Lexus

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 Caitlin Duffy – October 21, 2015

Sports Car Drag Race: Cayman GT4 vs M4 vs i8 vs RC F

So. A Porsche, a Lexus and two BMWs pull up to a starting line. The Porsche turns to the BMW and says... well, it says nothing.See, this isn't a joke. It's a four-way drag race courtesy of Autocar, and it's an awesome showdown of some of the best sports cars on the market. In a video shared to YouTube Oct. 20, the Autocar team lined up a Lexus RC F, Porsche Cayman GT4, BMW M4 and BMW i8 to see which one is fastest off the line, with some surprisingly close results.(See Also: Unlikely Drag Race: Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 vs Porsche 918 Spyder)Though they're all competing in the same segment and offer comparable performance figures, the construction of each car is completely different from the others. In the Lexus we see a V8 with rear wheel drive, the Porsche offers a flat 6 mid-engine with rear wheel drive, the M4 boasts a turbocharged straight 6 and rear wheel drive and the i8 is the hybrid contender, mixing electric and gas power with all wheel drive.So which one is the fastest, and who do you predict reaches the end of the strip first? Let us know in the comments below, check out the video to see if you're right, then find your own version of your favorite contender from our exclusive listings.M4s For Sale Caymans For Sale RC Fs For Sale i8s For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Porsche News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 09, 2015

2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring With Only 40 Miles at Canada's...

The Lexus LFA Nürburgring is, without a doubt, one of the rarest supercars to date. With just 50 built for the global market, they bring new meaning to the word 'exclusive,' and having the last new Nürburgring LFA in the world is not just rare - it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.This particular LFA holds chassis #367 and is finished in Race Yellow over a Carbon and Black Alcantara interior with yellow stitching. The LFA is a representation of the perfectly engineered sports car, and even Jeremy Clarkson has repeatedly stated it is one of the best cars he has ever driven. Quite an endorsement from a man who has driven practically every supercar for sale on the market.Lexus LFA For SaleOpenRoad Lexus was lucky enough to find the last new untitled LFA Nürburgring from their friends at Servco Lexus Hawaii. They kept this vehicle new and untouched, wrapped in protective plastic since it had been received.It arrived with just 30 documented miles on it from the factory and a further 10 miles were put on the vehicle moving it to and from exotic car shows over the past three years. It was delivered to OpenRoad on its numbered LFA cradle just as it left the LFA works, and should a buyer be international, it will be delivered it to them as such.The vehicle was titled when it was imported to Canada, but its warranty did not go into effect until Aug. 3, 2015. This means that a comprehensive warranty is in effect until Aug. 3, 2019 or 80,000 km (approx. 50,000 miles) and the powertrain warranty lasts until Aug. 3, 2021 or 100,000 km (approx. 60,000 miles).Of course, the real draw sits under the hood. A 4.8-liter V10 creates 563 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, bringing its next owner the same power that brought the LFA race vehicles to 181 mph during the 24 Hours Nürburgring race. It's 1 of just 50 LFAs to feature this package, 1 of 15 to feature this color and 1 of 2 in Canada. It's currently offered for just $599,000 USD.Take a closer look at this once-in-a-lifetime ownership opportunity in the gallery below, then hit the button to learn how it can become yours.Buy NowGallery Photos by Kevin Uy, KevinUy.caArticle sponsored and provided by:

By Caitlin Duffy – October 06, 2015

Lexus IS Saloon Crafted from Cardboard: Drivable 1:1 Scal...

There are dozens of new materials tested each year to see which one could bring automotive engineering to the next step.Whether looking to increase rigidity while decreasing weight, or maximizing both sustainability and volume, automotive engineers have gotten creative. Plastic, steel, aluminum, carbon fiber and graphene have all made their way into construction methods. But what about cardboard?Lexus LFA For SaleLexus UK has introduced an IS Saloon crafted completely from cardboard, creating a veritable sculpture on wheels inspired by a very specific part of their assembly process."The skilled men and women – known as takumi – who work on the Lexus production lines hone their dexterity skills by learning how to fold paper into a origami model cat, using only their non-dominant hand," describes the caption of an Oct. 5 YouTube video from Lexus UK. "The Origami Car takes the spirit of this talent to a far higher level, while also embracing the spirit of Lexus’s Creating Amazing global brand campaign."But just how do you create such a car? Even more important - how do you make it move?Another video shared the same day gives a little insight into the process behind such a creation. It's a one-off, 1:1 scale model, and despite the fact that technology was intricately involved in preparing the materials, the assembly was done completely by hand.An article from Hypebeast also tells us that the model took three months to assemble; every time two pieces were glued together using water-based wood glue, it took 10 minutes for the pieces to set. Check the "behind the scenes" video above to learn more.(See Also: 2015 Lexus RC 350 F Sport Review)A gallery was shared to Lexus UK's Facebook page the same day the videos were shared, showing the intricate, close up details of this piece of art. Take a close look at each detail, from the Lexus logo on the front and rear, to the cup holders and dashboard inside, because chances of seeing this car in person are slim.It's probably safe to say cardboard won't be used as a go-to construction material, and though it can be driven, we can't imagine this model holding up too well in a rain storm.To find a road-legal Lexus for your collection, check out our exclusive listings at the button below.Lexus Listings For SaleGallery (Source: Facebook, YouTube, Hypebeast) See More Lexus News

