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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 Tyler Rampersaud – September 14, 2023

The Ford Mustang GTD Uses Aerodynamics Illegal For GT3 Ra...

Ford is counting on its drag reduction system to target a sub-7-minute Nürburgring time. The Ford Mustang has long been synonymous with American muscle cars, a status symbol of both speed and power. However, the latest iteration, the Mustang GTD, is rewriting the rules of the road and the racetrack alike with groundbreaking aerodynamic features. The car is equipped with active aerodynamic components that are unlike any found on a Ford vehicle before. And if that's not impressive enough, these features are even considered illegal in GT3-class race cars. The Mustang GTD is not just another high-performance Mustang; it's an engineering marvel designed to balance the tradeoffs between aerodynamics for speed and downforce for traction, with its sights set on track domination.. Central to the Mustang GTD's aerodynamic prowess is its state-of-the-art Drag Reduction System (DRS). The DRS utilizes a hydraulic system to alter the angle of the rear wing and to engage flaps under the car's front. The aim? To find the perfect equilibrium between airflow for speed and downforce for grip, under varying performance conditions. As the chief program engineer for Mustang GTD, Greg Goodall, puts it, "Every surface, body opening, and vent on and under Mustang GTD’s body is functional." The design team has thought of everything from air directed for cooling to achieving optimal downforce and aerodynamics. The benefits of the DRS are most evident when the Mustang GTD faces sharp turns. When grip becomes a higher priority than speed, the DRS adjusts to generate additional downforce on the vehicle's rear, helping the GTD go faster through turns without sacrificing traction. The front underbody is equally impressive; its keel-like shape helps manage airflow, contributing to front-end stability during sharp turns. According to Goodall, this level of active airflow management is not even allowed in racing due to strict regulations, highlighting how revolutionary this technology really is. But what about daily driving, you ask? Well, the Mustang GTD has got that covered too. Its adaptable body height ensures the vehicle clears everyday obstacles like speed bumps. When it's time to hit the track, the suspension can lower the body by 40 mm to further enhance aerodynamic efficiency. Ford's engineering team isn't stopping there. They continue to fine-tune the Mustang GTD's aerodynamics through thousands of hours spent on virtual airflow simulations and real-world tests on demanding road courses from Road Atlanta to Spa in Belgium. In Goodall's words, "Our Le Mans drivers would love to have the technology Mustang GTD has for the track and street." Ford’s Mustang GTD is setting a new standard in automotive aerodynamics. With its unmatched Drag Reduction System and a keen focus on both speed and traction, this car is primed to take on the world's most prestigious supercars. The Nürburgring is the next target for Ford, and the Mustang GTD is coming for the prestigious sub-7-minute time. View All Ford Mustangs For Sale Image Source: Ford

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 18, 2023

The New $300K 2025 Ford Mustang GTD Is An 800HP Supercar ...

Meet the new pinnacle of street-legal Ford Mustang engineering and performance.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 28, 2023

Ford Unveils New Mustang Dark Horse R For Exclusive Racin...

An exclusive racing series will show off this new car's track potential.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 21, 2023

Ford Will Unveil The New Mustang GT4 Race Car At Spa

The historic, iconic, and challenging Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium will be where the new Ford Mustang GT4 will be revealed.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 23, 2023

The First New Ford Mustang GT Will be Auctioned At Barret...

A certain future classic goes to auction. The Ford Mustang is, without a doubt, one of the most important cars to come out of the United States, and for decades on end it has proved itself as one of the greatest domestic automotive achievements and secured a place as one of the automotive world’s greatest legends. The iconic Ford Mustang GT is entering its seventh generation, and the new car has already proven itself to be a great improvement on the iconic performance staple, with the most powerful engine a Mustang GT has had yet, a 486-horsepower, 418 lb/ft of torque iteration of the 5.0-liter Coyote V8. The redesigned look adds even more homage to the 60s Mustang that cemented the legacy of the Mustang name, and with the option of a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic, it’s a tradition-honoring driver’s car. MUST READ: The GearBox: Ford Performance At Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale, Arizona auction, the ownership of the very first seventh-generation 2024 Mustang GT will cross the auction block, and the winning bidder will have the opportunity to configure their VIN 001 car. Proceeds from the sale of the car will go towards JDRF, the leading organization researching Type 1 diabetes. With great performance, a long and respected history, and all the qualities to impress just about any car enthusiast, the 2024 Ford Mustang GT is an incredible car. However, with the collectible VIN 001, and the first car going towards a great cause, this car is all the more desirable. View All Ford Mustang GTs For Sale Source: Ford

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 06, 2022

The All-New Ford Mustang GT Supercars Race Car Revealed A...

