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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 Jordan Aquistapace – July 26, 2021

NASCAR Hall Of Fame Legend Cale Yarborough's 1977 Oldsmob...

A chance at owning a key piece of NASCAR winning history driven by Cale Yarborough. Presented by the Owner - This 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass is likely to be the most historically significant NASCAR chassis in existence today. Driven by NASCAR multi-time champion Cale Yarborough, the Oldsmobile was raced during his third championship season of 1978, verified by a former crew chief. The 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass sponsored by First National City Travelers Check was chosen as 1 of the 18 race cars displayed at the ‘Dale Jr.: Glory Road Champions’ exhibit in Charlotte, NC at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The Cutlass was race-ready up until it going on display in 2019, presented in its original condition. As a piece of automotive history, this 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass is an easy invite to any worldwide race or historic event, including Monterey, Goodwood, etc. Click the link below to view the duPont REGISTRY listing on this iconic 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass NASCAR driven by Cale Yarborough. View The 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Listing Media/Info Source: NASCAR Hall Of Fame

By Edward Jones – July 22, 2021

IndyCar Driver JR Hildebrand Drives the McLaren Elva

JR Hildebrand: "It's the ultimate driver's car." IndyCar driver and star JR Hildebrand recently took out the exciting McLaren Elva for a spin and was thoroughly impressed. The drive he embarked on took him through the streets of San Francisco and along the Pacific Coast highway. The Elva itself is a truly unique model in McLaren's lineup, giving customers the ability to order it with or without a windshield. It also packs plenty of power, 804 bhp to be exact, thanks to its twin-turbo V8 engine. You can see the drive for yourself in the video up above. "The Elva is the newest car in the growing stable of McLaren Ultimate Series machines, with not only hyper-car performance but a hyper-specific use case," said Hildebrand. "Where the McLaren Senna and McLaren Senna GTR exist to be the ultimate in track weapons, the Elva is designed for the ultimate immersive experience on your favorite roads, and to be completely unhidden from your environment - whether that be a coastal sea breeze or the paparazzi flash pulling up on Rodeo Drive." See McLarens For Sale Source: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – July 16, 2021

RM Sotheby's To Offer First-Ever Lewis Hamilton GP-Winnin...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - Formula 1®️ together with RM Sotheby’s have announced a very special, single lot auction of the 2010 McLaren Mercedes MP4-25 Formula 1 Race Car, (estimate: $5,000,000 - $7,000,000) to take place at the FORMULA 1 PIRELLI BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2021. The auction will take place on the Saturday afternoon of the race weekend immediately prior to F1’s first-ever Sprint Qualifying Race. In keeping with the series of firsts, this sale marks the first time any Lewis Hamilton F1 Race Car, let alone a Lewis Hamilton Grand Prix winning car has ever been offered for public sale. To mark this unique event and the return of fans to F1’s first-ever venue, Formula 1 and RM Sotheby’s have created the ground-breaking concept to sell this incredible car live while it is being driven around the historic Silverstone circuit at speeds in excess of 150 mph; a unique auction set-up at one of the most iconic tracks in motorsport. Being held on Hamilton’s home track and with a live audience planned for the Silverstone GP, race fans and registered bidders will be able to witness MP4- 25 take to the circuit at speed in all its former glory. AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE NO OTHER A man who has eclipsed all major records with no sign of slowing, Lewis Hamilton has become a Global Icon that transcends the automotive world – currently the most dominant and talked about driver in Formula 1, but yet a gentleman competitor always, showing great deference to the giants that preceded him and who’s shoulders he stands upon as the face of the world’s biggest annual sporting series. The McLaren MP4-25, powered by the Mercedes-Benz FO 108X 2.4-liter V-8 engine, proved to be a major improvement on its predecessor, in part due to the innovative "F-duct" incorporated into the design; the system’s effect being controlled by the driver covering up a small hole in the cockpit with his left leg. The design innovation along with a host of other improvements helped reduce aerodynamic drag and allowed the car as much as an extra 6 mph (9.7 km/h) on straights. In the 14 years since his F1 baptism in Melbourne in 2007, Lewis Hamilton has competed in 270 Grands Prix, winning 98 and enjoying a further 71 podium finishes, he has amassed an incredible 100 pole positions, 3,872 points and led for over 5,170 laps; each milestone reinforcing his reputation at the very pinnacle of the sport and each achieved with recognition and thanks to his team and respect to his rivals. Now a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion and 2021 Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Lewis has become a global force across multiple arenas – a talented fashion designer, skilled musician, Hollywood tastemaker, social activist, champion for environmental change as well as the most successful Formula 1 driver of all time. Lewis Hamilton is a global icon whose dynamism and passion for initiating change commands as much attention and respect crossing the finish line as he does as on the red carpet of the MET Gala. The availability of this example, chassis number 25A-01, is an unrepeatable opportunity given the model’s scarcity. While client confidentiality precludes disclosing exactly how many cars exist in private ownership, it's believed to be only a scarce few. As such these examples remain highly coveted and largely in private hands, unlikely to be sold in the near future. Furthermore, the McLaren-Mercedes represents a car that can still be track-driven and supported by the original factory teams as part of individual Heritage departments. Learn more about this unique auction, set to take place 17 July, 2021 at the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix in Silverstone, United Kingdom. Contact an RM Sotheby’s representative for more details. View Listing For More Info

