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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

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By Andrew Nabors – March 30, 2021

Lexus LF-Z Electrified Concept Showcases a High Voltage F...

They have laid out an aggressive plan of battery powered luxury Your local dealer will have 10 new hybrid and electric cars to choose from by 2025, and it all starts here. The Lexus LF-Z Electrified concept showcases a high voltage future that blends their unique style with technologies not offered by anyone else. Japanese engineers are never reactionary. Instead of taking inspiration from western products or ideas, they forge a new path to achieve an outcome nobody could have predicted. In order to build the final naturally aspirated supercar, the LF-A was in development for a decade. The result was and is one of the best cars of all time. Just as dynamic as that carbon fiber chassis, the LF-Z is the first electric to mount the battery longitudinally inside the car's backbone. Not only does it center the car's mass low in the body, it also keep the center of rotation (Z-axis) close to the center of the car. This offers incredible handling, but they took it a step even further. DIRECT4 is a new take on AWD, where each motor brakes or applies torque independently. Their common goal is to provide a smooth ride and negate body roll, and they do that at each corner to optimize driving forces. The concept foreshadows technologies and styling we will see starting this year with two new production cars, so tell us your thoughts on the LF-Z Electrified and stay with us for all your Lexus news. Browse Lexus For Sale Images (C) Toyota USA

By Andrew Nabors – March 23, 2021

Meet the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edi...

Only 500 examples will be offered, each with exclusive details Something wild was revealed at Sebring this weekend. Those who enjoy powerful sedans need to realize that sacrificing luxury is a thing of the past. So let's meet the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition. The new color is "incognito" and it is a nice contrast to the 2-tone interior. You will be awash in black & gray Ultrasuede with accents of silver ash wood in all the right places. BBS provides 19" wheels that are 4 lbs lighter than the standard F Sport wheels. Their silky smooth 5-liter remains naturally aspirated to offer 471 horsepower but only 395 lb-ft of torque. In all honesty a smaller V8 with forced induction would bring the car into line with competitors. What sets Lexus apart is the ability to run without issues for several hundred thousand miles. Click the button to learn more and tell us your favorite Lexus stories in the comments below. Shop Lexus Images (C) Toyota

By Edward Jones – March 22, 2021

Madlib Tests the Lexus IS Wax Edition's Built-in Turntable

Madlib and Kaytranada checked out the Lexus IS Wax Edition to see if its built-in turntable is the real deal. Lexus recently created the new IS Wax Edition as a very specific concept car that includes one very specific feature, and that feature is a full-functional turntable. While, at first glance, it may seem like a feat of engineering, you have to consider how prone turntables are to skipping and having one in a moving vehicle is unthinkable. To make it happen, Lexus teamed up with SCPS, a world-renowned fabrication studio out of Los Angeles. They made the record player thanks to 3D printing and modified it with carbon fiber and aluminum. The turntable was then fit into the dashboard where it can be accessed by the passenger. SCPS also incorporated a rotating motor that stabilizes the turntable so it doesn't skip, even on bumpy roads. To see if the Lexus IS Wax Edition does what the automaker says it can do, they took it out for a spin. Watch the video below to see the Lexus IS Wax Edition get tested by Madlib and Kaytranada. Also be sure to check out all of our latest Lexus news, including the new Lexus x RTFKT collab that resulted in a one-of-a-kind sneaker.

By Andrew Nabors – February 22, 2021

2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Arrives With V8 Power

Last year we were thrilled to meet the all-new IS 350, and now the 2022 Lexus IS F Sport Performance arrives with V8 power. With the news that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class will only offer 4-cylinder engines from here on, its nice to see a 5-liter V8 get a new lease on life. Engineers at their F-Sport Performance division offer 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. Despite having every luxury and safety feature, the new IS only weighs 3,891 lbs. This allows it to reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds while also averaging 24 mpg. You will have rear suspension tuned by Yamaha, a Torsen locking differential and 14" rotors as standard equipment. Lexus Safety System 2.5+ includes more protection for pedestrians with automatic steering assist, road sign assist, and pre-collision. The big boss watched over every aspect of this car's development, so here's to Akio Toyoda for keeping Lexus at the cutting edge. If you need something more virtual, Lexus and Twitch just created the ultimate gamer car. Lexus For Sale Images (C) Toyota USA

By Edward Jones – February 18, 2021

Lexus and Twitch Just Created the Ultimate Car for Gamers

If you love both the automotive world and gaming, then you have to check out the new Lexus Gamers' IS. This new vehicle came to life after Lexus teamed up with the Twitch community. More specifically, popular streamer 'Fuslie' hosted a livestream and asked his 554,000 views what they'd want in a gaming car. What you see in this article is the culmination of this teamwork. The exterior of this Lexus IS 350 F Sport is wrapped in an "Infiltrate" vinyl wrap that was picked by 48 percent of the viewers. Inside is a "Neon Tokyo" interior that 55 percent of the viewers voted for. That includes the resin "raindrops" that are backlit by programmable RGB LED lights. In the back, behind the rear seats, are LED panels that can actually project programmable content onto the rear window which makes it look like an animated scene. As for gaming, that can be done on the custom computer that features an MSI GeForce GPU and AMD CPU (exact specs weren't given). While this computer is installed in the trunk, it can be played from the passenger's seat which has haptic feedback. In front of the seat is a curved monitor, as well as a retractable keyboard, mouse platform and 3D-printed controller. For drinks, the center console has coffee, a choice picked by 61 percent of viewers. “The Twitch community dives headfirst into their passion of gaming, just as we did in designing the new 2021 Lexus IS as a pure expression of a sports sedan,” said Vinay Shahani, vice president of marketing at Lexus. “We asked for their help designing their dream gaming space, and they answered in spades. Together, we created the ultimate fusion of design and performance in automotive and gaming.”

