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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 – June 07, 2018

Porsche 911 GT3 RS Talk w/ Mark Webber & Andeas Preuninger

As a Porsche Werks driver, Mark Webber was a brilliant racer in the World Endurance Championship. As the director of Porsche's GT program, Andeas Preuninger knows how to find horsepower in the most unlikely of places.So in a YouTube video uploaded this morning, these two discuss the finer points of the 991.2 GT3 RS. Compared to the 2016 (991.1) model, they deleted every last piece of insulation for a gain of over 6 lbs. To make the engine more robust, the diameter of the crank was increased, and it is fully cross-drilled to keep the rod bearings happy.Most Epic Hypercar Drag Races Include Porsche 911 GT1 vs Mercedes CLK GTRThis was done to tune out new harmonics caused by the elimination of hydraulic lifters. That's right, Porsche is going old-school with a solid lifter valvetrain. Not only do they sound amazing it allows the 346 lb-ft of torque to arrive at lower rpm. Without the oil pump having to support 12 lifters, drag was reduced on the accessory drive. This unlocked 20 horsepower and it offers a great acoustical symphony. Andreas is correct in saying these are the sounds we love, even the pebbles hitting the carbon fiber inner fenders are useful info to the driver. Of course, if you want all the specs, click the link below and stay with us for all your Porsche 911 updates.Browse Porsche 911 GT3 RS For Sale

By Edward Jones – May 29, 2018

Adam Levine Test Drives the Unreleased Electric Porsche

Adam Levine, songwriter and lead singer for Maroon 5, is a self-proclaimed Porsche fan. In a new video uploaded to Porsche's official YouTube channel, Levine explains his love for the brand and test drives the upcoming Mission E electric car.In the video, Levine notes that his love for Porsche started thanks to his uncle who always had a different Porsche. Following in his footsteps, Levine purchased a collector's Porsche of his own, a 1958 Speedster. He notes that this car, in his opinion, is irreplaceable. But, that could change with the new Mission E.Levine says: "Porsche people are not normal, because we want more out of everything." With the fully-electric Mission E, you get a 300-mile range, over 600 horsepower and a battery than can be charged to 80 percent in just 15 minutes. I'd say that's enough to make any Porsche fan happy.Check out the video for yourself and see what the famous singer thinks of Porsche's new Mission E.

By Edward Jones – May 16, 2018

Dr. Wolfgang Porsche’s Five Favorite Cars

To celebrate Dr. Wolfgang Porsche's 75th birthday, the team at Porsche asked him to show off his five favorite cars within his collection.Being the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche Sr., the man behind the founding of Porsche and Volkswagen, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche has been surrounded by fine automobiles since he was born 75 years ago. With his knowledge, he knows just what an excellent car is. So, it makes sense that the latest "Porsche Top 5" video delves into his collection and what he considers his five favorite cars.See 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Hit Top SpeedIn the video found below, you'll see that his cars range from the classics to the latest Porsche models. During the video, he quotes his father as saying, "The newest car is always the best." He then goes on to say his father would question his choices when adding an old car to his collection because "the newer one is always the better one." That statement rings true when you compare the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid to a classic 356. Sure, the 356 is iconic and gorgeous, but it's technology and abilities are nowhere near that of the new hybrid model.See what he picked as his five favorite Porsches in the video below.

By Andrew Nabors – May 10, 2018

Magnus Walker's Porsche 924 Carrera GT by Petrolicious

Who would have thought anything from 1980 would be collectible? Except for our friend Magnus Walker, who has a knack for finding rare Porsches. Petrolicious stopped by his LA warehouse to check out a 924 Carrera GT. Yes, the original Carrera GT name was bestowed on the 924 Turbo.Only 406 examples were built, mainly to homologate the Group 4 race team. Just in time for Transaxle Thursday, the 5-speed gearbox was mounted out back and connected to the clutch by a torque tube. The 4 cylinder engine was boosted with a larger turbo and intercooler to make 210 horsepower. To put that into perspective, the 1980 Corvette only made 190 hp. Since Mr. Walker knows more about Porsches than most enthusiasts, allow him to shed some light on the unloved 924 and click the link below to find one for yourself.Browse Porsche 924 For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=319&v=QqAzugyCQEo

By Edward Jones – April 24, 2018

Maria Sharapova & Mark Webber Test the Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Maria Sharapova is a Grand Slam winning tennis champion. Mark Webber is a race car driver. What do both of these celebrity athletes have in common? Porsche. Sharapova is a Porsche brand ambassador, while Webber is a former Porsche works driver.The two recently met up at the Porsche Development Center in Weissach for test drives in the new 911 GT2 RS. Each were given time behind the wheel of the most powerful 911 of all time and seemed to enjoy scaring the heck out of each other. It's not that hard to scare someone in the passenger seat of a car that's capable of producing 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, especially when that car can take corners as tight as a race car. Check out their hilarious reactions in the video below.2018 Porsche GT2 RS Price & Specs About the Porsche 911 GT2 RSThe new Porsche 911 GT2 RS is the German automaker's most powerful 911 model. It comes packing the same twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-six engine found in the 911 Turbo S. This engine produces 700 hp an 553 lb-ft of torque. Aiding the power is a customized GT seven-speed double-clutch Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK). Put this car to the test and it will run 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. As for weight, it tips the scales at 3,241 lbs, but the Weissach package can drop that amount by 40 lbs. The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is available to order with a base MSRP of $293,200, not including the $1,050 delivery fee.

