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 – November 16, 2018

Lamborghini SC18: A One-Off Supercar Created by Squadra C...

For the first time ever Lamborghini Squadra Corse has created their first one-off vehicle for the Italian automaker's motorsport division. Lamborghini says that the SC18 "paces the way to further personalized development projects for motorsport customers under the Squadra Corse brand." that means we could be seeing more of the one-off creations. The SC18 was created with extreme aerodynamics in mind and it was accomplished by using parts that were derived from Squadra Corse's experience. This includes the front hood that was inspired by the Huracan GT3 EVO. The Huracan Super Trofeo EVO also motivated the designs for the fenders, fins and airscoops. In the rear is a massive carbon fiber wing that has three different mechanical adjustments that be changed depending on where the car would be racing. For power, the SC18 relies on Lamborghini's V12 engine that provides 770 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque, just like the Aventador SVJ. Mated to this engine is a seven-speed transmission. Lamborghini didn't indulge us with the SC18's performance numbers, but it's touted light weight and large amount of power definitely point to solid figures. Squadra Corse picked the Grigio Daytona paint to cover the SC18, with red accents found across the body. Inside is a Nero Ade Alcantara interior with Rosso Alala cross-stitching. As you can see, they really when for a red/black/grey vibe and definitely succeeded. The single nut wheels (20-inch in the front and 21-inch in the rear) and wheels even continue the color scheme. Related: Chopped Lamborghini Espada Hot Rod See All Lamborghini Aventador SVs For Sale Chopped Lamborghini Espada Hot Rod

By Andrew Nabors – November 13, 2018

Lamborghini Urus In-Depth & Test Drive

If you haven't seen a Lamborghini Urus in person, you are not alone. Only a few dealers have received their first orders. The factory is working around the clock to keep up with the unprecedented demand for this Super SUV. Many Lambo fans have been asking for a review, so our friends at Lamborghini Charlotte were happy to oblige. Lamborghini Urus SUV Prices & Specs They allowed Saabkyle04 to take a 2019 Urus for a spin, and he captured great audio along with insights into the different driving modes. It is nice to see the covered starter button along with functional cup holders, what an age to be alive! We won't spoil all the neat details, so click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news & reviews. Related: Lamborghini Urus and Rolls-Royce Cullinan Compared Lamborghini Urus World Tour 2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster Specs

By Edward Jones – November 09, 2018

Chopped Lamborghini Espada Hot Rod

The Lamborghini Espada gets overlooked quite often, but it's a pretty important model in the Italian automaker's lineup. Just look at it, it's a four-seater grand touring coupe that's unlike anything else they've created. The only other Lamborghinis to offer as many seats were the LM002, Urraco (barely), Estoque concept car and new Urus. However, the Espada wasn't different enough for French custom shop Danton Arts Kustoms. This custom shop specializes in wicked hot rods and used their abilities to create an Espada hot rod that's truly unlike any other Lamborghini I've ever seen. It's a take on the Espada that involves chopping, slamming and a lot of other verbs that result in a hot rod. Up front in the custom ride is a mean V12 engine, just like the Espada. One little touch that I loved was the tricolore stripe on the side, similar to how it's done on the Huracan Performante. What do you guys think about this Lamborghini hot rod? Let us know in the comments below as I'm pretty interested in what people think! Related: Lamborghini Centenario Specs, Photos, Price & Review A Look Into The Lamborghini-Powered Batmobile Sell Your Exotic Car with duPont REGISTRY

By Edward Jones – October 22, 2018

Lamborghini Flies Off Road During Race Against Bike

That Racing Channel, a YouTube channel that captures some wild racing, recently published a video that would make any Lamborghini fan cringe. In the video we see a twin-turbo Lamborghini Huracan taking on a few Hayabusa bikes that's have are heavily built.Lamborghini Driver Flees in Mercedes After CrashAt one point during the street races, the Huracan takes off down the road against a bike and everything goes south. The Huracan starts to veer towards the bikes and in an attempt to correct itself, the supercar goes flying off of the road into the grass. Luckily, nobody was hurt in any of the vehicles and the Huracan actually managed to get out completely unscathed. Talk about luck. Just imagine if there was a road barrier right there. Yikes. Check the video out below and always remember to follow your local traffic laws. View Huracans For Sale Huracan Specs

