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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 Jordan Aquistapace – July 15, 2024

Discover What Its Like To Stay Trackside In LOKI Coach's ...

Its like living in a luxury penthouse on wheels! Whether you're considering a scenic cross-country road trip with the family or planning an epic trackside race weekend with friends, there's no denying that traveling in style and sleeping comfortably starts with an ultra-luxury, roadworthy RV. The team of professionals at LOKI Coach expertly executes this way of life, partnering with the motorhome pioneers at Prevost to outfit an already top-tier chassis with the comfort, technology, and amenities of a 5-star hotel. Putting its latest creation to the ultimate test, LOKI Coach invited architecture, fitness, and travel influencer " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> to the Canadian Grand Prix to experience the futuristic motorhome first-hand and spend the night inside. With a seven-figure price tag and complete creative control when configuring your own build, every LOKI Coach chassis comes tailored to fit its owners' wants, needs, and lifestyles. As part of his newest YouTube upload, Erik takes viewers on a 24-hour tour of living in the world's most futuristic motorhome. Even the driver and front passenger exude luxuriousness, thanks to a pair of $20k captain chairs that swivel and feature comfort functions like massaging controls with heating and cooling. All state-of-the-art features and technology are managed through any of the ten Garmin tablets uploaded with LOKI's in-house management system. When parked trackside next to the venue, the LOKI Coach comfortably expands over two feet on each side to create an open floorplan that welcomes family and friends aboard. From full-size bathrooms and bedrooms to kitchen and dining areas for the whole family, the main cabin space is easily transformable to fit the needs of any lifestyle. The exterior acts as the ultimate party space, where the LOKI Coach unfolds to reveal an extendable awning, outdoor kitchen, full-size flatscreen TV, and extra storage. With two massive lithium batteries safely stowed beneath the motorhome, travelers can run their LOKI solely under their power for over a week. Check out Erik Van Conover's new YouTube video to learn more about the LOKI Coach and its capabilities. Discover all that LOKI Coach offers, and inquire about your build by clicking the link below. Discover LOKI Coach Source: LOKI Coach/Erik Van Conover

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 25, 2024

O'Gara x Aston Martin Beverly Hills Hosts An Exclusive As...

For over four decades, O'Gara has been a key player in automotive luxury, serving Southern California and the rest of the country with a prestigious lineup of brands. With a commitment to offering exceptional pre and post-buying experiences, O'Gara recently hosted an exclusive client event in Beverly Hills to unveil the latest supercars from Aston Martin. On April 16th, clients and VIP guests gathered to witness the unveiling of the newest Vantage models, showcasing the pinnacle of front-engine, rear-wheel drive supercars. As one of the first dealer groups in North America to feature the new generation Vantage and Vantage GT3 together, O'Gara provided an up-close and personal look for those in attendance. The event featured in-depth product presentations by Michael Giorgio, Brand Manager of Aston Martin Beverly Hills, offering insights into the performance and craftsmanship of the new Vantage. Additionally, guests had the exclusive opportunity to view the Aston Martin GT3 challenger, presented by Heart of Racing driver Roman De Angelis. Tom O'Gara, Founder of O'Gara, expressed his excitement, stating, "We were thrilled to open the Aston Martin Beverly Hills showroom to our clients for a truly remarkable moment in Aston Martin history." The new Vantage sets a new benchmark for road and track driving, showcasing a top speed of 202 miles per hour and an output of 656 horsepower. Scheduled for first deliveries in Q2 2024, the new Vantage is now available for customization at Aston Martin Beverly Hills. As appointments fill up, customers are invited to venture on their journey of building their bespoke Vantage. View all O'Gara Coach x Aston Martin Beverly Hills inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All O'Gara Coach x Aston Martin Beverly Hills Inventory Source: O'Gara Coach

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By Tyler Rampersaud – November 22, 2023

O'Gara Coach & Las Vegas Concours Recap The Ultimate Race...

