Dealer News

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 – August 17, 2020

McLaren Orlando is Officially Open for Business

We are happy to announce that McLaren Orlando is officially open. This announcement comes after they moved to a new and state-of-the-art showroom in Titusville, Florida. After prepping for the opening, McLaren Orlando will now take appointments. It should be noted that all visitors to the new location must make appointments before coming into the showroom. Their current hours are as follows: Sales/Showroom Monday: 9am to 6pm Tuesday: 9am to 6pm Wednesday: 9am to 6pm Thursday: 9am to 6pm Friday: 9am to 6pm Saturday: 9am to 6pm Sunday: Closed Service/Parts Monday: 8am to 5pm Tuesday: 8am to 5pm Wednesday: 8am to 5pm Thursday: 8am to 5pm Friday: 8am to 5pm Saturday: By Appointment Only Sunday: Closed If you'd like to make an appointment, be sure to click the button below. Schedule an Appointment

By Edward Jones – August 17, 2020

MotorCars of Atlanta: A Leading Name in Exotic and Luxury...

If you’re looking for the best luxury and exotic automobile buying experience in Atlanta, Georgia, then look to MotorCars of Atlanta, located in Sandy Spring, Georgia. This prestigious dealership first started as a BMW store back in 1995, but has evolved over the years. With a dealership full of the finest Aston Martin, McLaren, Lotus, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and Koenigsegg vehicles, they make it a point to provide their valued customers with access to the highest quality driving experiences found on the road. MotorCars of Atlanta has an incredible selection of the world’s finest cars, but they offer much more. They offer an engaging and stress-free dealership environment for everyone walking through the door. Their team of dedicated and skilled luxury automotive aficionados is undoubtedly more than capable of fielding any questions, comments, or concerns that may arise. For those who do find their dream car in their showroom, Motorcars of Atlanta provides competitive rates and finance options. Once the deal is done, they offer contactless pick-up and delivery services. MotorCars of Atlanta’s goal is to keep their customer in control of the buying process from start to finish. By doing this, they ensure that each customer that comes through their door leaves happy, satisfied, and paired with the luxury or exotic car of their dreams. Those customers can also rely on continued support as they are the only authorized sales and service center for Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Lotus, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, and Koenigsegg in Atlanta. If you’re looking for a new Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Lotus, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, or Koenigsegg, look no further. Be sure to give them a call at (888) 476-8602, visit MotorCarsofAtlanta.com or even step into their brand-new state-of-the-art facility to learn more about what they can offer you. View Inventory Contact Motorcars of Atlanta Phone: (888)-476-8602Website: motorcarsofatlanta.comAddress: 7865 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30350

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2020

ALL-NEW Lamborghini Miami by Prestige Imports - First Look

What began as a few spots at a gas station has evolved into an empire. Our late friend Irv David took a chance by advertising in the world's first exotic car magazine, and 32 years later, his son Brett has built Lamborghini Miami into the Prestige Imports empire. Never forgetting where they came from, here is a sneak preview of the All-New Lamborghini Miami. Browse Prestige Imports Inventory In addition to Pagani, Lotus, and Karma, you will see 38,000 square feet of Lamborghini. "The New Bull Pen" is home to the largest Lamborghini Service Center in the Western Hemisphere and an Ad Personam studio. Here you can meet with Lamborghini representatives to custom build your Raging Bull. Prestige Imports is a destination for South Florida tourists and enthusiasts from around the world. Even during these trying times, the staff and technicians offer a touch-free experience for all. Click the link below to learn more and stay with us for all your Prestige Imports news.

By Edward Jones – August 07, 2020

The McLaren Elva Makes an Appearance at McLaren Philadelphia

The McLaren Elva has made a stunning appearance at McLaren Philadelphia. The Elva that showed up for a six-day stay was finished in a beautiful Nerello Red paint and was actually a pre-production show car. Although it had a short stay, they created a video to remember it by. You can click play down below to see it for yourself. In regards to the car itself, it's an honest-to-goodness piece of art. McLaren designed it to pay homage to the roadsters and speedsters that came before it, like the original 1967 Elva M1C. Unlike that classic car, the new Elva benefits from a wide array of technological advancements, like it's insane Active Air Management system. We'll most definitely be seeing more of the McLaren Elva when they start being delivered in 2021. See McLaren Philadelphia's Inventory

By Edward Jones – July 31, 2020

O'Gara Announces Lamborghini Westlake Village

O'Gara has just announced the opening of the new Lamborghini Westlake Village Showroom, offering North Los Angeles the finest automobiles from Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy. The new showroom will be located at 3610 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. If you'd like to stop by, the showroom will be opening in early August and will be open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. They also note that they will be operating within CDC guidelines, ensuring a safe and healthy experience for clients. For more information, click the button below to visit their website. Visit Lamborghini Westlake Village Website

By Edward Jones – July 22, 2020

See How to Use Ferrari's Wild Customer Configurator at Fe...

