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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 Edward Jones – December 22, 2020

Matching Ferrari Pair Shines Bright at Ferrari of Houston...

Ferrari of Houston & Ferrari of The Woodlands is proud to present this unique one of only 122 examples of the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4, often referred to as “The Ferrari Daytona Spyder”. This example is in perfect restored condition and is one of only two Daytona Spyder’s finished by the factory in Verde Pino (Pine Green) Metallizato. With the Daytona Spyder in this video, we also present a beautifully configured 2021 812 GTS in matching Verde Pino Metallizato with Cuoio Leather Daytona Carbo Fiber Seats. This 812 GTS was commissioned by the owner of the 1973 Daytona to honor the Ferrari front engine V12 heritage. The unofficial Daytona name is reported to have been applied by the media rather than Ferrari. All Ferrari 365 GTB and GTS bodies, except the first Pininfarina prototype, were produced by Italian coachbuilder Scaglietti, which had a well-established record of working with Ferrari. As with the 812 Superfast of today, the 365 GTB/4 and GTS/4 was radically different from other vehicles of the time and replaced the traditional rounded design with much more sharp-edged styling. Both the 812 GTS and the Daytona are traditional front-engined, rear-drive cars. The engine of the Daytona, known as the Tipo 251 with a 60° bank angle, 2 valves per cylinder, 267.9 cu in, 365 cc per cylinder, featured 6X2 barrel Weber carburetors. At a compression ratio of 9.3:1, it produced 347 hp at 7500 rpm and could reach 174 mph. 0-60 mph acceleration was just 5.4 seconds. The 812 GTS engine is a massive 6.5 Liter V12, the largest V12 ever manufactured by Ferrari, with 800 Horsepower and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 2.9 seconds. Top speed is 212 MPH. The 812 GTS also features rear-wheel steering creating a virtual shorter wheelbase driving experience. The Daytona Spyder enjoys a five-speed gated shifter manual transmission which is mounted in the rear for optimal weight distribution, and a four-wheel independent suspension featured wishbones and coil springs. The 812 GTS uses a 7 Speed Dual Clutch Transmission and can be driven as either an Automatic or as a Manual Transmission using the paddles mounted on the steering column. The Daytona Spyder and the 812 GTS represent nearly 5 decades since Ferrari offered a 12 cylinder front engine full convertible option for purchase. Both automobiles would be cherished by any Ferrari Collector. View Their Current Inventory Source: Ferrari of Houston & Ferrari of The Woodlands

By Edward Jones – December 03, 2020

Ferrari F8 Spider Family at Ferrari of Long Island

Every so often, the planets align and cosmic forces bless us with a very unique opportunity. Ferrari of Long Island was able to showcase the beauty of Ferrari: past, present and future. The official Ferrari North America F8 Spider demonstrator is finished in the historic color Giallo Modena, and it recently arrived to their showroom in Long Island. They were also fortunate enough to have in their inventory the three predecessors of the latest open-top Ferrari V8 sports car, all finished in Giallo Modena. As a result, Ferrari of Long Island's photographer was able to capture these lovely images of a yellow Ferrari family reunion: four generations of pure performance and driving pleasure. Introducing the Ferrari F430 Spider, 458 Spider, 488 Spider and F8 Spider! View Ferrari of Long Island Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – November 04, 2020

GTO Engineering Unveils Project Moderna

Many fans of classic Italian cars won't deny their love for the iconic Ferrari 250. In its racing from, (250 GTO) we have witnessed several new records in the value of the classic car industry That is why we are happy to announce that GTO Engineering has unveiled Project Moderna. You might remember their previous offering as the cover for our October issue. The Revival 250 SWB is sold through Manhattan Motorcars and it is a faithful homage to the original GTO. Discover the Cover – October 2020: Revival 250 SWB by GTO Engineering For Sale at Manhattan Motorcars For those who want a 21st Century experience, they turned to the latest in high strength steel. The tubular cockpit has aluminum subframes for the suspension to hold a body of carbon fiber. The latest in suspension geometry makes use of big brakes and wheels of a contemporary size. This will offer incredibly low un-sprung mass when compared to the classics along with incredible grip & handling. Managing Director Mark Lyon said each car will be made to order, with several options for gearbox and suspension. The engine will remain to be a quad-cam V12, albeit with modern internals for unprecedented power. He and his team have been working on this since 1991, and now they are poised to shakeup the Ferrari faithful. If you want modern performance with an iconic silhouette, contact Ferrari@gtoengineering.com or our friends at Manhattan Motorcars. Browse Inventory At Manhattan Motorcars

