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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 – November 13, 2023

Watch Shmee150 Experience The New $1.7M 2023 Ford GT Mk IV

This track-only masterpiece wowed one of the world’s most discerning auto enthusiasts. Shmee150 is known for his extensive car collection and participation in some of the most magnificent automotive experiences across the globe. With a fleet of supercars and time behind the wheel of some of the world’s greatest machines, he knows what makes an exciting drive. Although Shmee150 isn’t easy to impress when it comes to performance cars and supercars, the new track-only Ford GT Mk IV managed to do just that. The Mk IV is inspired by the one of the most celebrated pieces of the original Ford GT40’s captivating Le Mans success story. In keeping with that ethos, the new 2023 Ford GT Mk IV is the ultimate and final iteration of the Ford GT as we know it. With over 800 horsepower coming from its twin-turbo EcoBoost engine, it costs a whopping $1.7 million and is limited to just 67 examples, and homage to the year 1967 when the original Mk IV was born. At the Sonoma Raceway during the prestigious Velocity Invitational event celebrating racing prowess and history, Shmee got to experience the new 2023 Ford GT Mk IV up close and personal where it shines the best: on the race track. A few hot laps proved that the advanced engineering and ruthless track focus live up to everything they’re chalked up to be, and it takes mere seconds for Shmee to confirm that the Mk IV is a completely different beast compared to the standard Ford GT. With power, aerodynamics, and lightweight construction, the new Ford GT Mk IV modernizes the greatness that helped the original version make its mark on automotive history, and only a handful of people will get to experience that greatness. Prolific supercar collector and enthusiast Shmee150 was one of them, and confirmed that it’s just as great as it seems. View All Ford GTs For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 27, 2023

912-Mile Liquid Red Tri-Coat 2019 Ford GT For Sale

While most Ford GTs feature similar factory finishes, this example showcases the true potential behind its styling and performance.

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 14, 2022

Watch A 2006 Ford GT Reach 310 MPH In Under 1 Minute

The performance potential of the Ford GT is unthinkable. With the new track-only Ford GT MkIV, car enthusiasts around the world are bidding the legendary modern performance hero a very sad goodbye. While we know that the performance of the current Ford GT will remain impressive for a very long time, the Ford GT of the 2000s has shown that when it comes to the performance potential of the machine, it’s certainly not to be counted out. Johnny Bohmer, owner and driver of the 2006 Ford GT “BADD GT,” took to Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility located at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to show just how much it was able to do. Owned by Bohmer since 2006, this incredible top-speed run completes a 16-year-long quest to create the ultimate street-legal performance car. MUST READ: The New 2023 Ford GT Mk IV Is The $1.7M Track-Only Final Ford GT Spoiler alert: The entirely street-legal Ford GT managed to achieve a top speed of over 310 mph, and with that record confirmed, it’s the world’s fastest street-legal car. The record was confirmed by a RaceLogic VBox Performance Box Touch, as well as multiple Garmin Ultra 30 cameras, as well as the FuelTech ECU and Racepak. Watching this incredible record being set is proof that while the Ford GT model might be leaving the assembly line soon, its long legacy in the world of performance and history of success will continue, and the incredible supercar will remain a very impressive machine for years to come. View All Ford GTs For Sale Source: YouTube/Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 09, 2022

The New 2023 Ford GT Mk IV Is The $1.7M Track-Only Final ...

Ford’s supercar legend returns to its roots. The epic story of the Ford GT started decades ago with the notorious rivalry between Ford and Ferrari at one of motorsport’s most revered stages: Le Mans. It was Ford’s victory that sealed the legacy of the Ford GT name as one of the car world’s preeminent legends. In 1967, the Ford GT40 Mk IV stood on the shoulders of the Mk III, which achieved the legendary 1-2-3 Le Mans victory, and the purpose-built endurance racer pulled all the stops when it came to the technology and engineering for track domination at the time. MUST READ: Dodge Demon Vs. Shelby GT500: Which Is Better? Over half a century later, the modern-day Ford GT has carried on the legacy of the original as a cutting-edge supercar with racing ability that few other cars in the world can match. Now, the Ford GT is bidding the automotive world farewell again, and it does so with the ultimate model. Like the unbridled Mk IV of the 1960s, the new 2023 Ford GT Mk IV is made purely for the track, and has no holds barred. The twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine makes more than 800 horsepower, the carbon fiber body is lengthened like the original Mk IV was, and the racing transmission is purely for taking on tracks around the world. The incredible send-off for the Ford GT is limited to just 67 examples in honor of the year that the first Mk IV was made. Each is priced at $1.7 million, and deliveries will begin late in the spring of next year. For the last time, Ford’s legendary supercar is doing what it does best, dominating the race track. View All Ford GTs For Sale Source: Ford

