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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 Andrew Nabors – September 06, 2018

RIP Burt Reynolds: 1936-2018

Somewhere between Texarkana and Atlanta, The Snowman and the Bandit are together again. Burt Reynolds passed away earlier today, September 6, 2018, from a heart attack. He was immortalized to the automotive world by playing the lead role in Smokey & The Bandit, its sequel, and Cannonball Run. Pontiac chose to celebrate their 50th Anniversary with a Black & Gold Trans-Am, and over 30 of them were used in the first Smokey film.Burt Reynolds Introduces The New Bandit Trans-AmThe cars became known as "Bandit" editions, and Burt was the guest of honor at the annual Bandit Run. This gathering of Firebirds from around the world is one of the most polite automotive rallies you will ever attend. This year they chose Jupiter, Florida to visit Burt at his home. Our friends at Trans-Am Depot employed Mr. Reynolds as their spokesman for the 5th Generation Trans-Am, complete with T-Tops and an optional CB radio.We have lost a friend, a football legend, and a talented actor. Rest In Peace BanditFeatured Image via Barrett-Jackson

By Andrew Nabors – July 19, 2018

New Paul Walker Documentary Premieres August 11th

It will be 5 years since we lost Paul Walker this December. The Fast & Furious star was lost in a tragic accident while his friend was behind the wheel. To celebrate his life, a new documentary called "I AM Paul Walker" is set to premiere on Paramount Network. The director behind the film is Adrian Buitenhuis, who has done similar films about Heath Ledger, Chris Farley, and Muhammad Ali.Jay Leno Drives Toyota Supra With Paul Walker’s BrotherParamount Network notes that it will cover his family life, charity work along with interviews with family and friends. These friends include Fast and Furious co-star Tyrese Gibson and director Rob Cohen. From beginning to end, the film will take you on a journey through his childhood, to his rise to celebrity status. The film will also detail the creation of his disaster relief NGO, Reach Out Worldwide.We're hoping this film also shows off some of the cars he amassed. His car collection was one of the most impressive in Hollywood and he did most of the stunt driving himself.Tune in to Paramount Network 9pm (Eastern Time) on August 11th and stay with us for all your Fast & Furious updates.https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=lqydf86XRIA

By Andrew Nabors – February 06, 2018

Keanu Reeves Unveils New Motorcycle During The Big Game

One of the most inspiring commercials during the Big Game was Keanu Reeves standing on a motorcycle. It was the 5th ad for Squarespace that evening, and it made bike enthusiasts hold their breath. Standing atop a moving bike is a death-defying stunt made famous by Indian Larry.Keanu Reeves and Porsche 911 Carrera 4SKeanu was indeed standing on a moving bike, but the bike was like nothing you've seen before. Arch Motorcycle began with a custom bike built for Keanu by his friend Gard Hollinger. He was so impressed with the quality that the two decided to join forces and build them to order. It took three years to make his prototype ready for series production, and now they have delivered the KRGT1.The Keanu Reeves Grand Tourer is powered by a 124 ci (2,032cc) S&S engine. That means you will have an entire aftermarket of cams and go-fast goodies at your disposal. But you won't need to order anything else because for $78,000 they will build it to order. The videos on their Facebook page show us carbon fiber wheels, billet suspension parts, and a gorgeous LED headlight. We wish them well and hope to get a ride when they come to Daytona. Stay with us for more updates on this exciting new brand, and always ride responsibly!Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – February 05, 2018

Cars Of The Philadelphia Eagles

No matter where your sports allegiances lie, you have to admit the Big Game was entertaining. Since Autofluence was switched on, we've mentioned or shown a Tom Brady automobile almost as many times as Money Mayweather. That's why it's nice to learn about the rides of other winners. Good Day Philadelphia is Fox 29's morning broadcast, and they offered a few glimpses of the wild rides of the Eagles players. Top 10 Car Commercials From The Big Game ??? Rally A post shared by COREY CLEMENT (@yeroc_) on Jan 14, 2018 at 2:56pm PST Corey Clement's SRT8 Dodge Challenger looks ready to race. GETTING READY FOR THE WEEKEND @ayers601 @tigeboats @wakeboatporn @nalbater #weekend @americanforcewheels #28's #nofilter A post shared by fcoxx_91 (@fcoxx_91) on Jun 30, 2017 at 4:33pm PDT Vinny Curry's daily driver is a base model Ford F150 that has been heavily modified. Fletcher Cox has a silver F250 with a lift and massive wheels.Jason Kelce has a pristine 1987 Chevrolet C10 that looks stock down to the wheels.Between the Challenger and the trucks was an undercover car. If it were ours, it would be covered too because it looks to be a new Camaro ZL1 Even in stock form, the Jeep Wrangler is as tough as they come.Next up looks like a Roush Mustang, or at least a late model Mustang GT. The other players' cars included a mid-80s Caprice along with several more Ford trucks.Congrats to the Eagles for their win, and if you like cars shows come see us at the Baltimore Convention Center from Thursday to Sunday night. I'll have plenty of videos and pictures so you will see them here on Autofluence. Click on the link below to find your next ride.Drive Like A Winner