The all-new Mustang GT Supercar will make its competitive debut in 2023 under the new ‘Gen3’ era. Built on a passion for performance and competition, the Ford Mustang’s successful history continues with the release of its seventh generation. After recently unveiling the new 2023 model to the world, Ford is now proud to reveal the first race-prepared Mustang for the 2023 Australian Supercar Championship. The Mustang GT ‘Gen3’ was uncovered at Mount Panorama ahead of the famous Bathurst 1000, a grueling 621-mile race that challenges some of the world's most powerful race cars. The Mustang Supercar has been built by Ford’s homologation team Dick Johnson Racing, in conjunction with Ford Performance, in preparation for the 2023 season when a new era of Supercars racing begins. MUST-READ: The new Ford Mustang Dark Horse Is Revealed With 500 HP And A 6-Speed Manual The Mustang Supercar is built by Ford’s homologation team at Dick Johnson Racing, in conjunction with Ford Performance for the new era of Supercar racing that begins in 2023. With a production-based Coyote V8, the new Ford Mustang will pack more the 600+ horsepower for the track. Johnson, the Ford legend whose namesake team is celebrating the incredible milestone of 1000 races this weekend, will drive the car for the first time this afternoon. The 2023 Bathurst 1000 kicks off today for practice, with qualifying on Friday and the race on Sunday. View all current Ford Mustangs for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and automotive news. VIEW ALL FORD MUSTANGS FOR SALE Source: Ford

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 15, 2022

The new Ford Mustang Dark Horse Is Revealed With 500 HP A...

Ford’s new Dark Horse is aptly named. Ford is introducing a new performance series for the Mustang for the first time in 21 years, and it’s called Dark Horse. The new Mustang Dark Horse lineup features revised looks and more importantly, a modified version of the Coyote 5.0-liter V8 engine, this time producing a projected 500 horsepower, which would make it the most powerful iteration of the engine in the Mustang family yet. Based on the new 2024 Mustang, the Dark Horse is more digital than ever, while remaining true to the timeless experience of a muscle car with a standard 6-speed manual transmission. MUST READ: Check The Spec: A 775HP Single-Cab Short Bed 2021 Ford F-150 Shelby Super Snake Sport Also available is a 10-speed automatic, and with 19-inch wheels and Pirelli P Zero tires, an advanced MagneRide shock system, and an available handling package with extra aerodynamics, the Mustang Dark Horse is the most track-capable Ford Mustang yet, especially with the upcoming available carbon fiber wheels, which will be available for the first time for a Mustang that isn’t a Shelby. In addition, two track-only versions of the Dark Horse are being released, as well: the Dark Horse S, for track day enthusiasts, and the Dark Horse R, which is bred for professionals. As a cornerstone of American car history, the Ford Mustang proves that an old pony can learn new tricks. View All Ford Mustangs For Sale Source: Ford

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 25, 2022

Ford Mustang-Inspired PE Air Jordan 14s For Boston Celtic...

