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 – March 18, 2021

Opel Teases an Electric Restomod Revival of the Manta

A gorgeous car appeared on European roads back in 1970, so now is a perfect time for a comeback. Opel has teased an electric restomod revival of the Manta with a high-voltage heart. Opel was the luxury & sporty arm of General Motors in Germany. Along with their English cousins at Vauxhall, Americans have had a few opportunities to buy them from Buick & Cadillac dealerships over the years. GM sold the brand to Stellantis, the owners of Fiat-Chrysler & Peugeot. This teaser of the GSe ElektroMOD definitely has retro styling, something not yet embraced by electric automakers. Their press release mentions the name is a reference to their world-record setting Elektro GT from the 70s along with MOD for modern technology. With a stiff injection of cash, Opel is poised to bring back the glory days, so we'd like to see it offered at Dodge & Chrysler lots. Their goal is to be all-electric by 2024, so we think this is a great starting point. Browse Sports Cars For Sale Image (C) Stellantis NV

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By Andrew Nabors – March 01, 2021

Lordstown Endurace Prototype to Race in Baja

A new electric pickup is coming our way. But before production begins, the Lordstown Endurance protoype is racing in Baja. The San Felipe 250 is one demanding lap that is actually 290 miles. April 17th will see trucks from around the world battle across harsh terrain. As the season-opener for the SCORE World Desert Championship series, the team from Ohio will be the first ever electric entry. The alpha test mules have proven the ability to offer 600 horsepower and tow 7,500 lbs, and the race will mark the reveal of their first beta models. The press release also mentions the production version of their crew cab will arrive later this year with a price of $45,000 after the federal tax rebate. LeBron loves his Hummer EV, so it looks like battery trucks are about to takeover. Your move Rivian! Image (C) Lordstown Motors

By Andrew Nabors – February 24, 2021

GTO Engineering Making Progress On Project Moderna

For those who choose to live and drive in the 1960s, GTO Engineering is making progress on Project Moderna. This stunning coupe is inspired by classic Italian GT cars, thanks to the resurgence. in their popularity. Staying true to form, the alloy body will ride on a tubular steel frame. With the goal of delivering a stick-shift supercar under 2,200 lbs, their all-new V12 will be all-aluminum. This 60-degree quad-cam beast will roar to life in the coming weeks, and we're hoping they offer it as a crate engine for retro builds. If you have ever tried to drive a classic you will realize that humans are a bit taller, so the roofline and pedal box are being optimized for comfort. Just like the 250 GTO Revival, our friends at Manhattan Motorcars are the exclusive importer for the brand. Click the button to view their inventory and tell us your thoughts on Project Moderna in the comments below. Browse Inventory At Manhattan Motorcars Images (C) GTO Engineering

By Andrew Nabors – February 01, 2021

Mercedes-AMG Project ONE Shows Off 'Formula 1 Power'

We are poised to welcome the second-generation of hybrid hypercars. To compete with the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and the McLaren Artura, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE shows off 'Formula 1 Power'. Their recipe for the future starts with a 1.6-liter V6. Where it gets really interesting is incorporating a generator inside the turbocharger. Combined with another on the crankshaft, it will reach 11,000 rpm to power two electric motors on the front wheels. Sir Lewis Hamilton is in charge of the driving dynamics and suspension so get ready for a street-legal race winner. Rumors of a $2.5 million price tag make it one of the Top 25 Most Expensive Cars For Sale.

By Andrew Nabors – January 22, 2021

Vanderhall Teases Navarro Electric Side By Side

Are your off-road memories tainted by the sounds and smells of ATV engines? It's time to take batteries into uncharted territory, so Vanderhall has teased the Navarro electric Side By Side. Their Edison roadster arrived with incredible power and a range of 200 miles. Sending torque to all wheels is made easy with all-terrain tires and healthy ground clearance. We always enjoy having them on display, so stay with us for all your Vanderhall updates. Images (C) Vanderhall Motor Works

By Andrew Nabors – January 12, 2021

Sony Vision-S Begins Testing In Austria

Earlier today Sony unveiled their new Airpeak drone, and it was used to film the Sony Vision-S testing in Austria. Last year, we saw the Vision-S concept car debut at the Consumer Electronics Show. Thanks to the combined efforts from every part of the company, the first prototype seeks to offer a safer and smarter luxury sedan. Anything bearing the Sony logo is held to a standard that can't be matched by competitors, so stay with us as the car evolves. P.S. Cadillac also dropped a new concept car at CES! " width="680"> Image (C) Sony Corporation

