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 – June 06, 2017

How to Unload a Lamborghini Huracan Performante (Revs Inc...

Getting a supercar on or off of a truck can be nerve-racking, especially when that car is the brand-new Lamborghini Huracan Performante.Gumbal was recently witness to the unloading of a Huracan Performante at a race track for the Supercarsunday. At this event hypercars like the McLaren P1 GR, Pagani Huayra, Koenigseggs, Bugattis and many more were on hand. As the Huracan Performante made its way to join these hypercars, the driver managed let out a few very loud revs for the pursuing photographers.Lamborghini unveiled the Huracan Performante as a tuned up version of their Coupe version. Just about everything was reworked during the development of the Performante, including its weight, engine, chassis and aerodynamics. After all of the changes were said and done, the Huracan Performante would go on to complete the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in a record-breaking 6:52:01. https://blog.dupontregistry.com/ecbg-2018/2018-lamborghini-huracan-performante-price-specs-review/

By Edward Jones – June 02, 2017

Lamborghini Urus SUV Spied Testing on Nurburgring

We've been waiting years for it, but the upcoming Lamborghini Urus is becoming a reality with each passing day. Lamborghini has stated that the Urus is planned for production in 2018, and we're just now starting to see the test mule out and about. YouTube channel NM2255 recently captured the Urus test mule being put through its paces on the Nurburgring, and has uploaded a video of the action for us all to see. In the video we see the Lamborghini SUV taking the corners quite gracefully and putting up some high speeds. While we don't get to see the exterior too well because of the camo, its still easy to see that its just about identical to the example that has been brought to various shows. One thing that I will note is that I couldn't really hear any engine noise as the Urus was passing by. Check it out for yourself by clicking play below.

By Edward Jones – May 31, 2017

Lamborghini Centenario Arrives and Revs in London, Causes...

All of this Lamborghini Centenario news is getting out of hand. That being said, I hope it never stops, because this car is so gorgeous. First, we had the United States' first Centenario delivered, then one delivered in New Jersey, and just recently a yellow model arrived in California. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, they received their own example of the Lamborghini hypercar.Delivered to HR Owen Lamborghini London, this Centenario has a exposed carbon fiber body with orange trim. When it arrived via truck, it seemed as though every automotive enthusiast in the city showed up for the spectacle. YouTube Channel LK HORIZON was on-hand for the delivery and recorded a video so we could all experience the madness that came with the car. As an added bonus, the end of the video has a few revs from the new Lamborghini.

By Edward Jones – May 26, 2017

Red and Black Lamborghini Centenario Delivered in New Jersey

On the heels of the United States' first Lamborghini Centenario being delivered at Lamborghini Newport Beach, there's been another in New Jersey. The delivered took place at Lamborghini Paramus, and the example delivered has the same exposed carbon fiber that we've seen, but with red trim. Photos of the car's delivery were posted on their Instagram page, showing the magnificence of the hypercar.“The Centenario is a car that perfectly combines tradition and innovation. It looks to the future while honoring the legend that is Ferruccio Lamborghini,” said Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “The Centenario is an opportunity for our designers and engineers to transcend some of the constraints of series car production to achieve an incomparable result: the Centenario has immediately proved itself as a desirable collectors’ car, while demonstrating new Lamborghini technologies and outstanding performance.“Specs Price: $1,900,000Engine: V12Horsepower: 770Torque: 507 lb-ft0-62 mph: 2.8 secondsTop Speed: 217+ mphTransmission: 7-speed automatic

