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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 – September 23, 2015

2017 Ford GT Production Numbers Announced

The new Ford GT is shaping up to be one of the greatest American supercars ever created. That being said, it's also shaping up to be a very, very rare American supercar.According to a September 22 article from Autoweek.com, one of their sources announced that only 200 examples of the 2017 Ford GT will be created in total for the car's initial model year. What's more, 100 will be exclusively for the United States. With such low production numbers, the reported $400,000 price tag makes even more sense now.Who will get a chance to buy a Ford GT? Autoweek reports that buyers will have to apply for the ability to purchase the car. Once selected, they will have to decide which Ford dealer will take delivery of the supercar. This process seems similar to the ones used by exotic car manufacturers of Europe, like Ferrari and Lamborghini, for their special edition models.What do you, our readers, think of these production numbers? Should there be more? Fewer? Is the price worth it? Let us know in the comments section below.Ford GTs For Sale(Source: Autoweek via Road and Track) View the 2018 Ford GT Horsepower Specs

By Edward Jones – August 31, 2015

It's Official: The New Ford GT Race Car Sounds Amazing

If you were worried that the new Ford GT race car wasn't going to sound up to par because of a smaller engine, have no fear.On Aug. 28, YouTuber Lanky Turtle uploaded a video of the new GT GTE/GTLM race car testing at the Sebring International Raceway. To say that the car sounds amazing would be an understatement.(Also Read: Presidential Series from Liberty Safe: Protect Your Investments)At high speeds, it buzzed as you'd expect from a V6 race car. On the downshifts, it sounds like a grenade launcher firing off rounds, while the following accelerations sounds like a fully-automatic machine gun. It's also nice to hear the loud whine of the turbocharger once the car slows down in front of the camera.To hear it for yourself, check out the video below.Ford's return to Le Mans was unveiled to the world on June 12. What made this occasion even more special was that it occurred 50 years after Ford dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40, making it a very anticipated and historic moment. The new GT race car comes with a slew of innovations, including the EcoBoost engine, a lightweight construction and extreme aerodynamics.Expect to see it hitting the track at the start of the 2016 FIA WEC and IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship seasons.Ford GT ListingsGallery (Source: YouTube) See More Ford News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – July 30, 2015

2016 Ford GT Tours London

Summer is the time for supercars in London, and Ford has made sure that America's newest contender is very visible amid the crowd.The 2016 Ford GT has been making the rounds around England's capital on the back of a truck, looking very much like a life-size hot wheels car still in the packaging. A video added to YouTube July 29 from Ford shares a few shots from its trip to London's most famed locations, including the London Eye, Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus.We saw a few highlights from its trip earlier this month, including July 23, when its badge was covered and passerbys were asked to guess which manufacturer had created it. XCAR aslo had a chance to give it a good look over and shared their review July 24 after the GT swung by their offices, delivered in the same see-through container seen in the video above.The performance specs for this new GT still haven't been released, but anticipation builds higher and higher with each glimpse. Pricing is said to be around $400,000, putting it right on par with resale pricing for the 2005 Ford GT models.(See Also: 2017 Ford GT Race Car Caught Testing)To find an older GT for yourself, browse our exclusive listings, or hang tight for when the final numbers and ordering processes are announced in the near future.Ford GTs For Sale(Source: YouTube) See More Ford News

By Edward Jones – July 30, 2015

2017 Ford GT Race Car Caught Testing

A half century ago, Ford dominated the 24 hours of Le Mans thanks to their race car known as the GT40. Since then, the American automaker has kept relatively quiet on the Le Mans front, until now.Unveiled June 12 is the new Ford GT race car and yesterday, July 29, AutoGuide.com gave us our first glimpse of the car in action. In the video they uploaded to YouTube, we see the GT race car testing at the Calabogie Motorsports Park by Ottawa, Canada. We also hear the car's twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine roaring through the corners. If you had any doubts that this smaller engine wouldn't sound as impressive, those doubts should be washed away after watching the video below.Ford Gts For SaleFord is building this car in cooperation with Chip Ganassi Racing and Felix Sabates, with each of these teams yielding four of the cars. Each of the race cars features a number of adjustments that differentiate it from the road-going model. These changes include the massive aerodynamic exterior pieces (check out that huge diffuser and rear wing), a lightweight construction and optimizations to the EcoBoost V6 engine.Gallery (Source: YouTube) See More Ford News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – July 28, 2015

