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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 – January 28, 2020

A Big, New LEGO Lamborghini Set is Coming Soon

No matter how old you are, when you're at a department store you're going to walk through the LEGO aisle. As car enthusiasts, we're lucky because there are plenty of car sets for us to build. Now, we're going to have even more to build thanks to a new partnership that has been announced between the LEGO Group and Lamborghini. This new partnership between the two will start with a new 1:8 scale set that will be coming this summer. More specifically, it will hit the LEGO retail stores and online store on June 1, 2020 and will be available more widely starting August 1. They did not announce what the new set will be of but we know that it will be the third model in the LEGO Technic Ultimate series. In the meantime, click the button below to see all of the LEGO vehicle sets for sale. SHOP LEGO VEHICLE SETS

By Edward Jones – January 03, 2020

Lamborghini Launches New 2020 Calendar

It's a new year. Welcome to 2020. Do you know what that means? Time to get a new calendar to hang up on the wall. But you don't want just any calendar. No, you want something that represents you and what you like. You're here and that leads us to assume you probably love exotic cars. That means you need a calendar that features exotic cars. If you're someone who has a specific love for everything Lamborghini, well boy do we have good news for you. Lamborghini has just released their new "The Energy of Colors" desk calendar for purchase. Each month you'll be able to stare at incredible pictures of Lamborghini models like the Huracan Evo, Sian FKP 37 and more. Check it out by clicking the button below. shop now

By Edward Jones – February 08, 2019

Lamborghini and Gizelle Renee Create Driving Glove Collec...

What connects the driver to the car? The hands. Each hand rests on the steering wheel, controlling where the car goes and, sometimes, determines which gear the transmission is in. This is why you should treat your hands with respect and dress them up nicely with a pair of gloves. Collezione Automobili Lamborghini and Gizelle Renee, British Glover of the Year, know hands are important and have teamed up to create an exclusive driving glove collection. This collection has been designed in six different designs with a number of colorways available. Thanks to this variety, drivers should be able to find the right fit for them and their car. Each glove is hand-made with fine materials like Nappa leather and are even embellished with carbon fiber. These gloves will be available starting September 2019 and will have a starting price of €145 (roughly $164 USD). shop all lamborghinis for sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 20, 2018

Lamborghini & Riva 1920 Unveil New Furniture

This week, Milan is host to the Salone del Mobile show. It features the latest in interior fashion, with collections coming from the world's top automakers. That's why Lamborghini partnered with Riva 1920 for two new pieces of their Authentic Living Collection.Karim Rashid is the artist who was commissioned to create the latest in "Informal Luxury". The Inkline and the Rivar might be perfect for your garage or office. Built of solid and multilayer wood, they feature dovetail joints. Their shapes are influenced by previous works in the collection, and both are finished in vegetable-based waxes with a hint of pine. They will look out of place without the car to accompany them, so click the link below to find your next Lamborghini.Browse Lamborghini For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 15, 2018

Lamborghini Unveils A Wild Triathlon Bike

Of all the new models released at the Geneva motor show, the two-wheeled examples didn't receive much coverage. But collaborations between auto and bicycle companies are nothing new. BMW releases a new bike every few years, and they are the perfect accessory for drivers with an active lifestyle.Lamborghini wanted to make a statement of performance and style, so they partnered with Cervélo Cycles to build their new P5X Lamborghini edition. The yellow accents and the Y-shaped patterns are directly from Centro Stile, Lamborghini's design headquarters. In order to ensure it outperforms the competition, over 180 hours of wind tunnel testing were used to sculpt the body. Chief Marketing Officer Katia Bassi said: “Our Lamborghini Accademia drivers have been training on Cervélo for some time now, so we already know how special, and how fast, these bikes are. With elite performance, outstanding design and innovation, this collaborative project was a natural fit for both brands.” If you need a bike that would look great next to a Murcielago or a Urus, click the link below to find a dealer near you. Tell us what you think of it in the comments below.Browse Lamborghini For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 12, 2017

New Collection Inspired by the New Lamborghini Urus

To celebrate the release of the Lamborghini Urus, Collezione Automobili Lamborghini is introducing new special edition products. These collections were created through collaborations with Enzo Bonafè, Hettabretz, and Tecknomonster.Designed to fit specifically in the trunk of the Urus are two new sets of carbon fiber luggage from Technomonster. Each set includes four suitcases.Lamborghinis for Sale

By Edward Jones – August 24, 2017

New Lamborghini Tonino Phone is Mobile Luxury

Sitting in a Lamborghini will give your rear and hands constant contact with rich Italian leather, but what about your ears? When do your ears get to experience Italian luxury? Now.Lamborghini Tonino has announced the new Alpha - One smartphone. This new Android device is wrapped with Italian handmade leather and encased with "liquid metal," an alloy that Lamborghini Tonino says is more durable than titanium.Coolest Cars in the World As for the technical aspects, the phone delivers some impressive numbers. Its 5.5-inch WQHD screen has a resolution of 2560x1440 which beats out the iPhone 7 (5.5-inches, 1920x1080), but not the Samsung Galaxy S8 (5.8-inches, 2960x1440). A Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB of RAM run Android Nougat, the latest version of the Android operating system. To capture images, the Alpha - One has a 20-megapixel rear-facing camera and an 8-pixel front-facing camera.The specs and style are definitely impressive like a supercar, but what's even more so is the pricetag: $2,450. Those interested in picking one up can do so by ordering one online.

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2017

Run Like a Lamborghini With These Shoes

You don't need to dig deep in order to come to the conclusion that Lamborghini supercars are fast. With engines as big as the Aventador's V12, these cars can fly down the road. What about Lamborghini shoes? Will they make you run fast? Well, that comes down to your own abilities, but at least your feet will look stylish even if you fall face first.The Mizuno for Lamborghini Men's Wave Tenjin running shoes are available on Amazon right now in four different colors. The colors include Lime Green, Chinese Red, White and Black. Yes, you could buy the green, red and white shoes, and be able to have the Tricolore in the form of Lamborghini shoes.To view the prices, click the button below. And if you happen to buy a pair, race a Lamborghini on foot and win, please let me know.View on Amazon

By Edward Jones – November 30, 2016

Listen to Music from Lamborghini Exhaust in Your House

Car fans always love the sound of exhaust. Whether it's a Lamborghini, Ferrari or really any other exotic car, the sound of these cars is breathtaking. But, what about listening to music from Lamborghini exhaust? It's possible.(Related - You Can Actually Buy a Real Submarine Online)The Ixoost Esavox Lamborghini Speaker System is designed similar to that of a raging bull, utilizing a carbon fiber monocoque. Within this monocoque are the two one-inch tweeters, two 6.5-inch drivers, 8-inch subwoofers, one 15-inch subwoofer and, of course, an original Lamborghini exhaust. The amplifier for it delivers a total of 800 watts of power.To learn more, be sure to click the button below.Learn More

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