Celebrity Cars

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 Tyler Rampersaud – November 17, 2023

Watch Jay Leno Drive The New McLaren 750S Spider

Jay Leno gets a taste of McLaren’s latest supercar. Besides his entertainment career, Jay Leno is known all over the world for his incredible car collection and automotive expertise. However, one particular favorite manufacturer of Leno’s is McLaren, and he owns the first three roadgoing supercars the brand made: the legendary F1, the MP4-12C, and the P1, famous for being a member of the “Holy Trinity” of hybrid hypercars. Being introduced to the new 750S, Jay Leno remarks on the excellence of its predecessor, the McLaren 720S, and the fact that both supercars offered hypercar performance in a supercar package, comparable to the legendary P1. Once behind the wheel, Leno remarks on the fact that the 750S Spider, with its 740 horsepower, is the latest and greatest evolution of what McLaren does best: creating an exhilarating driver-focused supercar. With its lightweight construction and powerful engine, the McLaren 750S Spider delivers the best in responsiveness and winding road performance. Carving through mountain passes in the new McLaren 750S Spider with the top down is an irresistible and incredible experience. Pair that with the exotic exhaust note of the 750S’s twin-turbocharged V8 engine, and McLaren’s latest supercar is the driving experience of a lifetime. View All McLarens For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 01, 2022

Jay Leno And Alfonso Ribeiro Race McLaren 765LT Spiders A...

Jay Leno and a celebrity car enthusiast take to the track. Jay Leno’s Garage shows the famed comedian living out a car enthusiast’s dream, with his extensive collection of incredible cars and time on the race track putting some of the best cars to the test. What makes the whole experience even better is when Leno invites fellow celebrities to join in on the fun, and actor and television personality Alfonso Ribeiro made for a particularly special addition to the show. MUST READ: Watch Ken Block Drift His Audi S1 Hoonitron In Hoonigan’s Electrickhana Las Vegas Video A car enthusiast and racer himself, Alfonso Ribeiro won the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race four times, in 1994, 1995, 2015, and 2016, most recently in the Scion FR-S Prototype. Jay Leno also participated in the race in the 1987 Toyota Celica GTS. This time, however, Alfonso and professional McLaren test driver Edward Sandstrom duke it out in two very special British supercars: McLaren 765LT Spiders. The “LT” designation is important for McLaren as it indicates both McLaren history and innovation, honoring the Longtail race cars with high power, light weight, and advanced aerodynamics. With a time of 1:26.9 around Willow Springs Raceway in California, Ribeiro managed to beat the McLaren test driver by less than a second. While he’s been known for decades for his comedy on television, Alfonso Ribeiro’s racing ability on the track is no joke. View All McLaren 765LT Spiders For Sale Source: YouTube/Jay Leno's Garage

By Andrew Nabors – January 14, 2019

Jay Leno Drives his 1957 Corvette

Chevrolet was uncertain about the Corvette's future in 1957. The car was launched four years earlier with only 300 sold. But sales began to become profitable by 1955, when the ancient six-cylinder was replaced by the new V8. After fighting in the brutal Korean war, a soldier rewarded himself by ordering this 1957 Corvette in Inca Silver. In order to save weight, he ordered the car without the convertible top, heater, radio, or even courtesy lights. This featherweight supercar is the epitome of 50s performance, so its amazing to watch Jay Leno Drive his 1957 Corvette. Inca Silver was Corvette's first Acrylic Enamel paint, thanks to DuPont owning a majority stake in General Motors. Corvette gained a posi-traction rear differential, and Chevrolet Chief Engineer Zora Duntov made it the first American car to have 1 horsepower per cubic-inch. The 283ci engine with 283 horsepower was not only revolutionary, it launched the plastic fantastic to a winning streak that continues today. A 3-speed manual was the base-model transmission, so the owner opted for the 4-speed with a 4.11 differential, options that were both new for '57. Although the first-generation (C1) Corvette was produced through 1962, the 57 is universally accepted as the defining year. Stylists added tons of chrome and polished stainless for 1958, and the front end became much more haughty. What makes this one even more significant is that it was restored as part of Jay Leno's Collection. That means everything part is in better condition than the factory, and the only upgrades are the vintage Halibrand wheels with modern radial tires. Jay opted to preserve the original 4.11 gears and install a set of 3.54, which lower the rpm and allow for highway cruising. A fully loaded 1957 weighed in at 2,840 lbs, so this car is easily over 1,000 lbs lighter than a new Corvette ZR1. We have several dealers who specialize in Corvettes of all ages, so click the link below to find one near you. View All Corvettes For Sale Related: See all the Corvettes in Jay Leno's Collection Jay Leno's Restored 1963 Corvette Split Window 2019 Corvette Specs, Price & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 11, 2018

