Lamborghini News

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 06, 2020

Lamborghini Starts Adding Alexa Into the Huracan EVO Range

Not too long ago, the Alexa Auto was announced by Amazon as a device for your car that would bring their virtual assistant on the road. Now, Lamborghini has announced that they will be adding Alexa directly into their Huracan EVO range. In the video below, they give examples of how Alexa will function in their sports car. Alexa will be able to control the temperature, mood lighting and a lot more in their Huracan EVOs. SHOP ALEXA AUTO " width="680">

By Edward Jones – January 06, 2020

New Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD is a Pure Driver's Car

Lamborghini has just announced the Huracan Evo Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) as the successor to the LP580-2. This new model is Lamborghini's love letter to driver's who love cars that are truly centered around the experience. The V10 engine delivers 610 horsepower to the rear wheels, while the new Performance Traction Control System (P-TCS) manages the torque. This is the system that will manage power during drifts and sideways action. Lamborghini has also configured the P-TCS to react differently depending on the drive mode selected. For example, in Strada mode the P-TCS will minimize rear-wheel slippage while Sport mode will see a lot more slippage. Aside from the P-TCS, Lamborghini has equipped the Lamborghini EVO RWD with a few more tricks to hide up its sleeves. For steering, the Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS) system has been tuned just for the Huracan EVO RWD and there are also new exterior aero components that make the new model stand out in Lamborghini's lineup. Deliveries of the Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD will start in Spring 2020 and will come with a starting price of $208,571 with taxes excluded. For those picking one up, you'll be glad to know that Alexa has been incorporated into the Huracan EVO range. You can see this in action in the video below. SEE ALL LAMBORGHINI HURACANS FOR SALE " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 02, 2020

Lamborghini Surprises Father & Son Building 3D-Printed Av...

Another year means another chance for Lamborghini to reward their fans. Their social media campaign is known as "#RealLover", and it brought a secret project into the light. That is how Lamborghini Christmas 2019 surprized a father & son. Sterling Backus and his son Xander have been hard at work. Using the latest in 3D printing, they have been spending late nights building an exact replica of a new Aventador SV. When Santa Claus arrived, he left a new Aventador S Roadster in the driveway. Browse All Lamborghini Aventador For Sale Well done Lamborghini! If you share their passion, click the button above to find your Aventador and click the link below to see ou coverage of this project from last year. " width="680"> Related: Dad 3D Printed a Lamborghini Aventador for His son Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – December 16, 2019

Lamborghini Huracan AWD Dominates Drifting

Drifting a Rear Wheel Drive Car is easy, turn the steering wheel and stomp the gas pedal. However, the opposite is true in 4WD and AWD cars. Cars like the Porsche 993 series 911 Turbo and the early Subaru WRX had permanent 4WD. Once the back wheels broke loose, the front tires were quickly destroyed as they are spinning against themselves. That is why the Lamborghini Huracan AWD dominates drifting. Finding a spouse that shares your passions is worth the wait. Such is the case with Samuel & Stina Hubinette this race-winning couple love to destroy rubber, but the latest Lamborghini Huracan for sale won't let them. Browse All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale Realizing the car is drifting for fun, the center differential instantly disconnects the front wheels. Replacing two tires is cheaper than 4, and the car can pull you home on FWD if you burn the rears beyond comprehension. " width="680"> Related: Lamborghini Huracan EVO: Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – December 11, 2019

Lamborghini Huracan RWD Makes Any Airport Safer

Here in the U.S. our FAA requires ground crews to use hand signals and cone lights to park jetliners. Not only does it pose a risk, it requires several people doing the same job across the tarmac. That's why a bright orange Raging Bull is a much better idea. Let's see how a Lamborghini Huracan RWD makes any airport safer. The press release says this continues decades of cooperation between Lamborghini, and their local airport in Bologna. Each car has strobe lights, bright graphics, and a constant open channel to the control tower. We hope the FAA is taking notes, so click the button below to find your Lamborghini Huracan for sale. Browse All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale " width="680"> Related: Lamborghini Huracan EVO Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – December 10, 2019