By Edward Jones – October 11, 2018

Lamborghini Driver Flees in Mercedes After Crash

Living in Florida, I'm used to hearing all the crazy stories that happen in this state. Seriously, Floridians can never escape the craziness that is our home state. At least today I get to write about a Florida Man story from my work desk.You see, a Florida Man in Miami was driving his Lamborghini Huracan Spyder around when a Ford Super Duty stopped in front of him at a red light. Apparently, the Lamborghini driver wasn't in the mood to stop and slammed into the back of the truck. This is where things get strange.Lamborghini Race Car Involved in Frightening Crash at Laguna SecaAfter crashing, the driver and passenger in the Lamborghini leapt out and stood behind a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class that was driving behind them. After staring at the driver of the truck, the two jumped into the S-Class, prompting the luxury car to speed off. Sounds unbelievable, but it was all captured on film by a nearby convenience store's security camera.The driver of the truck was unharmed in the accident, but police are searching for the identities of the two men who fled the scene. View Huracan Spyders For Sale View Huracan Spyder Specs Source: ABC10 via Autoblog

By Edward Jones – September 16, 2018

Lamborghini Veneno Powerslides Around Wet Track

Hey guys, did you want to watch a video of a Lamborghini Veneno ripping around a track, revving and powersliding? Of course, you do.YouTuber marcopiz96 was on hand at an official Lamborghini event at an Italian racetrack. At the event, the Veneno, Sesto Elemento and more were on hand to rip up the wet track.(Related - Lamborghini Veneno and More in Possibly World's Largest Hypercar Meet)According to the video's description: "The weather wasn't by our side but the Lamborghini Team wanted to do some laps anyway; due to the rainy track, the car made a few powerslides which result pretty cool to watch!"Check out the Veneno in action in the video below.All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 10, 2018

Lamborghini Race Car Involved in Frightening Crash at Lag...

Sheena Monk started her racing career in Lamborghini Corse and obtained her first FIA racing license in September 2017. Right after, she had a podium finish in the second race of her career. Many who watched the race were surprised that her first top-three finish came so soon after she began racing.Over the weekend, she took to the Laguna Seca circuit for her debut with Wayne Taylor Racing in the No. 7 Prestige Performance Lamborghini Huracan Evo Super Trofeo. This race was supposed to be a momentous occasion, as it was the start of her first full season in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Series.Unfortunately, she was met with tragedy when her car flew into the famous corkscrew at a high rate of speed and slammed into the guardrail. When the impact occurred, her car bounced up into the air and did a complete 180-degree spin. What caused the accident is still unknown. 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante Specs, Price, Photos & Review She was then rushed to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. IMSA, in a news release regarding the incident, says she was "awake and alert," and "in stable condition. Lamborghini also issued a statement regarding the incident: "Our thoughts are with Sheena Monk as she recovers from yesterday’s accident in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Upon initial analysis of the car data following the accident, all of the operating systems were found to be functioning appropriately, as did the car’s safety systems during, and after, impact. All of us at Lamborghini are thankful for the safety of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo race cars."We wish Sheena a speedy recovery and hope she returns to the track soon.

