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 Andrew Nabors – January 05, 2017

McLaren Sales Almost Double in 2016

The final 2016 sales numbers are in, and McLaren had a very good year. In a press release last night, CEO Mike Flewitt wrote: ‘2016 was a remarkable year for McLaren Automotive. We’d planned it to be a year of considerable growth, thanks to the first full year of Sports Series production, but it’s surpassed even our own optimistic expectations, having seen development in all regions. We’ve also invested significantly in our future. The launch of the second shift at the McLaren Production Centre this time last year gives us the capacity for future volume increase and in March, we launched Track22, our six-year business plan, that demonstrates the longer-term future for the company, with 15 all new cars or derivatives planned between now and 2022. I look forward to showing the world the first of those 15 new cars in Geneva: the second-generation McLaren Super Series.’ (Also Check Out - McLaren Previews 2nd Generation Super Series)For comparison, only 1,654 cars were delivered in 2015, and last year had sales of 3,286 carbon fiber masterpieces. The press release did not break down the numbers between the Sports and Super Series models, but we think the potent 570S and 570GT had something to do with it. While still capable of dominating your local track day, the 570S offers adjustable suspension for a smooth ride and the 570GT is aimed a long distance driving. The unique side-opening rear hatch offers ample room for groceries or luggage in addition to the front cargo compartment. Our dealers are offering great deals on 2016 models, so click the link below and stay with us for all your McLaren news.Search McLaren For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2016

McLaren Builds Their 10,000th Car

Remember when McLaren was just selling the F1 and it was the coolest car in the magazines? Times have changed, because the English automaker has hit a major milestone regarding their production numbers. In a press release issued today, McLaren announced that they have built their 10,000th car, a 570S finished in Ceramic Grey.(Also Read - How to Design Your Own McLaren 570S)McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer, Mike Flewitt, said: “The production of the 10,000th McLaren is a significant milestone in the short history of the company. The fact that it took us 42 months to build our 5,000th car and just 22 months to build the next 5,000 speaks volumes about the pace of development of the company. Much of that development is thanks to the introduction of the Sports Series family of cars and it’s therefore fitting that the 10,000th car is a McLaren 570S.”After McLaren's move to make more vehicles, they have introduced multiple models into their lineup, mostly in the Sports Series. In the Sports Series family, there is the 540C, 570S and 570GT. At the McLaren Production Centre, 10-20 cars are created each day, and now McLaren is expecting to create a total of over 3,000 cars at the end of 2016.McLaren is planning on keeping the 10,000th car in their Heritage Collection.All McLaren For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 11, 2016

Ford Halts Mustang Production After Sales Decline

If you're a lover of the Ford Mustang, this news may be hard to stomach. According to Bloomberg, Ford has halted production on their iconic Mustang model due to a 32 percent sales decline in the United States. What's worse? The Mustang is being outsold by the Camaro for the first time in about two years.Bloomberg notes that the increase in Camaro's success may be rooted in GM's strong incentives, which equaled about $3,409 per car. As for the Mustang, its incentives were less at about $2,602 per car.The plant being affected is located in Flat Rock, near Detroit. This plant currently has 3,702 employed workers and produces the Mustang and Lincoln Continental models. Thankfully, workers will be paid during the temporary shutdown, which will end on October 17.View All Mustangs For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2016

Report: Apple in Talks with McLaren, Considering Full Tak...

Update 9/21/2016 2:25 PM: Jalopnik recently spoke with McLaren officials who say that Apple is not in talks with them when it comes to a potential investment.Well, this was a surprise. According to Financial Times, Apple is currently in talks with McLaren Technology Group. They note in an article recently published that Apple is considering either a "full takeover of McLaren or a strategic investment." Three people who were briefed on the negotiations between the brands say that these talks have been happening for several months.(Shop Apple Products Now)An acquisition like this would most definitely shake up the automotive world. Apple has been eyeing the car industry for quite some time, mostly in the autonomous sector. If Apple were to acquire McLaren, I doubt that we'd see autonomous supercars driving around. However, we could see a new company under McLaren that would implement the automaker's engineering prowess with Apple's self-driving tech. Of course, this is all speculation and nothing is official, yet.Be sure to stay with us for more news as this story develops. View All McLaren For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 02, 2016

Mercedes-Benz Posts Best-Ever August Sales

The high-end auto market just keeps announcing one win after another. From supercar makers like Lamborghini to luxury vehicle makers like Mercedes-Benz, 2016 is proving a fruitful year for everything automotive.For August, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 3,152 units sold, amounting to their best-ever numbers for August. The C-Class, E-Class and GLC models were the month's top sellers.From the president and CEO of MBUSA:"We are on track for a strong finish to the third quarter, fueled by a best-ever result for August," said Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of MBUSA. "Demand remains high for our SUVs and dream cars such as the new SL and S-Class Cabriolet, and we expect to build upon this momentum in the coming months."August's units sold were at an increase of 39.5% from the previous August. Congrats Mercedes-Benz!Mercedes-Benz GLCs for Sale 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