By Edward Jones – March 26, 2018

Mark Webber Reviews the Porsche 911 GT2 RS

At the Australian debut of the new Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Mark Webber was able to get behind the wheel of the new sports car and take it for a few laps. The event, Porsche Pole Position, took place at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit where Porsche owners were able to take their cars around the circuit. "For us to have it on our shores here in Australia and be able to have a full track to ourselves, that's been incredible for me," said Webber.Porsche Employees Get Massive BonusThe new 911 GT2 RS would be an absolute blast to drive around an empty track. When compared to the 2011 911 GT2 RS, the 2018 model has 80 more horsepower and 37 more lb-ft of torque. The result is an astonishing 700 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque (911 Turbo S comes with 580 hp and .553 lb-ft). That kind of power rockets the car from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds, a quick-sprint that Webber accomplished many times during his laps I'm sure.The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is available to order with a base MSRP of $293,200, not including the $1,050 delivery fee.https://vimeo.com/261487662

By Edward Jones – March 19, 2018

Magnus Walker Visits Porsche Factory

If you're a Porsche fan or automotive enthusiast in general, you know Magnus Walker. Magnus has risen to fame through his love for the 911 and can be seen at just about every automotive event across the United States. His love for the Porsche 911 is real. Now, he's taken his love for the 911 overseas to the Porsche factory in Leipzig.2019 Porsche Cayenne: Price, Specs & PhotosHis visit included a walkaround of the production line where Porsche creates the Macan and Panamera model lines. “It is impressive to see that even in a high-tech series production environment every detail is considered and customer wishes can be implemented directly, like in a workshop,” Walker said. After that, he and 250 other enthusiasts journeyed onto the Porsche Leipzig race track in their own cars. Am I jealous of the 250 people that had a chance to hang out and race with Magnus? You bet.

By Edward Jones – February 15, 2018

"Baby Driver" Star Pulls Off Donuts in Porsche 918 Spyder

Ansel Elgort, the driver and actor that starred in "Baby Driver," was recently introduced to the Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar. Acting as a matchmaker between Elgort and the 918 was Lars Kern, a Porsche test driver.The event was uploaded to Porsche's YouTube channel where Elgort learns all of the finer aspects of the German hypercar. From its lightweight design to its aerodynamic superiority, Elgort definitely walked away from this experience with a greater knowledge regarding the hypercar.Porsche 918 Spyder: 10 Facts You Need To KnowElgort also mentioned that going to Germany and driving the best car ever was on his bucket list. And, well, he can definitely cross that one off of the list now. After being thoroughly introduced to the car, the actor finally had his chance to get behind the wheel to take the 918 Spyder for a spin. The first thing he does? Pull off some massive donuts, of course.The Porsche 918 Spyder is definitely a step up from the Subaru WRX Elgort drove in "Baby Driver"!

By Andrew Nabors – January 26, 2018

Jerry Seinfeld's 911 GT3 RS Is 1 of 1

When Henry Ford launched the Model T, he told dealers and customers that it was available in any color you want...As long as you want black. Painting cars is one of the most expensive costs in the assembly process. Pierre DuPont owned a majority of GM throughout the 20's and he challenged his chemical engineers to make a more affordable & durable car paint. The result was Nitrocellulose Lacquer (Duco) and it transformed the industry. With Racing Legend Hurley Haywood at Brumos Porsche in Jacksonville. #hegavemeahat A post shared by Jerry Seinfeld (@jerryseinfeld) on Feb 13, 2015 at 12:17pm PST Modern paints are all water-based, but to achieve the same depth as the old days requires several coats. That is why Porsche's Liquid Chrome Blue Metallic was a $64,000 option on the 918 Spyder. Sprayed by master painters, the finish requires nine base coats of varying metallics, three rounds of color sanding between them, and finally 3 coats of clear. Color sanding is time intensive, and almost as fun as jury duty, so the extra cost is worth it for a flawless finish. You better believe it, baby! @sportscarmarket A post shared by Jerry Seinfeld (@jerryseinfeld) on Oct 8, 2015 at 6:06pm PDT A normal customer probably couldn't order this paint on anything, let alone the wild GT3 RS. Jerry Seinfeld is not your average Porsche owner. His hit series "Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee" has pulled back the curtain on his collection. Some of the noteworthy cars are one of the original Gmünd prototypes, a 911 RSR, and a handful of rare race cars. We saw him sell a few at Gooding's Amelia Island Auction in 2016, and he took home $22.2 Million at the end of the day. Magic in Malibu A post shared by Jerry Seinfeld (@jerryseinfeld) on Jan 20, 2018 at 12:34pm PST So it's needless to say Porsche will build anything for their valued clients, so this GT3 RS was part of their "Special Wishes" program. Mention the term "Sunderwunsch" around Porsche fans and you will immediately have their attention. This is the only GT3 RS to be treated to such a fancy finish and the fact that Jerry ordered it will make it a blockbuster if he ever decides to sell. We're gearing up for this year's Amelia Island festivities, so stay with us for all your Porsche & Celebrity updates. Tell us what you think of the color below in the comments, and click the link to find your own Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Browse 911 GT3 RS @ptsrs Thought you should have on file. Liquid Chrome Blue Metallic 1 of one. A post shared by Jerry Seinfeld (@jerryseinfeld) on Jan 22, 2018 at 5:20pm PST

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

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