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 – 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 Edward Jones – September 07, 2017

Jaguar's FUTURE-TYPE Concept is an "On-Demand" Car

Jaguar has imagined the world of the future with their new FUTURE-TYPE concept car, which is what they call an "on-demand vehicle."In the revealing press release regarding the car, they say a customer can actually summon a FUTURE-TYPE car to pick them up, all through autonomous driving. Once picked up, the passengers can just sit back and relax while the car takes them to their destination. Jaguar also says that the FUTURE-TYPE will be able to communicate with other cars, informing them of lane changes and so forth, making each trip safer than ever before. If the driver is interested in making the drive for themselves, they can switch to a manually operated drive at any time. Nissan GT-R vs Ferrari 458 Speciale vs McLaren 650S Drag Race "Today, Jaguar offers customers a dynamic, emotional experience. Whether it’s the exhilarating way they drive, the way they sound, the iconic design or the connection drivers feel with the road, customers tell us that their Jaguar makes them feel special," said Ian Callum, Director of Design at Jaguar. "With the FUTURE-TYPE we’ve been investigating how we can keep this emotional connection in a future world where people may choose not to own a car, or when a Jaguar is an autonomous, on-demand vehicle, In a future age of on-demand services and car sharing, our research shows there will still be a place for luxury and premium experiences – and enjoying the drive."

By Edward Jones – August 22, 2017

Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet: Future of Luxury Cars?

They teased us with it, and now it's here: the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet.The exterior is, unsurprisingly, very similar to that of the Coupe version but with a convertible roof. The part that really blew me away was the interior, which Mercedes calls a "360° open-air luxury lounge." The most visual aspect of the 360° design comes from the flowing blue design that wraps around the entirety of the cabin. But the flow continues, as the bottom of both seats stretch across from driver to passenger seat, passing over the futuristic-looking center console. In all honesty, just about everything about this cabin screams "future," but not so much to where everything couldn't carry over into a production car."The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet takes modern luxury into the realms of the ultimate in luxury, and is the perfect embodiment of our design strategy. Breathtaking proportions combined with a luxurious "haute couture" interior help to create the ultimate experience," explains Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Daimler AG.Drake Buys a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

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 – August 09, 2017

New Mercedes-Maybach Concept Car Teased

Back on August 19, 2016, Daimler revealed the new Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 concept car. The new car was unveiled at 18.5-feet in length, powered by a battery that has a usable capacity of around 80 kWh, the Vision 6 has 738 hp on tap.Floyd Mayweather's Kode57Almost exactly a year later, Daimler is rolling out another Vision concept that was teased in a Facebook video (found below). The interior and wheels look very similar to that of the Mercedes concept car from last year, but an overall look at the car was not given. Unfortunately, we're going to have to wait for the car's revealing at Pebble Beach on August 20 for more information.https://www.facebook.com/MercedesBenz/videos/10155616781331670/

By Edward Jones – June 02, 2017

Jay Leno Drives 3D-Printed Blade Supercar

Update 6/27/2017: The YouTube channel for Jay Leno's Garage has just uploaded the video of Leno taking out the Divergent Blade supercar on the road. This car looks like it was pulled straight from a Hot Wheels box, with a legit cockpit that seats two people like a fighter jet. Kevin Czinger, founder and CEO of Divergent 3D, brought the car to Leno's garage and joined him on his trip on the roads. Click play on the video below to see the 1,300 pounds 3D-printed supercar in action for yourself. Just about two years ago, the world's first 3D-printed supercar was unveiled, Divergent Microfactories' Blade. In Jay Leno's recent Instagram post, it looks like this grounbreaking car will be featured in an upcoming "Jay Leno's Garage" episode. This prototype supercar was created because Kevin Czinger, founder and CEO of Divergent Microfactories, wanted to find an environmentally friendly way to produce some of the world's coolest cars. By using the Node and 3D printing, the work required for assembly of the chassis is dramatically reduced. Additionally, the weight of the chassis is 90 percent lighter than a traditional car’s, as well as stronger and more durable. You can watch a video of the chassis being assembled below. https://www.instagram.com/p/BU1ziw4AfK9/ Based around the Node is Blade, Divergent Microfactories’ pride and joy, as well as the world’s first 3D-printed supercar, “one of the greenest and most powerful cars in the world.” Powering the car is a 700 hp bi-fuel engine that can utilize either compressed natural gas or gasoline. How Much Is Jay Leno’s Collection Worth? Being comprised of lightweight materials and powered by a powerful engine, the Blade delivers pure performance. It’s claimed 0-60 mph time is a mere two seconds.This is because of the light weight of 1,400 lbs, which makes for an insane power-to-weight ratio. Be sure to check back with us to see the episode when it's released.

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 – April 12, 2017

Revealed: New Qoros Supercar, Powered by Koenigsegg

Ever heard of Qoros before? If you're living anywhere other than China, probably not. This automotive manufacturer is located in Shanghai and has only introduced their first model in 2013. Now, four years later, they have introduced the Model K-EV, a new high-performance electric concept car.Qoros may only be ten-years-old, being founded in 2007, but they have already set up a partnership with Koenigsegg. This cooperation has produced the high-performance, all-wheel-drive system found in the Model K-EV. The technology used in this system is also found in the Koenigsegg Regera, one of the fastest cars in the world. Qoros notes their revealing post on Facebook that because Koenigsegg's technology is already proven, it makes the next steps towards the production of the Model K-EV easier. View More Concept Car News, Pics and Videos

By Edward Jones – January 31, 2017

Secret Mazzanti Evantra Prototype Spotted on the Road

It looks like Mazzanti is building something new and NM2255 seems to have caught a prototype of this secret model as it was being tested on the road.(Also Check Out - 2018 Corvette ZR1 Prototype Caught in traffic)The original Mazzanti Evantra is powered by an aluminum 7.0-liter V-8 engine capable of producing 701 horsepower and 625 foot-pounds of torque. Combine this power with a six-speed sequential gearbox, and you get a top speed of more than 217 mph and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds.We aren't sure if this prototype is powered by the same engine, but NM2255 notes in the video's description that he is "sure that they are working on a new project." Check it out in the video below to see the camouflaged prototype for yourself.Exotic Cars For Sale

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