Ferrari News

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

Ferrari 812 Competizione e 812 Competizione A

By Andrew Nabors – May 05, 2021

Ferrari 812 Competizione & Competizione A Unveiled Simult...

Their new V12 packs big power It is time to trade in your F12 Berlinetta because there is a new V12 Supercar from Maranello. Unveiled on social media a few minutes ago, the details of this new flagship will blow your mind. While the Ferrari SF90 series is loaded with the latest electric technology, many of us love the sound and fury of a Ferrari V12. So after digging deep into the engine, the minds behind the Scuderia Ferrari race teams massaged the cams and valves to make 830 horsepower. Based on the 812 Superfast, you can choose from a hardtop coupe (812 Competizione) or the open-top targa roof in the 812 Competizione A. Yes, the A is for Aperta, so you can leave the targa roof at home, or in your hotel room for the weekend. As hybrids focus on small engines with electric help, the guys in lab coats have pushed their 6.5-liter to 9,500 rpm. Supercomputers were used to model the intake and exhaust flow under varying loads, different gears, and of course, WIDE OPEN. The new connecting rods are forged from titanium. The same element used to build the SR71 Blackbird allows the rotating assembly to be 40% lighter than the 812 GTS. Balancing the crank by hand allows these new cars to have 3rd order harmonic balance, and the wristpins are coated in diamond dust. This same coating is also found on the valves, cams, and followers. These parts are made by Scuderia Ferrari, and Shell has developed a new Helix 5W 40 oil to keep them happy for years. The dry-sump scavenge lines are optimized for this viscosity, and this represents attention to detail unseen by any other automaker. That's what keeps Ferrari ahead of everyone else. It revs faster than any previous Ferrari, and the sound is nothing short of heavenly. The press release is 40 pages of fuel injection strategy and variable intake geometry, and our dealers are happy to offer all the details. In the meantime, the styling of these twins carries influences of Pininfarina and the Centro Stile with an obvious focus on aerodynamics. Because the engine makes much more heat than the normal 812, scoops, inlets, and massive cooling fans were needed. Even on a hot Italian afternoon, the temp gauge will be 30*C cooler than the 812 GTS. You will have 25% more downforce in a car that weighs 84 lbs less. Tell us what aspect appeals to your finer sensibilities in the comments below, and click the button to order your new 812 Competizione A! Shop Ferrari Images and film (C) Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – May 03, 2021

Jay Leno Drives A New Ferrari SF90 Stradale

The latest Ferrari flagship doesn't disappoint! When their F1 team began toying with hybrid energy storage, it led to the amazing LaFerrari. This hybrid hypercar led to the FXX Evo, and even more electric power. Now using the latest in battery technology, you can have almost 16 miles of silent cruising from the SF90 Stradale. They also handle reverse, so that freed up room inside the transmission for more cooling capacity. Let's see if it's worthy of Jay Leno's collection. Mine will hopefully arrive with the Fiorano Performance Package that rockets you to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Because it is an EV, its the first Ferrari to not have a Gas Guzzler tax. And since it is electric, the IRS will take $4,126 off of your Income Tax liabilities. Not bad for a base price of only $512,800. For that, you will have 986 horsepower and an 8 kWh battery. Running silent errands or sneaking in after a late night are now much easier thanks to clever engineering and amazing style. Click the button to order yours! Shop Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2021

Behold The Ultimate Ferrari 330 LMB Recreation by Bell Sp...

Decades in the making! For those who enjoy classic GT racing, this one is not like the others. Enzo Ferrari chose to only build four 330 LMBs for competition. The notion of racing a 2+2 seemed superfluous given the performance of Ferrari's 2-seater cars. Nevertheless, a group of talented coachbuilders has spent a few years building this tribute car. Its almost the same motivation our friends at Manhattan Motorcars devote to their Ferrari 250 builds. After carefully scanning the blueprints from Chassis 4725, they were ready to build new examples of even the smallest details. The 330 LMB was Ferrari's ultimate LeMans Berlinetta. Having a longer wheelbase makes it stable above 150 mph, as power comes from a modern take on the classic Columbo V12. They started by building a replica chassis for a 250 GTO before stretching it to make room for the rear seats. Car #4275 resides in Manhattan, so the team traveled to the Big Apple a few times to build cardboard templates of the only Right-Hand Drive 330. Did they get it right? Tell us in the comments below and find your Ferrari 250 for your next daily driver. Browse Ferrari 250 For Sale Images (C) Mark Riccioni