By Andrew Nabors – January 31, 2018

Rampage Jackson Helped Design the New Rezvani Beast Alpha...

Nothing in the sky was as imposing as the SR-71 Blackbird. Taking inspiration from the world's fastest aircraft, Ferris Rezvani and his team have unleashed the Beast Alpha X Blackbird supercar. It has only been a little over a year since the Beast Alpha was released, and it took off with full afterburners. New 2017 Rezvani Beast Alpha Makes World Debut To provide intense acceleration, they have developed a new 2.5-liter engine that arrives with a turbo and a supercharger. Cosworth provides the tuning, and it tops out at 700 horsepower. Your choice of a close-ratio six-speed manual or a paddle-shifted sequential transmission will have you at 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.The body was penned by Samir Sadikhov, an award-winning designer who worked under guidance from Rezvani. Weight was their target, so careful use of composites along with forged 18" wheels allows for a curb weight of 2,100 lbs. It rides on a 92.3" wheelbase, and it is only 43.5" tall. Jamie Foxx Gets a Wicked Rezvani Tank Limited to a production run of only 5 cars, the first example has been delivered to Rampage Jackson. "The Beast Alpha X 'Blackbird' truly lives up to its name," said CEO Ferris Rezvani. "Our design team worked closely with Rampage Jackson to come up with the perfect vehicle to match his signature style and Beast-like personality." Celebrities and athletes can't seem to resist a Rezvani, as Jamie Foxx purchased a Tank earlier this week. If you want something powerful and exclusive, pricing starts at $225,000. We're sure the Alpha X Blackbird is ready for its big screen debut, so stay with us for all your Rezvani Motors updates.

By Andrew Nabors – January 29, 2018

King Shaq Takes Delivery Of His New Vaydor

One of the best cars to come out of our hometown is the Vaydor. It is a wild 2-seater that is built to order by Supercraft Custom Crafted Cars. Master coachbuilder Amitcar Juarbe and his son Melvin have partnered with us for several shows, and the Vaydor captures all the attention. It is a blak canvas, allowing for more customization than any mass-production car.As such, King Shaq decided to get his on order back in August. The Vaydor rides on air suspension, which allows over 5" of adjustment. Florida isn't known for kind pavement, so the airbags allow the NBA veteran to ride in comfort. Just like his customized Kia from a few years back, seats and controls were personalized to fit his 7'1" frame. Size 22 shoes have a hard time with normally sized pedals, so the floor pan and lower dash received some "massaging". Just got my Vaydor @supercraftcars #custom #vaydor A post shared by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq) on Jan 26, 2018 at 5:11pm PST Shaq’s New Police Car is a Freakin’ HellcatShaq is also the king of hiding his Superman logos in plain sight, so we can't wait to see this one in person. Power comes from naturally aspirated or supercharged version of the Nissan VQ35 or VQ37, for years of reliability. Based on the proven Infiniti G37 chassis, you also have the choice of manual or automatic transmissions. After being behind the wheel of a few of their builds, we applaud Mr. O'Neal on this fine purchase. If you are interested in more details, click the link below for more details.Supercraft Custom Cars

