he got the chance to drift with Samuel Hubinette in his rear-wheel drive Huracan. This is just the latest example of the fact that Olsson is one of the coolest athlete celebrities out there. The best thing about this video has to be just how giddy he gets when he finished drifting the Huracan and how he keeps saying how drifting the car feels so wrong to do, but is so much fun.(Also Check Out - "Stina Stunts"; Drifts and Spins the RWD Lamborghini Huracan)The car driven in the video is a Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 that was heavily modified. It was fitted with a custom hydraulic handbrake, an additional set of rear Wilwood Brake calipers, Vorsteiner Novara Edizione Aero Package, 20-inch Platinum Gunmetal Vorsteiner V-FF 103 Flow Forged Wheels and Nitto Tire NT555 G2 tires.All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 04, 2016

Doctor Strange Talks About His Lamborghini Huracan

Doctor Strange, also known as Stephen Vincent Strange, has been around since 1963 when he made his first appearance in Strange Tales issue #110. Since then, he has saved the world, joined many different teams and is now starring in his own movie, played by Benedict Cumberbatch.In this new movie, the story follows closely to the comic book origins of Doctor Strange. Strange starts his story as a proficient and brilliant neurosurgeon. He prides himself on his work and abilities. After a car accident, he loses his ability to perform surgeries and it destroys who he is a person. To try and find himself again, he ventures off in search of self. This is where he finds the Ancient One and the story of the hero Doctor Strange truly begins.(Related - "Stina Stunts" Drifts and Spins the RWD Lamborghini Huracan)But before he was Doctor Strange, he was Dr. Strange, a surgeon who had a lot of money. With this money, he purchased himself a nice place to live and, of course, a nice car: a Lamborghini Huracan.In the latest video from Lamborghini, Benedict Cumberbatch and others who worked behind the scenes of the film talk about how well the Huracan performed during filming. Check it out in the video below.All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

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

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