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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 – May 05, 2021

Truck Gets Complete Renovation for Make-A-Wish at Avondale

A selfless act for a great cause. When the Avondale Collision team was asked by the Make-A-Wish foundation if they could help out with a special automotive wish, they didn't hesitate to say yes. The wish of John was to have his truck repaired and given a makeover. Avondale's team was more than up for the task. The six-month process had the team disassembling the truck, finding new parts and materials, repairing dents, applying fresh paint and putting it all back together so both the inside and outside look brand-new. What's so incredible about Avondale's commitment to the wish is that they all worked on the truck after hours, putting their own time in to make sure this young man's wish came true. You can view the story up above, and be sure to come back for Part 2 when the truck is finally revealed. View Avondale's Inventory Source: Avondale Group

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

By Edward Jones – April 22, 2021

Holman Motorcars St. Louis Gets Special Double Lamborghin...

Double delivery day. Holman Motorcars St. Louis just announced some awesome news via their Instagram and it has us excited. In the Instagram post, we've learned that the St. Louis dealership has taken delivery of two Lamborghinis which look to both be Sians. In the photo that teases the two cars, we see both a red and blue examples of the Sian. They also posted images of the unboxing of the Lamborghinis which looks like quite the laborious task. While this is a teaser, we are certain to see more of these Lamborghinis in the near future so be sure to check back for more information when it's released. You can also click the button below to view Holman Motor Cars St. Louis' inventory. View Inventory

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 20, 2021

Dimmitt Automotive Group Showcases The All-New 2022 McLar...

Since its recent introduction to the automotive world, the 2022 McLaren Artura is making its presence on the road as the brand’s newest hybrid supercar. We were able to get up-close and personal with the new McLaren Artura at McLaren Tampa Bay. The team at Dimmitt Automotive Group was excited to host the new Artura with showings by appointment to follow all regulated health guidelines. Walking through the showroom filled with other incredible McLaren specs, the eye-catching Flux Green paint immediately draws you towards the supercar. Exploring the new design allows for owners and enthusiasts to appreciate all of the traditional aspects of McLaren while discovering new additions from the McLaren Carbon Fiber Lightweight Architecture (MCLA). The versatility of the hybrid-supercar is further incorporated into the interior, with optional club sport or memory comfort seats and a user friendly infotainment system to help control the interior amenities. View All Dimmitt Automotive Group Inventory Standing behind the McLaren P1 as the second vehicle to receive a hybrid platform, the Artura is a product of the pursuit to achieve lightweight aerodynamics and high-performance using state-of-the-art technology. The engine itself offers 577 horsepower and 431 lb-ft of torque, and it is supplemented by the latest in hybrid assistance. A compact battery is rated at 7.4 kWh, and it allows the car to have a total output of 671 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. Cutting weight in every component allows this car to offer a curb weight of 3,303 lbs. This allows it to reach 60 mph in 3 seconds, 124 mph in 8.3 seconds, and 186 mph in under 22 seconds. Inside and out, the 2022 McLaren Artura is the most versatile hybrid supercar for any track day or daily commute. For more McLaren news, Check out Wheels X Wardrobe: Style By McLaren

By Edward Jones – April 09, 2021

Bitcoin Now Accepted at Post Oak Motor Cars

You next luxury car purchase could be complete with Bitcoin. With Bitcoin on the rise and reaching unprecedented heights, Post Oak Motor Cars have made the move to now accept the cryptocurrency. Yes, that's right, you can use your Bitcoin to purchase your next ride from the dealership. Post Oak Motor Cars are Houston's only authorized Bentley dealership, Texas' only Bugatti dealership, one of two Karma dealerships in Texas, and the Gulf Coast's largest authorized Rolls-Royce dealership. With so many options available, there is bound to be something that catches your eye on the showroom floor. If you'd like to see their entire inventory, be sure to click the button below. When you find something you like, contact Post Oak Motor Cars and they will continue the process with their Bitcoin transaction partner. View Inventory

By Edward Jones – April 08, 2021

Maserati of Fort Lauderdale Ranks as Top Volume Dealer in...

