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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 09, 2018

Conor McGregor Shows Off His McLaren in Dublin

Conor McGregor has been out of the fighting scene since his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., but he's definitely more than alive. The Notorious was recently spotted in the town of Dublin, Ireland driving his McLaren 650S. A couple of fans spotted him at a red light and gave him praise, while he laughed and returned the favor with a thumbs up. When the light turned green, however, Mystic Mac took off in his English supercar like a rocket. This McLaren is just one of the many cars that have been a part of McGregor's car collection and I'm sure we'll see many more in the coming years. Now I've got to ask the question: are we going to see Conor McGregor fight again? Only time will tell! https://www.instagram.com/p/B_i2PagpcD7/

By Edward Jones – January 08, 2018

Arnold Schwarzenegger Shows Off the World's First Electri...

Once known for bodybuilding a, being the governator and hunting the Predator, Arnold Schwarzenegger is now taking on the electric automobile industry. With help from Kriesel Motors, an Austrian company that has been aiming to be a shaker and mover in the world of electric cars. Recently, Schwarzenegger visited Jay Leno's Garage to give the host a close look at the world's first electric Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. The SUV is powered by electric motors that can be both charged by plug-in and repowered through regenerative braking. With a lighter weight than a standard G-Wagen, this electric SUV can run 0-62 mph in just 5.6 seconds. That's just 0.2 seconds slower than an AMG G63, which is impressive considering this is not an AMG model. The video below is just a teaser, so stay on the lookout for the full video to come out in due time.World's First Electric Hummer H1https://www.facebook.com/jaylenosgarage/videos/1715092548523041/

By Edward Jones – December 19, 2017

Jon Olsson Cuts Roof Off of Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4²

Not too long ago, Jon Olsson unveiled Lord Hans. What is Lord Hans? That would be Olsson's Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4² that has been heavily customized. It may have looked incredible on its own, but it just wasn't enough for Olsson. You see, originally it was his plan to turn Lord Hans into a convertible and now he's acting on that plan. In his latest vlog video, he takes to the Mercedes-Benz SUV with a power tool and removes all of the metal he deems unnecessary. At the end, he's left with a topless SUV that he will now be able to enter the Monaco parking garages. He also says that he will be adding a few "Rolls-Royce twists" to the G500 before all is said and done. Honestly, I can't wait to see the finished product.

By Edward Jones – December 08, 2017

Led Zeppelin Singer Robert Plant's Aston Martin DB5 for Sale

The Aston Martin DB5 is, on its own, an iconic automobile. It's beauty, luxury and aura is something that can be experienced from near or far. In fact, James Bond was epicurean enough to choose the DB5 for many of his missions. Another well-known icon that had a DB5 of their own was Robert Plant, singer, and frontman for Led Zeppelin... and it's now for sale.Steve Jobs' BMW Z8 Heading to AuctionThis specific DB5 that's for sale at Nicholas Mee & Company LTD is chassis number 1744/R. It was built in 1965, but Plant purchased the car in the 1970's. He had the car in his ownership up until 1986 when it was sold to a father and son who collect cars. They then had the car restored. It was under their ownership up until 2008 when it was purchased by the current owner.You can learn more about the car by clicking the button below.Learn More

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2017

Rapper Turned a New Rolls-Royce into a Recording Studio

How quiet is the new Rolls-Royce Phantom? Quiet enough that rapper Skepta was able to record an entire song in the backseat of one while he was driven through the mountains of Switzerland.“The Phantom really takes you away. I stepped in the car and there was no need to think," said Skepta. "It was like sitting in first class on a plane minus the noise. Comfortable and silent, a perfect space to make music.”Rolls-Royce Dawn Races 0-155 mph on AutobahnIn the video below you can see the recording in action. In the video, Skepta makes the beat on his laptop on the way up a mountain's peak and then connects a mic to lay down the vocals. It's pretty interesting to see just how quiet the Phantom really is, which is something Rolls-Royce pointed out when the car was first revealed.

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 29, 2017

Migos' Quavo Gets a New McLaren 720S

There is a 99% chance you've heard something from Migos before, especially the recent 'MotorSport' that they collaborated with Nicki Minaj and Cardi B for. That's a fitting song name considering Quavo of Migos just picked himself up a new McLaren 720S supercar. What's more, he calls all other rappers out in his Instagram post of the car, saying he's the only rapper with one. Swizz Beatz might have something to say about that. Anyways, congrats to Quavo on his new car. He's for sure a sport.Why You Should Buy A McLaren 720Shttps://www.instagram.com/p/BcF9NMUA2Uj/?taken-by=quavohuncho

By Edward Jones – November 28, 2017

Tennis Winner's Trophy is a New Pink Porsche

On April 30, 2017, Laura Siegemund had the biggest win of her career. What's more, this win came in front of her home crowd in the Porsche Arena for the 40th Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Thanks to this win, she was gifted a new Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet at the Stuttgart Porsche Center this Monday, November 27. The color she chose for her new car is "frozen berry metallic."“It’s for sure the most coveted winner’s trophy on the WTA Tour and it was an unbelievable feeling when I won it,” said Laura Siegemund. “I definitely want to be back competing at the 2018 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.”All Porsches for Sale

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

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