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By Andrew Nabors – January 13, 2021

2021 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series Celebrates Air Racing

Yoshihide Muroya won the 2018 Red Bull Air Race World Championship, and he wanted a unique & sporty luxury coupe. Working with the team that built the Lexus LFA for sale, the 2021 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series celebrates air racing. 2021 Lexus IS Explores Owners’ Obsessions Limited to 100 examples, each car will arrive with a TORSEN limited-slip differential and a "Yamaha rear performance rod". The masters of music also build unique suspension solutions, and this rod is a tuned mass damper that improves stability during hard cornering. All optional LC content is also included, giving you 13 Mark Levinson speakers with 915 watts of power. All variants of the LC have lost 22 lbs in unsprung weight thanks to forged aluminum control arms, and featherweight 21" wheels. The 5-liter V8 offers 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque for a 0-60 run of 4.4 seconds. Their 10-speed automatic allows 25 mpg on the highway, and ample insulation makes it one of the quietest cars on the market. Click the button to find yours. Browse Lexus LC 500 For Sale Also: The Lexus RC F also offers incredible performance Images (C) Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

By Andrew Nabors – January 05, 2021

2021 Lexus IS Explores Owners' Obsessions

When considering their target audience, " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> does not make assumptions. Thanks to understanding the lifestyle and culture of their customers, the 2021 Lexus IS explores owners' obsessions. 2021 Lexus IS Offers More Safety & Improved Handling Their latest press release gives context to a series of YouTube uploads. They define an obsession in terms we are familiar with. Dynamic personalities like influencers, "sneakerheads", fashionistas, audiophiles, and travel bloggers like to enjoy a car that remains at the crossroads of style and luxury. The IS series has nice upgrades this year, so allow our dealers to find one for you and stay with us for all your Lexus news. Browse Lexus For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) Toyota USA

By Andrew Nabors – December 15, 2020

Lexus LFA 10th Anniversary Paper Models Make A Great Stoc...

This month marks a decade since the delivery of the first cars, so that's why the Lexus LFA 10th anniversary paper models make a great stocking stuffer. A supercar nearly 10 years in development showed the world what Toyota is capable of. The machines and processes needed to form the carbon fiber body didn't exist, so they were just a few of the patents and innovations the LFA left in its wake. Lexus LFA Price, Specs, Photos & Review Only 500 examples were built for the world, so if you missed the opportunity they are offering a second chance. These templates will allow you to build your LFA from paper and glue, as a perfect holiday activity while social distancing. Available in white, orange, blue, the Gazoo Racing LFA livery is a nice bonus. If you want the real thing, click the button below and stay with us for all your Lexus news. Browse Lexus LFA For Sale Images (C) Lexus (GB) PLC

By Andrew Nabors – November 12, 2020

2021 Lexus LS Receives Suspension & Performance Updates

No matter how much testing is done, automakers often make a few changes after the first model year. Such is the case with the largest Japanese sedan offered in the U.S. While last year saw the debut of the 5th Generation, the 2021 Lexus LS has received suspension and performance updates. Their latest press release starts with a more comfortable ride. Realizing how strong the chassis is in real-life situations, engineers have dialed back the spring and shock firmness. This had an added bonus of killing more road noise before it reaches the interior. The LS 500 is rated at 416 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque thanks to twin turbos on a 3.5-liter V6. Unfortunately, the 10-speed automatic was shifting early to preserve the silky-smooth nature their customers demand. To access such chunky torque, the shift points and part-throttle mapping is all new. Larger wastegates hold boost longer in any situation, and even the pistons were revised for smoother running in cold climates and decreased pollution from the exhaust. The LS has been a benchmark for luxury since 1989, so click the button below to learn why. Stay with us for all your Lexus news. Browse Lexus LS For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – October 30, 2020

New Lexus LC 500 "Aviation" Edition Launches in Japan

The new Lexus LC 500 "Aviation" is landing in Japan as a special edition model inspired by flight. Like just about everything that flies, this new LC has a wing of its own that was completed by some of the craftsmen behind the legendary LFA supercar. The design of this rear wing brings the edges over the sides of the car which aid in the aerodynamic's of the car and the pursuit of added downforce. As for its constructed, its comprised of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Other touches include the Alcantara interior trim, special "Aviation" badging, aluminum 5-spoke wheels, and more. Customers will be able to order the LC Aviation edition in either white Nova glass flakes, sonic silver, and black. As mentioned before, this edition has been slated for a Japanese release with no word of it coming to North America. See All Lexus For Sale

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