By Edward Jones – September 15, 2015

2015 Lexus RC 350 F Sport Review

What does the RC stand for in 2015 Lexus RC 350? Radical Coupe. Why that name? Because the RC model is the first luxury coupe Lexus has produced in quite some time. And, because the RC 350 is one radical looking car.Lexus LFA For Sale (What's in the F-Sport Package: F-Sport front bumper and spindle grille, 19-inch wheels with 235/40R19 front tires, 265/35/19 rear tires, TGT instrument cluster, heated and ventilated front seats, perforated leather steering wheels and shift knob, black headliner, aluminum pedals, Adaptive Variable Suspension and the Sport S+ Mode.)The design of the car was partially borrowed from the LF-LC concept that Lexus introduced back in 2012. I have to admit, everytime I walked up to the car, I was excited to get into the driver's seat. The front end sports a massive spindle grille, with headlights as sharp as a sous chef's knife. In the rear, the taillights are just as fine, while the lower end of the rear fascia features design cues that are just as edgy.This exterior visually displays just how sharp the RC 350 handles. It's quite stiff around the corners, thanks to the suspension, which can become rather aggressive with the Active Variable Suspension option in the F Sport package. The AVS can also make daily driving a much more comfortable experience, as it will soften and accommodate at lower speeds.Powering the sports car is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. You won't be blown back into your seat in the RC 350 as you would a GT-R, but you will most definitely have an exciting drive. Expect a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top track speed of 143 mph.In the cabin are two front seats that are snug and plush, offering seating that was comfortable and able to hold you still in tight turns. In the rear, not so much - don't expect to seat two tall adults back there. Our example came with the Navigation System/Mark Levinson Premium Audio package, which added navigation, a backup camera, touchpad control for the infotainment center, 5.1 surround sound system with 17 speakers and an app suite. This $2,610 option was definitely welcomed.The 2015 RC 350 may not carry the performance of the RC-F model, but it's still a fun little sports car. The RC 350 base model comes with an MSRP of $42,790, but the F-Sport package adds an additional $3,385 to that. The total price of our model came out to $54,475.Gallery

By Andrew Nabors – September 10, 2015

2015 Lexus IS350 Convertible Review

Ever since Lexus ended production of the SC in 2010, we have been wondering if their modern convertible would be just as memorable. Last November they teased the world with the LF-C2 Concept. We would love to get behind the wheel, but the closest we could find was a 2015 IS 350 Convertible.Lexus LFA For SaleCompact, rear-wheel drive, hard top convertibles are almost extinct, so we jumped at the chance to sport their latest offering. Last year I spent a week with the 2014 IS 350 Convertible in F-Sport trim. A few upgrades make this latest model a more sensible choice.This new car had stylish 17-inch alloys with a comfortable amount of sidewall. LED fog lights are also new and are easier on the eyes at twilight. The retractable hard top fools many, as it is easily mistaken for a coupe. If you hate blind spots, this roof is among the best engineered on the market. The rear glass is almost vertical, and combined with big quarter windows it offers a great field of view.Under the hood is the same 306 hp 3.5-liter V6. Torque is adequate at 277 lb-ft, but lower than several comparable four cylinders in this segment. The IS 350 is stylish, and with Lexus’ attention to detail it is a quiet and well-composed coupe. Space is at a premium on the inside, so many non-essential systems have controls in unlikely spots. Leather can be found on the seats and steering wheel, but the remainder of the interior is finished in the same fine grain black rubber that is found on most other Lexus and Toyota models. If you intend on mostly enjoying top-down motoring, opt for the 12 speaker Mark Levinson audio system.Handling and braking were identical to the 2014 model, and after a week we still believe that this is one of the best convertibles on the market. Our 2015 car had fewer options, so the sticker price jumped by $600 for a total of $54,460. That is a completely justifiable price for the luxury and quality of Lexus with the wind in your hair.IS350s For SaleGallery

