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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 Jordan Aquistapace – December 08, 2020

Porsche Design x Type 7 Release A New T-Shirt And Hoodie

Type 7 is known for highlighting all that Porsche has to offer in past, present, and future forms, with complete backing from the manufacturer itself. The partnership continues with a Porsche Design x Type 7 merchandise release, featuring a minimal t-shirt and hoodie. Each style proudly sports the iconic Type 7 logo, ensuring that anyone wearing the collection is a Porsche enthusiast. The Porsche Design x Type 7 t-shirt and hoodie are currently available, with more product teased to release soon. Shop the Porsche Design x Type 7 clothing collection by clicking the link below. Shop Now Porsche Design

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2020

New Puma x Porsche RS-X³ 911 GT3 R Sneakers Released

Porsche and Puma Motorsport recently teamed up to release a special collection paying homage to the eras of 911 Turbo models. The duo has gone from the public roads to the track with its newest release of the Porsche Legacy RS-X3 911 GT3 R sneakers. The low-cut silhouette is constructed from a mesh upper with suede overlays featuring a sleek black and red colorway. The midsole is made from a thick cushioning making the wear experience comfortable daily, whether on or off the track. The bottoms are covered in traction grabbing rubber, which is also seen on the toe cap, used for better pedal control. The Porsche 911 logo is placed throughout the sneaker, including a custom hang tag looped through the laces. The Porsche x Puma Motorsport Legacy RS-X3 911 GT3 R sneaker is currently available by clicking the link below. Buy Now Source: PUMA.com

By Edward Jones – December 02, 2020

LEGO Porsche 911 RSR Gets Epic Photoshoot

Tomek Makolski is a photographer with an affinity for automobiles. Being a track day driver and automotive enthusiast, he truly appreciates automotive photography. But Porsche's newsroom has just unveiled a set of automotive photographs by Makolski that are not exactly what you'd expect. After Porsche and LEGO released the new 911 RSR Technic set, Makolski came up with a brilliant idea. He booked a flight to Dubai and captured shots of areas where he would expect a real 911 RSR to be racing through. He then went to his studio in Warsaw and captured photographs of the LEGO 911 RSR with lightning that would match up with the light of the location shots. Then, in post, he edited the LEGO Porsche into the sceneries for a truly magnificent result. You can check them out in the gallery below. If you'd like to buy your own Porsche 911 RSR LEGO Technic set, click the button below. Shop On LEGO.com Image Source: Porsche Newsroom

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 02, 2020

Kids Supercars For Sale

In the past, children would hang posters of their favorite hyper or supercar, hoping to one day have one in the garage. Nowadays, technology in the toy industry allows children of all ages to have a chance at driving their own, under parental supervision of course. Companies of all kinds are stepping it up this holiday with accurate mini-scale creations featuring some of the world’s best hyper and supercars for kids. In this special, we have compiled a list of The Best Super Cars for Kids available through Amazon for the holidays. Click any of the links below to shop the products featured. Bugatti Bugatti Divo Kids Ride On Car $239.99 Shop Now Bugatti Chiron Kids Ride On Car $229.99 Shop Now Ferrari Ferrari 458 Ride On Push Car $49.99 Shop Now Ferrari LaFerrari Kids Electric Ride On Car $549 Shop Now Lamborghini Lamborghini Urus Kids Ride On Car Electric Vehicle $199.99 Shop Now Lamborghini Huracán Electric Ride On With Remote Control $169.99 Shop Now Lamborghini Aventador SV Ride On Sports Car $279.99 Shop Now McLaren McLaren 570S Push Sports Car $84.99 Shop Now McLaren Senna Ride On Sports Car $399.99 Shop Now Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz AMG Electric Ride On Car $199.99 Shop Now Mercedes-Maybach G650S Electric Ride On $299.99 Shop Now Mercedes-Benz C63S Electric Ride On Sports Car $279.99 Shop Now Porsche Porsche 918 Battery-Powered Ride On Car $249 Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 30, 2020

The Porsche Inspired Nike SB Dunk Low "Pink Pig" Is Rumor...

The Dunk Low by Nike continues to be a staple silhouette for the skateboard branch of the athletic footwear and apparel conglomerate, just as the Pink Pig livery for Porsche holds significance within the company’s race heritage. The two iconic creations are the inspiration behind the newest collaboration between Nike SB and Porsche. The Nike SB Dunk Low Pink Pig pays homage to the Porsche 917/20 debuted during the 1971 24-Hours of Le Mans race, presented in a vibrant pink and red accent livery. The Pink Pig livery is one of the most unique and popular designs in Porsche racing history, which makes it obvious to feature it on one of Nike’s most popular sneakers. The sneaker mirrors the bright pink paint job using suede with matching red contrast stitching. The sneaker inspired by vintage Porsche racing is sure to be a sought-after pair for sneaker collectors and Porsche enthusiasts. The Nike SB Dunk Low Pink Pig is rumored to release in the early months of 2021. Keep up with news from Nike and shop all the available collections by clicking the link below. Shop Nike Source: zSneakerHeadz Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 18, 2020

How To Buy: Type 7 Volume 2

Type 7 continues to illustrate the past, present, and future of Porsche design through its second volume. The craze began in December of 2018. Porsche nodded at the go-ahead for Type 7 to capture the following of Porsche enthusiast all around the world via Instagram. Type 7 Volume 2 features illustrated stories presented by some of the biggest names in the automobile industry, such as Jeff Zwart and Daniel Arsham. The book is currently available for the price of $150.25 and makes the perfect gift for any Porsche owner or enthusiast. Click below for information on how to buy Type 7 Volume 2. When: November 18th, 2020 Where: Booktopia Price: $152.25 Source: Amazon

By Edward Jones – November 09, 2020

New Porsche x Puma Sneakers Inspired by the Porsche 911 C...

