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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 Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2019

2019 Hot Rod Power Tour by Chevrolet Performance

Have you ever thought about being part of a road trip with 6,000 of the fastest street-legal cars? Our friends at Hot Rod Magazine started this tradition in 1995 with an epic drive from L.A. to Norwalk, Ohio. I decided to join in 2011 for the first leg: Kennedy Space Center to Valdosta, Georgia. As the Presenting Sponsor for this year's trip, we present you the 2019 Hot Rod Power Tour by Chevrolet Performance. Each night is a different drag strip, and this year they started at the 4-wide Z-Max dragway in Concord, N.C. Days of racing and camaraderie were punctuated by adverse weather and scenic back roads. Everything from classic Cobras to late-model Z06 and ZR1 Corvettes could be seen, and there are always Vipers! The tour is open to all makes and models, so you really should experience at least one leg of the journey. The route for 2020 will be announced soon, so stay with us for all your Hot Rod & Motor Trend news. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 10, 2019

Sights & Sounds of Supercar Sunday 2019

One of the best venues for a European supercar gathering is the Assen Motorsports Park in the Netherlands. Last year we reached out to Carspotter Jeroen for his great footage, and he didn't disappoint. This year he sent us the footage before everyone else, so here are the Sights & Sounds of Supercar Sunday 2019. Leading the pack was a Koenigsegg Regera, and following behind were all manner of high-performance rides. From Audi to Zenvo, and Aventador to Zonda, it was a gathering for the ages. Some of the unique participants included a Mercedes-AMG G500 4x4 Squared, classic Porsche 911 Targa, and a VW Golf R. Supercar Sunday 2018: $50 Milion Hypercar Gathering Lamborghini seemed to have the most entries, but we also saw several Corvettes and Panteras. Tell us your favorite from this footage, and stay with us for all your supercar news! Browse Exotic Cars FOr Sale Related: BullFest Miami 2017 Preview: Lamborghini Gathering & Drive Jay Leno's Car Collection

By Andrew Nabors – January 23, 2019

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2019 Results & Recap

Almost a year in the making, our two week Arizona adventure was one for the record books. Now that the jet-leg has worn off, let's take a look at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2019 Results. We couldn't do this without the support of our clients, so let's hear it for Airstream for arriving in their latest Interstate EXT. Lexani is the undisputed leader in aftermarket wheels, so they brought a few dozen new designs. In addition to their display, they shipped in the same Rolls-Royce Ghost we had on display at the Orange County Auto Show, now rolling on gorgeous 24" forged beauties. Their other ride is a Mercedes-AMG GT-C that is just as mouthwatering. Brand New Muscle Car's 1969 Yenko Camaro Continuation is an officially-licensed Yenko, correct in every detail. Ronald McDonald House Charities was also on-hand, selling raffle tickets to a new Corvette Z06 to help families in need. Celebrity Cars Las Vegas showcased an Ornata Spitfire, a modern American roadster that is built to order. Vanderhall Motor Works' impressive three-wheelers are fast & fuel efficient, so they displayed a speedster and a roadster for comparison. duPont REGISTRY Event Coordinator Matt Dixon Sporting Robert Graham Robert Graham supplied us with snazzy apparel, and we appreciate the looks and quality of their lineup. XPEL protective film displayed a Porsche 911 GT2 RS, courtesy of Graham Rahal, completely covered in their premium protectants. CNC Exotics took center stage with a Pagani Huayra Roadster along with a Koenigsegg Agera, & LaFerrari behind velvet ropes. Z-Clip offers the latest in RFID blocking carbon fiber wallets, and they can be custom made for you. Tire Stickers was on hand to show off their tire customization applications that turn boring tires into statements. So now we turn our attention to the hospitality extended by the W Scottsdale hotel. For the 5th consecutive year, we threw a party that remains unrivaled in the automotive world. It was a late night on Friday, as many guests stayed with us until 2 am. Greeting guests were a selection of high-end cars from Mclaren Scottsdale and Scottsdale Ferrari. It was all in anticipation of the Saturday night highlights. The sponsor tent was cleared as everyone tried to get a glimpse of the Shelby GT500. It was purchased by Craig Jackson, Barrett-Jackson's CEO for $1.1 Million. Not only the highest bid ever placed on a new Mustang, all proceeds also went to help Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The other fancy Ford was a Heritage Edition Ford GT, with the high bid going to Rick Hendrick.

By Edward Jones – May 21, 2018

SupercarSunday 2018: $50 Million Hypercar Gathering

Once a year at the TT-Circuit in Assen, a municipality and city in the Netherlands, hosts SupercarSunday. This event draws hypercars and supercars from around the world to the circuit where they can race around with each other. For the 2018 edition of the event, some of the world rarest cars showed up. Don't believe me? Check out the video below from Carspotter Jeroen.Get Chased by Hypercars on the Track"Every year the organization try's to get the best cars to the show. And also this year they stepped up the game big time," says Carspotter Jeroen. "A lot of the cars were from the German car dealer Esser but also manufacturers like Apollo joined the event."In the video, you'll see just how insane this event really is. When all cars were lined up, the front line consisted of a LaFerrari, Zenvo TSR-S, Apollo IE, Koenigsegg Agera RS and Rimac Concept_One. That is one hell of a lineup. And directly behind these cars are models like the Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Centenario, new Ford GT, Pagani Huayra and a Koenigsegg Agera R. Simply put, this event is heaven for any hypercar/supercar fan.While the event has passed, the video below will live on. Click play below to see and hear it all for yourself! And be sure to subscribe to Carspotter Jeroen's Channel for more awesome videos like this one!

By Andrew Nabors – April 25, 2018

Lingenfelter Collection Spring Open House

For 105 years, the American Cancer Society has been working to eliminate the disease and help those who are fighting it. This noble cause needs all the help it can get, so the Sultan of Michigan is opening his doors this Saturday, April 28th in order to help out.Ken Lingenfelter is a cousin of the late John Lingenfelter, whose performance took the aftermarket to new levels. John passed away in 2003 due to complications from a drag racing crash, so Ken carried on his legacy by continuing to build incredibly fast cars. He is also a collector of rare & exotic cars, with Corvettes taking up 40% of the 40,000 square foot building. Guests who visit this Saturday will also be able to see the world's first street-legal electric car to exceed 220 mph, made by Genovation Cars.If you are near Brighton, Michigan, you should try to make it to this event, because it doesn't happen often. Click the link below for more information and stay with us for all your Lingenfelter updates.Event Details

By Edward Jones – June 05, 2017

Bugattis, Koenigseggs and More Take Over Circuit for Hype...

We've all been to car shows before, but what about one that's dedicated to hypercars? Well, that's what happened during Supercarsunday, an evernt held every year at the TT-Circuit in Assen, Netherlands.Our friend, Carspotter Jeroen, was attending this magnificent event and sent us his YouTube video that captures all the action. Attending the event were cars like the Koenigsegg Agera RS Prototype, Koenigsegg Agera RS ML, Bugatti Veyron WRC Edition, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and even a McLaren P1 GTR. How does an event this insanely spectacular even exist?!If you love drooling over the world's fastest cars, you need to either click play on the video below or buy a plane ticket and get ready for next year's event.

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