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 Edward Jones – January 03, 2022

New Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX Unveiled: 620-Mile Range on...

The most efficient Mercedes-Benz vehicle that has ever been created. Mercedes-Benz is going all-in on electrified vehicles and their latest unveiling shows just how far they're they've come. The new Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX is an all-electric concept vehicle that pushes the boundaries of what's to be expected from an electrified automobile. It boasts an astounding range of over 620 miles on a single charge, blowing past the range of the EQS 450+ (350 miles). Mercedes' engineers also managed to ensure the power efficiency is top-notch, allowing the EQXX's electric drive to push 95% of power from the battery to the wheels. Speaking of the battery, Mercedes used their expertise in Formula 1 and motorsports to drop the size of the battery pack (50% less volume and 30% lighter than the battery pack in the EQS). Dropping the weight of the battery pack is a huge deal as they are known to be quite bulky and heavy. Other fascinating features of the new VISION EQXX include the roof with thin solar panels, an interior crafted by sustainable materials, aluminum alloy brake discs, a user interface that acts as a sidekick by "helping" the driver, and a drag coefficient of 0.1716. That last fact is actually pretty amazing when you consider that the EQS has a drag coefficient of 0.20 and a football is at 0.18 to 0.2. The last bit I'll leave you with is that it's amazing range, the VISION EQXX could technically travel from New York City to Cincinnati, Ohio on a single charge. That's all thanks not only to the battery's capacity but its efficiency - the EQXX uses less than 10kWh of energy per 100 km. Again, this is a concept car with no word of production but the technology that the VISION EQXX will certainly find its way into future Mercedes-Benz models. Source: Mercedes-Benz

Neue Mercedes-Benz Strategie vorgestellt – Ziel ist strukturell höhere ProfitabilitätNew Mercedes-Benz strategy announced - targeting structurally higher profitability

By Edward Jones – October 07, 2020

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX Announced and Teased

Mercedes-Benz has release their new Strategy Update, providing insight on what the company is planning for the future. While it was all quite interesting to read, there was one bit that caught our eye. On one page, the silhouette of an unknown car can be seen with the words "VISION EQXX" overlaid. The Vision EQXX is set to be the culmination of Mercedes-Benz's efforts to build an electric car with increased range and efficiency. For this project, Mercedes-Benz has employed both a team in Stuttgart, as well as specialists from the Mercedes-Benz F1 HPP group in the UK. The latter has expertise in eMotors, as well as "motorsport-inspired development speed." That means we could be seeing the reveal of this new vehicle quite soon, but no official word has been given. And while the car that will be revealed may be a concept, Mercedes-Benz says it will feature "innovations that will quickly make their way into series production cars." See All AMG GTs For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 16, 2019

Vision Mercedes Simplex Unveiled: Past, Meet Future

Mercedes Benz Design brought a very unique and beautiful example of their craftsmanship to the Design Essentials 2019. Called "Vision Mercedes Simplex," this sculpture was inspired by the Mercedes 35 PS from 1901. It blends the German automaker's past with the future and wraps it up nicely in a very stylish manner. see all mercedes-benz for sale "Only a brand that is as strong as Mercedes-Benz is capable of the physical symbiosis of history and future. The "Vision Mercedes Simplex" symbolizes the transformation of the brand-specific luxury of Mercedes-Benz", says Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener. Vision Mercedes Simplex Vision Mercedes Simplex Vision Mercedes Simplex Vision Mercedes Simplex If you take a look at the cockpit of the Vision Mercedes Simplex, you can see where the "Simplex" comes from. To put it simply, it has about as simple of a dashboard as you can get without having a blank piece of metal there. Inside the car is a steering wheel and four switches. If you're wondering where information is displayed, it's projected onto a rose gold colored instrument. Simple, yet elegant. Also Check Out: Audi AI:TRAIL quattro: Exciting New Off-Road Concept Car BMW Concept 4 Revealed: A Glimpse Into BMW’s Future Pebble Beach Concept Lawn 2019

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2019

Jay Leno Drives the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400

A majority of Jay Leno's Garage is dedicated to automotive history. But he does have a feel for the future, and his latest upload is a warning shot to everyone in the electric car industry. The EQ brand is Mercedes-Benz entry into battery-powered cars. Their goal is to have 10 models on the road by 2022, and it all starts here. The EQC, or Concept EQ is an AWD crossover with 400 horsepower. It has two 200 horsepower motors that power the front and rear axles. The battery pack is mounted below the axle centerline to offer incredible handling and stability. Currently, the prototype offers 220 miles of range, with a 30-mile reserve to help you find a charger. Of course, it has a standard AC charging port for charging overnight. If you need a quick charge, the high-voltage DC circuit uses the CCS1 plug found on Chevy, Ford, and all European cars. The Japanese CHAdeMO connector might be heading into obscurity thanks to Tesla. Electrek.co is reporting that Elon is adding support for CCS1 and CCS2 across Europe. Elon probably shares Jay's sentiments, in that once Mercedes-Benz enters the market, the industry will follow. Stay with us for all your electric news and new uploads from Jay Leno's Garage. Check Out Jay Leno's Collection! Related: Mercedes-Benz Previews the 2019 EQC Mercedes-Benz EQA Cruises Around Sicily

By Andrew Nabors – September 11, 2018

Mercedes-Benz Vision Urbanetic is the Body-Swapping Van o...

