Industry Reports

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 16, 2018

Lamborghini Achieves Record Year in 2017

Lamborghini saw an incredible year in 2017, a year that would set records in their history books. Not only did they release the new Urus SUV, Lamborghini also saw a massive increase in sales and deliveries throughout the year.Lamborghini Huracan: 10 Facts You Need To KnowA network of 145 dealers across 50 countries worked together to bring yearly sales from 3,457 in 2016 up to 3,815 in 2017. This increase in sales amounted to a double-digit growth of 10% when 2017 is compared to 2016. When the delivery figures of 2017 are compared to figures of 2010 (1,302 cars delivered), sales have almost tripled in just seven years. From 2016 to 2017, Lamborghini saw the Aventador sales growth increase by 6% (1,104 to 1,173) and Huracan increasing by 12% (2,353 to 2,642).Here's a breakdown of the Lamborghini sales figures:Sales by Country USA (1,095) Japan (411) UK (353) Germany (303) Greater China (265) Canada (211) Middle East (164) Lamborghinis for Sale

By Edward Jones – January 08, 2018

New Nissan Tech Will Actually Read Your Mind

The technology you see in futuristic movies is coming to real life at a rapid pace and this year's CES show is will have a bevy of future tech on display. Nissan will be showcasing their "Brain-to-Vehicle" (B2V) technology that will give the car a glimpse into the brain of the driver.Why You Should Buy A Nissan GT-RThe B2V tech will use signals that the driver's brain puts out to better understand the person behind the wheel. When certain moods or waves are recognized, the B2V tech will adjust the vehicle's systems to provide the most pleasant and reactive drive possible. Basically, the car will know what you plan on doing before you actually perform the action. Because of this, your reaction times behind the wheel will be faster than... humanly possible. Could this mean launches in the GT-R will be faster than every car out there? Now that would be nice. You can learn about the tech in the video below from Nissan.

By Edward Jones – January 05, 2018

Porsche Sets Annual Delivery Record in 2017

Porsche Cars North America had a record-breaking year in 2017 thanks to their extensive model lineup. The German automaker has announced that they delivered a total of 3,913 cars in December, bringing the total of U.S. deliveries in 2017 up to 55,420. Year over year, that's a 2.1 percent increase over 2016, making it a consecutive record-breaking year.Why the Porsche Carrera GT Sounds so Good Demand for four-door and two-door Porsche sports cars allowed PCNA to achieve another annual record in 2017, making it the eighth consecutive year of increased sales," said Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of PCNA. "The Macan and Panamera model lines posted double-digit growth, and we can expect an additional boost with the arrival of our all-new Cayenne in the second half of the year." Guard Red Porsche 911 GT3

By Edward Jones – January 05, 2018

Aston Martin Hits Best Sales in Nine Years

Aston Martin is coming into 2018 smelling of success after 2017 proved to prosperous for the English automaker. Thanks to the new DB11, retail sales were up 58 percent year-on-year for a total of 5,117 sports cars being sold. With such an increase in sales during the full year of 2017, Aston Martin recorded their highest sales in nine years.Next-Gen 2018 Aston Martin Vantage is Finally Here“We continue to perform ahead of expectations, both in terms of financial performance and in meeting our targets for the DB11 and special vehicles," says Dr. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and Chief Executive Officer. "This strong sales performance shows that our Second Century transformation plan is building momentum. Phase Two of the programme will be largely completed in 2018 with the introduction of the Vanquish replacement and production of the new Vantage, contributing to continued sustainable profitability at Aston Martin.”Aston Martins for Sale Exotic Cars for Sale

By Edward Jones – December 21, 2017

Bugatti Reaches Annual Delivery Target for 2017

In 2017, Bugatti has reached their delivery target that they had set for the year. With the introduction of the Chiron hypercar, the French automaker set out a plan to deliver 70 examples of the new car. Now, in a press release, they have announced that they have delivered 70 Chirons to customers across the globe. In the press release announcing their completed goal, Bugatti also included some other important stats. 300 Chirons have been sold (500 are planned to be produced) 43% of orders are from Europe 26% of orders are from North America 23% of orders are from the Middle East 8% of orders are from the Asia-Pacific region 1st U.S. Bugatti Chiron Sells Well Over MSRP at Auction“It is a tremendous success for the entire Bugatti team that we have already reached the target of 70 vehicles in the first full year of production of the Chiron," says Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our suppliers for their commitment and delivery compliance.”

