Jay Leno's Garage

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 Tyler Rampersaud – August 22, 2024

Watch Former Top Gear Star James May Tour Jay Leno's Garage

Two automotive icons meet from across the pond. An unforgettable force in the automotive world is the former Top Gear trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. The British trifecta captured the world’s attention with their humor, chemistry, and, of course, the showcase of the most intriguing cars, for better or worse. James May has joined one of the most famous American automotive personalities, comedian Jay Leno, to tour his garage in a new video. The tour includes up-close looks at historic models from Bentley and Rolls-Royce and nostalgic icons like the Jaguar E-type. However, Jay Leno’s immense collection also features modern masterpieces, including the McLaren MP4-12C, the McLaren P1, and the Rolls-Royce Spectre. There are also vintage motorcycles, unique one-offs, racing icons, and more. With decades of knowledge and experience in the automotive world and the humor and wit that made both of them some of the most captivating personalities in the car enthusiast space, the new video of James May exploring Jay Leno’s extensive car collection is a must-see. You can watch the video now and get a unique perspective on one of the most famous celebrity car collections. Finance A Luxury or Exotic Car

By Andrew Nabors – November 30, 2020

Jay Leno and Keanu Reeves Ride The Latest ARCH Motorcycle

Aside from being one of the greatest philanthropists of the modern era, a famous actor has transformed his passion for art and performance into a world-renowned business. In his latest upload, Jay Leno and Keanu Reeves ride the latest from ARCH Motorcycle along with insights behind each model. Jay Leno’s Car Collection Gard Hollinger and Mr. Reeves met each other in 2011 and began to share ideas on customizing Harley-Davidson models. Realizing the need for a clean-sheet design, the KRGT-1 was unveiled in 2014. Since then, their customers have included A-list stars and nobility from around the globe. Click the button to order yours and stay with us for more clips from Jay Leno's Garage. Learn More About ARCH Motorcycle " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 24, 2020

Jay Leno Drives his Corvette C6RS

Winning is nothing new for Team Corvette. With back-to-back victories at Sebring and Daytona, they are poised to repeat the same successes of the C5R and C6R teams. Before we lost him, even the great Dale Earnhardt had signed up to take Chevrolet Racing back to victory lane. The cars were highly modified production Corvettes that were transformed by the engineers at Pratt & Miller. The same team also responsible for prepping the CTS-V for the Nurburgring also decided to build a small batch of street-legal Corvettes. Jay Leno’s Car Collection Starting with a C6 donor, they would build you a supercar for $189,000. Only six were built, so we're glad Jay Leno drives his Corvette C6RS. No turbos or supercharger, just 500 inches (8.2-liters) of American freedom. It makes 600 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque on 93 octane, and Jay had this one tuned for E85 so it makes much more. Pratt & Miller will still build you a 500 inch LS motor, so tell them were you saw this and stay with us for all your Jay Leno uploads. Browse Corvette For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 27, 2020

Jay Leno's Garage Update: April 2020

In addition to owning the world's most diverse car collection, the team at Jay Leno's "Big Dog Garage", are also responsible for Concours-quality restorations. You never know what you might see them working on, so these monthly updates are always insightful. Check Out Jay Leno's Car Collection With the ability to rebuild a Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, or pour Babbitt bearings into an antique, this one starts with long term builds along with his skilled craftspeople. The only place you will see someone go from a Ford GT to a six-cylinder Firebird, tell us your favorite restoration in the comments below. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 13, 2020

Jay Leno, Michael Strahan & St. Jude Surprise a Survivor

In spite of the current Corona hysteria, our favorite denim enthusiast and an NFL icon help spread some hope. Broklynn loves cars and her battle against cancer has been won. That's why Jay Leno, Michael Strahan and St. Jude surprised a survivor. duPont REGISTRY has supported St. Jude since we began in 1985, and they have saved the lives of countless little ones. We can't add any commentary as this video speaks for itself. Well done for all involved! Jay Leno's Car Collection " width="680">

By Edward Jones – October 21, 2019

Top 5 Craziest Cars on Jay Leno's Garage

Jay Leno has seen a lot of cars on his show, 'Jay Leno's Garage'. The cars range from modern production cars, concept cars, classic cars, muscle cars and cars that defy modern automotive design cues. Shining a highlight on some of the more unconventional cars is a YouTube video that shows off the top 5 craziest cars to ever appear on Jay Leno's Garage. The cars you'll see in the video up above are truly crazy. Did you know that Leno actually controlled a car-crushing mechanical dinosaur? Well, he has, and you can see it in action in the video. Also Check Out: Jay Leno’s Top 5 Fastest Cars Jay Leno’s Car Collection Jay Leno Tests the 2020 Bentley Continental GT V8