By Edward Jones – October 26, 2020

Ferrari Roma Takes Over New York With #ReadyToRoma Tour

If you happened to be in New York or Long Island a week ago, you may have spotted a Ferrari Roma or two traveling around. These Romas were actually part of Ferrari of Long Island's #ReadyToRoma tour. Brilliant photoshoots with the Romas as the subject were set up at some of the area's most prominent locations. These included Dumbo, One World Trade Center/The Oculus, The Shed, The Vessel, VIA 57 West, Hope Sculpture, Lincoln Center, The Cloisters, Bayville, Planting Fields Arboretum and Chelsea Mansion. Check them out for yourself in the gallery photographed by Michael Neamonitakis down below. You can also check out Ferrari of Long Island's inventory by clicking the button below. View Ferrari of Long Island's Inventory

By Edward Jones – September 02, 2020

Ferrari of Long Island Debuts the Ferrari F8 Spider at 'C...

Ferrari of Long Island recently teamed up with The MJS Groupe and The Baker House 1650 to put on a stunning reveal event for the Ferrari F8 Spider at 'Casa Ferrari - Hamptons.' When guests entered the sunken gardens of the estate, they were presented with a wide array of luxury goods and culinary treasures. From footwear by Jimmy Choo to sustainable faux-fur by Pretty Rugged Gear, guests had the chance to browse and shop. As for dining, there was a lot to choose from thanks to Chef Michele Casadei Massari, Southampton Social Club and Union Sushi & Steak. Libations were also on-hand, thanks to Simple Vodka, Rose by Out East and L E’ste champagne. While enjoying the drinks, guests could also appreciate the art installation by Aced Gallery featuring @SeekOneArt with custom paintings of Enzo Ferrari for this event. When it came time for the main event, the Ferrari F8 Spider was unveiled in a stunning Giallo Modena finish. It also featured blue brake calipers, silver forged wheels, and an interior in Blu Sterling with Giallo Modena stitching. The range of options on this car perfectly showcased Ferrari's ability to customize their vehicles to the customer's liking. Once the reveal was over, guests went home with a complimentary bag full of goods. This includes a hand-crafted model of the client's Ferrari with a carbon fiber base that holds a spot for a Ferrari key. They also received a few other luxury goods in their back like vehicle polishing cloths from Proshine Hamptons, Cohiba Royale cigars and even a Frette beach towel. Now that's how you put on an event. View Ferrari of Long Island's Inventory

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 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 – May 08, 2020

Ferrari F8 Tributo Delivered by Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale

The Ferrari F8 Tributo is the phenomenal successor to the 488 GTB. Being a successor to such a formidable car like the 488 GTB, the F8 Tributo has big shoes to fill and we can easily say it overflows those shoes with style and performance. Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale has recently delivered a stunning example of the F8 Tributo in Rosso Corsa. Underneath that iconic paint color is a powerful twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 engine that produces 701 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. That engine is actually where the car's name comes from: F8 (V8) Tributo (Tribute). This car is a wonderful tribute to Ferrari's V8 engine and will definitely be the star of many collectors' collections. Check the delivery out for yourself down below and click the button below to see Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale's Virtual Dealer Tour and their inventory. View Inventory View Virtual Tour https://www.instagram.com/p/B_8AK5qpkdF/?igshid=1vbvct5te8ua6

By Andrew Nabors – March 31, 2020

Stunning F8 Tributo at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale

Good things come to those who wait. So while we for the virus to clear let's look forward to a full recovery and fast Ferraris. When engineers developed the brand's most powerful V8, it demanded a supercar capable to handle it. With production limited to Ferrari's best customers, this stunning F8 Tributo is for sale at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale. You will have 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque along with incredible styling. Words only convey so much, so here is a short clip to pique your interest. Click the button below to browse their inventory and stay with us for more amazing updates form Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale. Browse New & Pre-Owned at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale https://www.instagram.com/p/B-aHHHtpsp6/ Contact Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale Website: https://www.ferrarifl.com/ Phone: 954-715-7500Address: 5750 North Federal HwyFort Lauderdale, FL 33308

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