By Andrew Nabors – January 04, 2021

Aspark Owl Officially For Sale

Waiting for the world's quickest car is almost over. If you need to reach 60 mph in 1.72 seconds, the Aspark Owl is officially for sale. The latest Japanese supercar is limited to 50 examples, each with around 2,000 horsepower. With each wheel having its own motor, they claim to have the fastest 0-60 time of any production car. The press release mentions 20 cars are allocated for Europe and another 20 are aimed at the Middle East and Asia. That leaves only 10 for North America, so you better act fast. Aspark Owl Revealed: World’s Quickest and Most Powerful Production Car A new showroom in Osaka has opened to allow potential customers to experience the car in person, and they have secured a partnership with a dealer in South Florida. At roughly 3.5 Million dollars, it isn't cheap. But having the latest in electric hypercars is a life goal for many. CEO Masanori Yoshida said: "We will continue to increase the number of retailers around the world so that we can sell the Owl to the right customers at the right time and provide them with a special driving and acceleration experience they have never had before”. Click the button to learn more and stay with us for more Aspark news. Learn More Image (C) AsparkCompany.com

By Edward Jones – December 17, 2020

Nissan Builds GT-R (X) 2050 Scale Model: Where Human and ...

Jaebum "JB" Choi, an intern at Nissan Design America, has created his vision of what the supercar of 2050 could be. More specifically, he designed what he thinks the Nissan GT-R of 2050 could be. His creation, which was actually his final thesis, is called the GT-R (X) 2050. His idea behind this car was to truly connect the human brain with the car, allowing them to become one. "Exo-skeletons today make people stronger by wearing mechanical structures. I tried to fit the size of a person’s body as much as I could, as if I were wearing a car," Choi says. "I wanted to create a new form of machine that is not a vehicle to ride, it is the space where machine and the human become one. " The driver or pilot wears an exo-suit that includes a helmet which fits into a slot for the front vision camera with VR vision. There's also a brain-to-core transmitter that allows the brain's activity to be transferred as digitalized signals. With this kind of technology, the driver and vehicle truly become one. In order for the driver to be inside the vehicle, they lay down in a prone position that resembles an "X". When in place, their hands and feet are in the same areas as each wheel, giving them a true feeling of movement control. To Choi's surprise, NDA created a life-size model of the GT-R (X) 2050. "I started my internship at NDA in January and participated in company projects for about two months. Then, I started my ‘vision humanoid’ project for the rest of the internship, working from home because of COVID-19," says Choi. "Little did I imagine then that the team at NDA would take me under their wings and help me create it as a full-size model." You can check it out for yourself in the gallery down below. See All Nissan GT-Rs For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 16, 2020

All-Electric Jaguar Vision GT SV Concept Revealed

Jaguar has just unveiled their new Vision GT SV concept car, new model that was created for the Gran Turismo video game series. This new Vision GT car comes after the Vision GT Coupe was unveiled back in October 2019. From what the team learned from that experience, they have gone and created this new masterpiece. Jaguar says that the body of the new Vision GT SV was inspired by the C-type and D-type vehicles and those influences can easily be found in the fenders. Overall, the body of this race car is extremely low and long but that was done all for the sake of optimized downforce and aerodynamics-- just look at that rear wing. As for power, the Jaguar Vision GT SV houses four electric motors that deliver a total of 1877 horsepower for a 0 to 60 mph time of just 1.65 seconds and top speed of 255 mph. There's no word of a real-life racing version of the Vision GT SV, but Jaguar has gone and created a full-scale model. If you'd like to get behind the wheel yourself, you can do that in Gran Turismo in 2021. See All Jaguar XJ220s For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 10, 2020

Henrik Fisker Teases Something New

We were beginning to think 2020 was the year of the fake concept car until last night. That's when our friend Henrik Fisker teased something new. His bold styling can be seen on the BMW Z8, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, DB9, and the eponymous Fisker Karma. His latest Tweet mentions climate change, EVs, and love, and we see a headlight housing reminiscent of his favorite shape. Regardless of what it resembles, he finds a way to push every design into production despite all the naysayers. So listen to his advice to CNBC's Jim Cramer and stay with us for all your Fisker news. " width="680"> Image Source (C) @HenrikFisker

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