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 – 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 – September 18, 2017

Aspark Owl, Japan's New Electric Supercar: 0-62 mph in Tw...

If you are looking for something fast & unique in an electric car, the Owl has landed. Autoblog came across this wild concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show. We couldn't find much information about the manufacturer, but Aspark intends to start production in 2019. The Owl is battery-powered and uses capacitors to channel the power to two motors. This novel idea unleashes maximum power at an instant.Also Check Out: Rimac Concept One vs Porsche 918 SpyderA carbon fiber body is only 39" tall and weighs 1,900 lbs. It allows the Owl (say that 5 times fast) to reach 62 mph in 2 seconds flat. Front and rear motors have a combined output of 429 horsepower, and a top speed of 174 mph. A new competitor using capacitors might make the industry take notice of their potential. As soon as we have more details you will see them first here on Autofluence.https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=24&v;=z8PZZAkrIuc

By Andrew Nabors – August 15, 2017

Infiniti Builds Retro Inspired Prototype For Monterey

Pebble Beach is never short on concept cars. The world's top designers and all the major manufacturers arrive with stunning displays of the coolest cars in the world. Infiniti is going against the grain with their latest creation. Alfonso Albaisa is the SVP of Global design, and he challenged his team to take inspiration from the past.“It started as a simple thought: What if we found a car, down at the southern tip of Japan, buried deep in the barn, hidden from all eyes for 70 years? What if in this car we found the seed of passion planted during our first Japanese Grand Prix and the power and artistry of INFINITI today? What would this discovery look like?”

By Edward Jones – May 26, 2017

BMW Concept 8 Series is the Car We've Been Waiting For

“The number 8 has always represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW,” says Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG Harald Krüger. “The forthcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand. This will be the next model in the expansion of our luxury-car offering and will raise the benchmark for coupes in the segment. In the process, we will strengthen our claim to leadership in the luxury class.”Also Check Out - The 2018 BMW M4 GT4 Is Ready To RaceYou heard the man, the BMW Concept 8 Series is going to be an extraordinary car by all means. For the exterior, which seemed to be the only thing BMW talked about in the press release, takes the company's styling to a new direction that we really haven't seen before. The front end of the Concept 8 Series, with its massive grille and slim headlights, screams performance car.Also echoing this sentiment are the massive air vents placed directly behind the front wheels. In the rear is a fascia that most definitely more aggressive and sportier than what we've seen in newer BMWs. The massive air vents, sharp exhaust tailpipes and stylish lights are something I could get used to on future models.Unfortunately, BMW only discussed the new concept car's exterior and interior in the revealing press release, and did not touch on the car's performance or engine. However, when we do catch wind of what this car is capable of, you best believe we'll have all of the information here on Autofluence.

By Edward Jones – May 11, 2017

Is BMW Teasing a New 8 Series Supercar?

Just announced today, May 5, 2017, is a new BMW concept car. The announcement comes from Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, during the Annual General Meeting.This new concept car will be a design study that gives insight to what the upcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will look like. This concept car will be unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on 26 May 2017. BMW notes that this unnamed concept car will embody "uncompromising dynamics and contemporary luxury – the essence of a modern BMW coupe."“The BMW 8 Series Coupe will build on our tradition of luxurious sports coupes and add a genuine dream car to our line-up – a slice of pure automotive fascination,” says Krüger, looking ahead to the new model. “The 8 Series Coupe will underpin our claim to leadership in the luxury segment. I can tell you today that this will be a true luxury sports coupe.”Be sure to check back with us as we draw closer to May 26 for more information on the upcoming 8 Series. Could this finally me we're getting that M8 supercar? I sure hope so.

By Edward Jones – September 29, 2016

Honda Civic Type R Prototype Looks Ferocious

It's back and most would say it's better than ever. The new Honda Civic Type R Prototype has just made its debut at the 2016 Paris auto show and it's turning heads left and right.This prototype comes in a bespoke "brushed aluminum" wrap that matches the cars extremely aggressive design perfectly. I mean, seriously, this is undoubtedly one of the best-looking Civics I've seen in recent years."We promised the most ambitious, sportiest Civic lineup ever and we're delivering on that promise with each new Civic," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc, in a revealing press release. "For the first time ever in America, Honda fans and enthusiasts will have access to the ultimate in Civic performance in the form of the new Type R."As far as a price or performance goes, no information has been given. The only numbers in the press release are in regards to the 20-inch allow wheels and 245-section tires.

By Edward Jones – August 30, 2016

Pininfarina to Actually Sell the Bizarre H2 Speed Concept

Back in March, Pininfarina unveiled an bizarre new concept that we were most definitely not expecting from them. Called the H2 Speed Concept, this race car is powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The hydrogen gas used to power the car is created by breaking down water to its main components. So, you take H2O, chop it down and are left with one hydrogen atom and two oxygen atoms.To do this, our Andrew Nabors put it best: ". Electricity and water are not friends so when they get together, water loses the fight and you end up with oxygen bubbles on the negative side and hydrogen on the positive. Hydrogen is lonely without oxygen, and a fuel cell is the best place for them to party. What happens in the fuel cell stays in the fuel cell, and you end up with water and electricity."With this hydrogen party going and motivation from two electric motors, the H2 Speed Concept can rocket from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. While that isn't Tesla Model S P100D numbers, it's still fast as heck. And if they work a little more on the acceleration, this could become the world's cleanest supercar.While we all thought that this concept was going to stay as a concept, AutoNews.com is reporting that the car will actually be produced. They note in a recent article that 10 examples of the car will be produces with an approximate price tag of $2.5 million.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 08, 2016

Crazy Italian Hypercar, Mazzanti Evantra Millecavalli, Re...

Today kicks off the popular Parco Valentino open air car show in picturesque Turin, Italy. The show will run from today, June 8 to Sunday, June 12. Spectators can expect to see some super rare and anticipated reveals, including one from Mazzanti Automobili.(Related: Batmobile Future Concept Is The Car Gotham Deserves)This will be Mazzanti Automobili's third time revealing a variation of the company's most popular model, the Evantra. Said to be the most extreme version yet, the Evantra Millecavalli. The Evantra Millecavalli has been in the works since the 2013 reveal of the Supercar Evantra, and, based on the specs, the Millevacalli version promises some serious enhancements.Mazzanti Evantra Millecavalli Specs Engine: 7.2-Liter V8 bi-turbo Horsepower: 1000 Torque: 885 lb-ft 0-60: 2.7 seconds Top Speed: 250 mph The Millecavalli comes in at 2866 pounds and includes a six-speed sequential gearbox designed exclusively for the hypercar. These features in conjunction with carbon-ceramic breaks and specially developed Motorsport technology allow the hypercar to hit 0-60 times in 2.7 seconds and the ability to stop from 186 mph to 0 mph in an amazing 7 seconds.The Evantra Millecavalli will be on display in the Mazzanti Automobili stand from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for spectators to view.

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