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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 – 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 – July 22, 2015

2016 Ford F-150 is Most Luxurious Truck from Marque Yet

If you watch any prime time TV, the onslaught of commercials might have made you aware that the battle for supremacy in the world of full size trucks is really heating up.With ever increasing fuel economy mandates, Ford’s latest F-150 has left steel behind to sport a body made of aluminum, an innovation with weight savings and corrosion resistance that are nothing to be laughed at. In a July 21 press release, the marque shocked the world with the introduction of the 2016 Ford F-150 Limited, a model that will push the Luxury Truck market into uncharted territory.The amount of content packed into this new truck will make for a window sticker the size of a dinner table, so we’ll start with the most noteworthy equipment. This is the first Limited to not have a standard V8. Rather, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 has found its way into the new Ford GT and the upcoming Raptor, and is rated to tow 10,000 lbs while returning class leading fuel mileage.Inside you will find sunlight from the panoramic roof shining on Fiddleback Eucalyptus wood trim. The tingling sensation is from the 10-way adjustable heated and cooled massaging front seats. The latest in safety is also standard, with cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist, 360 degree cameras and adaptive cruise. We were not expecting to find a remote tailgate release and Pro Trailer Backup. It will have a premium audio system with 10 Sony speakers. The latest in connectivity, the SYNC®3 and Applink™, are also standard.(See Also: 2015 Roush Stage 3 Mustang For Sale)With features never before seen in a pickup truck, Ford has positioned the Limited as their top level offering. Pricing is not mentioned, but it will undoubtedly be one of the most expensive V6 powered trucks ever built. That being said, there is not another truck on the market with this level of safety and sophistication. Kudos to Ford for raising the bar, and stay tuned to Autofluence for more truck news.F-150s For Sale Editor's note: An earlier version of this article read "Ford says this truck is their top-level offering, but we are hoping the King Ranch returns for the mid-cycle refresh." As the King Ranch trim is already available in limited numbers for this model, the information has been adjusted accordingly. Gallery (Source: Ford) See More Ford News

By Edward Jones – July 15, 2015

2015 Ford Apollo Edition Mustang Announced

Announced in a press release today is a new special edition Ford Mustang that is out of this world. The new 2015 Ford Apollo Edition Mustang was created as an homage to the Apollo program, which has provided humanity with countless technological innovations and, of course, was responsible for landing the first human on the moon.“The Apollo program delivered astonishing innovations in technology and achieved a national goal of landing the first human on the moon,” said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors. “The entire program was extraordinary – one of our nation’s greatest technological achievements. With this year’s stunning Apollo Edition Mustang, we salute that spirit of American ingenuity with the quintessential American automobile – Ford Mustang.”(Related: 2016 Shelby Mustang GT350R Scares the British)The Apollo Edition Mustang's exterior is finished in a one-of-a-kind glossy pure white and pure black non-production paint scheme, which mimics the ships used in the Apollo program. Adding even more visual flavor are the carbon fiber front splitter, rocker moldings, rear diffuser and LED underbody lights that are meant to symbolize the atmospheric entry of a command module.Based on the 2015 Mustang GT, a 5.0-liter V8 is found underneath the pony car's hood. Performance enhancements have also been added, including a Ford Performance supercharger and shifter, x-pipe with side and rear exhaust, sport-tuned suspension, six-piston Brembo brakes and custom 21-inch Forgiato wheels. When all is said and done, this Mustang can create 627 hp and 540 lb-ft of torque.This Mustang is being donated and sold on July 23 during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture charity auction in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, making 2015 the eighth straight year that the Ford Motor Company has created an aviation-inspired Mustang to benefit the EAA youth education programs.Mustangs For SaleGallery (Source: Ford) See More Ford News

By Andrew Nabors – July 09, 2015

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Finishes Primary Durability Tests

Turbochargers work well in cool, dry places as long as their intakes are protected from dust and dirt intrusion. So, of course, Ford chose one of the world's most inhospitable places to test the new twin turbo 2017 Raptor.As a July 7 press release tells us, Ford has dropped the 6.2-liter V8 in favor of their 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, rumored to make 450 hp. This is a nice bump from the 411 hp of the outgoing model’s 6.2-liter V8. Now that the new F-150 has transitioned to a mostly aluminum construction, the weight savings combined with more power will make for a more competent truck off road and greater fuel economy on the street.Working with GM, they have also developed a new 10-speed automatic transmission for trucks that will help both companies meet upcoming fuel economy standards. Due to the hardcore suspension parts of the previous trucks, many owners pushed their cars beyond their designed limits and experienced cracks in the body and frame, so Ford chose a 66 mile closed course in the southwest that replicates many features found on the famous Baja 1000.(See Also: 2016 Shelby Mustang GT350R Scares the British)The next round of testing will probably be cold weather reliability and fuel mileage proving, so stay tuned to Autofluence as more Raptor updates become available. To find a Raptor in the meantime, check out our exclusive listings.F-150 Raptors For SaleGallery (Source: Ford) See More Ford News

