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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 – April 09, 2019

Supercharged Chevy SS Dyno Tested by Hennessey Performance

If you are looking for a full-size sports sedan, don't overlook the Chevrolet SS. Although it was only sold for 4 years (2014-2017), every example had the Camaro's LS3 6.2L V8 under the hood. Offering 415 horsepower and lb-ft, it is no slouch. But one owner decided it wasn't enough and sent it to Sealy, Texas for a forced induction upgrade. To make sure it was dialed in, the supercharged Chevy SS was dyno tested by Hennessey Performance John Hennessey and his team installed a massive Whipple supercharger on top of a new camshaft. In the old days, an aftermarket cam would usually not be a good combination with a blower. This was because the overlap between intake and exhaust valves allowed much of the boost into the exhaust before it had a chance to work. But the secret is in the intake duration. Allowing more air to reach the cylinders allowed this SS to put 585 horsepower and 515 lb-ft of horsepower to the ground. The same can be done to any GM V8, so click the link below for more examples and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance updates. Contact Hennessey Performance Here P.S. Chevrolet also offered this car to Cops in a long wheelbase Caprice Police Interceptor. They have Impala front and rear bumpers and they are faster than you, ask me how I know... Related: Hennessey VelociRaptor 600: Up Close & Personal Ferrari F12berlinetta HPE800 Testing by Hennessey Performance

By Andrew Nabors – August 24, 2018

Hennessey Venom F5 Premiere: Over 1,600 Horsepower!

We've been waiting to see what was behind the cockpit of the new Hennessey Venom F5. The first generation Venom GT used a 7.0-liter Chevrolet LS engine and twin turbos to make 1,244 horsepower and 1,155 lb-ft of torque. It pushed the car to 270 mph at the Shuttle Landing Runway, but they were at the limits of the cast aluminum block and heads.Watch Hennessey Take Delivery of His New Ford GTNever satisfied, they have stunned the world today with the 7.6-liter (464 ci) V8 that was unveiled at The Quail. While still based on the Chevrolet's 4th Generation small block, this monster and its heads are milled from a billet of hardened alloy. Something about CNC machine work this precise...it takes our breath away. Backed by Shell and Pennzoil, Hennessey Performance has dropped 1,600 horsepower into a 2,900-pound car.The 9.3 compression ratio is able to run on 93 octane while still offering 1,300 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Only 24 examples of the Venom F5 will be produced, each one with a starting price of $1.6 million dollars. The first 15 orders are confirmed, so don't miss out!

By Andrew Nabors – June 04, 2018

Hennessey Performance Goes 0-180 mph in Ford GT

We should all be lucky enough to have our own motorsports part. Located next to Hennessey Performance is Lonestar track & drag strip. Our friend John received his 2018 Ford GT a few weeks ago, and we've been wondering what's in store for this fast Ford. If you think it would be sacrilege to modify such a rare car, you must consider the outcome. He let me drive his 2005 Ford GT which was loaded with the HPE 1200 twin turbo kit. I was never a Ford Fan until then.Watch Hennessey Take Delivery of His New Ford GTIf you can double a car's output without sacrificing drivability, then go for it. Much like the land speed record Venom GT, some cars are meant to push performance into uncharted territory. With an HD camera aimed at the instrument panel, this YouTube upload shows us that the latest Ford GT reaches 180 in 6th-gear, then 7th is for high-speed cruising. Sure it can go faster, Ford claims a top speed of 216 mph. However, the straightaway at Lonestar needs to be a little longer to get there. The gear ratios appear to be perfectly spaced to keep the turbos spinning, and it looks like boost is progressive, topping out at 26 lbs. The 3.5 liter V6 is rated at 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque, but is it capable of more? Turn up your audio, and tell us what you think in the comments below!Find Your Ford GT For Sale!View the 2018 Ford GT Price, Specs & Horsepower

By Edward Jones – February 23, 2017

Test Drive of the 1,008 HP Z06 Corvette by Hennessey Perf...

What do you get when you install the Hennessey HPE1000 Supercharged Engine Upgrade in the C7 Z06 Corvette? One of the most exhilarating rides possible in the American sports car.Related - This is the Final Hennessey Venom GT, EverIn a new video by Hennessey Performance, the man behind the company, John Hennessey, takes an HPE100 Z06 out for a spin around their proving grounds. The upgrades given to the car can be found here, but the star of the list has to be the new supercharger system. All-in-all, the Corvette he's driving has 1,008 horsepower and 823 lb-ft of torque at the ready. This power launches the car from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds-- those are supercar numbers! It can also complete a 1/4-mile in 9.7 seconds @ 147 mph and will top out at over 220 mph.Check out the video below to see the car in action for yourself and click the link below to find a Z06 for yourself.Chevrolet Corvette Z06 For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 11, 2016

Hennessey Venom GT Just Became The Fast Convertible In Th...

Back in 2014, Hennessey Performance made history when the Hennessey Venom GT clocked a record-breaking top speed of 270.4 mph. To mark their 25th Anniversary, Hennessey Performance is breaking records again.At the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, Texas, The Hennessey Venom GT Spyder charged at a top speed of 265.6 mph down the runway, setting the world record for an open-top sports car. The new record tops that of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport Vitesse set in 2013 at 254 mph. The time was verified Racelogic, an independent testing firm.Venom GT Stats Engine: 7.0-liter V8 Horsepower: 1451 bhp Torque: 1287 lb-ft 0-60: 2.4 seconds In commemoration of their 25th Anniversary and the newly established record, Hennessey, "plans to offer a limited run of three 'World Record Edition' Venom GT Spyder's" according to a press release. The limited editions will cost $1.3 million (tax not included). Want to see the car in action? Check out the video below.

By Edward Jones – April 08, 2016

Did Hennessey Just Break The World Speed Record...Again?

Hennessey has uploaded a video that not only celebrates their 25th anniversary, but also something else incredible: a new world speed record.Back on February 24, 2014 Hennessey Performance sent out a press release that states that their Venom GT had reached a top speed of 270.49, surpassing the 269.86 mph sprint of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.“Building and validating our Venom GT as the world’s fastest has been a long journey and a lot of hard work," said John Hennessey, Hennessey Performance founder and president, in the press release. But as President Kennedy once so eloquently said, ‘We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.’ As a result, we have built a better car and a better team at Hennessey Performance (HPE).”Now, a little over two years after the previous record, Hennessey is teasing an all-new record. What speed did it hit? We won't find out until April 11, so be sure to check back!

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