By Andrew Nabors – May 25, 2017

Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary- Going Out On Top

Derek Jeter, Jerome Bettis and the Lamborghini Countach- Three timeless athletes that went out on top. If you are wondering how we made the comparison, think about the 80's. It was a dark time for performance because technology couldn't keep up with clean air laws. But Lamborghini rose to the challenge and transformed their Lambo Countach from a great looking car into a timeless supercar. In the latest YouTube upload from /Drive, the founder of England's Italia Autosport tells the story of its evolution. John Pogson knows a thing or two about Italians, look at the cars in the background. Countach Specs, Price, Review, History In a very long production run, the original Countach LP400 was released in 1974. It was and is an imposing design that blends curves with sharp angles. Marcello Gandini was also responsible for the Miura, another stunning Bertone body. The last real Lamborghini with a functional rear view mirror, the mid-mounted V12 used side-mounted carburetors for a low deck lid. But a young engineer named Horacio Pagani was beginning to shake things up. From starting out sweeping the floor, his insights led him to become the company's Chief Engineer, and his quest for performance was unprecedented. As Countach evolved, the QV (four valves) mounted the carburetors on top, effectively killing any rear visibility. Photos by Grubbs Photography Flared fenders, ground effects, a giant rear spoiler are just a few of the styling touched that culminated in the 25th Anniversary Countach. Lamborghini was purchased by Chrysler in 1987, and winds of change could be felt throughout the workplace. Mr. Pagani decided to give it a fitting farewell, knowing he had bigger plans in the works. Only 658 examples were built, and they were the fastest examples to date. He redesigned and smoothed most of the intakes along with front and rear bumpers. It set the tone for successive models and is considered a high water mark for classic Lamborghinis. Turn up the volume and listen to a story of a supercar. And if it piques your curiosity, we have quite a few pre-owned Lamborghinis to choose from.

By Edward Jones – May 18, 2017

Lamborghini Centenario Arrives in Hong Kong in Glorious F...

The Lamborghini Centenario has officially landed in Asia-Pacific. Lamborghini Hong Kong has recently posted pictures on their Facebook page of the Italian hypercar in their showroom for the very first time. You can view the images below.Each Centenario comes with the naturally aspirated V12 engine producing 770 hp, with Lamborghini stating its the most powerful engine they’ve ever produced. It can run the 3,351 lbs car from 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds and 0-186 mph in 23.5 seconds, with a top speed of over 217 mph. Aiding in the quick acceleration is the permanent four-wheel drive, which includes the new Lamborghini rear-wheel steering system.

By Andrew Nabors – May 12, 2017

Learn What Makes the Lamborghini Active Aero So Incredible

A few weeks ago Lamborghini released a brilliant teaser video showcasing their latest achievement. The active aerodynamic system (ALA) on the Lamborghini Huracan Performante is a novel approach to controlling lift, drag, and downforce. New spoilers front and rear are computer controlled. We knew they were also programmed to help in cornering, but the details of the system were not made clear. Engineering Explained has gained a following by making sense of complex designs, so he decided to break it down for us.The front spoiler takes the place of a lower splash shield. It opens to relieve the high pressure that builds in front of the radiator and allow that air to enter the slipstream along the belly pan. This cuts downforce and drag for maximum speed. In the corners, you need as much downforce as possible, and the rear system is quite a treat. We guessed the rear spoiler would change its angle like every other supercar, but Lamborghini came up with something all new. Two air ducts in the rear wheel wells are routed through the spoiler's legs to force high-pressure air into the turbulence generated by the wing. While it's not strong enough to produce forward thrust, it greatly reduces the low-pressure bubble behind the car. Another trick is air vectoring, which Lamborghini claims enhanced traction when turning. Have a great weekend and stay with us for all your Lamborghini Huracan news!Lamborghini's Brilliant Active Aerodynamics - Huracan Performante