Lamborghini Miura Takes Centerstage at Art Basel

Miami's Art Deco District was the perfect setting for a VIP gathering. "A Dreamscape of Italian Design" took place on the 2nd floor of the Wolfsonian-FIU Museum, allowing the Lamborghini Miura to take Centerstage at Art Basel. Ferrucio Lamborghini wanted a work of art, and Marcello Gandini penned the Miura. It was and is such a gorgeous design, he was chosen to sculpt the Countach and the Diablo. In a quote from the Italian Consulate of Miami: "Lamborghini represents the perfect symbol of the beautiful and well-crafted Made in Italy, ‘il Bello e il Ben Fattoitaliano’. The aesthetics of an Italian high-end product like that of a super sports car derives from centuries of culture enriched by state-of-the-art technology and a perfect match between tradition and innovation.” Browse All Lamborghini For Sale Built by hand between 1966 and 1973, it was the first transverse-mid mounted V12. Each example has stood the test of time because nothing like it will ever be seen again. That's why our dealers use them as the centerpiece of their inventory. Click the link above to find your Miura and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.

By Andrew Nabors – December 02, 2019

Lamborghini Urus Dinamica Terra Conquers Siberia

Situated at the crossroads of Asia, the Katu-Yaryk Pass is one of the world's most historic, and dangerous roads. The Altai Mountains form a triple-border between Russia, China, and Kazakhstan. To show off their incredible active suspension, the Lamborghini Urus Dinamica Terra has conquered Siberia. Ten new Lamborghini SUVs attacked 35-degree slopes and easily cruised at 120 mph across the hostile and desolate terrain. On the center console is the ANIMA selector, dialing the suspension into Terra provides the ultimate off-road experience. If you need the world's most capable SUV, click the button below and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse All Lamborghini Urus For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – November 25, 2019

Lamborghini Lambo V12 Vision Gran Turismo Revealed

Welcome the Lamborghini Lambo V12 Vision gran Turismo into the world... or the virtual world. This new concept car is a new model that was designed for Gran Turismo Sport, the popular Sony Playstation 4 video game. The Lambo V12 Vision Gran Turismo may be the most intense-looking Lamborghini model we've ever seen. Dominating the design of the car are the Lamborghini Y-signature lights in both the front and rear. In between these lights is a body that looks as futuristic as cars come. Inside, the single-seater cabin resembles that of a fighter jet. Lamborghini has also packed the Lambo V12 Vision Gran Turismo with their latest powertrain. This would be the one found in the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37, a V12 engine that's paired with supercapacitors. "“Lamborghini is a very young brand, and this is why we are here today to present our newest virtual vision in the form of a real model, with a highly futuristic and cool design to be enjoyed by the young generation of racing game and super sports car enthusiasts." - Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. SEE ALL LAMBORGHINIS FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – November 20, 2019

New Lamborghini Vision Gran Turismo Teased

It looks like a new Italian supercar or hypercar is coming soon. What is it? Well, it will be called the Lamborghini Vision Gran Turismo but that's all we know. Oh, and it will have an angry roar. Sorry if we're a little sparse on the information but all we currently have to go on is a Facebook video posted by Lamborghini (found below). In the description, the Italian automaker notes that the car will be unveiled in its entirety on November 24th at 12:00 EST. The unveiling is happening at the World Final of the FIA GT Championship. So, if you're at the event you'll get a better look than those of us looking at our computer monitors. SEE ALL LAMBORGHINIS FOR SALE https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2595925213778838

By Edward Jones – November 05, 2019

Lamborghini is Now in Space

On November 2, 2019, Lamborghini became the first automaker to have their own materials sent to the International Space Station. The scientists on the ISS will be testing the responses of five materials when subjected to extreme stresses. Lamborghini is hoping the results of these tests will help them in the future application of these materials on automobiles and more, like the medical field. Sponsoring this testing campaign is the ISS U.S. National Laboratory and it's all being overseen by the Houston Methodist Research Institute. Taking the materials up to the ISS was a vehicle that's definitely quicker than a Lamborghini supercar, but not as stylish. It was a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, which launched from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. SEE ALL LAMBORGHINIS FOR SALE Also Check Out: 1969 Lamborghini Miura S Sold by RM Sotheby’s 2016 Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster Specs, Price and Pics New Photos of the Lamborghini Urus ST-X Super SUV Released

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