The NBA superstar shares a passion for cars, just like Air Jordan himself. Being that automotive inspiration finds itself in other various industries, it's easy to make the connection that most show interest in cars regardless of their backgrounds. NBA legend Michael Jordan is a prime example, incorporating aspects of Ferrari models into the design of his popular Air Jordan sneakers. Jordan’s passion even carries over to NASCAR, where 23XI Racing fits its racecars with liveries that take after sneaker icons like the Air Jordan 11 ‘Concord’. Paving the way for future NBA players, Michael Jordan’s passion for automotive-inspired sneakers has rubbed off on present NBA all-stars like Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. Jayson recently shocked the sneaker scene after sneaker photographer Ric Mestre spent some one-on-one time with his Ford Mustang-inspired player-exclusive Air Jordan models. MUST-READ: Best Ford Mustangs Of All Time The Air Jordan 14s feature an all-black design that includes touches of premium leather, nylon, and patent leather. While the inner portion of each sneaker showcases a detailed leather diamond-pattern stitched surface, its outer side is layered with the same soft suede as a performance steering wheel. A patent leather toe cap acts as a nod to some of J’s most recognized sneaker designs, which all are designed similarly to the interior of a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Each heel tab and tongue of the exclusive Air Jordan 14 also includes Ford's famous three stripes and Mustang logo. Along with the AJ14, Tatum also received a matching pair of Air Jordan 36s as part of being a Jordan Brand athlete. Tune into the Boston Celtic’s next NBA game to see Jayson Tatum rock these Ford Mustang-inspired Air Jordan sneakers on the basketball court. View all of the current Ford Mustangs for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW ALL FORD MUSTANGS FOR SALE View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ric Mestre - Sneaker Photographer (@uninstructedvision) Source: @uninstructedvision IG

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 18, 2022

Hoonigan Releases A 1/10th-Scale Hoonicorn V2 4WD RC Car

Want to drive the Hoonicorn? Well now you can! Ever since its first debut in Ken Block’s Gymkhana Seven video, the famous Hoonicorn drift car made an impact on car enthusiasts all around the world. The Hoonicorn V2 takes shape as a heavily-modified 1965 Ford Mustang, with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and 1,400-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 engine platform. While getting behind the wheel of the Hoonicorn poses to be a dream for any car lover, the team at Hoonigan is excited to team up with the RC experts at Team Associated to make that dream a reality on a smaller scale. Hoonigan x Team Associated is proud to announce the release of its new Hoonicorn 1/10th-Scale 4WD Electric Read-to-Run RC Car, featuring an accurate replica of the modified monster that made its claim to fame with professional driver Ken Block. MUST-READ: Ken Block’s Hoonicorn Mustang Price & Specs The remote-controlled mustang presents itself in the Hoonicorn V2 livery, with exact exterior parts and decals to match the original build. The main focal point lies at the hood, where a partially exposed twin-turbo system appears from the depths of its engine bay. The pre-built kit includes a pre-printed/decaled replica Hoonicorn V2 body (Hoonicorn vs. The World 2 livery), a set of replica American Racing VF503 wheels, the brand new Team Associated Apex 2 shaft-driven 4WD chassis, plus a radio transmitter and all the electronics needed. The all-new Hoonicorn 1/10th-scale RC Car is currently available through the Hoonigan website for $359.99. View all of the current Ford Mustang examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear releases and news. VIEW ALL FORD MUSTANG FOR SALE Source: Hoonigan

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 11, 2022

Charge Cars UK Releases Its $457K Fully-Electric 1960s Fo...

Charge Cars unveils its modern take on a classic. As true automotive enthusiasts, we embrace the advancements in technology while continuing to celebrate the legendary vehicles that help shape the industry. The Ford Mustang will forever live its legacy as one of the most iconic American muscle cars ever made, with millions of chassis produced and sold worldwide. The electric vehicle professionals at Charge Cars of London, UK specialize in redefining classic cars with advanced electric technology. Charge Cars is proud to showcase its news limited-edition electric Mustang, which begins life in an original 1960s design. The classic exterior of the Charge Mustang features period-correct styling that incorporates modern components such as lighting, badging, wheels, and the front grille. MUST-READ: The New BMW iX5 Hydrogen Is Put To The Test Near The Arctic Circle The bespoke interior includes modern design and technology features, which present a comfortable cabin layout crafted from premium leather and carbon fiber. Taking the 1960s Mustang to the 21st century, Charge Cars fits each build with a user-friendly digital interface and power electronics that help to create a one-of-a-kind driving experience for any enthusiast. The Charge Mustang delivers over 536-horsepower from its 64kWh capacity battery, which uses an AiWD system to create 1,102 ft-lbs of torque. The all-new Charge Cars Ford Mustang is limited to only 499-units and is available for reservation starting at $457,778. View all current Ford Mustang models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury car news and releases. View All Ford Mustang For Sale Source: Charge Cars

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