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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 – January 10, 2022

Maserati Westlake Village Delivers One of the First MC20s...

O’Gara Westlake Village is thrilled to enter a new Era with the Maserati MC20, the new super sports car that combines performance, sportiness, and luxury in a unique style. Having delivered one of the first cars in the country, Maserati Westlake Village is primed to be one of the premier dealers for the MC20 program, with more cars being allocated for the 2023 model year. The new MC20 is the Maserati everyone has been waiting for. It is a car with incredible aerodynamics, the new Nettuno engine, a 621 horsepower V6 with 531 lb-ft of torque of that pushes 0-60 mph acceleration in under 2.9 seconds, and a top speed over 200 miles an hour. The MC20 is an extremely lightweight car under 3300 pounds, and thanks to its power output, it comes out best in class in weight/power ratio. This record is achieved through the use of choice quality materials, exploiting all the potentials of carbon fiber without any sacrifices with regard to comfort. Nettuno, the first engine in this new chapter of Maserati's history, is the MC20's twin-turbo V6, a technologic gem already awarded an international patent, which puts the MTC (Maserati Twin Combustion) technology, the ground-breaking combustion system developed in-house, onto the world's roads. The overarching theme of the MC20’S design was the Brand’s historic identity, with all the elegance, performance, and comfort synonymous with the storied manufacturer. The focus on performance led to the conception of a car with a distinct personality, with unmistakable forms that render it unique. New to Maserati, the butterfly doors are not only stunningly beautiful but also functional, as they improve the car’s ergonomics and enable optimal access to and from the cabin. Once inside the cabin, the driver interaction is crucial, and nothing must distract them from the sporting driving experience. Every component has a purpose and is completely driver-oriented. Two 10 inch screens: one for the cockpit and the other for the Maserati Multimedia System. Simplicity is also the keynote of the carbon fiber clad central console, with just a few features: the wireless smartphone charger, the driving mode selector, two-speed selection buttons, the power window controls, the Multimedia System controls, and a handy storage compartment underneath the armrest. All the other controls are on the steering wheel, with the ignition button on the left and the launch control on the right. For more information on getting your MC20 from one of the leading Maserati Dealers in the Country, visit www.ogaracoachwestlakevillage.com. 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 – October 08, 2020

Maserati MC20 and Trofeo Collection Presented by Maserati...

Maserati of Long Island and Gold Coast Maserati recently held an exclusive preview event for the new Maserati MC20 supercar and Maserati Trofeo Collection. Held at the prestigious Haut Bois Estate in Brookville, NY, guests were treated to a spectacular time. While sipping artisan cappuccinos and cocktails, they were able to gaze upon Maserati's new era of automobiles. This marked the New York debut of the Maserati MC20, set against an opulent and historic mansion on Long Island's famed Gold Coast. The star of the event had to be the new Maserati MC20. This new supercar has a sleek, stylish and bold design that takes inspiration from its predecessor, the MC12. The Maserati MC20 is powered by the all-new Nettuno engine from Maserati. With 621 horsepower and 538 lbs-ft at the ready, it can launch the MC20 from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds and hit a top speed of over 202 mph. The Nettuno engine is proof that Maserati still has the chops to build incredible engines after a 20-year hiatus. The event even saw a rare appearance by a Maserati MC12, a symbolic passing of the torch to the new MC20. Also on display were the 2021 Trofeos: the Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante. Donning green, white and red paint, they paid homage to their Italian heritage. Each of these models are powered by the Trofeo V8 engine that pumps out 580 horsepower. With the new Trofeo lineup, Maserati is bringing a new variant that will be known for its extreme performance paired with the style and luxury that Maserati is known for. If you'd like to learn more, be sure to click the button to view Maserati of Long Island's inventory or to contact them. View Maserati Inventory

By Edward Jones – June 08, 2017

Maserati MC12 Versione Corsa Arrives at Prestige Imports ...

Prestige Imports in Miami, Florida has just taken delivery of a one-of-a-kind Maserati MC12 Versione Corsa, built by Edo Competition. This rare car is based around a 2005 Maserati MC12 that Edo Competition modified for a customer in Canada. It comes with a custom Corsa widebody, custom forged center-lock wheel, carbon wing, carbon diffuser, custom Alcantara interior package and a whole lot more.Powering the MC12 Versione Corsa is a 6.0-liter V12 engine that has been heavily modified. Edo Competition installed custom forged pistons, custom camshafts, a list of titanium components, adjustable two-stage exhaust and more. When all of these pieces work together in unison, the car created 840 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. That's a massive increase over the original's 623 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque.https://www.instagram.com/p/BVFwptkgqh7/?taken-by=prestigeimportsWhat you're looking at in the pictures included in this article is a one-off Maserati that rockets 0-62 mph in just 3.2 seconds and can run to 124 mph in 9 seconds. It's a piece of automotive art that will be the star of any car show it attends.https://www.instagram.com/p/BVFrlFCghA9/?taken-by=prestigeimportshttps://www.instagram.com/p/BVFsTQLAPkC/?taken-by=prestigeimports

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