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 – September 21, 2020

Lamborghini Announces the Final Race of eSports Competition

After five grueling weekends, Lamborghini is ready for the Grand Final of their "Real Race" competition. The five weekends saw the participants racing at Monza, Spa Francorchamps, Nurburgring, Suzuka and Laguna Seca. Now, the finalists will be battling at Barcelona for the first race and then Mount Panorama for the second race. These races will take place on September 24th at 2:30 PM EST. You can check out all of the action by clicking here when the time comes. The winner of the September 24th Grand Final will receive a 1:18 scale model of the Lamborghini they raced, livery and all. All three racers on the podium will win a three-day all-expenses-paid experience at the Lamborghini HQ and a track experience where they will have a chance to train with official Lamborghini drivers and drive a supercar in real-life. Not bad! See All Huracans For Sale https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFZ6YNFq8CK/ Source: Lamborghini

By Andrew Nabors – September 15, 2020

2021 Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Will Arrive Ready To Race

Nothing was left to chance when developing their latest race car. With 830 horsepower and 614 lb-ft of torque, the 2021 Lamborghini Essenza will arrive ready to race. Step inside the world's first carbon fiber roll bar and you will find controls for the clutch and differential at your fingertips. All essential racing controls are at your thumbs, allowing you to keep your hands on the wheel. You can dial the ABS and Stability controls from mild to world, or turn them off to harness the beast on your own terms. Revealed: The Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Hypercar Perhaps the best feature is a new six-speed sequential transmission. Designed to carry the loads of the rear suspension, it is a compact and brilliant step forward for the brand. Only 40 lucky customers will be able to compete in a new Squadra Corse series devoted to this car. Tell us what you think of it in the comments below, and check out great incentives on 2020 Lamborghini Aventador for sale. Browse Lamborghi For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – September 10, 2020

The 10,000th Lamborghini Aventador Has Been Created

Lamborghini has just announced that they have created the 10,000th Aventador. That's a major milestone for the automaker as the V12 supercar that has been in production in Sant'Agata since 2011. Since then, we've seen a multitude of Aventador variants, including the monstrous Aventador SVJ that set a Nurburgring record. In fact, the 10,000th example was an Aventador SVJ Roadster finished in Grigio Acheso (grey) with a Rosso Mimir (red) livery and a Rosso Alala (red) and black interior made possible through Ad Personam. This car will be heading to the Thai market. Congratulations are in order for Lamborghini on their milestone! If you're like to learn more about each model, click the following links: Aventador specs and review, Aventador S Roadster specs and review, Aventador SV Roadster specs and review, and Aventador SVJ Roadster specs and review. See All Aventadors for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2020

Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Aerodynamics in Action

Pushing a rear-drive supercar hard into a corner was once a risky maneuver. A large portion of the modern supercar market offers All Wheel Drive, but some of us like the ability to drift when provoked. That is why the 2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD has aerodynamics in action. Starting with a new front bumper, air is channeled through the brakes and down the rocker panels. Lamborghini Huracán EVO Price, Specs, Photos & Review A quartet of vortex generators under the cockpit clean up the turbulence created by the front wheels. Combined with a duckbill rear decklid, this car is glued to the track the faster you go. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini Huracan For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 25, 2020

UPDATE: More Images of the First Lamborghini Sian Roadste...

It is delightful to see such a dedicated team. In just a few months, the most advanced Lamborghini concept ever shown has become a reality. In an Instagram post by team member @mitjaborkert, the first Lamborghini Sian Roadster was presented to CEO Stefano Domenicali. The man responsible for the Urus, Aventador SVJ, and the Centenario now has another hypercar to his credit. He is the Chief that must build a case to his bosses at VW that Lamborghini needs to stay on the cutting edge. Therefore, the Sian Roadster uses a 774 horsepower V12 and supercapacitors to offer 807 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. Click the button below to find great offers on 2020 models and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2020