By Andrew Nabors – March 03, 2017

Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo: Get Ready to Race

While the Huracan might be stealing all the headlines, let's look back to when Lamborghini invested in a number of special high-performance derivatives for its entry-level car. The Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale pays tribute to its Blancpain Super Trofeo racecar while still be legal on the street. Limited to a mere 150 units, it surpassed the already track-oriented LP570-4 as the most extreme Gallardo ever. The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo race series is sponsored by both Lamborghini and Blancpain, the world's oldest luxury watchmaker. It brings racers and professional drivers face-to-face on Europe’s most challenging racetracks such as Monza, Silverstone, and Hockenheim. Undeniably similar to the LP570-4 Blancpain Edition (and with mechanicals based on the LP570-4 Superleggera) the Super Trofeo Stradale features an enormous carbon rear spoiler for increased stability during tight, high-speed driving and a removable carbon engine hood with quick-release latches.The Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale boasts a dry weight of just 2,954 pounds, 154 pounds less than the already lean Superleggera. With motivation from the 562-hp 5.2-liter V-10 engine, it can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and reach 124 mph just 10.4 seconds later. Lamborghini is staying mute on the car’s top speed, but the LP570-4 Blancpain Edition features similar specifications and stats and tops out at 199 mph.The Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale sports a brand “Rosso Mars” finish, which symbolizes Italy’s traditional racing red color. A matte black finish on the large rear spoiler, the engine hood,and the front air intakes accentuates the dark red exterior. The forged wheels are painted in high-gloss black, a color that is also available on the roof as an option (think LP550-2 Bicolore).Besides “Rosso Mars”, the Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale was also available upon request in Grigio Telesto or gray, and Bianco Monocerus, or white. Black and red also dominate the interiorand Alcantara and carbon fiber compose many of its elements.Optional racing equipment includes carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs, a tubular interior roll cage, four-point safety belts, and a fire extinguisher. On the other hand, those who want comfort can equip their Super Trofeo Stradale with satellite navigation and a lifting system for raising the front axle. The base Gallardo is the LP550-2 Coupe. Debuting as a limited Valentino Balboni model, the rear-wheel-drive car is still available for special order in base and limited Bicolore forms for 2012. The $207,999 LP560-4 and $231,395 LP560-4 Spyder carry on as the standard Gallardo model.The more track-ready $243,595 Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera and its topless equivalent, the Spyder Performante, will also carry on unchanged for 2012.2010 Lamborghini Gallardo For Sale LIST PRICE: $193,895 (LP550-2 Coupe) $254,695 (LP570-4 Spyder Performante)ENGINE: 5.2-liter V-10HORSEPOWER: 543 hp (LP550-2) to 562 hp (LP570) @ 8,000 rpmTORQUE: 398 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpmTRANSMISSION: 6-speed egear0–60: 3.4–4.0 secondsTOP SPEED: 199–202 mphWEIGHT: 2,954–3,417 pounds (dry weight)LENGTH: 171 inchesTIRES: Front: 235/35ZR-19, Rear: 295/30ZR-19PRO: Lambo offers a new more track-oriented Gallardo for 2012CON: Gallardo replacement in the works

By Edward Jones – December 22, 2016

The True Difference the Lamborghini Huracan's Launch Cont...

Launch control has been very prevalent in recent supercars. Heck, even some vehicles like the Jeep SRT's have launch control. As for the Lamborghini Huracan, it has was the Italian automaker calls "Thrust Mode," which is essentially just launch control.(Also Check Out - How To Do Launch Control In A Lamborghini Huracan)To see just how big of a difference thrust mode makes, DragTimes decided to hook their Huracan up with a VBox and record some 0-60 mph runs with and without Thrust Mode activated. Lamborghini notes that the Huracan's 0-60 mph time is 3.2 seconds, but after watching this video, it's clear to see that they were quite conservative with those numbers. In fact, the Huracan is much quicker than the official spec sheet claims it to be.Watch the video below to see just how big of a difference launch control can make in a car like the Lamborghini Huracan.All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2016

Illegally Imported Lamborghini Murcielago Gets Absolutely...

Every country has different laws when it comes to importing vehicles. For the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website has a pretty good page that described what it would take to import a car into America. Taiwan also has a pretty good web page that's dedicated to the regulations regarding how to import a vehicle. However, it seems that a certain Lamborghini Murcielago owner did not follow the guidelines, causing his supercar to be met with a terrible fate.(Our Ferrari Heritage Runs Deep: One of the Original Importers of Ferrari in the United States)J.T. Photography recently uploaded a video to his YouTube channel, which seems to be taken from a Sanlih E-Television, a cable TV network in Taiwan. In the video we see a pristine Murcielago being ripped apart, piece by piece. This was done because the car was illegally imported and I guess the government thinks it's better to destroy an illegally imported car that's in perfect condition...Check out the video below and get ready to cry.All Lamborghini Murcielago For Sale

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