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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – December 22, 2020

Ford Mustang Mach-E Joins The Griswolds For A Christmas V...

The late John Hughes will be remembered as one of history's greatest humorists and filmmakers. Burned into our collective consciousness, the Ford Mustang Mach-E has joined the Griswolds for a Christmas Vacation. After being sidelined on the corporate ladder, Clark's one remaining vestige of self-worth was tied to the success of the Christmas lights. 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition Sprints Like A Supercar As a foreshadowing of the Ford's abilities, his wife Ellen connects the Mac-E charger, allowing the batteries to power the display. Ford envisions a future where their cars will help balance the grid and allow you to sell extra power back to the energy company. Deliveries of the Mach-E are happening around the clock, so click the button below to find our dealer near you, and Merry Christmas from duPont REGISTRY! Browse Ford Mustang For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – December 22, 2020

Ford GT Carbon Edition vs Hoonicorn Mustang

Players of Forza Motorsport know not to provoke the beast. Because it offers AWD and 1,400 horsepower, the Hoonigan team decided to film a Ford GT Carbon Edition vs the Hoonicorn Mustang. This special Christmas feature is the ultimate Blue Oval comparison. We have been delighted to see Ken Block line up against diesels, donks, and a 4-rotor Mazda to prove the potency of his car. Now we can see how it fares against the car that won LeMans. Ken Block’s Hoonicorn Mustang Price & Specs With 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels, the Ford GT is a supercar by any standard. The opponent has more than twice the power along with 1,250 lb-ft of torque. The real secret is the opposing driver. David Borla is the owner of Borla exhaust, and he has been modifying cars since he could walk. So how do these Fords compare? Tell us which one you would drive in the comments below and stay with us for all your Hoonigan uploads. Browse Ford GT For Sale " width="680"> Hoonicorn and Hoonigan (C) Hoonigan Industries

By Edward Jones – December 18, 2020

Team Fordzilla's P1 Race Car Debuted

The Team Fordzilla P1 has been revealed in full-scale form and it's unlike any Ford vehicle in existence. This new race car had two Ford designers creating it's appearance: Arturo Ariño was in charge of designing the exterior and Robert Engelmann took care of the interior. When designing, the two designers had to include the features that gamers voted to include in a Twitter poll earlier this year. The design itself includes a wide-open rear and a front end that would fit perfectly in an LMP series of the future. Drivers of the Fordzilla P1 race car will be seated in a jet fighter-style canopy filled with LED notifications that inform them of the track status. For the gamers, the designers added a few special touches like the AFK (away from keyboard) message in front of the co-pilot's seat and GLHF (good luck have fun) on the front lower spoiler. See All Ford GTs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 09, 2020

2021 Ford F-150 Tremor Offers 4WD Excitement

Social distancing is a great way stay safe, and heading offroad is a great way to do it. The 2021 Ford F-150 Tremor offers 4WD excitement, and its the best way to hit the trails. Starting with a SuperCrew, it offers a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 along with a 10-speed automatic. In order to conquer broken terrain, you will have all-new suspension. " width="680"> Taking inspiration from the Raptor, the Tremor arrives with belly pans to protect the drivetrain. They are tucked in close for impressive ground clearance and an approach angle of 27.6 degrees. Unique shocks, springs, and steering gear allow the 33" General Grabbers to devour the trail while you have command of an impressive suite of electronics. The Ford Trail Toolbox includes One-Pedal Drive, Trail Turn Assist, Hill Descent, Trail Control, 360-degree cameras, and multiple driving modes. With a payload rating of 1,885 lbs, this F-150 is everything you need in a new truck. Click the button below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Ford news. Browse Ford F-150 For Sale

Mustang Mach E GT Performance Edition 01

By Andrew Nabors – December 01, 2020

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition Sprints ...

Forget everything you thought you knew about electric transportation. The engineers in Dearborn have delivered your new family hauler just in in time for the Holidays, as the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition sprints like a supercar. Take a deep breath and hang on. " width="680"> With two electric motors and a range of 235 miles, you will reach 60 mph in 3.5 seconds...If you want a faster Ford, the Shelby GT500 does the same trick one-tenth faster. Sure, the lesser versions offer more range without the same abilities, but most of us will prefer having 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque! To celebrate this incredible power, Ford bestowed it with 19" Brembo brakes and 20" machined-face wheels. Magnetic suspension, aluminum-face gauges and Pirelli tires are also onboard. This unprecedented pony is poised to shock the world, so stay with us for all your Ford news. Browse Mustang For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 20, 2020

Ford Auto Nights Is The First Virtual SEMA Show

If you have never been to the SEMA show, it is best described as Ford above all others. I was shocked by their floating booth in 2011, an office room suspended in the rafters of the Las Vegas convention center. But the virus had other plans for the show this year, so Ford Auto Nights it the first virtual SEMA show. A series of videos launched last night on YouTube, and we have been introduced to exciting new concepts. " width="680"> Starting with the Bronco, a new Sport model was built by MAD Industries. Going without doors, the Badlands Sasquatch has flared fenders and orange graphics. High voltage excitement can be found in the Mustang Mach-E 1400. Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his team from RTR incorporated seven electric motors and incredible downforce. Ford Performance pulled out all the stops for a Ranger XLT Tremor Supercrew, and the F-150 Limited Hybrid SuperCrew was built by BDS Suspension. Our Ford dealers have the scoop on what the videos don't show, so click the button below to find one near you. Browse Ford Mustang For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 26, 2020

The 2021 Ford Bronco's Build-and-Price Configurator is No...

