Concept Cars

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 – January 31, 2018

Get Ready To Fly and Drive in the Pal V Liberty

If your country is prone to flooding, perhaps your car should be able to fly. It might be just a coincidence that a Dutch company is poised to launch a flying car amid all the exotic cars for sale at the Geneva Motor Show. Pal V stands for Personal Air & Land Vehicle. Their goal is to build the world's first street-legal autogyro.Check Out Hot Ferrari Deals In Los AngelesForward flight and forward propulsion are provided by a fan behind the cockpit. A 100 horsepower engine offers a top speed of 112 mph in the air, and 31 mpg on land. The Liberty might just be the first practical flying car, even if it can't take off or land vertically. An autogyro needs to have a slight forward speed to stay in the air. The advantage is that if you lose power or run out of fuel, it can coast down for a slow speed landing. The cockpit seats two, with a range of 284 miles. With one occupant and a full tank, the range is up to 310 miles.The first 90 examples of the Liberty will be the "Pioneer Editions", with a projected price tag of $599,000. You won't be the fastest object in the air or on the road, but we think it will be nice to have 3-Dimensional travel options. We're excited to see this concept take flight, so tell us what you think of the Liberty in the comments below and stay with us for complete coverage of the Geneva Motor Show.https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=23&v=Hl-IsYdCsJQ

By Edward Jones – January 03, 2018

Infiniti Looks to the Future with Q Inspiration Concept

Infiniti is revealing the next steps in their upcoming design generation with the new Q Inspiration Concept. This new concept car embodies what Infiniti is calling their "new form language for an era of advanced powertrains." Overall, what's represented in this new concept car is a very stylish design that we will see on future Infiniti sedans. A precise carryover of every design cue won't happen, but different aspects will be carried over in some form or fashion.Lamborghini Huracan Embedded With 1.3 Million Swarovski Crystals"We aim to take traditional sedan architecture to its next stage of evolution," says Karim Habib, INFINITI Executive Design Director. "The Q Inspiration offers an alternative form; something more flowing in appearance and muscular in stance, with an unusually long and balanced cabin. Experimenting with new proportions in an established segment with the arrival of smarter, compact powertrains, the Q Inspiration features a shorter hood and elongated body, with all the benefits to interior wellbeing, comfort and space that this layout entails."Infiniti will be presenting the Q Inspiration Concept at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 15.

By Edward Jones – November 14, 2017

Jay Leno Test Drives the Kode 0 Supercar

Ken Okuyama is a renowned designed some of the finest cars in the world. Okuyama is credited with designing the Ferrari Enzo, Maserati Quattroporte, his company's own Kode 57 and now the Kode 0. This car was built around a Lamborghini Aventador, including its V12 engine, but it looks nothing like one thanks to its brand-new appearance. It features a full carbon fiber body that allows it to weigh just 3,417 pounds-- that's 600 pounds lighter than the Aventador. For its overall design, Okuyama used a wedge-like shape that was inspired by the "futuristic" design of cars like the Countach that were designed back in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Want a Kode supercar of your own? Contact Fusion Luxury Motors, the official dealer of Kode supercars.Coolest Cars in the World

By Edward Jones – November 06, 2017

Lamborghini Terzo Millennio: The Supercar of the Future

Lamborghini has shocked the automotive world with the surprise unveiling of the Terzo Millenio. The Italian automaker is saying this is the super sports car of the future. Powering this truly exotic car is an electric powertrain that can recover lost energy.For energy storage, Lamborghini is looking to create new technology that allows the car to have a massive pool of energy at the ready. One interesting concept brought up with the Terzo Millennio is the ability to store electric energy in the structural composites. This means that the body itself would act as a battery. With a body that's alive with energy, Lamborghini also wants the panels to monitor the car's health (cracks and damage) and report it.He Bought a Lamborghini With $115 in Bitcoin Money So, yes, it seems as though Lamborghini is looking to an electric future with the unveiling of the Terzo Millennio. Is this a sign of the death of the famous Lamborghini V12? Not for the time being.

By Andrew Nabors – October 25, 2017

Yamaha Unveils the MOTOROiD in Tokyo

Millenials are not buying motorcycles. The sales reports from every aspect of the 2-wheel industry show a softening in their youngest consumers. It will take serious innovation to satisfy the tech-hungry masses, so Yamaha has introduced something wild. In a press release earlier today, we have seen the bike of the future. The MOTOROiD is an electric, autonomous concept that is capable of balancing itself. It has technology only seen on the most exotic cars for sale, so perhaps it is long overdue.Koenigsegg's Motorcycle Concept!Facial recognition software will prompt it to respond to your commands, we just hope it doesn't use up too much range from the batteries. A weight of 469 lbs is decent in comparison to liter-bikes, and the hub-mounted motor offers the ultimate electric efficiency. The concept looks almost ready for production, except the notion of high-voltage cables against your left ankle might be unnerving. Haptic feedback is provided to your lower torso by the rear clamshell.Their goal was to create a new experience of "Kando", which translates to deep satisfaction and enjoyment. Undoubtedly, this bike will have safety features never seen on 2-wheels, so we hope the price isn't too extreme. For now, it will remain a concept but stay with us for more Yamaha updates.https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=156&v=m97C_zTCzPI