Automotive excellence graced Las Vegas both on and off the track. The Las Vegas Grand Prix race week was quite the spectacle, with the iconic Formula 1 Grand Prix returning to the city after decades away to the fanfare of the Las Vegas Strip’s lights and a whole host of activities and celebrations. One of those was the incredibly prestigious Las Vegas Concours, a celebration of the world’s most exclusive, desirable, and excellent cars, all displayed against the backdrop of Wynn Las Vegas. With the esteemed O’Gara Coach playing an instrumental role in bringing together the collection of cars displayed elegantly on the golf course, a number of the world’s most celebrated vehicles were in attendance, like the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, the Lamborghini Centenario Roadster, Pagani Huayra Roadster, Lamborghini Sián, and McLarens like the P1, Elva, Senna, Sabre, and more. Coinciding with the intense and highly anticipated Formula 1 Grand Prix, the O’Gara Coach and the Las Vegas Concours brought the best of the best to the Las Vegas luxury automotive scene, which was instrumental in putting together the Ultimate Race Week in Las Vegas, celebrating both racing spirit and automotive excellence of all kinds. View All Vehicles For Sale From O'Gara Coach View this post on Instagram A post shared by O'Gara (@ogaracoach)

By Edward Jones – July 29, 2022

Rusnak/Westlake Porsche Reveals New Hero 911 Version 2.0

A car to honor first responders who put themselves in harm's way to help and protect others. In 2020, Rusnak/Westlake Porsche revealed the Hero 911 Project. This very special Porsche 911 was created to honor Sergeant Ron Helus whose life was taken when responding to the Thousand Oaks shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill. Rusnak/Westlake Porsche also hosted the 2020 Sgt. Ron Helus Memorial Car Rally which was held to raise awareness of the fundraising efforts for the Helus Training Facility. In 2022, Rusnak/Westlake Porsche unveiled Hero 911 Version 2.0. This Porsche was designed to honor all first responders including the dealership's local first responders at Ventura County Sheriff’s Dept., Ventura County Fire, AMR/Gold Coast, and EMS. If you'd like to see this wonderful Porsche for yourself, it will be on display at local events and businesses. View Rusnak/Westlake Porsche Inventory

By Edward Jones – October 20, 2021

Prestige Imports Halloween Super Car Run Returns For 2021

It's time for spooky supercars! Prestige Imports has just announced the new 2021 Halloween Super Car Run and we are more than excited. In previous years, aside from 2020 due to the pandemic, Prestige Imports has held the Halloween Super Car Run as an event where cars and drivers alike get dressed up in costume. This year, 80 supercars, exotic cars and luxury cars will be allowed to partake in the event for the sake of track time at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The event will start at 12pm on Saturday, October 23 at Prestige Imports for a BBQ lunch and a costume contest. From there, the group of spooky supercars will be escorted by police from the dealership to the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Once arrived at the track, the participants will be given a driver debrief before they take to the tracks. Prestige Imports also notes that their Lamborghini Miami x TR3 Racing Huracan Supertrofeo cars will be doing a demo session on the track as well. For more information, be sure to contact Prestige Imports. View Prestige Imports' Inventory

By Edward Jones – May 03, 2021

Miller Motorcars Azzurro Pagani: World's Largest Gatherin...

A blue sea of Paganis washed across Lime Rock Park. Lime Rock Park was recently taken over by a 20 Pagani that were part of Miller Motorcars' Azzurro Pagani event. This event was labeled as the world's largest gathering of Blue Pagani at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut. While the immaculate hypercars were a sight to behold, the event was also a fundraiser. In total, the event raised over $25,000 for the Hometown Foundation. The Hometown Foundation, Inc, is a 501 (c)(3) charitable foundation that centers around individuals with intellectual disabilities, individuals with a major illness, animal welfare, emergency response personnel and the military. You can view some shots from the event in the gallery down below. To view Miller Motorcars' inventory, be sure to click the button below. View Inventory Image Source: Instagram/@CT_Car_Photos

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By Andrew Nabors – December 14, 2020

