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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 12, 2019

1969 Pro Street Camaro Looking for New Owner

1969 Pro Street Camaro, all-steel professionally built (not some back yard special). Starting with a Chris Alston front clip, it has a complete DOM round tube chassis, roll cage & back half. The rear is a Strange Dana 60 with 35 spline axles and 4.73 gears. A laser straight Z/28 body is covered in Aztec Silver paint. The dash is carbon-fiber style with Auto Meter gauges and a delay box. View Price & Details Under the hood is a Kris Nelson 565 BBC just freshened with Brodix heads, Jesel rocker system & belt drive. It offers consistent 1,050 Dyno Horsepower thanks to Oliver steel rods, Diamond pistons, & Callies crank. Car runs consistent 5.80’s in 1/8 mile, all day long and 8.80’s in the 1/4 mile ALL MOTOR. The transmission is an ATI Pro Glide with integrated trans-brake (1.80 first gear setup). Car and motor are setup for plate kit, and it was only used for a couple of passes. Best pass on a 250 shot was 5.35 1/8th Mile! The car comes with a full set of street tires & wheels as shown in pictures and also a full set of Weld Aluma stars with double bead locks and wheelie bars. Full stainless exhaust and Brand New NOS plate kit! If you are looking for a true Pro-Street car that is as nice as it gets, the car has no A/C or heat and is set up to be an old school style true pro streetcar that pounds the ground. Car is in MINT condition, garage kept, always waxed and professionally maintained, Perfect for Drag week!!! This car could not be built for a fraction of the asking price, as no expenses were spared. Click the button to see all the details! View Price & Details

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By Andrew Nabors – February 21, 2019

1958 Corvette "SpecVette" 001 For Sale

Ask any classic Corvette fan about 1958. You will get hours of lecture and opinion on styling and performance. That's because the 58 Vette represents the height of Bill Mitchell's control as VP of styling. So many features are found on this year alone, it places the 58 among the most coveted Corvette model years. Our friends at Excell Auto Group came across this beauty, and it could be yours! What makes all 58 Vettes unique starts with the grille, 9 teeth replaced 13 to make room for larger bumpers. The hood had (non-functional) louvers inspired by Corvette racing teams. The trunk had polished stainless spears, and the dash had Corvette's first 160 mph speedo. Sadly these features only lasted one year, as 1959 would be toned down. Since it has the most desirable styling, this body was chosen to be transformed into the SpecVette 001. Because the first generation cars had poor fit & finish, this car was stripped down to bare fiberglass. And since the ancient suspension is scary by modern standards, the Roadster Shop provided a tube frame chassis that utilizes late-model Corvette magnetic suspension. To bring the brakes into the modern era, the 4-wheel drums were replaced with 14" Wilwood rotors and 6-piston calipers. They are hidden by forged aluminum wheels that are styled after the original hubcaps. The hood is power-opening and it can be operated by the key fob. This is how you display the new LS7 (427 ci) crate motor. It is the same 505 horsepower aluminum beast that is found in every C6 Z06. It is backed by a Bowler Performance 4L60e automatic, but the customer can choose a TKO-600 manual if desired. Under the fuel door are controls for the hood along with leads for the battery trickle charger. Inside, every interior part is new. Both seats were made by hand and recessed to give you more interior room. It also provides decent head room to the convertible top, something the original Vettes never had. Other highlights include PPG Silver-Blue base-clear coat with Inca Blue coves. Each layer of clear was color sanded and buffed to perfection. Even the radio looks original, but it has modern internals like bluetooth. The trunk and convertible top are supported by gas struts, and power windows are hidden in plain sight. Being the first in a line of SpecVettes, it inspired car #004. This car took home GM's Car of the Year Award at SEMA last year. The asking price of $395,000 includes Z06 power, modern suspension, cold A/C and the most desirable styling in Corvette history. That's why it needs to be the centerpiece of your collection. Click the link below for all the details. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – August 10, 2017