By Andrew Nabors – October 25, 2017

Zagato Reveals the IsoRivolta Vision Gran Turismo in Tokyo

Imagine a world where Italian style and Japanese video games converge. It would be the start of something new, with art imitating life and vice versa. That's why we're stunned by the new IsoRivolta Vision Gran Turismo from Zagato. One of Italy's most famed styling houses and coachbuilders, the Zagato family has worked with everyone from Aston Martin to Porsche. Gran Turismo Sport has been one of the most anticipated releases for the Sony PlayStation console. It has inspired the biggest names in the automotive world to allow the game designers to digitally render their cars in the virtual world. One of the wildest cars in the game is now a reality, thanks to a real-life Vision Gran Turismo. The original IsoRivolta was the brainchild of Renzo Rivolta and a few of his colleagues who wanted the ultimate in power and handling. The Rivolta was powered by a Corvette 327 small block v8. Their next model was the IsoGrifo which packed a 427 big block. Probably the scariest & most exotic sports cars of all time.Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake RevealedStaying true to their cooperation with Chevrolet, the new Gran Turismo is based on a Callaway-tuned Corvette Z06. It is a 6.2 liter V8 that delivers 997 horsepower to a car that weighs only 2,489 lbs. In the virtual world, it hits 62 mph in 2.7 seconds with a top speed of 227 mph. The most interesting aspect of the press release is that a limited production run is being considered. Between 3 to 5 examples could be built, so as soon as production is confirmed you will see them here on Autoflience.

By Andrew Nabors – October 24, 2017

Lexus & Marvel Unveil Two "Black Panther" Inspired Cars

Looking back into their massive history, Marvel Studios is poised to release their 18th motion picture. Black Panther was introduced by Stan Lee back in 1966. The hero can be found alongside the Fantastic Four and the Avengers, so Lexus has decided to give him two new custom rides. In a press release this morning, we've learned he will receive a 2018 LC 500 Inspiration Series, along with a custom build inspired by the LC series. The first will be a limited production sports car for sale, and the latter will be a hero car for the film.Are They Worthy of The Sultan of Brunei?The "Inspiration Series" is something new from Lexus. Intended to be a limited production variant of each model, the LC will be the launch of the series. Only 100 cars are planned for production, with each one taking inspiration from the comic book. King T'Challa and his home country of Wakanda are embodied by 21" forged wheels, unique carbon fiber scuff plates, and the first application of "Structural Blue". Pioneered by parent company Toyota, the new paint contains no blue pigment. Some microscopic wizardry is used to create the same effect of 40 coats of normal paint. Pricing will be announced when production begins next year.The other car is the Black Panther Inspired LC. Following the story from the comics, it incorporates mythical "Vibranium" for added power and strength. An LED underglow mimicks the Vibranium effects on screen. The self-healing paint is infused with the wonder metal, emphasized in a wide body kit. The Wakandans developed a brain-computer interface that allows the car to be remotely controlled to keep the hero out of danger. Look for it on the big screen and the Inspiration Series LC 500 at your local Lexus dealer.Lexus For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 06, 2017

Mercedes-Benz Joins Forces With Justice League

What good is a gang of superheroes if they are forced to drive boring cars? In a press release this morning we get a glimpse of the upcoming film from DC Comics along with some of the automotive talent. The stars from Stuttgart will include the new E-Class convertible, the G-Class 4x4 Squared, and the AMG Vision Gran Turismo. The AMG Concept has an updated interior for close-up filming, so it should make for a premium product placement. Here is a look behind the scenes at what it took to get these cars ready for the big screen:The film opens November 17, but it will be preceded by a series of commercials featuring the cars. Familiar faces like Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, & Gal Gadot are tasked with protecting Earth from an insidious alien attack. Batman and Wonder Woman receive help from Aquaman, Cyborg & The Flash. Metahumans and Mercedes-Benz seem to be perfect for each other, so check out the preview below and stay with us for more movie updates.

By Edward Jones – September 28, 2017

Project Neptune: An Aston Martin Submarine

An Aston Martin Vanquish isn't going to take you far underwater, but an Aston Martin submarine totally will. The English automaker has teamed up with Triton Submarines LLC to create Project Neptune, what may be the most bizarre and modern looking submarine to date.Triton builds submersibles for superyacht owners and researchers on a regular basis, giving them the experience know-how to create a safe sub. As for Project Neptune, it was designed with Triton's "Low Profile (LP) three-person platform," which the company is known for. For its overall design, the sub utilizes the design and materials that Aston Martin vehicles are known for. When all aspects are combined, the Project Neptune is born."Project Neptune is defined by its sleek, elegant exterior," said Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman. "We have used forms and proportions that express the same devotion to design, engineering and beauty that shape our cars, such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar project."“We have always admired Aston Martin," commented Patrick Lahey, President of Triton Submarines LLC. "The marque represents a deeply held passion for technology, engineering and timeless, elegant design. From our first interaction, it was apparent that Triton and Aston Martin were natural partners and our complimentary values will be realized in this truly exciting project.”Will Project Titan remain a concept, or will it head to production? Aston Martin says that it will lead to an "exclusive, strictly-limited edition vehicle." We can assume that this means there is a production version planned of Project Neptune, but it will be incredibly limited.

By Edward Jones – September 20, 2017

McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo: Hypercar of the Fut...

McLaren Automotive has revealed an extreme GT racing car called the Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo.As the name suggests, this car was designed and created for the upcoming video game Gran Turismo Sport (releasing on October 17, 2017). The creator of the game, Kazunori Yamauchi, was looking for "visionary GT cars" for the new game and the Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo (I'm just going to call it the UVGT for short) fits the bill. Cost to Repair a Scratch on a McLaren 650SPower for the McLaren UVGT's wheels comes from a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine that works in cooperation with strategically placed electric motors. The combined output is rated 1,134 horsepower and 940 lb-ft of torque. Power for the rear wheels comes from the V8 engine, while the front wheels utilize high-output electric motors housed in the front "wheel pods," as McLaren calls them. With those numbers, even the P1 can't compete. To make the car even more extreme, it only weighs 2,205 lbs.

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