South Florida Exotic Car Toy Rally Recap By The Collection

When it comes to helping those less fortunate, nothing can stop those who are determined. That's why our friends at The Collection invited all their customers and friends to take part in this year's South Florida Exotic Car Toy Rally. A brief morning shower seems to happen every year, but it didn't stop an amazing turnout. Instead of the banquet luncheon, the Goodyear Blimp hangar had a drive-through photo booth. The Marine Corps and their volunteers had their hands full, but it went off without a hitch. From their headquarters in Coral Gables, The Collection is able to keep their fingers on the pulse of South Florida's supercar scene, and we're thankful to represent them. Browse their inventory by clicking below and stay with us for all your exotic car news. Browse Inventory At The Collection Images: The Collection

By Andrew Nabors – December 07, 2020

Dimmitt Automotive Leads Toy Rally Across Tampa Bay

Yesterday was perfect weather for a supercar gathering. With over 100 supercars and exotics, our friends at Dimmitt Automotive led a Toy Rally across Tampa Bay. Starting at 7 am, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrived with marked and unmarked cruisers and motorcycles. Filmed by McLaren Sales Manager Matthew Jones, an impressive lineup reached Interstate 275. duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee at Armature Works Recap: All For a Great Cause With the on-ramps closed to traffic, the convoy crossed the bay to reach Steinbrenner Field and Raymond James Stadium. It was a great way to help those less fortunate, so here's to everyone at Dimmitt Automotive and all local law enforcement who helped make it a resounding success. Browse Inventory at Dimmitt Automotive " width="680">

By Edward Jones – October 21, 2019

Prestige Imports Halloween Supercar Run 2019 Preview

Halloween is just around the corner, so that means Prestige Imports is gearing up for their annual Halloween Supercar Run. This event will feature 100 exotic cars and drivers/passengers dressed up in their best costumes. The event is set to start at 2pm on October 26 and will end at 10pm. It starts with a reception at Lamborghini Miami where there will be costume photo ops and a BBQ lunch. At 4:145, the convoys of exotic cars will get a police escort to the Homestead Motorsports Speedway. Participants will then have the opportunity to drive their cars on the track and indulge in a casual buffet dinner. There will, of course, be a costume contest. For more information, be sure to click the buttons below. register now view on directory.dupontregistry.com " width="680">

By Edward Jones – May 17, 2019

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Tag Heuer Edition Shines at...

Article via Long Island Sports Cars - Aston Martin Long Island partnered with Tag Heuer and their Fifth Avenue Boutique to celebrate a special moment in the brand partnership. From 6 to 9 PM the Aston Martin Long Island showroom and Long Island Sports Cars shop was filled with handcrafted vehicles, watches, and the likes of a very lively cocktail party. The creation of the 50 limited edition Tag Heuer edition DBS Superleggera provided a celebration of fine craftsmanship and luxury. The DBS Superleggera was the perfect choice for this collaboration with TAG Heuer. Aston Martin’s Super GT with its 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 engine is the ultimate combination of style and power, utilizing modern materials and precision craftsmanship. The car delivers an unforgettable driving experience and class-leading in-gear acceleration and the innovative aerodynamics meld beautifully with its compelling curves. Nicknamed “the brute in a suit”, the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is immaculately styled, obsessively engineered and outrageously potent. The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera TAG Heuer Edition is presented in Monaco Black paint with a satin black tinted carbon fibre roof, mirrors, vents, louvres, splitter and spoiler. The bespoke specification includes satin black 21” twin spoke wheels fitted with Pirelli P Zero tyres with a red accent to complement the red brake calipers. If the unique livery with red highlighting doesn’t give away the model type, the fender badge with TAG Heuer logo will do so. Inside, the DBS boasts pure black leather and Alcantara seats with red stitching and bespoke TAG Heuer quilting, each displaying the TAG Heuer logo, and carbon fiber and dark chrome have been used throughout to accentuate the clean lines of the cockpit. To celebrate the night and all of the beautiful design both Tag Heuer and Aston Martin encompass we hand selected an array of pieces to showcase including the Tag Aston Martin Collection. Alongside the beautiful cars and watches, there was a whiskey tasting to enjoy paired with farm to table food choices. As guests exited the watch display and entered into our garage and shop area they were greeted by the musical talents of Leah Laurenti and our watchmaker display. There were many highlights of the evening. View Long Island Sports Cars' Inventory

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