By Caitlin Duffy – October 20, 2015

Oslo to Ban Private Cars by 2019

There's little debate left around the issue of climate change, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirms, and it's generally understood that carbon dioxide emissions, commonly referred to as one of the greenhouse gases, are largely responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer. Sadly for car enthusiasts, vehicles are one of the world's primary sources of greenhouse gases, which has lead to some intense and radically different fuel sources to be developed by manufacturers. A pedestrian street in Oslo, with flowers planted down the center to keep cars from driving.As The Guardian reported Oct. 19, this is part of the country's overall goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent when compared to 1990's levels before the year 2020. Given the country's track record with adopting green technologies, this shouldn't be difficult to achieve - as EVNorway.no states, they have the world's highest number of electric cars per capita, "by a wide margin."(See Also: Ferrari Valued Just Under $10 Billion, IPO Terms Announced)So, long story short, if you want to see what it looks like when a country goes full force into fighting climate change, visit Norway. Just don't plan on driving your Tesla through the center of Oslo.Teslas For Sale(Source: Reuters, The Guardian, EVNorway.no, Environmental Protection Agency, Images via Visit Oslo) See More Industry Reports

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By Caitlin Duffy – September 15, 2015

Connected Cars Coming to Tampa with $17 Million Investmen...

There's little question that the entire transportation industry is on the cusp of major revolutions, and the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced new programs that ensure those revolutions occur in America. The Mercedes-Benz F015 Luxury in Motion Research VehicleWhen Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz, first unveiled the F015 Luxury in Motion Research Vehicle, it was with much optimism for the future of autonomous vehicles. Its unveiling at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in January marked the first time a car had been unveiled there, and Mercedes-Benz's keynote address was the center of the conference's events.Autonomous driving, Zetsche explained, had been perfected by the marque for quite some time, but there were a few major roadblocks standing in the way- namely, consumers, infrastructure and legislation. Since consumers don't yet trust cars that can operate without humans, legislation has yet to be put in place that allows for these cars to operate. As a result, the infrastructure that could create safer autonomous vehicles hasn't been built.But when we're talking about infrastructure, we're not just talking about roadways being built. It's a little less tangible than that, and exists in the realm of "the internet of things." Essentially, roadways, traffic lights, stop signs and cars need to be able to communicate with each other so that self-driving cars can make driving decisions.Add the cellphones of pedestrians to that equation, and a car can tell from a mile away and fifteen blocks over where there's congestion because of a broken traffic light or where someone is crossing the road. It's a city of connected cars and connected roadways, with the potential to reduce traffic, increase safety and much more. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models will feature V2V technologyIn a statement from the USDOT yesterday, Sept. 14, three locations were announced that are about to become the connected cities of tomorrow. A total of $42 million will be invested in New York City, Tampa, Florida and the state of Wyoming to roll out the national Connected Vehicle Pilot deployment program.“Tampa's emergence as an incubator for innovation and pursuit of innovative transportation solutions continues to be recognized,” said Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn in a Sept. 14 statement from the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA).New York City will be installing Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) technology in 10,000 city-owned vehicles, while traffic signals will be upgraded with Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) tech. Wyoming will be using the V2V and V2I tech to test its impact on commercial transport across the state, particularly on the I-80 east-west corridor, where between 11,000 and 16,000 vehicles travel each day.Tampa will be receiving $17 million from the USDOT to see if these technologies can help decrease the city's notorious downtown congestion. Pedestrians in Tampa will also have their smartphones equipped with the same V2V tech as the cars, in an effort to increase their safety. The city is also set to measure the environmental benefits of using this technology, such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.“We’re bringing transportation into the 21st century, and Florida is going to be at the center of it all,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in the statement from THEA.(See Also: Connected Cars: Apple Watch and the Automotive Industry's Future)With the launch of this pilot program, Zetsche's dream of seeing autonomous vehicles on the road may come true much sooner than initially anticipated. In fact, as Zetsche said in an interview with Reuters during the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, Mercedes-Benz hopes to unveil autonomous, on-demand limousine services to compete with Uber.Perhaps, then, Tampa will be one of the first places to enjoy such a luxury.Stay with us for more updates from the automotive world as they are released.(Source: USDOT, Reuters, Mercedes-Benz, YouTube) See More Industry Reports

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