By Edward Jones – July 06, 2015

2016 Shelby Mustang GT350R Scares the British

The new 2015 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R is planned to only be sold in the United States, but that didn't stop Ford Europe from taking the powerful pony overseas.In a YouTube video uploaded by Ford Europe July 2, a red GT350R can be seen in an open plaza located in London, U.K.. Passerbys stop to take a look at the American muscle car, with a few taking pictures with it as it sits quietly.(Related: 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Exhaust Modes in Action)Eventually, a man jumps in the driver's seat to start up the 5.2-liter V8, to the surprise of those nearby. He revs the 526 hp engine, scaring everyone within earshot. I'll admit, I would've jumped as well, because the engine sound is deafening, in a good way.Check out the video below to see just how scary loud the new GT350R's V8 engine really is.(Source: YouTube) More Ford News

By Andrew Nabors – June 24, 2015

900+ hp 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 Super Snake For Sale

If you are a true mustang addict, this should be the centerpiece of your collection. For sale, through duPont REGISTRY, is a 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 Super Snake packing massive amounts of power.While the “normal” Super Snake had to make due with 850 hp, the Hole Shot package retailed for $22,995 and makes over 900 hp.(Related: 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Exhaust Modes in Action)Starting with four giant camshafts, the package adds long tube headers and high flow cats. The crank pulley is overdriven 10 percent to slow down the accessories. A twin-disc clutch and Torsen differential are added to cope with the power.Ford GT For SaleThis package also includes all components from the Anti-Hop kit, which replaces all control arms and adds full sub frames, a tunnel brace, welded axle tubes and a surge tank for the differential, as well as chrome moly axle shafts. Before delivery, the car was dyno tuned to dial in the computer to the cams and exhaust.The paint is a deep candy red with the Super Snake decal package in silver. Matte black forged 20” wheels complete the exterior. This pampered machine has only been driven 732 miles and comes with all documentation.View Price and ListingGallery Post sponsored by seller More Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 15, 2015

Ford Creates Halo 5-Inspired Truck: The F-150 Raptor Halo...

You may not know this, but a lot of video game news is breaking right now because of the ongoing E3 conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center. A lot of different games are being announced, while many other upcoming games are having more details revealed. One of these games is "Halo 5: Guardians", a high anticipated first-person-shooter coming to Xbox One, created by 343 Industries.To build on this new game's hype, Ford has created a one-of-a-kind 2015 F-150 inspired by the new Halo video game. Called the Ford F-150 "Halo Sandcat", it's been given the codename "M55s" by the United Nations Space Command (UNSC, from the Halo franchise).(Related: 2015 Ford F150 Black Ops Edition)This war-ready truck is based around a 2015 F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, with the FX4 off-road package. Other modifications include the Addictive Desert Designs' Baja XTR off-road conversion kit, Deaver leaf springs, a Currie full floater rear axle, ADD fenders, side steps, a chase rack and 17-inch wheels shod with off-road capable tires. Covering the exterior of the truck is a custom Halo wrap that truly puts the truck into the Halo universe.And, of course, there is an Xbox One gaming system, complete with monitors, in the back of the head restraints.This truck will be on display at the Los Angeles Convetion Center for E3 and will be shown at several other location as we draw closer to the game's release date of October 27.Gallery (Source: Ford) Click Here For More Ford News

By Andrew Nabors – June 15, 2015

2015 Ford F150 Black Ops Edition

If you find yourself in need of a fully loaded pickup with that extra something special, you might consider the 2015 Ford F150 Black Ops Edition.Aggressive, luxurious and fully capable of tackling any challenge, the Black Ops Package from Tuscany has tweaked the F150 in all the right ways, leading to a unique creation that also gives back - in honor of the package's name, $200 is donated to the Wounded Warrior program each time one of these trucks is built. Starting with a fully loaded Crew Cab, every inch is murdered out with custom accents by Tuscany. For a solid foundation, six inches of suspension lift are combined with 20-inch matte black wheels wrapped in 305/55 (or 33”) BF Goodrich all-terrains. A fabricated Black Ops front bumper has built-in LED lighting and pairs nicely with the billet grille.Sports Cars For SaleThis truck comes with every luxury under the sun. Front and rear cameras with blind spot monitoring keep you safe from trouble while the heated and cooled seats provide year-round comfort. Everything else on this truck is electronically-powered. From the running boards to the tailgate, it's all controlled with the push of a button.For more information, check out the June 2 YouTube video above and visit the listing at the button below. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more wild F-150s and custom Fords.View ListingSee 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 – June 11, 2015

2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Exhaust Modes in Action

Ford has ensured that owners of the new Mustang Shelby GT350R will not have to deal with a quiet exhaust all of the time. Due to noise regulations in America, Ford simply was not able to make the GT350 and GT350R muscle cars that scream at the top of their tail pipes.Instead, they created multiple exhaust modes for the car: one that is quiet for driving through the neighborhood, and another that opens the exhaust up to its full potential.(Related: Super Electric 1968 Mustang With 1,800 lb-ft of Torque)In a video uploaded by TwoPupsInTheTubs June 6, we get to hear these different exhaust modes and how big of a difference there truly is. There is no doubt in my mind that I would prefer to have it in the louder mode, because it is possibly one of the greatest sounds to ever come out of a Mustang.Check out the video below and let us know which mode you'd run with in the comments.(Source: YouTube via Road&Track.com) Click Here For More Mustang News

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