Porsche Design and Puma are set to release a collection of sneakers that fans of the iconic 911 sports car have to keep an eye on. Each of the shoes in this collection is inspired by a specific Porsche 911. Down below are teasers of each of the shoes so you can get an idea of what to expect. If you see one you'd like, I have some news for you. On November 17, 2020, this webpage will have "buy now" buttons appear for a brief 2.7 seconds. Why 2.7 seconds? That's actually the amount of time it takes the new 911 Turbo to go from 0 to 60 mph. If you do manage to click the button, you'll have 15 minutes to complete the order. Each of these pre-orders also come with a limited-edition poster that's inspired by the collection. Click the button below to view the page and view the countdown timer. Shop on Porsche-Design.com

By Edward Jones – October 15, 2020

Cyberpunk 2077 to Feature a Classic Porsche 911 and Keanu...

On November 19, 2020, gamers around the world will be thrust into a futuristic world of Cyberpunk 2077, an upcoming video game from developer CD Projekt Red. Within this virtual world, players will play as the main character known as 'V' who will roam the streets of Night City either on foot or via one of the many vehicles that can be either commandeered or purchased outright. CD Projekt Red has released two videos that show off some of the vehicles that can be driven. This includes multiple classes of vehicles, including supercars and hypercars. Most interesting, however, were two partnerships that CD Projekt Red announced. These include Porsche and Arch Motorcycle. As far as the Porsche partnership goes, the game will feature a 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo that belonged to the character Johnny Silverhand who is played by Keanu Reeves. CD Projekt Red teamed up with Porsche to create the in-game model of the classic 911 Turbo. You can see it for yourself in the gallery up above. While we can't way to drive the virtual version of this 911 Turbo, we're also excited to learn that there's a real-life version that exists as well. Constructed to be a replica of Johnny Silverhand's 911 Turbo, this Porsche will be display at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart from October 15th to October 22nd. You can see it in action in the video below. “Johnny’s a legend of the Cyberpunk universe. When thinking about what kind of car he’d be driving through the streets of Night City, we knew it would have to be one just as legendary as he is. Having Johnny’s story in mind, and being huge fans of Porsche ourselves, the answer could only be the classic 911 Turbo,” said Paweł Mielniczuk, Art Director of Characters, Weapons and Vehicles, CD Projekt Red. " width="680"> Speaking of Keanu Reeves, he owns Arch Motorcycle. The game will feature futuristic versions of their motorcycles that will undoubtedly be a blast to race through the city on. Below is an awesome video with Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger explaining how they went about creating the in-game Arch Motorcycle and even how the sound was captured. It's cool to think that the sound you'll hear in the game is the sound of an actual Arch Motorcycle. Check tit out for yourself in the video below. Pre-Order Cyberpunk 2077 On Amazon " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 15, 2020

Shop The Porsche Design Fall/Winter 2020 Sportswear Colle...

We have seen the Porsche Design Fall/Winter 2020 Fashion Collection featuring urban styles that can be dressed up or down for any situation. The fashion branch of the German automotive company released a sport-inspired collection for the colder months. The Sportswear Collection focuses on head to toe lifestyle and activewear that will add the performance needed daily. Using premium materials, Porsche Design created jackets, sweatshirts, short/long sleeve shirts, pants, shoes, bags, and accessories. A wide variety of color options are available for each product to ensure a style for everyone. The Fall/Winter Sportswear Collection by Porsche Design continues to bridge the gap between high-quality lifestyle fashion and German automotive excellence. This line is sure to be celebrated by all Porsche enthusiasts. Shop Porsche Design's newest sports collection by clicking the link below. Shop Porsche Design Fall/Winter 2020 Sportswear

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 09, 2020

New Porsche Design X SONRA Sneaker Finds Inspiration From...

Porsche Design follows the same design and styling initiative for their footwear collections as they do with the vehicles rolled off the production line. They all follow the understanding that quality and functionality for the customer is the basis of each product. The newest collaboration from Porsche Design features a sneaker inspired by the Classic Porsche 912. World-renowned German sneaker collector and SONRA footwear founder, Hikmet Sugör, has teamed up with Porsche Design to create the SONRA “Porsche Design Edition” sneaker. The upper is made from a quality mix of cowhide and vegetable-tanned leather using Porsche’s Slate Grey as the color choice. Red highlights and the original 912 logos appear on the silhouette to complement the collaboration. A comfortably cushioned mid-sole and gripped outsole are added for functional daily wear. The strictly limited release will be available on October 24th. Porsche Design and Hikmet Sugör have created an even more limited-edition Signal Red pair, mimicking Hikmet’s personal Porsche 912. Residents of Germany can register for a lottery-style release and a chance to own the one-off sneakers. Shop and register for the Porsche Design x SONRA sneaker collaboration by clicking the link below. Shop Now

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