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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 – February 04, 2020

James Hetfield Collection Opens at Petersen Museum

Being the frontman of Metallica has some nice perks. Since 1981, the band has sold millions of albums and received 9 Grammy awards. When he is not shredding on stage, his passion for cars is immense. That is why the James Hetfield Collection has opened at the Petersen Museum. "Reclaimed Rust" is a display of 10 cars spanning the timeline of his collection. These highly customized rides include a 1948 Jaguar "Black Pearl", 1934 Packard "Aquarius", and a 1953 Buick Skylark "Skyscraper. Sponsored by ESP Guitars, they will be on display until the end of October. Custom Luxury Cars For Sale " width="680"> Related: Petersen Museum to host Zora Duntov Corvette Tribute Weekend

By Andrew Nabors – August 22, 2019

Adam Carolla Drives Paul Newman's Porsche 935

This year's Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion takes place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. WeatherTech's owner David MacNeil was busy collecting trophies at Pebble Beach, but his racetrack was alive with vintage racers. One very significant Porsche 935 could be considered too valuable for laps at this tricky course. Nevertheless, Adam Carolla got behind the wheel of Paul Newman's Porsche 935. The car finished 1st in class and 2nd overall in 1979 at LeMans. Bobby Rahal pushed it to 1st overall at Daytona in '81. Our friend Mr. Carolla is an accomplished driver and collector, so let's watch and listen to this classic Porsche in action. While we might not have a 935 for sale, we have plenty of air-cooled 911 turbos to choose from. Click the link below and stay with us for more celebrity car news. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680"> Related: Report: Ferrari 250 GTO Sells For $80 Million Paul Newman's Porsche 935 Purchased by Adam Carolla

By Edward Jones – July 03, 2019

Mad Mike's New Lamborghini Drift Car Takes On Kamaz Truck

In the world of drifting, there are some absolutely out of this world creations. Some of these drifters take cars and completely reinvent them so that can be properly slid around corners. One such drifter is Mad Mike, who just showed off his latest drift creation in a video from Red Bull. The creation? A Lamborghini Huracan that's unlike any other you've seen before. The video itself is quite cheeky, involving a race between Mad Mike in the Huracan and Eduard Nikolaev in a Kamaz Truck built for the Dakar Rally. Their finish line? The Goodwood Festival of Speed parking lot. © Patrik Lundin / Red Bull Content Pool Their entire trek to the parking lot involves drifting, speeding, racing and the truck even jumps over the Huracan at one point. It's worth the watch for sure. © Patrik Lundin / Red Bull Content Pool Archie Hamilton, who made an appearance in the video, also posted a video that gives us a deep look into the Huracan thanks to Mad Mike himself. Mad Mike talks all about the car, like how it's paint (not wrapped), he only drove it five laps before shooting the video, how they adjusted steering for drifting, its suspension, its engine and more. Surprisingly enough, this Huracan remains naturally aspirated. That being said, Mad Mike notes that they will be able to push out 900 horsepower out of it after its upcoming tuning session. Check this video out down below. See All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 26, 2019

Guy Berryman of Coldplay's Amazing Car Collection

If you haven't heard the name "Coldplay," odds are you haven't listened to the radio in at least the past decade. Their hit songs have been song across the world and they've performed at some of the world's most popular events. All of this success has earned the members quite a lot of money. For one of the members, bassist Guy Berryman, this money has allowed him to indulge in one of his passions: cars. Mr JWW recently visited Berryman's garage, where he was given a tour. During the tour, Berryman gave the story behind each of his cars. In his collection are quite a few classics like a Porsche 914/6, Porsche 356 Carrera Speedster Zagato, Alpine A220 Le Mans race car, Bizzarrini Strada and plenty more. There's even a Bugatti Veyron in his collection, which Berryman loves because he says it's "such a gamechanger." Check out his entire collection in the video above! build your own car collection

By Edward Jones – April 18, 2019

New "Hobbs & Shaw" Trailer: McLarens Galore

A new trailer for "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw" has dropped and it gives us the best look yet at the plot of the story. The trailer shows why/how Idris Elba's character became so strong, why there is so much fighting and it even takes the movie's story to Hawaii. One thing that I noticed while watching is that McLaren supercars seem to play a big part in the movie. The first time you see a McLaren in the trailer is in the form of a 720S that The Rock's character, Hobbs, is driving. He manages to grab a guy off of a motorcycle and slam him into a wall, all while driving the English supercar. There's also a scene where Shaw, Jason Statham's character, leads the camera into an underground garage full of McLarens. Being that he and his character are from England, it's fitting. Check out the trailer above and be sure to check out the movie when it premieres on August 2, 2019. see all mclarens for sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 14, 2019

