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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 – February 06, 2020

2020 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge Arrives in L.A.

To celebrate the newest addition to the Black Badge series, the esteemed English Automaker commissioned a unique photoshoot. Photographer Mark Riccioni wanted to juxtapose the new SUV against a backdrop of SoCal Car Culture. Captured on a perfect winter evening, he shot the new 2020 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge arriving in L.A. To give him the proper equipment, the House of Rolls-Royce included a bespoke set of tools. Known internally as "Urban Photography", a recreation module was built into the cargo area. Trimmed in Forge Yellow, it contains a DJI Mavic Mini drone, 12.9" iPad Pro, 16" MacBook Pro, and Sennheiser PXC550 MkII noise-canceling headphones. It will be on display throughout March at Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills, so click the button below to browse their latest pre-owned trade-ins for a great deal. Browse Pre-Owned Models at Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills " width="680"> Related: Rolls-Royce Cullinan Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – February 05, 2020

Karma Revero Wins Luxury Green Car of the Year

Presented by Post Oak Motor Cars - The new 2020 Karma Revero GT has already made a lot of noise. It’s regularly praised by journalists and attracts a crowd at every event it attends. Now there’s a new award to add to the list of accomplishments. The Revero GT has officially been awarded 2020 Luxury Green Car of the Year. VIEW INVENTORY Announced during the Washington Auto Show’s Policy Day, the award is presented by Green Car Journal. For the past 15 years, the high-profile Green Awards have recognized environmental accomplishment in the auto industry. Vehicles distinguished by a Green Car Award earn this honor for blending laudable environmental performance with other characteristics including style, value, safety, performance, and in the case of Luxury Green Car of the Year, high levels of luxury and exceptional driving experience. This year’s finalists included offerings from BMW, Lincoln, Porsche, and Land Rover. Are you interested in adding an award-winning car to your garage? Be Post Oak Motor Cars can help you out. Post Oak Motor Cars, located in Houston, Texas, is Texas' only Karma dealership and they'll guide you towards the perfect Revero for you. While you're there, you can browse their incredible selection of Bentleys, Bugattis and Rolls-Royces. There are many ways to contact Post Oak Motor Cars. You can call 713-352-7477 or contact them through their dealership page on duPontREGISTRY.com. Or, you can just browse their selection of luxury vehicles for sale by clicking the button below. VIEW INVENTORY Presented by Post Oak Motor Cars A New Experience Awaits You at Post Oak Motor Cars, a Tilman Fertitta company and home to Houston's only authorized Bentley dealership, Texas' only Bugatti and Karma dealership and the Gulf Coast largest authorized Rolls-Royce dealership. We are located in the prestigious Uptown/Galleria area of Houston.

By Edward Jones – February 04, 2020

Prestige Imports Launches Prestige Auto Spa Miami

Taking care of your automobile is a must- this includes give it a nice bath on a regular basis. Prestige Imports Miami, who specializes in the sale of the world's finest exotic cars, knows just how important car washes are and have launched a new business dedicated to the art. Introducing Prestige Auto Spa Miami. Their state-of-the-art car wash and detailed hand washes will get your car shining like new again. For more information, be sure to click the button below. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – January 29, 2020

Take a Tour of Excell Auto Group

Our friends in Boca Raton have a showroom that will knock your socks off. As a leader in the world of pre-owned exotics, almost every car in their inventory is loaded with rare options. Their knowledgable staff have automotive backgrounds, so it makes the experience much more rewarding than most corporate dealerships. As such, we recommend a visit if you are in South Florida, so come along with us and take a tour of Excell Auto Group. View Excell Auto Group's Inventory Related: Immaculate Hypercar Selection For Sale at Excell Auto Group

By Andrew Nabors – January 14, 2020

Bugatti of the Americas Receives a New Leader

Hard work pays off, and its great to see a friend finally get rewarded for years of leadership in the exotic car world. That's why we're proud to announce that Bugatti of the Americas has received a new boss. In a press release moments ago, Cedric Davy was named as the new Chief. The headline from Molsheim: " With effect immediately, Cedric Davy is the new Head of Bugatti of the Americas. He will report to the Bugatti headquarters in Molsheim. In this function, Davy succeeds Maurizio Parlato, who after six years with the French hypercar manufacturer resigned from the company for personal reasons." Christian Mastro, Bugatti Board Member for Sales, Marketing, Customer Service and Licensing: “In Cedric Davy we have the ideal replacement from within Bugatti of the Americas. With his experience in the industry in general and with Bugatti, in particular, he will be up to speed in no time.” All Bugatti fans should be as excited as we are because Cedric has the foresight and a skillset that is unique among the automotive top brass. Literally starting at the bottom, we have partnered with him on events and advertising for years so congratulations my friend, from all of us at duPont REGISTRY! Find Your Bugatti Here

By Edward Jones – January 14, 2020

Immaculate Hypercar Selection For Sale at Excell Auto Group

Presented by Excell Auto Group - Imagine seeing all your ultimate favorite Hypercars together in one place. No, this isn’t someone’s garage. Excell Auto Group currently has the most impressive lineup, and it might be closer to you than you think. This dealership located in Boca Raton, FL has a jaw-dropping inventory and you need to hear about it. Four of the most unique vehicles you will ever see, among other unique luxury and exotic vehicles are currently sitting in Excell Auto’s showroom. view listing This esteemed 2017 Pagani Huayra Roadster listed at $3 million dollars, is the true definition of power, durability, beauty, precision and dependability! This gorgeous, mid-engine hypercar succeeded the Pagani Zonda. This vehicle has a 6.0L, twin-turbocharged Mercedes-AMG V12 engine and a 7-speed sequential manual transmission. This amazing exposed bare carbon and extremely rare 2017 Pagani Huayra Roadster is just one of the four masterpieces sitting in Excell Auto’s showroom waiting for a new home, but that’s not all. If you are not a fan of convertibles, their 2014 Pagani Huayra with gull-wing doors might be just the perfect car for you. view listing This modern collectible Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta doesn’t stay behind. The 2017 Nero Daytona Black Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta listed at $5.19 million dollars is every collector’s dream. view listing Last, but not least, Porsche’s most powerful, advanced vehicle the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid. Powered by a naturally aspirated 4.6L V8 Engine produces 608 horsepower with 2 electric motors, delivering an additional 279hp for a combined output of 887hp. This Porsche listed at $1.295 million dollars is the true definition of power, agility, precision, and style. The exclusivity and prestige design is what makes these vehicles, Hypercars. Just like any other piece in Excell Auto’s inventory, expect no less than a vehicle in pristine condition and the most pleasant car buying experience you would ever have. VIEW ENTIRE INVENTORY

By Edward Jones – December 16, 2019

McLaren Tampa Bay Offering Lease Specials On 600LT, 720S ...

Presented by McLaren Tampa Bay - Are you looking to get yourself into a new Mclaren but don't want to drop six-figures in one day? McLaren Tampa Bay has a few incredible lease specials that will get you right into the driver's seat of a McLaren 600LT Coupe, 720S Coupe and 570S Spider. Here's a breakdown of just a couple McLaren lease specials that McLaren Tampa Bay is currently offering. VIEW ALL LEASE SPECIALS 2019 Mclaren 600LT Coupe 2019 McLaren 600LT Coupe lease starting at $2,995 plus tax per month with 47 month lease. Includes MSO carbon roof scope. Papaya Spark, stock #KW008441, 2500 miles per year, 10% down plus start ups. MSRP $322,309. MORE INFO 2019 McLaren 720S Coupe 2019 McLaren 720S Coupe lease starting at $2,599 plus tax per month with 47 month lease. Onyx Black, stock #KW002641, 2500 miles per year, $29,000 down plus start ups. MSRP $321,360. MORE INFO 2019 McLaren 570S Spider 2019 McLaren 570S Spider lease starting at $2,067 plus tax per month with 47 month lease. Mauvine Blue, stock #KW006338, 2500 miles per year, 10% down plus start ups. MSRP $251,370. MORE INFO Presented by Dimmitt Automotive Group Dimmitt Automotive is proud to serve the automotive needs of the Tampa Bay area. With dealerships located in Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus and Sarasota counties we are an easy drive from almost anywhere in the central west coast of Florida.

By Edward Jones – December 13, 2019

Irma Elder: A Pioneer, Mother, and Businesswoman

Presented by Elder Ford of Tampa - Irma Elder was born in Xicoténcatl, Mexico, a small municipality located in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. From here, she migrated into the United States in 1946 when she was 16-years-old without being able to speak the language of her new home. Still, this didn't deter her from becoming a pioneer in the automotive industry. Irma Elder After migrating, she married James Elder in 1963. Her new husband took over a Ford dealership in 1967, which would be her first glimpse into the automotive industry. Sadly, James passed away in 1983. This left the dealership in the hands of Irma. Thankfully, she had been learning all about the automotive industry and the dealership over the course of around 20 years. And, she also had the tenacity needed to take charge and become the first woman to own a Ford dealership in the Detroit area. Irma then changed the name of the dealership to Elder Ford, a name that has become a powerful one in both Michigan and Florida (Elder Ford of Tampa pictured above). She took the dealership and grew it into an empire that sells cars from makes including Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Genesis and more. In 2014, Irma passed away but not without being recognized by prominent figures like Mary Barra, GM CEO, and Bill Ford, Ford Execurtiy Chairman. What she left behind is not just a dealership, but a family-owned and operated business that has stood the test of time. Her family, to this day, run Elder Automotive Group and continue the philanthropic pursuits she made a priority in her life. VIEW ELDER FORD TAMPA'S INVENTORY Presented by Elder Ford of Tampa At Elder Ford of Tampa, we're eager to provide the winning Ford sales, auto service, and car financing in Tampa you seek. We're proud of our Ford dealership near St. Petersburg, FL, where a state-of-the-art facility, comprehensive new Ford showroom and fully loaded service bay await, while a savvy team of Ford professionals is prepared to meet your every need. We're not just interested in serving you right here and now, we want to be your dealership for life!

By Edward Jones – December 05, 2019

Prestige Imports Starts Art Basel Miami 2019 With Pagani ...

Prestige Imports has kicked off Art Basel Miami 2019 with an incredible display. At their Prestige Performing Art Pop Up in the Miami Design District, the South Florida dealership has put on a display of true automotive art. The center of their pop up is everything Pagani, especially the Zonda which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Guests visiting the pop up are presented with a wide range of Pagani automobiles, including the Huayra Roadster, Zonda Revolucion and may others. Check out the gallery below to get a glimpse or visit the pop up for yourself at 3841 NE 2nd, Miami FL 33137. learn more

By Edward Jones – December 04, 2019

Marshall Goldman Opens Beverly Hills Showroom

Marshall Goldman Motor Sales has just opened up their new Beverly Hills showroom and we're more than excited to check it out for ourselves. This new location is already packed with incredible supercars, ultra-luxury cars and more that are ready for new owners. The location is 8825 Wilshire Boulevard, right at the intersection of Wilshire and Robertson. " width="680"> This new showroom is just the latest milestone in Marshall Goldman Motor Sales' long history. Founded over 40 years ago in 1978, this dealership has grown exponentially and has become the go-to destination for many buyers and collectors across the United States and even some international locations. To learn more, visit MarshallGoldman.com or see everything they have to offer by clicking the button below. VIEW INVENTORY

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