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 08, 2022

The New Ford GT Holman Moody Heritage GT Edition Evokes L...

The eighth car in the Ford GT Heritage Edition Series goes for gold. The Ford GT Heritage Edition Series is a group of special editions of the Ford GT that pay homage to the legend of the original Ford GT40, the car that wrote a chapter in Le Mans history and created a legend that remains just as epic decades later. The Holman Moody Heritage Edition, the latest GT Heritage Edition in the series, pays homage to the innovations that the Holman Moody Racing team made to the brakes, tires, and suspension of the GT40 that helped the car eventually win an incredible 1-2-3 sweep at Le Mans in 1966. The last Ford GT Heritage Edition, the Alan Mann Heritage Edition, paid homage to Alan Mann, who was also involved. MUST READ: Best Ford Mustangs Of All Time The livery, which starts with a Holman Moody Gold paint color, echoes an iconic Ford GT40, and with the Heritage Red and Oxford White accents throughout, you get the look and history of the GT40 of old, with the performance and modernity of the new Ford GT. The gold continues on the inside with appliques and accents throughout the interior, this time paired with black leather and Alcantara, as well as carbon fiber throughout, for a modern racing feel mixed with a historical racing look. Approved GT customers are able to order the Holman Moody Heritage Edition with deliveries starting in spring. View All Ford GTs For Sale Source: Ford

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 02, 2022

Check The Spec: Tony Kanaan's 2020 Ford GT at Canepa Moto...

A chance to own an automotive icon from Tony Kanaan's collection. The Ford GT will forever hold a special place in the automotive world as an icon, with a long successful history and involvement as a leader in motorsports. The professionals at Canepa Motorsport are proud to present this magnificent 2020 Ford GT as part of their ever-growing inventory of investment-grade collector and historic racing cars. This specific Ford GT chassis is personally owned by professional Brazilian racing driver Tony Kanaan, who is known for his successful career as the 2004 IndyCar Champion, 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner, and Ford GTLM 24 Hours of Le Mans team driver. Tony took delivery of the vehicle in 2020 and kept it in perfect condition with a complete exterior XPEL paint protection film. The exterior of the Ford GT features a rare Carbon Edition configuration that presents itself in a Frozen White finish, an option that exposes its carbon fiber body underneath in the form of two body stripes and a silver accent. Adding to its lightweight design, the build includes a set of gloss carbon fiber factory Ford five-spoke wheels that provide the strength needed for on-track driving. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: 2020 Bentley Continental GT V8 Finished in British Racing Green The interior layout of the 2020 Ford GT boasts a minimal design that highlights a driver-oriented feel through a black Alcantara design. A set of carbon sport bucket seats, Alcantara lightweight sport wheel, and carbon fiber trim accents set the mood for the all-American track monster. The 2020 Ford GT is powered by a 3.5-Liter Twin-Turbocharged EcoBoost 6-Cylinder that produces over 660-horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. Managed by its Ford Performance 7-Speed Dual Clutch transmission, the GT launches from 0-60mph in just 3-seconds with a top speed of 216mph. Tony Kanaan’s 2020 Ford GT from Canepa Motorsports is currently available on duPont REGISTRY with only 14-miles. Click the link below to view the duPont REGISTRY vehicle listing and to inquire about pricing. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming Check The Spec specials. View Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 09, 2022

New 2022 Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition Pays Homage T...