Jay Leno Drives Doc Brown's DeLorean

If you need to alter your past or future, a time-traveling DeLorean is the only logical choice. Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis wrote the "Back to the Future" trilogy, but the time machine was originally written to be a vintage Hot Point refrigerator.Their script was rejected 40 times by all major studios until they made a few changes. When John DeLorean was entrapped by agreeing to move cocaine to finance his car business, DeLorean became the perfect car to sacrifice in order to change the past and future. By the late 90's the original cars were in rough shape, being used as props for Universal Studios' Back To The Future rides.Check Out The 5,000 Car Collection of the Sultan of BruneiAt a DeLorean meet, Mr. Gale met Terry Matalas and Joe Walser who agreed to build a faithful replica of the movie car. The only surviving original is now part of the Petersen Museum, the second movie car was hit by the freight train at the end of the 3rd film.So Bob and his team set out to build a faithful replica. Jay Leno was curious about their project, so he invited the team to his garage. Joe spent many nights sneaking into Universal to study the original and lamenting its neglect. If you are a fan of the films, this car is available for promos and special events. Are you reading this Huey Lewis? Have a great Monday and stay with us for more updates from Jay Leno's Garage.Browse DeLorean DMC-12 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 30, 2018

Jay Leno Drives David Lee's Monza 3.6 Evo Dino

For the longest time, it seemed the Dino was destined to live in the shadows of the Ferrari world. Alfredo (Dino) Ferrari was Enzo's first son, and he was responsible for the 750 Monza race car. But his life was cut short by Muscular Dystrophy, and he died at only 24 years old.The V6 engine he designed deserved a lightweight car to maximize its potential, so Enzo decided to name an entire brand after him. The Dino was never badged as a Ferrari, but it included all the engineering and graceful styling of the brand.A Tour of Jay Leno's Car Collection? Think Again...Driving a stock Dino is fun, thanks to the balanced chassis and mid-mounted engine. But our friend David Lee was inspired to build a Dino worthy to keep up with a modified Porsche in the hills above Los Angeles.So once he found an unmolested 1972 Dino GTS, it was sent to a Ferrari shop in England for a few subtle upgrades. Starting with the headlights, they bolded polycarbonate covers that look like they came from the factory. Then they added flares at all corners to allow for wider tires.You might think flaring a Dino would be sacrilege, but these are original parts offered by the factory. Next, it was time for new wheels, so the original 14" design was scaled up to 17" and CNC machined from a one-piece billet. Five wheels were made so the full-size spare would match its siblings.Interview With David Lee: Ferrari Collector and Owner of the “Monza 3.6 Evo Dino”Then their attention turned to the engine. The Dino V6 and its transaxle were surgically removed along with their electronics and fuel system. There is adequate room to drop in almost any modern V8, but that would be too boring. Instead, David found a 2.9 liter V8 from the mighty F40. As you might know, the F40 was capped at 3.0 liters by FIA regulations, but the block has ample room for improvement.So it was bored & stroked to 3.6 liters and it received the latest in fuel injection. Being that the V6 was an iron block, this powerful beast has perfect weight distribution. At only 2,400 lbs, the "Monza 3.6 Evo Dino" will make your LS car look like it's standing still. Once the car was completed, we interviewed David for the Uncovered section of our June 2018 issue. Not many cars evoke this much emotion from Jay Leno, so turn up the volume and stay with us for more of David Lee's impressive collection.Browse Dinos For Sale Buy This Issue Now or Subscribe Now

By Andrew Nabors – May 15, 2018

Jay Leno Drives Toyota Supra With Paul Walker's Brother

Everyone has an opinion of the 4th generation Toyota Supra. Their indestructible straight six engine will handle as much boost as you want, so most examples of the 1993 to 98 (MK IV) Supra specs have been modded beyond belief. To find a surviving example in good condition is nearly impossible, but Jay Leno seems to know the right people. See the Jay Leno Car Collection For this week's installment of Jay Leno's Garage, Cody Walker explained the Supra in fine detail. The youngest brother of the late Paul Walker, he shares his love for the Japanese automotive scene and also raises awareness for Reach Out World Wide. This charity organization helps communities rebuild after natural disasters, and it was only made public after Paul's untimely passing. A Supra in bad condition is worth a fair amount, so click the link below and find one for yourself. Stay with us for all your updates from Jay Leno's Garage.

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

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 – December 14, 2015

Jay Leno Drives Hot Wheels Darth Vader Car

As you get bigger, Hot Wheels cars get smaller. This is why Jay Leno asked the toy car manufacturer to bring in a car that would be more his size. Did they deliver? Yes, young Jedi (or Sith), they did.More specifically, Bryan Benedict, Senior Staff Designer at Hot Wheel, delivered.Benedict brought over a real-life, working Darth Vader car, built on a Chevrolet Corvette chassis, to Leno's garage.Essentially, the car is what would happen if you took Vader's helmet and morphed it into a car, with appropriate design cues mixed throughout. For example, if you look at the side exhaust pipes, they look quite a bit like the Sith Lord's lightsaber. Also, on the hood is the control panel unit found on the big man's chest.Does its engine sound like Vader breathing when it starts up? That would be amazing, but of course not. How in the world could you get the exhaust to sound like the iconic respiration of Vader? That being said, they did include some speakers that put out the sound of his breathing on command.Billy Hammon, the builder of the car, also showed Leno around the car, showing him the intricacies of the engineering found within the car, like the mechanism created to get into the car.Check out the video below to see just how awesome a life-size Hot Wheels Darth Vader car really is. (Source: YouTube)

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