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2017

Pagani Opens Up Museum and New Factory

Pagani Automobili has officially opened up their new Atelier (workshop/factory) and the Horacio Pagani Museum. The museum showcases the history of both the Pagani brand and Horacio's journey from balsa models to the hypercars we see today. In the museum are some of Pagani's most famed cars, like the Zonda Cinque, Zonda R and Huayra. Behind the museum is where Pagani will be building all of their new automobiles. This new workshop uses the same architectural elements and materials that are found in the museum, creating a consistency through the Pagani buildings that's unparalleled. Watch the video below to learn more about Horacio Pagani's journey and the brand that he has built into an automotive powerhouse in the industry.

By Andrew Nabors – December 06, 2017

Mercedes-AMG Reports Record Sales Numbers

If you are looking for a sporty version of a new Mercedes-Benz, you are not alone. In a press release by MB USA, Americans bought a record 3,294 examples of AMG perfection. What started as a tuning company by two former Mercedes-Benz engineers, AMG has seen a 49.6% jump in YTD sales. When added to the other Mercedes-Benz lineup, November saw sales of 30,838 units, an increase of 1.6% from last year. In total, they sold 302,043 cars in the US since this time last year, which will serve to put every other manufacturer on notice.New 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS is Hybrid and MeanDietmar Exler is the President and CEO of MB USA, and he attributes the demand on a few factors: "November was a solid month for Mercedes-Benz, with strong demand for the 2018 model year S-Class, SUV lineup and high-performance AMG GT models. Additionally, our dealer partners and entire MBUSA team played a central role in our first place ranking in the 2017 JD Power Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) for both luxury and overall industry." We agree with him. You can't deny the appeal of the new AMG GT, and the S-Class virtually drives itself. If you would like to find one for yourself, click on the link below and stay with us for all your Mercedes-Benz and AMG updates. View Mercedes-Benz S-Class For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 04, 2017

Porsche Posts All-Time Monthly Sales Record

For the month and year-to-date, Porsche has increased their deliveries, setting new records. In November 2017, Porsche delivered 5,555 models, which is a 0.8 percent increase over November 2016, and year-to-date it's a 2.5 percent increase.The model with the biggest increase in sales last month, when compared to 2016, was the 911, which had an increase of 14.6 percent. Next up were the Boxster and Cayman models, which saw a 14.2 percent increase. All other models saw a dip in sales, but the overall sales for the month were up by that previously mentioned figure of 0.8 percent."With 5,555 deliveries, we set a new all-time monthly record. In particular, our two-door sports cars - the Porsche 911, and the 718 model line - showed impressive double-digit growth versus last year," said Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of PCNA.

By Andrew Nabors – October 30, 2017

Lamborghini Celebrates Production Records For Aventador &...

It is hard to believe that the Lamborghini Aventador has been with us for 6 years. In that time we've helped our dealers find new homes for the V12-powered raging bulls. As the flagship of the brand, the Aventador pushes the limits of design and civility. It looks aggressive in any situation, with performance to match. As a replacement for the Murcielago, it has been a hit since day one. That is why Lamborghini is celebrating chassis 7,000 alongside Huracan's 9,000th example. First Lamborghini Centenario For Sale In The USWith only 3 years of production, the Huracan and its variants offer V10 power in coupe & convertible bodies, along with your choice of rear or all-wheel-drive. Both of these milestone production numbers were approaching each other, so it was cause for celebration at the factory. The skilled workers at Sant’Agata Bolognese gathered around for a celebration. The press release states Chassis 7,000 is a Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster in Grigio Adamas is heading to a lucky American buyer. Next to it was a stunning Blue Nethuns Huracán Performante. It is heading to the opposite side of the globe, en route to Dubai. Congratulations to everyone at Lamborghini for the continued success. If you have been wondering why they are so appealing, click the link below to find our dealer nearest you. Stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.View Lamborghini For Sale Lamborghini Huracan For Sale Miami, FL

By Edward Jones – October 23, 2017

Stephan Winkelmann Named President of Bugatti

Stephan Winkelmann will be replacing Wolfgang Dürheimer as the President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.Bugatti has announced that Dürheimer will be retiring at his own request and Winklemann will be taking his place as the President of Bugatti. This move will happen at the end of 2017 after Dürheimer has spent five years in his current position. Winkelmann will be coming from Audi Sport GmbH, where he has been Managing Director since Spring of 2016. Before joining Audi Sport, he was the President and CEO of Lamborghini for 11 years. Wolfgang Dürheimer

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