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2017

All-Star Game MVP Robinson Cano Wins Corvette Grand Sport

One of the best series of advertisements in automotive history was Chevrolet's slogan in the 70's: "Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie & Chevrolet". As one of the biggest sponsors of Major League Baseball, Chevrolet had something special for last night's All-Star Game. The American League won in the 13th inning, thanks to the efforts of Seattle Mariner Robinson Canó. To celebrate his first All-Star award, Chevrolet Vice-President Brian Sweeny offered him a new Colorado ZR2 or a new Corvette Grand Sport, with a few congratulations: "“Robinson Canó turned in a tremendous performance tonight and is an excellent example to all baseball fans, and especially our kids, that hustle, determination, and teamwork are what wins, and that is why Chevrolet is proud to present the MVP award”. Although the Colorado ZR2 is a hot seller, we think he made the right choice with the new Corvette. If you have been considering a more efficient daily driver, the naturally aspirated 6.2 liter is capable of 28 miles per gallon and an 11.8-second quarter mile at 118 mph. Reaching 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, it will scare the daylights out of any first baseman. The spoilers and wide body parts are borrowed from the Z06 for aggressive looks and incredible grip. A blue metallic finish with a white center stripe is a throwback to the original 1963 Grand Sports. It was a secret program to build race cars to compete on the world stage. Resurrected in 1996, they were powered by the final and most powerful version of the 350 V8. You might be wondering why he wasn't offered a Z06? That's because the wild ZR1 is almost ready to launch. It will probably send the Z06 back to the dugout, but the Grand Sport will remain as the best combination of power and performance. Congrats to Mr. Canó on the big win! if you want to be part of a winning team, our dealers have great summer incentives on new Corvette Grand Sports for sale. Stay with us for all your Chevrolet news.

By Edward Jones – June 30, 2017

Spider-Man Shows Up in Secret Audi

For the world premiere of 'Spider-Man: Homecoming', the actor who portrays the webslinging hero arrived in a magnificent fashion. His chariot for the night was a disguised version of the upcoming Audi A8 model.Prototype Audis are usually covered in a camouflage that consists of white and black swirls, but this was a special occasion. Instead of it appearing in a typical camo, Audi's Technical Development team created a special camo foil patter that incorporates spider webs on the doors and in the signature rings.Those wanting to get a closer look at the new A8 can actually see it in action during 'Spider-Man: Homecoming.' The front and sides of the car are on display, as is the Audi AI Traffic Jam Pilot.Also, if you've seen the trailers for the new Spider-Man film, you know that Iron Man plays a big role. So, naturally Tony Stark showed up to the premiere in a new black Audi R8 Spyder.Audi will be officially unveiling the new A8 on July 11, 2017 at the Audi Summit in Barcelona.

By Andrew Nabors – February 20, 2017

Mike Tyson's Ferrari F50 Heading to Amelia Island

Normally we would advise against buying an exotic car from someone with face tattoos, but this one is well documented. Ferrari's F50 was a 90's supercar in every way. Only 50 examples were sold in the US, so many enthusiasts jump at the opportunity to own one. Seeing one in person is a rarity altogether, so pack your bags for the Amelia Island Concours. Every March cars from around the world converge around the Ritz-Carlton for RM Sotheby's auction. This year's main event will be a Battle Royale among Ferrari collectors because this F50 was ordered by none other than Mike Tyson. "Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth". And you should have a plan to stop by our hospitality suite at the Concours.With only 5,694 miles the condition of the car speaks for itself. An engine out service addressed all the issues associated with long-term storage and also allowed this F50 to be Classiche Certified. So in addition to the hardtop storage crate, the winning bidder will also receive the "Red Book" detailing the provenance of the car. Essentially the F50 was a detuned Formula 1 car, making 520 hp and revving to 10,000 rpm. In order to hear the incredible engine at full power, the current owner swapped the factory exhaust for a Tubi high flow system. When the engine was out, new fuel tanks were installed and technicians rebuilt the water and oil pumps. It is being listed between 2.2 and 2.4 Million Dollars, so contact RM to place your bid and stay with us for complete coverage from Amelia Island.

By Edward Jones – November 23, 2016

Justin Bieber Visits Lamborghini HQ

The man himself, Justin Bieber, took time away from his Purpose World Tour to stop by the Lamborghini Museum and factory. The visit was mentioned in a press release issued by the Italian automaker. During his visit, he met and was photographed with Stefano Domenicali, the Chairman and CEO of Lamborghini. Once he wrapped up, he headed to Unipol Arena for the last part of his tour in Bologna. Better yet? He showed up in an Aventador Roadster.Bieber, whether you love him or hate him, he's been around quite a bit of exotic cars. He's been seen driving around in Lewis Hamilton's LaFerrari, has a Liberty Walk 458 Italia and reports have even said that he's purchased a LaFerrari of his own.All Lamborghini For Sale

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