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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 – August 10, 2020

Michael Jordan's 1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 Lorinser for Sale

If you're one of the millions who have watched "The Last Dance," then you may have seen this car before. In the documentary all about Michael Jordan, he can be seen driving a wide variety of cars. At one point, after he threw out the first pitch at an MLB game and word got out that he was planning on retiring from basketball, Jordan hopped into a 1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 Lorinser. It was this car that he used to drive away from the baseball park and escape reporters. Now, this very Mercedes is up for sale by Beverly Hills Car Club. The car, as the name suggests, has been customized by Lorinser. This includes a wide range of upgraded components including the wheels, body components and dual-exhaust tips setup. Along with the car comes the title that clearly states Michael Jordan as the owner of the Mercedes. This is most definitely a rare opportunity to own a legend's car, and it helps that this is quite the car. For more info, be sure to click the button below. View This Listing Source: Beverly Hills Car Club

By Edward Jones – July 27, 2020

Mercedes-Benz x Virgil Abloh Present: Project Geländewagen

Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with Virgil Abloh, the famous fashion designer and creative director, to create artwork that's inspired by the G-Class. This new endeavor is being called "Project Geländewagen." Abloh and Gorden Wagener, the Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer, are working together for the project in an effort to combine both fashion and art with the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. “Mercedes-Benz is a brand that stands for luxury and exceptional performance,” says Virgil Abloh. “Truly a perfect chassis to interject modern artists’ ideas of what the future can be stylistically, within conceptual car design.” The artwork will be launched on digital platforms on September 8, 2020, at 10AM EST. A one-of-a-kind replica of the artwork will be auctioned off after the launch, with proceeds benefiting a charity that supports the arts. For more information, stay with us for more information.

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2020

Red Skelton's 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E For Sale

One of the most famous comedians of the 20th century was Red Skelton. Writing this makes me feel old, but he put a smile on millions of faces. The Red Skelton Show ran from 1937 and 1971, and he frequently appeared in celebrity roasts, HBO comedy specials, and cameo appearances. Needless to say, he was a wealthy entertainer who liked fast cars and this 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E became his around 1997. What you see here is an incredibly rare car. Only 1,505 were built for the U.S. because it was a unique collaboration between Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. While development of the S-Class was taking up all the engineering efforts, a small team decided the 500 needed the massive new 5-liter. Porsche was in a bit of a slump, as the 911 had not changed much in three decades. So, Porsche took over the work on the model and assembled them after Mercedes-Benz did the initial design. As with all Canepa cars, everything from the floor mats to the tailpipes is clean enough to eat your dinner on. Take this one to an auction and make some money, or keep it as a perfect investment. Click the button below for all the details and stay with us for more amazing Canepa inventory. View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 11, 2019

Lewis Hamilton Meets the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE

Lewis Hamilton, the six-time Formula 1 World Champion, has been more than successful for Mercedes-Benz. He has been a dominant force on the track and he's showing no signs of slowing down. Because of his close connection with the German automaker, he benefits from some great perks. One of his perks is seeing cars in development, like the new Mercedes-AMG Project ONE development car. Hamilton recently met up with the development car to see it on the track. See what he thought about the Project ONE in the video down below. SEE ALL MERCEDES-BENZ FOR SALE " width="680">

By Edward Jones – December 02, 2019

The Weeknd Stars in New Mercedes-Benz EQC Campaign

Famous singer and songwriter The Weeknd is now starring in a new ad campaign for the Mercedes-Benz EQC. I should also mention he was the Creative Directory as well. The main feature of the new campaign is a long-format commercial that tells a brief story of the Mercedes brand over the years. In the commercial, found below, The Weeknd's new "Blinding Lights" song plays in the background as Mercedes from various generations race across the screen. The German automaker is aiming to make the EQC not an "electric car" but a true Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Check it out for yourself down below. SEE ALL MERCEDES-BENZ FOR SALE " width="680">

By Edward Jones – October 25, 2019

Peace & Quiet: Felix Jaehn and the Mercedes-Benz EQC Edit...

The Mercedes-Benz EQC Edition 1886 is the German automaker's first battery-powered crossover. Why the "1886" in the name? It's an homage to the first car Mercedes ever made, which was created back in 1886. Unlike the first Mercedes, this new EQC is incredibly quiet thanks to its electric propulsion system. Taking advantage of the EQC's quietness is Felix Jaehn, a music producer that travels the world playing music for adoring fans. After playing music throughout the night, it must be nice to get into a car like the EQC and experience true silence while on the road. Check it out his video up above and listen to his music here. all mercedes-benz for sale

By Edward Jones – August 05, 2019

Jon Olsson's Convertible Mercedes G500 4x4 Squared is for...

Just a couple of months ago, Jon Olsson debuted his outlandish Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4 Squared that has been turned into a convertible. Yes, he had the luxury SUV chopped and redesigned by DTMobilidy to be a more "safari" version of the G-Wagon. And now it's for sale. Olsson announced the car's availability on his YouTube channel with a new vlog upload. He didn't list a price, but it's for sure going to be more than the sticker price of $256,000. An increase in price is justified by the SUV's one-of-a-kind design, 850 horsepower output and various other aftermarket upgrades. Check it all out for yourself in the video up above. If you're interested in making an offer, he has his email address in the video's description. see all mercedes g500's for sale

By Edward Jones – May 08, 2019

Jon Olsson's 850 HP "Safari" G-Wagon: The Wildest Mercede...

It was back in the end of December 2017 that Jon Olsson cut the roof off of his Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4². Since then, DTMobility has been hard at work turning the SUV known as Lord Hans into what is now Lord Hans 2.0. The result is a new "Safari" G-Wagon that's unlike any other G-Class you'll find. DTMobility took the topless G-Wagon and put on a new "safari" top. Truth be told, having a vehicle without a roof can be a pain in the butt when it rains. They also included new seats, exterior trim and even a tune that bumps up its power to 850 horsepower. After the SUV's unveiling, Olsson was more than pleased with the car. One aspect that he appreciated the most was that the new seats allowed him to see out the windshield without issue. I can easily say that being able to see out of the windshield is definitely something we should all look for in cars. Check out the SUV for yourself in the video up above. see all mercedes g500's for sale https://www.instagram.com/p/BxFklyqH4If/

By Edward Jones – October 23, 2018

Nico Rosberg Customizes His Mercedes-AMG ONE

Nico Rosberg, the famous retired F1 driver, has a Mercedes-AMG ONE on order and he just posted a video of his first time seeing the car. He took a visit to Mercedes' Munich showroom and spent some time in the AMG ONE popup store in order to personalize his own German hypercar. In the popup store, Rosberg used a touchscreen to scroll between the different colors in order to find his perfect color. It looked like he ended up on a dark grey color, but we'll have to wait and see what his final decision was. As he was scrolling, brief glimpses of the car in different colors are shown and it looks absolutely mental in a red finish. Click play on the video below to see it for yourself! View All Mercedes For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 27, 2018

Jon Olson Reveals Topless Mercedes G500 4x4²

The madman Jon Olsson received his Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² just about seven months ago. Shortly after that, he cut the roof off of it and planned on turning it into a one-of-a-kind topless G-Class. Now, he's finished his project and has revealed what the SUV looks like now and it doesn't disappoint.The revamped G-Wagon comes with a small front windshield and absolutely no roof. Seriously, sitting in this thing puts you directly out into the open. It's mental. So far, we only have these Instagram posts of the car but he's going to be dropping a vlog any moment now so stay tuned.https://www.instagram.com/p/BkiNlBFgwS8/https://www.instagram.com/jonolsson1/

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