Ordering a Ferrari is not a task, but an experience. Knowing this, the Italian automaker ensures that each of their customers is treated to a special event when they sit down in a dealership to customize the Ferrari of their dream. Even if you aren't going out to order yours, Ferrari Lake Forest has a video that shows the customer experience in their Ferrari Atelier Design Studio. In their example, Nick Mancuso, the General Sales Manager at Ferrari Lake Forest, shows off how to customize the Ferrari Roma. He selects the options on a tablet while a TV mounted to the wall displays the Roma he's customizing. From the paint to the contrast stitching and even the popular passenger display, this configurator allows customers to really fine-tune their Ferrari. It even allows you to see how it would look outside of the Ferrari factory and puts together a video of the car driving in the streets. Check it out in action for yourself by clicking play below. View Ferrari Lake Forest Inventory

By Edward Jones – July 16, 2020

McLaren Beverly Hills Holds Private Viewing for the Gorge...

When McLaren unveiled the new Elva, we were taken aback by its beauty. With a body that's both elegant and modern, the Elva is a sight to behold. But seeing this new model on an electronic device is much different than seeing it in person. That's why we're jealous of those that attended McLaren Beverly Hills' private viewing of the Elva. What I admire about the dealership's take on the viewing is that it wasn't held at a fancy location, nor were there tons of fanfare. All that was needed was a simple area where the guests could take in all of the Elva's beauty. While a vast majority of us weren't able to attend the event, they did release a video of the showing for everyone to enjoy. You can check it out for yourself by clicking play below. View McLaren Beverly Hills Inventory " width="680">

By Edward Jones – July 01, 2020

Ferrari Monza SP2 Visit Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale

The Ferrari Monza SP2 is an incredibly rare car that was unveiled as part of the "Icona Series." Ferrari created this gorgeous supercar as an homage to the 750 Monza and the 860 Monza that were built to win races around the world. Because of its prominence, the Monza SP2 is a rarity among Ferraris and that's why it's recent visit to Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale was so special. The classically-styled Ferrari sat on the showroom floor for all to see. Those who did manage to gaze upon the Monza SP2 were given a chance that not many have had. This is why visiting your local dealership is so exciting because you never know what they'll have on their showroom floor. View Inventory https://www.instagram.com/p/CCEmkSRpcZk/?igshid=19bw5aeabczv5

By Andrew Nabors – June 26, 2020

Ferrari of Austin Unleashes an F8 Tributo Downtown for #F...

As the Capital of the Lonestar State, Austin was once relegated to government offices and oilfield workers. Once PBS aired the first episode of Austin City Limits in 1976, the city has transformed into a mecca for music, art, architecture, and technology. Given the low cost of living and great employment opportunities, our friends at Ferrari of Austin keep the streets stocked with the latest in Italian supercars. We have been advocating #FerrariFriday for years, and now it is catching on. Thanks to incredible filming by by @ethanglanger and @mattvconnor, we can watch a Rosso Fiorano F8 Tributo do what it does best. Please don't attempt such driving on public roads. If you want to experience Austin in style, click the link below for great incentives on their remaining 2020 models and stay with us for all your Ferrari footage. Browse Ferrari of Austin Inventory https://www.facebook.com/FerrariofAustin/videos/913850909130161/

By Edward Jones – June 25, 2020

See O'Gara Motorsport's Epic Track Day Weekend Experience...

O'Gara Motorsport at The Thermal Club is back and they're back in a big way thanks to their exciting Track Day Weekend Experience. This invite-only experience is where clients can take their cars out for a chance to test their full potential. Before the envoy of clients got to The Thermal Club for the most recent track day experience, they indulged in a rally drive to the private O'Gara Motorsport Facility, lunch, dinner on a stay at the new Thermal Club Casitas for the night on Sunday. On the following Monday, it was off to The Thermal Club. After an early breakfast, the entire group was given a driver's brief and was told of the track's regulations. Then, they were given a four-hour track session that included one-on-one driving coaching with a professional racing driver. To wrap things up, O'Gara hosted a lunch and pool party to celebrate the exciting weekend. You can see what O'Gara Motorsports Track Day Weekend Experience is all about in the video below. If you want to learn more about this event, click here.

Dealer News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe