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 – April 12, 2019

Pininfarina Battista Details by Top Gear

If you need to go fast without gas, you have a new option for an electric supercar. BBC host Rory Reid can barely believe the Pininfarina Battista details by Top Gear. It will arrive with 1,900 horsepower and 1,696 lb-ft of torque to be the most powerful production car. The latest in battery technology has yielded a 120 kWh capacity in a compact design. It will allow a launch to 60 mph under 2 seconds, and only 12 seconds to reach 186 mph. The powertrain is supplied by Rimac, so it is destined to be amazing. If you drive sensibly, it will offer a range of 280 miles of carbon-neutral cruising. With each wheel having its own motor, torque vectoring and regenerative braking are more efficient than any other electric car. This will change the world, so stay with us for all your Pininfarina updates. Related: Pininfarina Battista Electric Hypercar Arrives in London Pininfarina Battista Hypercar Revealed

By Andrew Nabors – March 12, 2019

Cyan Concept by Lynk & Co Undergoes Final Testing in Spain

Nothing beats the Iberian Peninsula for escaping the wrath of Winter. The engineers at Lynk & Co have transformed Polestar into Cyan Racing. The company synonymous with Swedish performance is now ready to build something all new. In a YouTube upload this morning, we see the Cyan Concept by Lynk & Co in final testing on a Spanish track. Lynk & Co is a partnership between Volvo and Geely Motors. This blending of Chinese efficiency and Swedish pragmatism is bound to produce amazing cars. Planned for sales around the world, Lynk will be positioned between Volvo and Geely as their mid-level performance brand. This looks to be an amazing machine, so stay with us for more updates on their development. Related: Great Deals on Hummer H1 For Sale Check Out Jay Leno's Car Collection

Hispano Suiza Carmen - Rear overhead - 28 Feb 2019

By Andrew Nabors – March 01, 2019

Hispano Suiza Carmen Teased Ahead of Geneva

Electric cars are fun and fast. One-piece bodies made from carbon fiber are the future of supercars. So why not combine them? An email hit our inbox last night with shocking details. In a resurrection of an iconic brand, the Hispano Suiza Carmen was teased ahead of the Geneva motor show. It will arrive with an 80kW battery and 1,005 horsepower. This figure is the combined output of two electric motors, one for each rear wheel. With a curb weight of 3,725 lbs, this stunner will offer incredible performance. If Bugatti comes through with a modern 57 Atlantic, it would be an epic scene nearly 100 years in the making. Stay with us for all your Geneva Motor Show news. Related: Ferrari F8 Tributo Unveiled With Less Weight & Pista Power Audi R8 Decenium Celebrates 10 Years of V10 Power

By Andrew Nabors – February 28, 2019

Pininfarina Battista Electric Hypercar Heading to Geneva

Enzo Ferrari loved to race. His team and their innovations changed the world, but they came with a hefty price. Managing Scuderia Ferrari left little time to worry about production cars, so he entrusted Battista Pininfarina to design and build them. Automobili Pininfarina is still on the cutting edge of styling and technology, so three examples of the Pininfarina Battista electric hypercar are heading to Geneva. Their press release says potential customers will be able to interact with the all-electric models after they are unveiled on March 4th at 8:30 pm (Central European Time). The first example is finished in Grigio Luserna with anodized aluminum trim. Car #2 is the first to feature the Battista design pack. Blu Iconica represents the brand's traditional colors along with carbon fiber accents. The final car wears Bianco Sestriere, which translates to pearlescent white. The only other detail provided is Pirelli will be supplying the 21" tires. " width="680"> Related: Ferrari F8 Tributo Unveiled Geneva Motor Show Preview

By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2018

Pininfarina Teases Their 2,000 Horsepower PF0

Electric cars are seen by many as the future of the automobile. Battery powered cars have been built with styling that appeals to the typical buyer- until now. In a press release this morning, Automobili Pininfarina has shocked the world. Their electric hypercar was seen by invitation only at Pebble Beach. Their favorable response has allowed the company to move ahead with a limited run of the PF0.Don't confuse the 0 with an O, it stands for zero emissions instead of homologation. The styling house founded by Battista Farina was named "Pinin" or little Farina after his childhood nickname. He and his designers were responsible for almost every Ferrari until recently. But they have also built a few cars for themselves along the way. Battista always wanted to build his own supercar, but it would have ruined the friendship between him and Enzo that began in 1948.Now they are on the verge of taking on the world. Players like Rimac have scared the big manufacturers, leading Porsche to buy over 10%. Elon Musk revealed that Volkswagen Group was the driving force to take Tesla private, so it seems everyone wants to go electric.The PF0 is a carbon fiber masterpiece that reaches 62 mph in under 2 seconds with a top speed of 250 mph. In normal conditions, you will have a range of 300 miles. That is also the range of my 1985 Corvette, but at 11 mpg I use 26 gallons of premium fuel...Tell us what you think of the PF0 concept, and stay with us for all your Pininfarina news.Exotic Cars For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=89&v=c82nE3GsZUE