By Andrew Nabors – April 21, 2021

2022 Ferrari 812 Superfast Special Edition Official Teaser

Maranello has done it again Covid gave engineers ample time to find more power. In the case of the Ferrari 812 Superfast, the team dug into their V12 to find a few more horses. Because the Ferrari V12 engine represents the state of the art in naturally aspirated power, they devised a few old-school hot-rodder parts to unlock 830 horsepower whilst screaming to nearly 10,000 rpm. It will be an impressive competitor to the Pagani Huayra R while remaining street legal, and all the details will be formally released on Cinco de Mayo. What they did is start over with an all-new exhaust. Tuning each primary of the header pipes to scavenge into the cats creates a vortex of screaming fire that the mufflers will struggle with. On the top end, the cams have faster actuators to advance the intake at low speeds for more torque, so your right foot will be happy. Other automakers are introducing silly twin-turbo six cylinders with 90's power, but Ferrari keeps doing what they always have done. A dozen cylinders of domination. Ferrari 812 Superfast 0-60, Specs & Prices This is the highest RPM of any Ferrari, so the transmission, stability controls, and each setting on the Manettino have been enhanced to keep the car on the road. We can only hope this car spawns a drop-top, as an 812 GTS at 9,500 rpm would be fun for a weekend cruise. As you can see, the aerodynamics incorporate more carbon fiber for added downforce, and the vortex generators would look great on my F12tdf. Click the button to browse a healthy selection of V12 Ferraris for sale and stay with us for all your Scuderia news. Browse Ferrari 812 For Sale Images (C) Ferrari

Passione Ferrari Club Challenge Monza 2021 2

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2021

2021 Passione Ferrari Club Challenge Is Heating Up

Being able to race your Ferrari amongst other owners is a treat especial. Now with Summer on the horizon, the 2021 2021 Passione Ferrari Club Challenge is heating up. The first event took place last weekend at Monza. This 3-day shootout was offered to 488 Challenge and Challenge Evo in order to allow owners to set new personal lap records for Challenge Cars at the historic track. Owners are treated to 1-on-1 schooling from the F1 team along with full telemetry of each lap. Because the ultimate 488 only weighs 2,822 lbs, they can literally out-corner the abilities of the driver. The Italian translation for what this takes is "Stugots". The program runs through September, stopping at Europe's famous tracks, ending up at Ferrari Mondiali at Mugello on November 4th. The 488 Challenge cars are a great way to hone your skills, so click the button to find yours. Browse Ferrari 488 Challenge For Sale Images (C) Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – March 22, 2021

Ferrari SF90 Spider vs Stradale With Carlos & Charles at ...

What happens when F1 superstars are given the keys to Ferrari's latest hypercar. Choosing between coupe and convertible is always a tough decision, so let's watch the Ferrari SF90 Spider vs Stradale with Carlos and Charles at Imola. This dynamic duo can be seen pushing the SF21 around the world's toughest tracks, so they undoubtedly cherish time with such a potent machine. Our friends at Ferrari Tampa Bay allowed us to experience one at our Cars & Coffee last weekend, and it did not disappoint. Starting with the latest in hybrid technology, it can travel 16 miles on battery power. Having 217 silent horsepower is fun for most, but you can awaken the 4-liter beast in "Qualify" mode. This unlocks 986 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. It rides on a chassis that is more carbon fiber than aluminum to offer a dry weight of 3,461 lbs. The coupe is loaded with their Assetto Fiorano package that drops active suspension for MultiMatic shocks and includes a full-titanium exhaust to save 66 lbs compared to a regular-production coupe. If you missed an opportunity to add a LaFerrari to your collection, the SF90 is just as capable and production is not going to be limited. Click the button to find yours and prepare for an experience unlike any other. Sell My Ferrari SF90 Spider: Get a Cash Offer Browse Ferrari For Sale Image (C) Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – March 17, 2021

Ferrari of Central Florida Opens Nation's Largest Dual-Br...