By Edward Jones – October 18, 2019

Jay Leno Tests the 2020 Bentley Continental GT V8

The new redesign used for the 2020 Bentley Continental GT V8 is simply stunning. Bentley retained the overall vibe of the Continental that we've become accustomed to with the new design, but it looks fresh, exciting and more modern than ever before. Jay Leno recently had the chance to test-drive the new Continental GT V8 for a new episode of "Jay Leno's Garage." Joining Leno was Michael Heywood, the Western Regional Director for Bentley Motors. They drove the luxury car into the Bentley section of Jay Leno's car collection. Having the new Continental GT next to a classic 8-liter shows that Bentley have always excelled in luxury automobiles. Check it all out in the video up above. see all bentleys for sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 10, 2019

Jay Leno's Top 5 Fastest Cars

As the former leader of late-night TV, Jay Leno spent year amassing an incredible collection. Having driven every make & model, we suppose he keeps a list of his favorites. CNBC does a great job filming teasers for his program, so here are Jay Leno's Top 5 Fastest cars. I refuse to put them in order because it will start a heated discussion in the comments below. Nevertheless, here are the 5 cars with celebrity co-pilots: 2005 Mercedes-McLaren SLR with Tyler Hoover 2018 Dodge Demon with Dee Snider 2019 Corvette ZR1 with Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter 2020 Lamborghini Aventador S with Trevor Noah 2020 Koenigsegg Agera RS with Christian von Koenigsegg The color commentary from the celebrities adds practicality and hilarity to each ride, so tell us what you think of their comments below. We have examples of each model for sale, so click the link above to find one that is right for you, and stay with us for all your Jay Leno updates. Browse Jay Leno's Car Collection " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 16, 2019

Jay Leno Drives "xXx" 1967 GTO Movie Car

Riding high on the success of the first "Fast & Furious" film, Vin Diesel took a chance to play the hero in the 2002 film XXX (Triple X). Playing the role of Xander Cage, his character's preferred ride is a gorgeous Pontiac. Because movie cars are usually crushed, several enthusiasts have started to save these stars of the Big Screen. That is why Jay Leno chose to drive the XXX 1967 GTO movie car. Find Your Pontiac GTO Here! What makes this car timeless is that the builders didn't start with a wreck or rusted junk. This was and is a real, numbers-matching 1967 Pontiac GTO. Unlike Chevrolet, Olds, & Buick, Pontiac made one V8 to fit all needs, and it was big. The GTO was created by Pontiac Chief Engineer John DeLorean. He wanted their most powerful engine in light & sporty midsize car. Jay Leno's Car Collection Having the original cowl tag allowed this car to escape the crusher, and the fact that it retains the flamethrower makes it a valuable part of film & Pontiac history. Tell us about your favorite Pontiac in the comments below and stay with us for more updates from Jay Leno's Garage. " width="680"> Related: Vin Diesel's "Fast" Friends Surprise Him With Muscle Car for Birthday Vin Diesel Stars in new Dodge Demon Ad

By Andrew Nabors – July 29, 2019

Jay Leno Drives the 1934 Bugatti Aérolithe

Nothing will ever approach the timeless creations of Ettore Bugatti. Except maybe this one. The old man realized the same passion for form and design was endowed to his son Jean. Giving him the unlimited resources of their brand, Jean sculpted a masterpiece of metal. Sure it has similar lines to other models, but under the glossy paint is a body of magnesium. We're glad the Guild of Automotive Restorers spent years on this car, because they allowed Jay Leno to drive the 1934 Bugatti Aérolithe. Magnesium is light and strong, but this element has a bad temperament. Working it below 800 degrees will make it crack, and pure magnesium ignites at only 1,100 degrees. Once it catches fire, be somewhere else because it strips the hydrogen from water and burns even hotter. Given its strength and lightweight, it was the carbon fiber of the 1930s. Along with fighter jets, Porsche and Chevrolet use it to shave ounces from their most powerful cars, so this is just another way Bugatti has led the way. Their modern cars are decades ahead of what you have experienced before, so click the below and stay with us for all your updates from Jay Leno's Garage. Browse Bugatti For Sale Related: 2018 Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review Jay Leno's Car Collection

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