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 09, 2021

Watch Post Malone Take On The Racetrack In His New 'Motle...

Post Malone adds a race suit to his wardrobe in his newest music video. It’s easy to see that Post Malone is a true car enthusiast, with countless desirable examples filling Post Malone's car collection. When Post Malone is not driving his Lamborghini Aventador SV or 2021 Ford GT, he is thinking of ways to incorporate his passion for cars into his love of music. In his latest music video ‘Motley Crew’ directed by Cole Bennett, Post Malone takes on the race track with some celebrity friends. While the track is filled with NASCAR chassis, Post Malone’s choice is his own 2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan designed in a custom livery. The passion does not stop at just luxury supercars, as Post Malone takes a lap in a livery-matching Pontiac GTO convertible with Motley Crue member Nikki Sixx. Check out Post Malone’s ‘Motley Crew’ music video by clicking the video link above. For more Celebrity Car news, Check out Kevin Hart Talks New Show on Spike’s Car Radio Featured Image Source: Screenshot/YouTube

By Edward Jones – June 30, 2021

Kevin Hart Talks New Show on Spike's Car Radio

Maybe he'll talk about his Bronco that just sold at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas. If you listen to the Spike's Car Radio podcast, as you should, you're in for a treat as Kevin Hart joins the crew for today's episode. During the episode, Hart will be discussing his new show "Kevin Hart's Muscle Car Crew." This new show will be available on July 2nd on the MotorTrend App and it will most definitely be an entertaining watch. Hart is quite the automotive fan, having added quite a few incredible vehicles to his collection like a "Mint" Corvette, Ferrari 488 Pista and even a 1,000 horsepower "Hellraiser" Dodge Charger by SpeedKore. Be sure to check the episode out to hear from Hart, as well as a debate on the new Tesla Model S Plaid's steering yoke. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify https://www.instagram.com/p/CQwFwiCs7sQ/ Source: @spikeferesten/Instagram

By Edward Jones – June 30, 2021

SpeedKore's "Hellacious" is a Road-Going Version of Vin D...

Drive like Dom in this mid-engine Charger. SpeedKore has unveiled their latest creation which's actually a road-going version of the Charger that Vin Diesel's character, Dominic Toretto, drives in the "F9" film. Called "Hellacious," this insane 1968 Charger is a mid-engine monster that's powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 engine. In total, it can lay down 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. That power is sent through a gated manual Graziano transaxle that's actually from a Lamborghini Gallardo. What's more, this is the first mid-engine classic Charger that SpeedKore has ever created. Its widebody design comes from Sean Smith Designs and is crafted from carbon fiber, similar to SpeedKore's previous Chargers. "This Charger is one of our most extreme builds to date," said Jim Kacmarcik, president and owner of SpeedKore. "After commissioning renowned designer Sean Smith to design the car and working with F9’s picture vehicle coordinator Dennis McCarthy to build the nine chassis and vehicle bodies for the film, we wanted to bring the movie magic of F9 to life. ‘Hellacious’ is a road-going version of the movie car with the functionality of a purpose-built performance car." See All Hellcat Chargers For Sale Source: SpeedKore