By Andrew Nabors – May 21, 2018

Royal Wedding's Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero

If you tuned in to watch the latest nuptials of The Royal Family, you might have noticed a classic Jaguar. Enzo Ferrari said the Jaguar E-Type was the most beautiful car ever built, and many agree with him to this day. That's why engineers at Jaguar have given new life to their iconic design. What you didn't see on the TV coverage was any exhaust or sound coming from the car.That's because it is the new E-Type Concept Zero. Showcasing Jaguar-Land Rover's future, the all-electric drivetrain was placed in the exact same location as the original engine. The brilliant handling was not altered, and it even lost a few hundred pounds in the process. Their website says the batteries and electric motor are packaged to replace the XK straight-six engine in any Jaguar from 1948 to 1992.This is very interesting because those dimensions are also comparable to a Chevrolet V8, which is a popular swap for classic Jaguar models. The Concept Zero runs 0-62 mph in 5.5 seconds, a full second faster than an original E-Type. We really hope they make this conversion kit into production because it would allow many classic Jaguars to reach a new audience, and help the environment simultaneously. As soon as we have more info, you will find it here on Autofluence.Browse Jaguar E-Type For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 09, 2018

Aston Martin Confirms The Lagonda Vision SUV

If you have been torn over which luxury SUV is right for you, Aston Martin is about to shake up the market. Announced in a press release this morning, Lagonda has returned in the form of a high-performance 4x4 SUV. The brand was founded by American-born Wilber Gunn in 1906, and it was merged with Aston Martin in 1947.Sell Your Exotic Car with duPont REGISTRYIt will be a production version of the battery-powered Vision Concept shown at the Geneva auto show. The emission-free nature takes clear aim at Jaguar's I-Pace. Aston Martin CEO Dr. Andy Palmer had this to say: "In reviving one of the most iconic names in motoring we have created a unique opportunity.One that allows us to cast aside an inherited 20th-century approach and instead design cars around 21st-century demands and desires. The Lagonda SUV is the first of its kind: a spacious, high-performance 4x4 that successfully reconciles a love of technology, luxury and style. It is expected to arrive for model-year 2021, so stay with us for all your Aston Martin news.Browse Aston Martin For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 20, 2018

Audi e-tron Has 400 Volt Charging!

A few days ago we learned that Porsche's Mission E Cross-Turismo concept can be charged in 15 minutes. This shocking news has also been echoed by their cousins at Audi in a press release this morning. What VW's luxury brands are doing is poking fun at the "current" state of electric car charging standards.Porsche Mission E Fully Electric Concept UnveiledThe photo alone is ironic, as the Audi e-tron is mentioned to be inside a Faraday cage. It is not the cage that does any work, it is the objects behind them. Audi calls them "Impulse Voltage Generator". Everyone else in the world calls them Tesla coils. No, not the hair band, Nikola Tesla invented AC current and someone also named a car company after him.Porsche and Audi want us to know that cars can be charged quickly. They want the world to embrace high-voltage DC power. Your normal wall charger can push 11 kW into a car. If you have an electrician wire another dryer plug, 240 volts yields 22 kW of charging. Audi envisions 150 kW charging, which Porsche hinted at when the 918 Spyder was introduced.Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo: Charge Time RevealedGermans are brutally efficient, which is why their home electrical systems have 230 volts while we have 120 volts. Tesla chose 110 volts for safety, if you are in good health it will just make you mad. I personally don't want to be in or near any car being force-fed 150 kW (at 400 volts)...Have you seen "The Green Mile"? The reason the photo was taken at Siemens electric, is because the world will need to buy a boatload of Siemens HV products to support a few minutes of additional charging.The press release supports AC or DC charging equally, so we forwarded this to AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson for clarification. The only musical analogy they need to understand is "Ride The Lightning", due to the deadly implications of high voltage DC systems. VW Group would like to see Tesla on death row, but DC should be left to power companies, heavy metal, and prisons.Porsche is working on installing 800-volt charging stations at all 189 US dealers as the Mission E gets closer to launch, so stay with us to see how the industry responds.View Audi For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2018

Hackrod Unveils "La Bandita" 3D Printed Speedster

It was only a matter of time. With the growth of 3D printers and advancements in Virtual Reality, Hackrod has arrived with a gorgeous speedster named "La Bandita". Working with Siemens, designboom is reporting that you will be able to see your sports car in VR before production begins.Supercars for SaleThe frame looks almost organic, as the one-piece aluminum structure is printed in 2319 aerospace alloy. Without welds or bolts, this revolutionary (and affordable) method might give carbon fiber a literal run for its money. Hackrod is a startup consisting of a Film Director and an Aerospace Engineer along with a group of forward-thinking veterans of the automotive world.Their goal is to make you the co-creator of your own car. Taking a few humans out of the build process has been tried by others, but now the technology is available to automate the build from virtual to physical. Click on the link below to visit their site and stay with us for more Hackrod updates.Learn More How to Sell My Ferrari

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

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