Jay Leno Drives his 1957 Corvette

Chevrolet was uncertain about the Corvette's future in 1957. The car was launched four years earlier with only 300 sold. But sales began to become profitable by 1955, when the ancient six-cylinder was replaced by the new V8. After fighting in the brutal Korean war, a soldier rewarded himself by ordering this 1957 Corvette in Inca Silver. In order to save weight, he ordered the car without the convertible top, heater, radio, or even courtesy lights. This featherweight supercar is the epitome of 50s performance, so its amazing to watch Jay Leno Drive his 1957 Corvette. Inca Silver was Corvette's first Acrylic Enamel paint, thanks to DuPont owning a majority stake in General Motors. Corvette gained a posi-traction rear differential, and Chevrolet Chief Engineer Zora Duntov made it the first American car to have 1 horsepower per cubic-inch. The 283ci engine with 283 horsepower was not only revolutionary, it launched the plastic fantastic to a winning streak that continues today. A 3-speed manual was the base-model transmission, so the owner opted for the 4-speed with a 4.11 differential, options that were both new for '57. Although the first-generation (C1) Corvette was produced through 1962, the 57 is universally accepted as the defining year. Stylists added tons of chrome and polished stainless for 1958, and the front end became much more haughty. What makes this one even more significant is that it was restored as part of Jay Leno's Collection. That means everything part is in better condition than the factory, and the only upgrades are the vintage Halibrand wheels with modern radial tires. Jay opted to preserve the original 4.11 gears and install a set of 3.54, which lower the rpm and allow for highway cruising. A fully loaded 1957 weighed in at 2,840 lbs, so this car is easily over 1,000 lbs lighter than a new Corvette ZR1. We have several dealers who specialize in Corvettes of all ages, so click the link below to find one near you. View All Corvettes For Sale Related: See all the Corvettes in Jay Leno's Collection Jay Leno's Restored 1963 Corvette Split Window 2019 Corvette Specs, Price & Review

By Andrew Nabors – December 17, 2018

Gymkhana TEN: The Ultimate Tire Slaying Tour

The Hoonigans have done it again. With major support from Ford, Gymkhana TEN has destroyed tires around the world. It was uploaded 10 days ago to Amazon Prime, and now it is live on YouTube. Starting off in Luleå, Sweden, Ken Block takes his 2018 season Ford Fiesta WRC across a frozen lake. Then we get to see an old favorite. The streets of Detroit are decimated by a refreshed version of the Hoonicorn Mustang. RTR updated the AWD Mustang to make 1,400 hp scream through Motor City. Going south of the border, Guanajuato, Mexico is paralyzed by the Focus RS RX Rallycross car. Drifting though the narrow streets and tunnels from the colonial era are a brilliant blend of Hooning and history. Then it's back to LA where Ken climbs into his favorite machine. His beloved Cosworth lost some rubber along the way, with a few scenes showing steel sparking across the improvised course. Ken Block's Hoonitruck Secrets Revealed The grand finale is in Shamrock, Texas. A sleepy town east of Amarillo was besieged by the1977 F-Series Hoonitruck, with flames spewing from the turbos of the Roush-Yates EcoBoost V6. A press release from Hoonigan Racing credits Detroit Speed, Forza, Toyo Tires, Pennzoil, Monster Energy, Can-Am, and the Hoonigran crew who spent over 2 years preparing for the shoot. Tell us your favorite scene and be sure to watch what happens after the credits! Related: Ken Block Takes on Britain in the Hoonicorn Ken Block’s New Gymkhana Show Gets a Trailer

