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 – August 04, 2020

Zagato Teases the 2020 Iso Rivolta GT Zagato

One of the most beautiful blends of Italian style and American engineering was the 1962 Iso Rivolta. Iso was a coachbuilder led by Renzo Rivolta. He wanted to compete with Ferrari, Alfa-Romeo, and anyone else in GT racing. Therefore he hired a young designer named Giorgetto Giugiaro who had just started working for the Bertone styling house. Iso's engineers worked with him to build a timeless classic. The Iso Rivolta's engine and transmission were supplied by Chevrolet, tuned to the same specs as the Corvette. The car was so successful that it spawned the Iso Grifo, a 7-liter 427 engine found in the McLaren M8, Camaro SS, and the Corvette Stingray. Now it looks as if Zagato is building a new "IsoRivolta" which hints it will have small block American power. This gorgeous machine will be unveiled in October, so tell us what you think will be under the hood, and stay with us for all your Zagato news. Browse Zagato For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 04, 2020

2020 SSC Tuatara Screams Across the Desert

The race for 300 mph is getting hotter each day, and the team at SSC looks ready to fight. The Tuatara has finally found an engine that can utilize its slippery drag coefficient of 0.279. Tom Nelson routinely builds 2,500 horsepower beasts for racers around the world. In order to give it a unique sound and extreme RPM, it has a flat-plane crank to reach 8,800. Top 50 Best Sports Cars Of All Time Because this isn't a drag racing machine, power was dialed back to 1,750 (on E85). Still making 1,350 horsepower on 91 octane, it is the most American supercar to-date. Backed by a 7-speed sequential transmission, the Tuatara is finally ready for 300. Tell us what you think in the comments below. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 17, 2020

Roland Gumpert Previews the Nathalie First Edition

Tomorrow will be a momentus day for Mr. Gumpert. He and his team have poured years of research into the world's first methanol-fueled EV. You read that right, they have a fuel cell that converts methanol into hydrogen, producing voltage to charge the batteries. With the full unveiling schedulled for 5 PM CET tomorrow, Roland Gumpert has previewed the Nathalie First Edition. When making gin, vodka, moonshine, or any clear liquor, methanol is the enemy. It causes blindness and a methanol fire is invisible. However, it stores a ton of energy in long carbon chains, so it makes the perfect fuel for dragsters and other high performance vehicles. Instead of burning it, the liquid is forced across a membrane that rips the carbons apart. The result is voltage to power an electric motor at each wheel, or it can be stored in a battery for later use. The fuel is available at drag strips and almost all race fuel stations. The manufacturer claims a range of 500 miles and 536 horsepower. Only 500 examples are planned, at $460,000 each. We will have all the details after the formal unveiling tomorrow. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 12, 2020

Zenvo TSR-S is Street Legal and Loaded With Carbon Fiber

Sitting at the crossroads between Scandinavia and Western Europe, Denmark is ripe for a hypercar revolution. That is why the latest Zenvo TSR-S is street legal and loaded with carbon fiber. Although they only build 5 cars annually, each one is commissioned by the buyer. Wanting to foreshadow the future of the brand, this build incorporates a hybrid transmission and fragmented carbon fiber wheels. They receive 1,177 horsepower from a twin-supercharged V8. Zenvo TSR-S Drag Races Pagani Huayra Roadster Its angry soundtrack is augmented by the whine from helical-cut dog gears in the 7-speed sequential transmission. This unique gearbox uses a hybrid electric motor to provide reverse gear, and an 8th forward gear when needed. It allows 62 mph to arrive in 2.8 seconds and in 6.8 you are doing 124 mph. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Zenvo updates. Used Sports Cars For Sale

Drako GTE at Thermal RacewayPhoto: James Lipman / jameslipman.com

By Andrew Nabors – February 26, 2020

Valentino Balboni Debuts the Drako GTE at Thermal Club

It is not wise to entrust your latest creation to an amatuer. Many late nights and years of simulation have led to this point. With so much riding on making a grand entrance, Valentino Balboni has debuted the Drako GTE at Thermal Club. This new American electric supercar is the brainchild of two Silicon-Valley entrepreneurs. Each wheel has its own electric motor, and they are controlled by the DriveOS software. Tuned by relentless laps of the Nürburgring, the famous Italian test driver said: " My professional life has been all about finding innovative solutions to improve performance and the driver’s feeling from behind the wheel. Now after driving Drako GTE, I have entered a completely new world of incredible power and amazing control. However, it is the turn in feel which elevates GTE above any GT car I have driven. I truly love the way this car feels as it turns in and transitions through the corners - it is something I have not experienced before in a car with these dimensions. I didn’t want to stop, it’s a really compelling and addictive drive." Browse Sports Cars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 13, 2020

Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus Unveils SCG 007 LMP1

It has been over half a century since an American car won 1st overall at LeMans. This disheartening fact is made worse by the Balance of Performance restrictions imposed on American cars by the FIA. Jim Glickenhaus hopes to see the Stars & Stripes fly above the Circuit de la Sarthe, so that is why Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus has unveiled the SCG 007 LMP1. Last year his team finished 1st in class, and 8th overall at the Nurburgring. A history of 8 finishes in the world's most demanding 24-hour races have led them to this point. Their target weight is 2,425 lbs, with 840 horsepower coming from a 3.0L twin-turbo. The best news is that he intends to offer a limited number of street-legal examples. In the meantime, click the link below to browse supercars for sale and stay with us for all your SCG updates. Browse Used Supercars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 11, 2020

SSC Tuatara Has Arrived

Jerod Shelby might not be related to Carroll Shelby, but he is also an American automotive visionary. In my former career in the Corvette aftermarket, he visited me at Eckler's Corvette about supplying finished fiberglass body panels. Carbon fiber was too expensive 15 years ago, so the wait was worth it. That's because the SSC Tuatara has arrived. Engineering and building an American carbon fiber monocoque chassis took decades, as SSC doesn't rely on support from the big 3 automakers. Tom Nelson builds the most powerful racing engines in the world, so the Tuatara makes use of a Nelson Racing LSX 5.9L V8. It has a flat-plane crank and two turbos along with Nelson's patented dual-fuel system. At low boost, it uses 91 octane to make 1,350 horsepower. Dig into the throttle and separate E85 injectors allow for 1,750 reliable horsepower. Because the block and heads are aluminum, the fully-dressed engine is only 428 lbs. This allows the Tuatara to have a dry-weight of 2,750 lbs, even with A/C, power windows, & 5 cameras. Only 100 will be built, so congratulations to SSC for this momentous achievement! Custom Supercars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – December 06, 2019

Neuron T-One Concept is Versatile & Modular

Our grandparents were capable of dealing with adversity. It made them adapt to any situation, much like this new electric automaker. The Neuron T-One concept is versatile & modular, as its common chassis offers hundreds of configurations. From a standard cab pickup, it can also arrive as a Semi Tractor, dump truck, or a luxury family machine. Interior options of wood, anodized aluminum and leather are impressive. As is the ability to seat 3 to 6 passengers. Browse Audi E-Tron For Sale Until it reaches production, our dealers have great incentives on the new Audi E-tron. Click the button above to find one near you and stay with us for all your electric news. " width="680"> Related: Top 10 Fastest Quarter Mile Cars

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By Andrew Nabors – October 30, 2019

Brabham Announces BT62 Competition

David Brabham and Company show no signs of slowing down. Compiling decades of family racing experience, Brabham has announced the BT62 Competition. The youngest son of racing legend Sir Jack Brabham, David and his brothers are racing legends in their own right. This will be their 3rd model in the BT62 lineup, and it is aimed at hardcore track dominance. In addition to the Ultimate and Street models, the Competition will be part of their planned run of 70 cars. To make it lighter than the Ultimate, the car is wrapped instead of paint, and it will arrive without a passenger seat. The interior has been stripped of all trim to expose the carbon fiber cockpit. Brabham Automotive Announces Street Legal BT62 The chassis is a blend of chrome-moly steel and carbon fiber. Strength is needed to contain the 700 horsepower V8 and a 6-speed sequential transmission. What sets it apart from everyone else is that Brabham will convert your Competition model into Ultimate or Street or vice versa at your request. We can barely wait to see it in action, so stay with us for all your Brabham updates. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale " width="680"> Related: Brabham BT62 Opens Up During Tests

By Andrew Nabors – May 20, 2019

Rivian R1T Goes Carbon-Neutral Camping

This year's Overland Expo West was held in Flagstaff over the weekend, and it was a showcase of outdoor amenities. Nobody was expecting to see a new electric pickup truck, so that's why the Rivian R1T went carbon neutral camping. One of the best features of this upcoming truck is the Gear Tunnel. It is a modular storage space just behind the cab. To show off how versatile it can be, their mobile was unveiled to the world. Easily stored in the tunnel, it has two induction burners, a sink, cookware, and 5 gallons of water. Given the efficiency of induction cooking, it will barely put a dent in the 400-mile range. Once the weekend is over, you can reach 60 mph in 3.0 seconds thanks to an impressive 180 kWh battery. We can thank Henry Ford for getting Americans outdoors, as his Kingsford charcoal was practically given away at Ford dealers. It was made from the scraps of wood used in making the wheels for the Model T, and it seems that history repeats itself. Bill Ford Jr. recently invested $500 Million in Rivian, so we are probably looking at the future of the American truck. Tell us what you think in the comments below and stay with us for all your Rivian news. Exotic Cars For Sale Related: Ford Invests $500 Million in Rivian

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