By Andrew Nabors – August 29, 2018

Lamborghini Launches Aventador SVJ Configurator

The latest raging bull from Sant'Agata is the 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. It combines the active aerodynamics of the Huracan Performante with the power of twelve cylinders. Using lessons learned on the Aventador SV, it allowed Lamborghini to return to the top of the list at the Nurburgring, beating the 911 Turbo S by 3 seconds. Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Specs, Price, Photos & Details Only 900 examples will be produced, and it is doubtful that any of them will be identical. That is because we tried out the new configurator, and the options will blow your mind. You are greeted by a landing page that has 5 inspirational examples. But we are the duPont REGISTRY so that should give you a clue. Black and red are easy right? Not so fast! Lamborghini has no less than 49 finishes for your car's exterior. They are grouped by Solid, Metallic, Pearl Special Metallic, and Matte. We chose Rosso Bia from the Special Metallic because it has an extra clear coat for a mile-deep reflection. Check Out LeBron James' Car Collection! Center-lock wheels are part or the SVJ for two reasons. The first is weight savings compared to lug bolts. The second reason is to keep the aftermarket out of the running. The power and speeds produced by this car will shatter cast or 3-piece designs. Three designs of forged 20" front and 21" rear are offered, with several paint options. We chose the Dianthus Y-spokes because they allow for a perfect view of the massive brakes. Our attention was then focused on the finer details of the engine compartment. Of course we wanted carbon fiber details, but then the suspension got involved. This might be the first time Lamborghini has offered different colors on their coil springs, and they are available in Black, Red, or Bright Green. Sultan of Brunei Car Collection is at 7,000 Cars & Growing From there it was a choice between 7 colors for the brake calipers, but all brakes should be red. The final exterior details included matte carbon fiber for the center caps, mirrors, rocker panels and rear aerodynamic parts. The SVJ graphics are also optional, but who would order one without? Now let's head inside. Three interior packages are: Black, Black/Contrast Color, and Ad Personam. The latter is their most prestigious offering, and we chose Rosso Alala with cross-stitching. Your choices for the footwells are bare carbon fiber or anodized aluminum, the carbon fiber makes the car look unfinished, so we went with red aluminum. Illuminated sill plates and the carbon fiber interior package completed the process, but we didn't splurge for the premium audio. The Sensonum surround sound is nice, but our friends at JL Audio offer a superior product to any factory system. Tell us how you would build yours, and click the link below to find an Aventador near you. Browse Lamborghini Aventador For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 23, 2018

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Leaked Ahead of Reveal

Instagram is home to car spotters around the world, and even if this is just a rendering, I want one. In an Instagram upload last night, we see a fully revealed Aventador SVJ. It looks like the active aerodynamics (ALA 2.0) are not only used on the rear, as extractor vents are now integrated into the nose.Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Teased in Bright Green Lamborghini added winglets ahead of the front fender and wider rocker panels keep the slipstream close to the body, and the trapezoid intake behind the engine rams air into the hollow rear spoiler. This is probably how they chopped 3 seconds off the Nurburgring lap time, using the same technology as the Huracan Performante. Tell us what you think, is this real or is it someone with too much time on your hands? We will cover the unveiling as soon as Lamborghini pulls back the sheets, so stay tuned to our Facebook page for all your Monterey updates.Browse Lamborghini Aventador S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 21, 2018

New Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Teaser Released

Teaser shots are cruel. It might seem illogical to make us wait until the formal unveiling, but Lamborghini knows how to get our imaginations revving. In their latest Instagram upload, we get up close & personal with the upcoming Aventador SVJ. It will arrive with the 2nd generation of their active aerodynamic system (ALA 2.0). What we see here could be extractor vents from the inner fenders or the cooling system.Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Teased in Bright GreenNear the bottom of the frame is the intake for the hollow rear spoiler. Moving the air from high to low pressure will keep the slipstream close to the car. This gets deep into laminar flow theory, and it is not unlike the heat reduction ports on the F-117 Stealth Fighter. While the famous night fighter was invisible to infrared, the Aventador SVJ will be the hottest car on the market in just a few weeks. Every part of a modern Lamborghini has style and functionality. Compared to the Miura's eyelashes and the periscope on the early Countach and it is safe to say they have come a long way. Stay with us for complete coverage of the Aventador SVJ from Monterey later this week.Browse Lamborghini Aventador For Salehttps://www.instagram.com/p/Bmvv1WOlhWB/

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