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

Koenigsegg News

Koenigsegg news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks, covering the Jesko and Jesko Absolut, the four-seat Gemera and the manual CC850. Our reporting follows reveals, record runs, engineering news and the auction results that set what these cars are worth. Koenigsegg builds only a handful of cars each year, so every confirmed sale carries real weight in the market. That is where our marketplace becomes useful to readers. Koenigseggs covered here are sometimes listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, which puts the reporting and a real figure side by side. This is hypercar news with the market attached, so for Koenigsegg news today, start below.

By Edward Jones – April 05, 2018

Koenigsegg Agera RS Production Has Ended

All good things come to an end, and that includes hypercars like the Koenigsegg Agera RS. Koenigsegg has announced that production on the Agera RS has officially ended. In total, 25 Agera RS examples were created during its production run.In Koenigsegg's announcement, they managed to touch on two special Agera RS cars. First was the factory example that was built, which has now been sold and delivered to a long-term collector. Then there was the Agera RS 'Gryphon' that was damaged, a car meant for Manny Khoshbin. The replacement for this car is the 'Phoenix' and it's actually the last Agera RS to roll off of the production line. Khoshbin notes on his Instagram that the car should be on a plane and headed State-side soon.Cockpit Video of Koenigsegg Agera Top Speed Run Going forward, Koenigsegg has a plan in place. The Regera has been filling up their production line, and the hype for the car hasn't stopped just yet. There are also two Final Edition Ageras that need to be completed. Once these two cars are completed, the entire Agera line will be done.Don't be sad, because maybe we'll be seeing a Regera RS in the near future!Used Exotic Cars for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 07, 2017

Cockpit Video of Koenigsegg Agera Top Speed Run

Nevada is the perfect place for legal attempts at top speed. Races like the Silver State Classic are allowed to run flat out across the desert. Highway 160 runs straight from Las Vegas into Death Valley, with a slight downhill grade heading to the lowest spot in the nation. Always up for a challenge, Christian von Koenigsegg and company decided to attempt the top speed record for a production car. All Records Broken by the Koenigsegg Agera RS He tapped Touring Car master Niklas Lilja to pilot an Agera RS. An average speed of two runs is used to calculate the true top speed, and last month they released a dashcam video of the fastest run. We've been waiting for cockpit footage, and it was finally uploaded to YouTube this morning. We can see the car has been outfitted with VBox telemetry including a data logger and several cameras. To keep the driver safe, a 5-point harness is integrated into a roll cage. You might think the differential gears were swapped for a lower ratio, but the engine simply makes enough power to not care what gears are behind it. Turn up the volume to listen to a Swedish Symphony, and stay with us for all your Koenigsegg updates. View Koenigsegg For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 08, 2017

All Records Broken by the Koenigsegg Agera RS

Koenigsegg has broken the world record for the fastest production car with high-speed runs accomplished by the Agera RS hypercar. During the runs, Koenigsegg did more than just break one record, they broke multiple records. In a blog post from Koenigsegg, they document each of the records that were broken. They are:The High Top Speed for a Production Vehicle - "Calculated using an average of two runs, one in either direction. The record speed achieved is 446.97 km/h (277.87 mph)"0-400-0 km/h - "The 0-400-0 km/h run was completed in 33.29 seconds, beating the previous time of 36.44 seconds set by the same car in Denmark in October 2017."Flying Kilometer on a Public Road - "The highest average speed for a flying kilometer on a public road, calculated after running the car in two directions – 445.54 km/h (276.9 mph)."Flying Mile on a Public Road - "The highest average speed for a flying mile on a public road, calculated after running the car in two directions – 444.66 km/h (276.36 mph)."High Speed Achieved on a Public Road - "Single direction recorded. Measured at 457.49 km/h (284.55 mph)."Congratulations to Koenigsegg and their incredible world records!Click to Sell Your Luxury Car

By Edward Jones – November 06, 2017

Koenigsegg Agera RS is Now the World's Fastest Car

Koenigsegg has smashed the record for the world's fastest production car with an incredible run by the Agera RS. The world record for the fastest production car has been quite storied recently. Bugatti broke the record with the Veyron Super Sport running at 258 mph. Shortly thereafter the Hennessey Venom GT ran 265.7 mph, but it did not complete the run in the opposite direction, disqualifying it from contention. Now, an Agera RS completed two runs on a closed road in Nevada, hitting a top speed of 284 mph. With these runs, the Koenigsegg Agera RS is now the fastest production car in the world. You can see the record runs in their entirety in the video below. Will the new Hennessey Venom F5 break this record? We'll have to wait and see! Exotic Cars for Sale

By Edward Jones – June 07, 2017

Original Koenigsegg Agera RS Prototype Revs Loud and Proud

A one-of-one Koenigsegg Agera RS Prototype lit its exhaust up for the crowd during Supercarsunday, giving them a taste of the Swedish hypercar.The Agera RS was regarded as the model that would take the Agera to a whole new level when it was released back in 2015. Modifications made to the car include a new front splitter and winglets, side skirts, dynamic underbody flap system, lightweight sound insulation and a dynamic active rear wing. Koenigsegg has also increased its power to 1,160 bhp, as well as its RPM limit. The Swedish automaker also notes that its engine can be modified to run on E85 gasoline with flex fuel for added power.Even with all that muscle under the hood, the Agera RS can give a driver the best of both worlds; the car is equally capable on the racetrack and the road. Koenigsegg notes that this model complies with “the latest safety standards and other necessary homologation features.” If you want to add this beast to your collection, it's too late because they're all already sold out.Koenigsegg Agera RS Prototype Startup, Revs and Accelerations