This new Ford GT pays homage to the innovation that made it the car it is today. In 1966, Alan Mann racing created two prototype cars based on the Mk I Ford GT, using lighter materials and sporting a red and gold livery. While neither of these cars went on to win races, the lightweight technology featured in the AM GT-1 was part of what eventually brought the Ford GT success at Le Mans in 1966. MUST READ: Ford Announces New Mustang GT3 To Debut in 2024 Over half a century later, the new Ford GT is an incredible supercar with the looks, exclusivity, and performance ability to match and even exceed the world-class stance of its predecessor and to pay homage to a car that had a hand in making that legacy, Ford has announced a limited run of the Alan Mann Heritage Edition Ford GT. This special GT features a red and gold livery just like the Alan Mann GTs of the 1960s and pays tribute to Alan Mann Racing’s dedication to making a lightweight car with exposed carbon fiber throughout. The red and gold accents continue to the interior, with the Ebony Alcantara and leather being interrupted by gold accents on the instrument panel and red paddle shifters. The Alan Mann Heritage Edition Ford GT is the seventh Heritage Edition Ford GT, and approved GT customers will be able to order the car, with deliveries starting this quarter. See All Ford GTs For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 16, 2021

New Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition Teased

A new heritage edition for the American supercar is on its way. On Ford Performance's Instagram account, two teaser images of the new Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition were posted. If you aren't familiar with Alan Mann Racing, they were the team behind two experimental 1966 Ford GT40 race cars. The examples built by Alan Mann Racing were incredibly lightweight thanks to a long list of modifications that allowed the race car to shed pounds. The GT40 Alan Mann Lightweight prototypes feature a livery that consists of a red body with two gold stripes that are flanked by white stripes. There's also a stripe that goes over the front right wheel arch. As you can see in these teaser images, the new Ford GT replicates this livery to a tee. As for the full reveal, we will just have to wait on that. See All Ford GTs For Sale Source: Instagram/@fordperformance

By Edward Jones – August 12, 2021

New 2022 Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition Unveiled

It will be making its debut at the Monterey Car Week alongside the original prototype. The new 2022 Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition has just been unveiled as a new model that will be available for the supercar's final year of production. This special model pays homage to the original 1964 Ford GT prototype that was first unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in 1964. “This is the first Ford GT Heritage Edition that goes beyond celebrating race wins – this one goes deep, and honors the earliest of Ford supercar heritage,” said Mike Severson, Ford GT program manager. “The Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition is a modern interpretation of the original, with no mistaking what this car is paying tribute to.” The livery of the Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition consists of Wimbledon White paint with Antimatter Blue graphics and a triple racing stripe. Other exterior components include exposed carbon fiber components and 20-inch Antimatter Blue-painted carbon fiber wheels and silver and black Brembo brake calipers. Inside, Ford included plenty of carbon fiber trim, as well as Lightspeed Blue Alcantara, Ebony Alcantara and Ebony leather found throughout. If you'd like to see this special Ford GT for yourself, it will debut alongside the only surviving 1964 Ford GT prototype at The Quail and on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. See All Ford GTs For Sale Source: Ford Motor Company

By Edward Jones – July 02, 2021

Shadow Black 2019 Ford GT "Lightweight" For Sale

Presented by Private Seller - This 2019 Ford GT "Lightweight" is a true street-legal race car that's about as exclusive as they come. It's finished in Shadow Black paint that's accented by carbon fiber stripes and exposed carbon fiber trim with a gloss finish. On the move, this Ford GT surely looks like a stealth fighter jet. What's more, this GT is equipped with the very desirable 600A "Lightweight" package. This package includes the Lightweight graphics, 20-inch gloss exposed carbon fiber wheels, titanium lug nuts, titanium exhaust, polycarbonate rear engine hatch and an Alcantara-wrapped carbon fiber steering wheel. The previously mentioned carbon fiber wheels are shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires that are brought to a stop by red Brembo brake calipers. Inside this GT is the Carbon interior that's accented tastefully with carbon fiber trim, including the door sills. With just 8 miles on its odometer, this exclusive 2019 Ford GT "Lightweight" is a truly exquisite example of the groundbreaking American supercar. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Price and Listing

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