By Edward Jones – June 25, 2021

Original Miami Vice Ferrari Testarossa On Display At Curated

A chance to see a legendary Ferrari. Curated has recently sold one of the most iconic Ferraris ever created, the 1986 Ferrari Testarossa from the TV series 'Miami Vice.' This Ferrari was one of two Metallic Black "Flying Mirror" Testarossas that were delivered to Universal Television by Ferrari. The iconic white paint was applied to the cars in order to make them more visible at night. The original title that accompanies the iconic Ferrari was in the Universal Television name, with Ferrari North America as the Lienholder. In April 1990, the car was purchased by Mr. Preston Henn after the 'Miami Vice' series completed. You may know the late Preston Henn from the legendary Swap Shop that he owned. It was here that he displayed his massive car collection. Curated has sold the Miami Vice Ferrari Testarossa to a new owner who will be receiving the exceptionally original car with just under 7,000 miles on its odometer and the original Goodyear Eagle tires still equipped. if you'd like to view this legend for yourself, it will be on display at Curated's Miami showroom for the next two weeks. The address for the showroom is 2100 NE 2nd Ave Miami, FL 33137. View Curated's Inventory Source: Curated, Photos by Albert Manduca

By Edward Jones – June 23, 2021

Post Malone's New Ford GT is Ice Cold

Added to his already icy collection. Post Malone has added a stunning example of the Ford GT supercar to his collection. We've learned this from both his Instagram post and a video from The Stradman where he visits Post Malone's car collection at his house to buy a Lamborghini Urus. The new Ford GT is an excellent selection for his collection. Not only does the new GT look downright amazing, but it's also filled with technology and plenty of power. Its 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine pushed out a whopping 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. That's enough power for the new GT to sprint from 0 to 60 in just around 2.9 seconds. His example features all of that, as well as a Frozen White exterior and a Dark Energy interior. If you'd like a Ford GT of your own, click the button below to see what's for sale. See Post Malones Car Collection See All Ford GTs For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcQYLnM910/?utm_medium=copy_link Source: @postmalone/Instagram

By Edward Jones – June 21, 2021

Travis Pastrana's Gymkhana Subaru Races a 1,200 HP GT-R

The famous Subaru takes on the AMS-built Alpha Princess GT-R. HOONIGAN's "Flying Finish" YouTube series pits Travis Pastrana's insane Subaru WRX STI featured in the Gymkhana against other incredible cars. The most recent video has the STI racing Brooke Berini's 2009 Nissan GT-R that has been upgraded by AMS Performance. While there is a major power discrepancy between the GT-R and the 865 hp STI, the Subaru definitely benefits from being over 1,000 lbs lighter. Either way, they're both incredible cars and you can see them race in the video up above. If you'd like a GT-R of your own to race, check out the selection down below. See All Nissan GT-Rs For Sale Source: Hoonigan/YouTube

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 21, 2021

Paul Walker 'Fast & Furious' Toyota Supra Sells For $550,...

The Fast & Furious movie saga is known as the most influential series in the automotive industry, being the main reason for so many future car enthusiasts and collectors. One of the vehicles that caught the hearts and eyes of millions was the 1994 Toyota Supra driven by Paul Walker. The iconic streetcar features countless modifications to make it one of the fastest and best-looking vehicles in the series. This weekend at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas, the 1994 Supra from 2 Fast 2 Furious took the stage to find its new home. After an exciting battle of bidding, the Mk IV Toyota Supra sold for $550,000, making it the most expensive chassis sold to date. View all of the Toyota Supras available on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Toyota Supra For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CQUl8Svrpja/ For more Auction news, Check out Mac Miller’s 2012 Fisker Karma Sells At Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas For $150,000

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