One of my favorite pastimes is hopping into a car's configurator and designing the car of my dreams. It's exciting to feel like I'm actually designing my next car, but the price tag typically sobers me up. With the new 2021 Ford Bronco build-and-price configurator that just went live, the end result was surprising. This new configurator is a way for the more than 190,000 reservation holders to see what their dream Bronco would cost and look like. However, anyone with an internet connection and some extra time on their hands can configure their Bronco as well-- like me. After picking out my favorite color for the 2-door Bronco Wildtrak Edition - Cactus Gray - and adding in a ton of options, I scrolled down to see the price. For the off-road ready Bronco you see in this article, the estimated price is just over $56,000. In my opinion, that's an awesome price for what I'd consider my off-road dream ride. If you'd like to build your own Bronco and see how the price stacks up, click here. See All Broncos For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 08, 2020

Ford Bronco Overland Concept Is Loaded With Accessories

Broncos of all ages are converging in Townsend, Tennessee this weekend. By all estimates it will be the largest Bronco gathering of all time. That's why owners and aftermarket outfitters we be together to enjoy their favorite 4WD. Earlier this week, a social media post mentioned that dealers would not be charging installation fees for upgrades, and that is why the Ford Bronco Overland concept is loaded with accessories. Your local Ford dealer already has a nice offering of upgrades that can be installed before or after you take delivery. Because Dearborn has the ability to purchase the parts cheaper than anyone else, they are passing the savings along to the customer. Based on the 4-door Badlands Edition, the color scheme is "Area 51". It rides on 35" BFGoodrich Mud Terrains with 17" wheels bolted to their High Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (H.O.S.S.). The 7-speed manual is a six-speed with a Granny-low crawling gear for attacking tough terrain. " width="680"> Other goodies include tubular bumpers, a Warn winch, and Rigid Pod lights. Inside you are treated to an ARB refrigerator, cooking kit, and stove that stores neatly away. Yakima supplied the 2-person tent that bolts to the factory roof rail crossovers. What you see here will soon be offered at your dealer, so tell us your ideal spec in the comments below. Thanks to Bronco6G for the unveiling and stay with us for all your Bronco news. Browse Ford Bronco For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 21, 2020

2021 Ford Bronco Sasquatch Gains 7-Speed Manual Transmisison

Nothing is more rewarding than conquering a tough trail with a manual transmission. Not only are they more efficient than automatics, but you can also choose the perfect gear for each situation. That is why we are happy to learn that the 2021 Ford Bronco Sasquatch editions will offer a 7-speed manual transmisison. Ford Bronco Celebrates 55th Birthday With Five Wild Concepts In a press release this morning, we have learned you will have six gears for the street along with a granny (crawler) gear below first. If you have never driven a granny gear, it is so low that the truck will crawl at a snail's pace when idling. The mechanical advantage offers a crawl ratio of nearly 95:1, so you could idle through a concrete building without touching the skinny pedal. This transmission (and the Bronco Sasquatch) will be embraced by enthusiasts, and it was their pleas that made it happen. Mr. Ford listens to his fans and gets it done, so we salute you. https://www.facebook.com/22166130048/videos/286978022402974

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 04, 2020

Graham Rahal's Purple 2018 Ford GT For Sale

The Ford GT announcement is still considered to be one of the most anticipated vehicle releases throughout the automotive industry. Desired owners of all kinds filling out applications and doing whatever it took to try and secure a chassis to spec. As the mandatory two-years of original ownership before selling begin to end, we start to see more Ford GTs listed for sale. One of the most impressively spec’d builds coming from six-time Indy car race winner Graham Rahal. The 2018 Ford GT features a vibrant purple paint that was not included in the 8-original color code options, making this paint to sample even rarer. He had told Ford Performance in an interview when asked about the color choice, “My favorite color is orange. But I saw that orange had been done on a GT already. So, I wanted to do another color that wouldn’t likely be replicated”. The vehicle is finished with silver racing stripes streaking down the center. Exposed carbon fiber is the next most noticeable piece on the Ford GT, where it can be found on the ground effects including the front lip, side skirts, and rear diffuser. Graham had optioned for the 20” gloss carbon fiber wheels but has also fitted the car with HRE wheels courtesy of Graham Rahal Performance. The heart that drives the Ford GT is a twin-turbo 6-cylinder capable of 647-horsepower which makes an incredible sound from the titanium exhaust. The perfectly purple 2018 Ford GT is currently available at Graham Rahal Performance and can be viewed by clicking the link below. View Listing

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