The future is coming sooner than you think, and Mercedes-Benz will deliver it to you. Coinciding with a new Sprinter factory in North Charleston, SC, Mercedes Vans has revealed their Urbanetic concepts. These autonomous vehicles are built on a battery-powered chassis, and they integrate self-learning to navigate cities of the future.2018 Dodge Demon Price & SpecsStraight outta' Tomorrowland, they can be fitted with a passenger cabin, cargo module, or a flatbed for your in-laws. With zero emissions and nearly silent, they represent a future of on-demand mobility. The ride-sharing model has room for 12 passengers, while the cargo edition hauls 10 EPAL pallets.The press release mentions a fleet of them based in a central garage. By learning their most efficient routes, each one would proceed to pre-planned waypoints inside a defined area. A lack of pedals or a steering wheel is a little disconcerting, so tell us what you think of the Vision Urbanetic in the comments below.Browse Exotic Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 27, 2018

Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow Points to the Future

Mercedes-Benz is paying homage to the record-breaking 1937 W 125 car that hit 268.9 mph on the A5 autobahn with a new show car called the EQ Silver Arrow. This futuristic, autonomous and electric car comes in as a one-seater that's filled with the latest technology and a design fit for a sci-fi movie.The body is 17.3 feet long and is as streamlined as they come. Carbon fiber comprises the car's body, as well as the functional components of the exterior. Accentuating the body's streamlined design is a continuous strip of lighting in blue. The letters "EQ" are also illuminated on the side skirts, which represents the electric Mercedes brand. Adding to the car's wild design are the wheels that have non-rotating hubcaps and 168 spokes per wheel.2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG Specs, Photos, Price & Review

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2018

Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury Unveiled

Yesterday in Beijing was groundbreaking for Mercedes-Benz. Their Maybach division formally pulled the wraps off of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury. In a press release this morning, we've learned it combines the "DNA of an SUV with that of a sedan". Gordon Wagener is Daimler's Chief of Design and he also said: "The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is a totally new archetype of a kind never seen before."The choice to unveil it in Beijing has major significance. Wealthy Chinese buyers will be happy to find "Magic Wood" used for the interior ebony trim. This wood is found in traditional Chinese furniture. While Rolls-Royce has aimed their Cullinan at the Western Hemisphere, the market for luxury crossovers is booming in China. To set it apart from everyone else, the chrome grille resembles a pinstriped suit.The Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury offers a higher seating position than a sedan, along with a notchback design that is popular in China. Machined aluminum running boards and 24" turbine wheels give it an imposing look from any angle. The interior was modeled after the S-Class, with attention centered on the rear passengers. Intended to be driven by a chauffeur, the reclining rear seats have calf supports and are diamond stitched in rose gold. It is powered by four AC electric motors, one for each wheel. The battery is 80 kWh and can be charged to a range of 60 miles in 5 minutes. If you are looking for something more conventional, our dealers have great offers on the Maybach S600, so click on the link below and stay with us for all your Mercedes-Maybach updates. Browse Mercedes-Maybach For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 17, 2018

Mercedes-Maybach SUV Teased for First Time

Mercedes-Maybach has finally given us the first glimpse at what will be the future for luxury SUVs as we know it. In a video posted on their Facebook page (see below) are teases of the luxurious interior found in the new Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury. While the name is quite the mouthful, Daimler notes that this new vehicle "shows how the typical strengths of an exclusive high-end saloon and an SUV can be combined."Mercedes-Benz Announces Car Subscription ServiceAlso released was a design sketch the new SUV's interior (see above). This image shows a dashboard that's uncluttered and clean in design. A massive screen sits in front of the driver, which not only displays the instrument gauges but it also has room for the infotainment center. Between the driver and passenger rests a massive center console that I'm sure will be home to something that will surprise us. Refrigerator, anyone?The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury will officially debut at Auto China in Beijing (April 25-29).https://www.facebook.com/MercedesBenz/videos/10156302691616670/

By Andrew Nabors – October 06, 2017

Mercedes-Benz Joins Forces With Justice League

What good is a gang of superheroes if they are forced to drive boring cars? In a press release this morning we get a glimpse of the upcoming film from DC Comics along with some of the automotive talent. The stars from Stuttgart will include the new E-Class convertible, the G-Class 4x4 Squared, and the AMG Vision Gran Turismo. The AMG Concept has an updated interior for close-up filming, so it should make for a premium product placement. Here is a look behind the scenes at what it took to get these cars ready for the big screen:The film opens November 17, but it will be preceded by a series of commercials featuring the cars. Familiar faces like Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, & Gal Gadot are tasked with protecting Earth from an insidious alien attack. Batman and Wonder Woman receive help from Aquaman, Cyborg & The Flash. Metahumans and Mercedes-Benz seem to be perfect for each other, so check out the preview below and stay with us for more movie updates.

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

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