Lamborghini Clear Film Will Protect Your Raging Bull

Here in the Sunshine State, our UV index & humidity is a recipe for fried paint. That is why paint protection is such a booming business. Clear vinyl is a great solution, but it requires incredible skill to adhere to complex corners. That's why Lamborghini Protective Film will protect your raging bull. With the incredible lines of every Lamborghini, it costs a sizable amount for time and materials to wrap your car. That is why Lamborghini's pre-cut kits can be installed by your dealer and backed by a factory warranty. Every Lamborghini is an investment, so keep the paint in new condition by learning more from our dealers. Click the button and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 13, 2020

Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Traction Control in Action

Being a native Floridian I never have a need for AWD. That is why I am glad Lamborghini still builds cars for spirited drivers. Dirt roads, tropical storms, and Independence Day are all perfect opportunities to drift, so engineers want to make sure you have the most possible fun while staying safe. Therefore, let's watch the Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Traction Control in action. Lamborghini Huracan Price, Specs, Review & Photos First off, once the computer predicts a drift, you don't have to pedal the car. Hold the throttle wide open while the system modulates the throttle body movements and ignition timing. The electronic differential is faster at torque vectoring, and the rear-wheel steering system has new programming. This all adds up to 30% more counter-steering ability and 20% more grip when exiting a corner. If you like to hang it out in the corners, click the link below to find your Huracan and stay with us for all your Lamborghini updates. Browse Lamborghini Huracan EVO For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2020

Hennessey HPE750 Lamborghini Urus vs. Rolls-Royce Wraith

Sealy, Texas has been the location of many unlikely automotive comparisons, but this one is unprecedented. LoneStar Motorsports Park is a road course and certified 1/4-mile dragstrip owned and operated by Hennessey Performance. Since it is next to their headquarters, it is easy to validate each build before customer delivery, and that is what you will see here, as a new Hennessey HPE750 Lamborghini Urus lines up against a stock Rolls-Royce Wraith. The dignified Englishman packs a BMW 6.5-liter twin-turbo V12 that offers 624 horsepower and 605 lb-ft of torque, measured at the engine. The ZF 8-speed automatic is a great transmission, but it uses some of the engine power to shift gears, and only sends power to the rear wheels. The Raging Bull is Lamborghini's latest SUV, and it borrows a 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 from Porsche. Hennessey Performance Venom F5 Prototype Nears Completion John Hennessey knows how to find reliable and consistent power in anything that is turbocharged, so his team turned up the boost, gave it more timing, and all-new stainless exhaust from turbo to tailpipe. From the factory, a 2021 Lamborghini Urus for sale comes with 641 horsepower and 626 lb-ft of torque. Once it roars off the dyno rollers, the HPE750 makes 750 horsepower and 730 lb-ft at all tires. Spurred out of the chute, the bull leaps to 60 mph in 2.65 seconds...This wild package also applies to its cousins, the Audi Q8, Bentley Bentayga V8, and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S. Click the button to learn more and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance updates. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 04, 2020

O'Gara Unleashes a Lamborghini Takeover of Westlake Village

Every Raging Bull in Southern California now has another option for service and sales. The O'Gara group is one of the oldest and largest dealers in the nation, and they cater to discerning customers. We have know about the new Westlake Village store for some time, and also that it would be announced in an epic fashion. That is why they spent countless hours filming a Lamborghini invasion. This third location joins their Beverly Hills and San Diego stores as a Flagship for the O'Gara brand. We will have all the details in the coming soon, so click the button below to see what they have to offer and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Learn More " width="680">

By Edward Jones – August 03, 2020

Lamborghini Lounge Opens Up in Porto Cervo

The Lamborghini Lounge has returned to Porto Cervo in Sardinia's Costa Smeralda. This is the second year that the Lamborghini Lounge has been located here, at the Promenade du Port, among the super yachts and luxurious lifestyles. The lounge itself boasts 600-square meters of room where guests can check out the latest Lamborghini models and even customize their own through the car configurator. This configurator shows the various colors, trims and options available through Lamborghini's Ad Personam Studio. The lounge will be open from July 8 to September 6. See All Lamborghinis for Sale

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