2016 Ford GT: Design Breakdown with XCAR

We have yet to see the 2016 Ford GT in action, on a track or elsewhere, but that hasn't stopped the American supercar from making its rounds on YouTube.XCAR was the latest to have some time with the limited edition head turner, and though they didn't have access to the keys, they still managed to get a good feel for what Ford is trying to do. In a July 24 YouTube video, above, the history of the Ford GT gives context to the curves and scoops of the GT's body, as well as its engine choice. Though many were upset that the original GT's V8 heritage was swapped in favor of a turbocharged V6, they mention in the video that the GT70 rally car, only 6 of which were built, featured a V6 under the hood. On March 5, we learned that the new GT is projected to cost around $400,000, and though we know the V6 can create somewhere around 600 hp, exact specs have yet to be released. Of course, with the intention of being a Ferrari killer, we can anticipate a 0-60 mph time of 3 seconds or less and a top speed in excess of 200 mph. (See Also: British Passerbys Don't Know What the New Ford GT Is) If you're not quite ready to wait that long for your own Ford GT, check out our exclusive listings at the button below for some of the 2005 and 2006 models. GTs For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Ford News

By Edward Jones – July 23, 2015

British Passerbys Don't Know What the New Ford GT Is

The new 2016 Ford GT is coming soon and has made waves across the automotive world, but it seems as though the general populace is still unaware of the car.To inform the public, more specifically the citizens of London, England, Ford brought out an example of the new GT to an open plaza where passerbys could catch a glimpse. Ford Europe recorded the whole event and uploaded it to YouTube July 22.The funny bit was that they covered the Ford badge and asked onlookers who they thought created the car. Guesses ranged from BRABUS, to McLaren, but not a single person in the video guessed that the supercar sitting before them was made by the American automaker. When told who made the car, they were astonished, making for some priceless reactions, all positive. Check out the video below to see the stunt for yourself.Friend of the blog Cal Wootton Photography caught a video of the car being packed up in the U.K. after the stunt was completed. It includes the GT starting up, revving and being packed up. You can view this video below.Ford's new supercar is an American masterpiece powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. This engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle that handles over 600 hp. This is just one of the latest performance vehicles Ford has produced as of late. In a July 6 article, we covered Ford Europe pulling a similar stunt with another one of their performance vehicles, the Shelby Mustang GT350R. (Source: YouTube) See More Ford News

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2015

2016 Ford GT Le Mans Race Car Unveiled

It has been half a century since Ford dominated the 24 hours of Le Mans with the GT40. We knew that a racing version of the new Ford GT was in the works, but in a press release issued today, they announced their intentions to run the entire 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship and the Tudor United SportsCar Championship.That is a very bold move for any new car, so they are partnering with Chip Ganassi Racing and Felix Sabates, with each team fielding four cars. Several teams have already proven the reliability and power of the twin turbo 3.5-liter V6 in Daytona prototypes and we look forward to hearing it scream down the Mulsanne Straight.(Related: 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Exhaust Modes in Action)“Ford remains focused on three priorities globally – accelerating our One Ford plan, delivering product excellence with passion and driving innovation in every part of our business,” said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company president and CEO, in the release. “All three came together to create the new Ford GT. We also know from our rich history in motorsports that world-class competition is a great incubator for even further product innovation.”The new GT Le Mans race car features quite a few innovations that Ford is hoping will take it to the top. This includes the obvious aerodynamic optimizations, lightweight construction and efficiency and power of the EcoBoost engine.On being a part of the Ford GT's return to Le Mans, team owner Ganassi stated, “When presented the opportunity to compete with the all-new Ford GT on the world’s biggest sports car stage, and on the 50th anniversary of one of the most storied victories in racing history, how could any race team not want to be part of that? Will it be a challenge? Absolutely, but we couldn’t be with a better partner than Ford.”Stay tuned to Autofluence for more GT and Ford news.Ford GTs For SaleGallery (Source: Ford) Click Here For More Ford News

By Edward Jones – March 05, 2015

New 2016 Ford GT Price and Planned Production Numbers

The long-awaited Ford GT has been unveiled for some time now, but we have finally learned how much it will cost and how many will be created.On March 4, Motor Authority reported that the new GT will cost somewhere around $400,000. This comes from Dave Pericak, Director of Ford Performance, who said that the price would be near that of the Aventador, which has an MSRP of $397,500.(See Also: Mitchell Motor Works 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS SS For Sale)This price tag will get you Ford's latest supercar, which is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces over 600 hp. Exact figures have not yet been released.Additionally, it was also reported that there will only 250 examples of the Ford GT made. This production run will take place over several years, making the car's availability scarce.Stay with us for the latest details on the Ford GT as they are released.View Ford GTs For Sale(Source: Motor Authority) See More Ford NewsRelated Video:

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