By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2018

Ken Block's Hoonitruck Secrets Revealed

If you haven't been watching the progress of the Hoonigans, The Gymkhana Files is Amazon's hottest show. It details the trials and tribulations leading up to Gymkhana 10, including outtakes from their previous films. Aside from Mr. Block, the real star of the show is the Hoonitruck. Taking inspiration from the Hoonicorn Mustang, this twin-turbo 1977 F150 is All Wheel Drive. But unlike their previous builds, they chose the skilled fabricators at Detroit Speed. Starting with a stock 1977 Ford truck, the body and frame were 3D scanned, leaving only the cab floor and A-pillars original. Their modular system has revolutionized the aftermarket. Our friends at BLVD customs transformed a 1969 Camaro into a pro-touring masterpiece with their complete system. It uses clevis joints to join each section, which transforms service and replacement from days to minutes. Doors and bed sides were hammered out of aluminum, and they are replaced with steel when filming. The EcoBoost V6 has the same internal dimensions as the Raptor's production engine, but it uses a Roush-Yates billet block and heads from the LeMans-winning Ford GT. Ken lost his dad at an early age, and many of his warmest memories revolve around learning to drive in a '77 Ford. We're excited to see what this mean machine is capable of, so Amazon Prime members get ready for the action. If you don't have prime, it will eventually make it to YouTube, so stay with us for all your updates. Related: Check Out the Sultan of Brunei's Collection! Ken Block Previews Gymkhana 10

By Andrew Nabors – October 24, 2018

Ken Block Previews Gymkhana 10 in his 1977 F-150 Hoonitruck

If you have always wondered how the crew at Hoonigan Industries approaches each build, get ready for something wild! In a YouTube upload earlier today Ken Block unveiled their latest creation. What started as a 1977 Ford F-150 has undergone a metamorphosis. The mirrors might be the only original parts, and that is for good reason.Used Lamborghini For Sale at duPontREGISTRY.comBuilt to be the star of Gymkhana 10, it is based on a gorgeous tube-frame chassis from Detroit Speed. Attached to that is the AWD system from the Focus RS with tubular control arms at all corners. Poking through the hood is a Roush-Yates 3.5-liter EcoBoost, the same Ford GT engine that won LeMans in the Ford GT. The billet block and heads are topped by the world's first direct-metal 3D printed intake manifolds. This proprietary piece comes direct from Ford Performance, and it looks like it will shake up the industry.Toyo supplied 315/35/20 tires and 1552 Wheels offered their latest bead locks. With 914 hp and 902 lb-ft of torque on tap, it has to be the most powerful 1977 Ford ever built. Gymkhana Files is their new Amazon series that debuts on November 16th. It will give the world a behind-the-scenes view of Team Hoonigan. The episodes will culminate a month later in the full release of Gymkhana 10 on December 17th. Drifting a full-size truck will be much different from their other efforts, so tell us your thoughts of this one in the comments below. Stay with us for all your Hoonigan updates.

By Andrew Nabors – September 25, 2018

President Trump's New Cadillac Spotted in Manhattan

If you need the ultimate in armored luxury, the Secret Service will not help you. That's because the Presidential Limo is loaded with top secret technology. Fox News published the first images of the new 'Beast' last night. It shares a resemblance to President Obama's Beast, but the advancements are easy to see. Using influences from the latest Cadillac CT6, that is all it shares with a production car. The Trump Lamborghini Aventador: Trumpventador What details we do know is that it rides on a heavy-duty truck chassis to support the thick armor. Everyone likes to think the engine is something advanced when in reality it is probably carbureted big-block Chevy with a points-style ignition. This makes it impervious to Electromagnetic Weapons, and the huge energy surge released by atomic weapons. You won't find these tires at any shop, because they have several composite layers in addition to a solid inner tube to support the car in case they are deflated. The cooling system has better ballistic protection than a tank because a radiator would be the first place an attacker would aim for. Look at the thick doors of Beast 1.0 (Source)For the 5 occupants inside, their air is treated for chemical, biological, and radiation before it reaches the A/C. The car also has onboard oxygen tanks in case of a dirty bomb. Being able to shrug off a 20mm incendiary is mandatory for traveling through scenic 3rd world destinations, and the way it does so uses the latest in metallurgy and acrylics. Along with redundant communication systems, the weight probably offers a smooth ride. Along with his family and the Secret Service, the Beast also carries the "Nuclear Football". If the US is attacked, it provides enough time to transmit launch orders to the National Command Authority. GM is building a dozen examples to keep the bad guys guessing, and to ensure our VIPs can survive any situation. Check out the prototype in the film below and stay with us for all your exotic car news. Click the link below to browse Terradyne Gurkhas for sale, because it is the closest we will ever get!Browse Gurkhas For Sale Featured Image Source: Instagram / @danscavino

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