Maserati of Fort Lauderdale, part of Experience Auto Group, has just been recognized as the top volume Maserati dealer in Florida and second in the nation for 2020. This news means that the dealership outperformed 13 Maserati dealers in Florida and 98 in the entire country. Even during a year where a global pandemic managed to shutter businesses, Maserati of Fort Lauderdale safely serviced an increasing number of customers. The award-winning dealership made this possible by reinventing its approach to service, offering virtual walkthroughs, sales consultations, inventory showings and more. "We're thrilled to boast the highest volume of Maserati's unparalleled power and style in the Southeast region," said Garrett Hayim, President and Owner of Maserati of Fort Lauderdale. "This recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of every team member at Maserati of Fort Lauderdale, ensuring our customers enjoy a personalized experience before and after they take home their iconic Italian car." This isn't the first time that Maserati Fort Lauderdale has been given such awards. In fact, this is the sixth time that the dealership has earned the top volume title since it was founded back in 2002. Last year's outstanding results were boosted by the opening of Maserati of Fort Lauderdale's brand-new flagship store in late 2019. This new location includes a 32,000 square-foot showroom, a climate-controlled service area, and a deluxe customer lounge and café. Maserati of Fort Lauderdale has proven time and time again that they are committed to providing the highest level of service to all who walk through their showroom doors. To view Maserati of Fort Lauderdale's current inventory, be sure to click the button below. View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 29, 2021

McLaren Speedtail Unboxing by McLaren Dallas

This is most definitely not your average unboxing video. Most unboxing videos typically deal with some kind of gadget or even a toy, but what McLaren Dallas | Avondale Premier Collection has just launched is not your typical unboxing video. In this video, you'll get a chance to see what it's like to unbox the new and absolutely breathtaking McLaren Speedtail. Arriving in a massive crate, the new hypercar was delicately unboxed and unwrapped by a whole team. From there, it was backed out of the box and into the parking lot where the onlookers could finally gaze upon this Speedtail and its magnificent spec. As for the Speedtail itself, this model has a top speed of 250 mph and can run from 0 to 186 mph in just 13 seconds. That kind of performance is made possible thanks to a hybrid powertrain that produces 1,036 horsepower and 848 lb-ft of torque. You can click play down below to see the unboxing event for yourself. Be sure to see everything McLaren Dallas and Avondale Premier Collection currently have for sale by clicking the button below. View Inventory Images by Source: Instagram / @one.20th & @therichardkelly

By Edward Jones – March 29, 2021

Ferrari of Greenwich Just Delivered an Amazing Ferrari 81...

Michael Fux has done it again with yet another beautiful addition to his collection. Michael Fux is known in the automotive world for having an incredible collection of cars that's always evolving thanks to new additions. His latest addition is a new 2021 Ferrari 812 GTS that was delivered by Ferrari of Greenwich | Miller Motorcars. This Italian supercar is finished in a striking Giallo Triplo Strato paint with a Nero interior for a perfect yellow/black color combo. This spec even has Giallo Triplo Strato finished on the interior air vents, Dreamlines, shifter button bezels, and also has yellow seatbelts and stitching. Other notable touches include the matte black exhaust tips, Cavallino on the fuel door, black brake calipers and, of course, the matte black forged racing wheels. Check it out for yourself in the gallery below. To see everything Miller Motorcars has to offer by clicking the button below to view their current inventory. View Inventory Source: Miller Motorcars/Instagram

By Edward Jones – March 29, 2021

Behind-the-Scenes at the Bugatti Houston & Post Oak Motor...

Go behind-the-scenes of a very privateer and special Bugatti event. Bugatti Houston and Post Oak Motor Cars recently put on an exciting Bugatti Driving experience at the Carlton Woods Country Club. This private event gave prospective buyers a chance to drive both the Chiron Pur Sport and Chiron Sport for the very first time. Each guest was given an overview of the Chiron and were then taken out for a 45-minute jaunt through The Woodlands courtesy of professional drivers. Guests were also given a chance to configure their own Chiron model which is an experience on its own. In the video up above, you'll be able to go behind-the-scenes of this very private event thanks to Bugatti Houston and Post Oak Motor Cars. Be sure to click the button below to see Post Oak Motor Cars' current inventory. View Post Oak's Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 16, 2021

Insane Blue Carbon McLaren Speedtail Delivered By McLaren...

Now that McLaren Speedtails are starting to be delivered to their respective owners, we're seeing some incredible examples. One such example was delivered by McLaren Newport Beach and you have to check it out. This Speedtail was heavily personalized by McLaren Special Operations who turned it into a true one-of-a-kind hypercar. The exterior features a full blue-tinted carbon fiber body that has a special color fading effect. If you look in the pictures, you can see the fade being referred to. But it's not just the exterior that features this effect, as the dashboard also has a fading effect to match the outside. Acting as the cherry on top is a roof scoop that completes this Speedtail's overall look. This spec is an absolute home run, but that's expected when you're talking about MSO's capabilities. McLaren Newport Beach Inventory

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