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 For Sale

Chevrolet's Chief Engineer and father of the Corvette was Zora Arkus-Duntov. His lasting impact on the automotive world brought many racing technologies into mass production. Most of his accomplishments are well known, but some have been hiding in plain sight. He built the CERV prototypes, the Corvette SS race car, the Stingray, Grand Sport and Z06. One more Corvette model is not often associated with him, and that is the ZR1. Most Corvette fans associate its origins with the ZR1 with the 1990-95 examples. Fast for their day, their name came from a high-performance package offered on the early C3. Aimed at road racing, the original ZR1 was only offered from 1970-72, and it combined heavy duty suspension, big brakes, heavy duty cooling, and the high-output LT1 engine. Sales minimal because it could not be ordered with power windows, A/C, radio, or even hubcaps. Times have changed, but the ZR1 is still reserved for the fastest production Corvette. Rumors of the C6 ZR1 were rolling in as soon as the Z06 was released in 2006. What could be better than a 500 horsepower naturally aspirated V8? It turns out that smaller displacement with a big supercharger is a recipe for 638 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. Built in limited numbers from 2009 to 2013, they marked the Corvette's transition from fiberglass into carbon fiber. Designed to compete on the world's toughest tracks, the blue prototype survived a fall into Middle Earth when it was swallowed by a sinkhole. Each example arrived with a six-speed manual transmission and a hole in the hood. A plexiglass cover shows off the engine for all to see. This example was ordered with the 3LZ luxury package. It includes Bose 7 speaker audio, telescoping column, cargo shade and heated seats. With a sticker price of almost $119,000, it's your turn to experience one of America's fastest cars. The original owner must have been scared because it was only driven 2,896 miles since new. If you like the idea of saving money, click on the link below and get ready for supercharged fun. As always, stay with us for the coolest cars in the world. Corvette For Sale By Owner 2009 Corvette ZR1 For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 13, 2015

duPont REGISTRY Cover Car Being Auctioned - '57 Chevrolet...

Back in March 1990, the cover of our magazine was graced by a classic 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible. This issue, in fact, was our "Great American Car Issue," and the Bel Air was a very fitting cover car.After its restoration in 1984, it was one of the finest examples of the '57 Bel Air, featuring just about every option available when the car was ordered. This includes the rare Rochester fuel injection system, three-speed manual transmission, power brakes and steering, power windows, power operated red vinyl soft-top, vacuum smokeless ashtray, twin rear fender skirts and antennas, factory locking fuel cap, and more that is detailed below.And now, in 2015, this car is looking for a new owner as it heads to Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers' September 19 live auction.“This auto would be the crown jewel in any collection, with 14,500 original miles and every option that was available in 1957 except for air conditioning,” said Chuck Yarbro in an Aug. 4 press release from Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers. “It has been professionally restored to exceed original expectations and was last appraised in 2008 at $185,000.”What's more, the car also recently underwent a total show detail, as well as an overhaul on the Rochester Fuel Injection System. And, even with all of these precise restorations, the car still retains its original parts.Now is your chance to own one of the finest American automobiles ever created, as well as a car prominent enough to be one of our prestigious classic cars.For more information about the car's auction, visit its listing by clicking the button below. To place an online proxi-bid, visit Yarbro.com.More Info VEHICLE OPTIONS: Original 14,500 miles Matching numbers Full off restoration High factory option car Correct EJ block Three piece chrome front bumper Chrome 'bumperetts' T-3 headlights 283-cubic inch motor, 250 hp Factory Rochester fuel injection system Power assisted 'Hyraboost' brakes Saginaw 605 power steering system Factory glass windshield washer bottle 3-speed manual transmission Factory silver & red vinyl upholstery Wonderbar radio Black Carpets Red rubber floor mats GM tissue box Rare factory vacuum smokeless ashtray (only 300 installed; this option was only offered in 1957) Power operated windows Power operated white vinyl soft top Twin rear fender antennas (one power operated) Twin rear fender skirts and spinners Full Continental kit Factory option locking gas cap Matador Red exterior paint White wall tires Original 1957 shop manual, dealer books & literature Original duPont REGISTRY magazine with car featured on cover & placard from duPont Won the Antique Automobile Club, Nationals first place winner in 1984 (see award placket on car) Gallery Sponsored by:

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