Central Florida might be known for theme parks, but we know a place that's much more exciting. Years in the making, we're proud to announce that the nation's largest dual-branded Ferrari dealership has opened in Orlando. Onofrio Triarsi has grown Ferrari of Central Florida into a world-renowned destination, so this new location had to be one for the record books. “Guided by our passion for Ferrari, and the heritage that it represents, my family is extremely excited to design, build and bring one of the country’s largest Ferrari dealerships, and undoubtedly the most beautiful, to other Ferraris in the Central Florida community and its visitors from around the world,” Located within walking distance of the Mall at Millenia, this 4-acre campus is centered around a 62,000 square-foot service and sales facility that is over four times larger than the previous store. Factory-trained Master Technicians have 23 climate-controlled service bays to work with while your family enjoys being up close and personal with the best in Italian motoring. It will also be the home base for Triarsi Motorsports, the talented team that brought home the North American Ferrari Challenge Championship last year. Should you want something truly unique, the Ferrari Atelier has a hotline to the factory. Here you can experience leather and color options not offered in regular production. Ferrari of Central Florida has delivered incredibly unique and personalized cars over the last few years. The journey began in 1972 with Classic Coach, a sales and restoration shop in downtown Elizabeth, NJ. Now it encompasses Maserati of Central Florida, Ferrari of Tampa Bay, and Alfa Romeo of Central Florida. We have been proud to represent them for over two decades, so we'll see you in Orlando! Browse Inventory Images (C) Triarsi Automotive

By Edward Jones – March 10, 2021

See Ferrari's New SF21 Race Car

The moment the Tifosi have been waiting for is finally here as Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow has unveiled their SF21 car. For the livery of this car, you'll notice a fade from the rear to front. In the rear, they went with a dark burgundy tone that's reminiscent of the very first Ferrari, the 125 S. Moving forward, the tone turns brighter and more vibrant, similar to the red tone used on more recent Scuderia Ferrari race cars. One other change that many will notice due to its vibrancy is the Mission Winnow which is now shown in green. As this new race car rolled out of the factory, it became the 67th race car built in Maranello that will compete in the Formula 1 championship. That's quite the lineage and I can't wait to see it in action this season. If you missed them, also check out the new Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 cars. See All Ferraris For Sale Source: Ferrari

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By Andrew Nabors – March 08, 2021

2021 Mansory Stallone GTS Packs a Serious Punch

We live in an era where Pininfarina no longer sculpts Ferrari's flagship roadsters, but we're glad to see the 2021 Mansory Stallone GTS packs a serious punch. Once the body panels are removed, their coachbuilders craft a snazzy outfit of carbon fiber. Daytona Grey with blue accents is a stunning livery, and the interior is bright blue leather with white inserts. Choose from five new forged wheel designs and hang on, because you will be at 62 mph in 2.8 seconds. Intake and exhaust upgrades unlock 830 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque, so all you need is a Ferrari 812 GTS to start with. Click the button to find yours and stay with us for all your Mansory news. Ferrari 812 For Sale Images (C) Mansory

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By Andrew Nabors – February 25, 2021

Countdown To Ferrari Owners' Day UK

The place is Northamptonshire and the time is 100 days from now. The countdown to Ferrari Owners' Day UK is ticking away. Presented by the Ferrari Owners' Club Great Britain, their first goal is to have the most diverse gathering of models and model years. Spectators can compete for a Pride of Ownership Trophy offered by Meguiar's for the cleanest car. Ferrari owners are invited by Superformance runway shootout at the Sywell Aerodrome. Since it is also the anniversary of D-Day, the airshow will feature Mustangs, Spitfires, Thunderbolts, and possibly an outnumbered Messerschmitt. The event is free to club members and spectator tickets are only £25 per car. Here's to the end of lockdown and a return to fun events. If you find yourself on this side of the pond, join us for Cars & Coffee, March 20th in Tampa, so click the button for more upcoming automotive events. duPont Registry Directory

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