By Edward Jones – August 05, 2015

The Future is Here: Lexus Hoverboard Unveiled

Think back, way back - to the future, in fact. Do you recall a certain Marty McFly cruising across a pond on a hoverboard? Of course you do, because everyone who watched "Back to the Future II" remembers that hoverboard and thinking how awesome it would be to have one. Well, Lexus is making this dream a reality. Unveiled on August 4 in a press release is the new Lexus hoverboard, which goes by the project name SLIDE.“Embarking on this project, we set out to push the boundaries of technology, design and innovation to make the impossible possible. With this project we call ‘SLIDE’, we collaborated with partners who share our passion for creating enjoyment out of motion," said Mark Templin, Executive Vice President at Lexus International. "Even through combining our technology and expertise, we discovered making a hoverboard isn’t an easy process. We’ve experienced the highs and lows and have overcome a few challenges, but through mutual determination we have created a demonstration of our philosophy in design and technology to create Amazing in Motion.”Lexus LFA For SaleThis board's hovering ability comes from two cryostats, reservoirs in which the superconducting materials are immersed in liquid nitrogen and kept at -197 degrees. If you were expecting there to be a special circumstance for the board to work, you'd be right. The board will only work above a surface that has permanent magnets. For instance, the location used in the video above includes up to 200 meters of magnetic track.To explain exactly how the hover process works is Dr. Oliver de Haas, evico CEO and team member of the SLIDE project, “The magnetic field from the track is effectively ‘frozen’ into the superconductors in the board, maintaining the distance between the board and the track—essentially keeping the board hovering. This force is strong enough to allow the rider to stand and even jump on the board.”How long will it be until we get a hoverboard that will work on any surface? Only the scientists know, but I can tell you that we are all chomping at the bit to ride across the town's pond. When do you think we'll see a real hoverboard? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.Lexus' For SaleGallery (Source: Lexus) See More Gear

By Caitlin Duffy – July 28, 2015

Matte Grey Custom 2015 Lexus RC F at Lexus Tampa Bay

Currently available at Lexus of Tampa Bay is a 2015 RC F unlike most others.A flawless vinyl wrap covers this RC F in a stunning matte charcoal. Red Brembo brakes and 20" gloss black Vossen CV4 wheels shod in Michelin tires catch your eye as the centerpiece of color - until you pop the hood. A metallic blue almost glows from the engine cover, and RSR Lowering Springs bring the entire package that much closer to the ground.The same blue appears in a delicate detail as contrast stitching on black leather seats. White stitches sit next to the blue, with the lines of each color drawing your eye to carbon fiber finishes on the doors and in the center console. The F Sport trim is out in full force, with the iconic "F" embossed on the headrests and floor mats.Performance comes from at 5.0-liter V8, capable of creating a total of 467 hp and 389 lb-ft. And all that power is available at the push of a button - or, rather, the push-button ignition.Check out the gallery below to get a better look at this stunning RC F, and hit the button to see its price and full details.Buy NowGallery Sponsored See More Dealer News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 22, 2015

Lexus RC F's Paint Shows Driver's Heartbeat

The full release is scheduled for tomorrow, but we already want to learn more about this today.From Lexus Australia comes what they're calling "the world's first car with a heartbeat." It's a Lexus RC F, and its exterior features a custom paint job that's never been seen before.A video added to YouTube today shows us this RC F drifting at night, its glowing blue exterior pulsing. It's connected to monitors attached to the driver, and the pulse of the color is perfectly in sync with the driver's heart.It's the most visible that exhilaration has ever been."Three professional drivers were connected to the powerful 5.0-liter V8 RC F through unique biometric paintwork that displayed their heartbeat," describes a microsite for this new project. "A test track inspired from the heart of Japanese Motorsport was created. Then raced, at night. This is Heart Racing. This is the New Lexus."(See Also: Lexus Unveils Working Hoverboard)Check out the preview of this night drive in the video above, stay with us for its full release tomorrow and find your own RC F to test out from our exclusive listings below.RC Fs For Sale(Source: YouTube, Lexus Australia) See More Lexus News

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