By Andrew Nabors – June 24, 2016

Five Koenigseggs Take Down Monaco

If you were blindfolded next to a revving Koenigsegg, what car comes to mind? With an engine of his own design, Christian von Koenigsegg has made more power than any other production car. Although the internal layout of the engine is all his, the firing order of the V8 creates an exhaust note eerily similar to GM's LS series engines. Most supercar videos we come across have less than ideal audio capture, but this one is meant for your home theater. (Related: How to Remove Koenisgsegg CCR and Porsche 918 Spyder Roofs) Our friends at ExoticCarSpotters were witness to five Koenigseggs, including a 1 of 1 matte black Agera X on the track with and street. With such a clear sound of the turbos in action, it makes us wonder if the Agera has any form of muffler. Turbo cars don't really need mufflers because the blades of the turbines even out the sound of the engine, but federal regulations mandate mufflers and catalytic converters. Take note of the flames during gear changes, these cars are works of art. The Agera was launched in 2011, and this is allegedly the only Agera X. It lives in Monaco but is rarely seen in public. We applaud the owner for allowing us to see it where it belongs, leaving everyone else in the dust.

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2016

Koenigsegg Agera N vs Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Drag Race

For today's installment of "Unfair Drag Races" we bring to you a race between a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and a Koenigsegg Agera N. Yes, this is a stop-and-go battle between a hypercar and a supercar.During Vmax200, TheSupercarDriver went against one of Sweden's finest one-off hypercars in a German supercar for, what seems like, a "just for fun" race. To give you an idea of how these two stack up against each other, here are some quick specs.SLS AMG Specs Engine: 6.3-liter V8 Horsepower: 563 hp Torque: 479 lb-ft 0-62: 3.7 seconds Top Speed: 197 mph Agera N Specs Engine: TwinTurbo 5.0-liter V8 Horsepower: 1,140 hp Torque: N/A 0-60: 3 seconds Top Speed: N/A As you can see, the Agera N holds a massive advantage over the SLS AMG (obviously) and it shows in the video below. Check it out for yourself! Koenigseggs For Sale | SLS AMGs For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 04, 2016

Koenigsegg CCX and Agera R Revs and Accelerations Are Glo...

Lamborghini Newport Beach hosts a pretty large range of events, ranging from their Supercar Show to private drives through Laguna Beach. Their recent Supercar Show, the April 2016 edition, brought in supercars from all over California as well as hundreds of guests that came to enjoy the cars.Two cars specifically made the guests flock to them: a Koenigsegg Agera R and Koenigsegg CCX. Who wouldn't flock to these Swedish monsters? As the cars left the Supercar Show, with onlookers in tow, the drivers took the opportunity to show everyone what Koenigseggs are really about and laid down some power on the California streets.Check out the video below to hear these 'Eggs for yourself.Koenigseggs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 02, 2016

Revealed: The Koenigsegg Regera, Agera Final and Agera RS...

Koenigsegg was one of the highly anticipated brands at the Geneva Motor Show, as they'd recently announced their three-car lineup, and auto enthusiasts couldn't wait to see the lineup in person. Koenigsegg unveiled the production specification Regera-- the all-popular concept unveiled at last year's Geneva Motor Show, the Agera 'Final' and the Agera RS. Here's a brief look at the lineup specs.This concept underwent an incredible 3000 changes before the brand thought it was ready to meet the public. Here's what we know:Koenigsegg Regera Specs Dry weight of 3240 lbs Includes the Koenigsegg Direct Drive System (patent pending) which "eliminates the weight complexity and mechanical losses that come with a traditional gearbox." Read more about the system here. 800 volt, 4.5kWh battery pack which offers the highest cooling capacity and makes the Regera the first 800V production vehicle 0-62 in 2.8 1500+ hp 2000+ Nm torque Agera 'Final'The Agera line is coming to an end, and to commemorate the popular model, Koenigsegg created the "Agera Final", which is limited to just three vehicles. According to Koenigsegg, the model includes a number of customized elements including: Top-mounted read wing with second blade Triple Winglets on front bumper A upgraded 1MW engine Options that once costed a fee for upgrade are now standard including the 1MW engine upgrade and the Aircore carbon fiber wheels Carbon finish in clear or partially clear Agera RSThis is the model responsible for selling out in 10 months, which marked it as Koenigsegg's fastest selling model. Here's what was revealed: 5.0 litre 32-valve V8 engine 7-speed sequential transmission Incredible control thanks to a "suspension system that includes double wishbones front and rear" Stay tuned for more Geneva Motor Show coverage.Koenigseggs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 18, 2016

Koenigsegg to Display Three Cars at 2016 Geneva Motor Show

Swedish car company, Koenigsegg, just announced their line up for the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and it includes two exclusive world premiers. First and foremost, Koenigsegg will have the Agera RS on display. Revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Agera RS sold out its 25 examples in a mere 10 months, becoming, according to the car company, "the fastest selling car in Koenigsegg history."Next up is the Koenigsegg Regera, one of the company's world premiers. Though the prototype was revealed at the 2015 show, this year's unveiling is the production specification. Koenigsegg spent countless hours and made an amazing 3000 changes to the Regera before approving the model for unveiling.Finally, the car company promises to unveil the brand new, final installment of the Agera model. The Agera was a major success for Koenigsegg, and this final installment in the series is sure to wow. They're remaining hush hush on specs though so we'll be just as surprised as the rest of the world.Full info will be release on March 1st and will be found on the Geneva Motor Show Website.Koenigseggs For Sale

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