Lotus 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 Jordan Aquistapace – November 01, 2023

Lotus' New Type 136 Is Revolutionizing E-Bikes With Motor...

Lotus has long since been recognized as a world-renowned British automaker synonymous with luxury sports cars, but many may not know of its successful involvement in performance bicycle engineering. Since debuting a new competition-grade race bike for The Olympics, Lotus is proud to unveil the Type 136 e-Bike as its newest creation aimed for recreational use. The automotive-inspired e-bike is a high-performance marvel that brings Lotus's 75 years of engineering expertise to the world of cycling. Designed to push the boundaries of speed, the Type 136 features the lightest e-bike motor from HPS, allowing riders to go further, faster, and higher. This groundbreaking technology derives from the Mars Lander Project, focusing on minimal weight and zero maintenance. The motor system weighs a mere 2.65 lbs, with the motor itself tipping the scales at just 300 grams. Handcrafted in Italy, the Type 136 e-bike comes with a lightweight carbon-fiber frame and modern components, making it weigh in at just 21.6 lbs. The bike sports a futuristic aero design, inspired by Lotus's Olympic velodrome successes, and includes features like V-shaped handlebars and wing-shaped forks for improved aerodynamics. A detachable battery, ingeniously disguised as a water bottle, adds to the innovation. As a nod to Lotus's legacy, the Type 136 will be released in a limited first edition of just 136 individually numbered bikes, available in iconic motorsport livery. This launch follows Lotus's successful lineage of performance vehicles like the Emeya hyper-GT and Eletre hyper-SUV, as well as the world's most powerful series production road car, the Evija. Unveiled at an exclusive VIP event at the Lotus London brand store, the Type 136 will be showcased at Rouleur LIVE in London from November 2-4, 2023. The all-new Lotus Type 135 e-Bike Collection is set to release with a starting retail price of $26,394. View all Lotus models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Lotus For Sale Source: Lotus

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 02, 2022

Louts x Balmain Unveil A Special Emira Livery For Need Fo...

The real life Lotus Emira perfectly matches the video game version of the new sports car. Responsible for the upbringing of millions of automotive enthusiasts, the Need For Speed game series continues its legacy by attracting a new generation of car lovers with its new NFS Unbound game. Interacting with the outside world, the creative professionals at Criterion Games and Electronic Arts have been incorporating luxury lifestyle brands for players to further customize characters. As part of Lotus’ involvement with the game, the sports car manufacturer unveiled its Emira model with a special livery in collaboration with the fashion house Balmain and Need For Speed. MUST-READ: Check Out A$ASP Rocky’s Custom Mercedes-Benz 190E From Need For Speed Unbound The honeycomb-style design fades from rear to front, utilizing the brand’s iconic green paint shade. Along with its color-shifting finish, the 400-horsepower Lotus Emira also showcases Balmain graphics and logos that run down each side of the vehicle. The spec stands out as Lotus’ First Edition Emira and mimics the exact renderings of the actual car presented in Need For Speed Unbound. Make sure to get your copy of the new Need For Speed Unbound video game by visiting GameStop’s website. View all Lotus models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Lotus For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lotus Cars (@lotuscars) Source: @lotuscars IG

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 16, 2022

Hot Wheels Launches Small-Scale Models Of The Lotus Emira...

The Lotus Emira sports car and Evija all-electric hypercar have recently been launched as Hot Wheels toy cars. While modern-day supercars and hypercars go through rigorous testing to prove their abilities on the road, the real deciding factor comes when the creative professionals at Hot Wheels craft a small-scale version. Responsible for introducing millions to the automotive world, Hot Wheels continues its legacy by releasing the industry’s most popular sports cars, SUVs, racecars, and many more. As Lotus rolls out its new Emira supercar and Evija all-electric hypercar, Hot Wheels is proud to celebrate the occasion by launching die-cast versions of the cars. MUST-READ: The Top Automotive-Inspired LEGO Sets Available Now Lotus sits down with Hot Wheels product design manager Dima Shakhmatov to break down the process of encapsulating automotive icons. Dima expresses the importance of the new release by stating “With its dramatic styling, the Evija is one of the most exciting and visually interesting electric hypercars we’ve seen. The Emira will be the last combustion-engined Lotus and it was felt important to mark this by including it in the Mainline.” Showcasing each model in its desired launch colors, the small-scale examples feature detailed constructions that match the styling of the real versions. View all current Lotus cars for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Lotus For Sale Source: Lotus

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 21, 2021

Lotus x Norton & Sons Releases An Exclusive Driver's Jack...

Two iconic British brands collaborate on bespoke lightweight technical driving jacket. The inspirational impact of automobiles not only reaches the community of dedicated automotive enthusiasts but also artists and fashion designers worldwide. The rich motorsport heritage of Lotus continues with its highly-anticipated Evija hypercar, an electric performance-focused chassis equipped with 2,000-horsepower. Celebrating its past and future, Lotus is proud to announce its newest collaboration project with the bespoke tailor professionals at Norton & Sons. The new Lotus x Norton & Sons Driving Jacket is a lightweight handcrafted garment available exclusively for customers purchasing the $2 million-plus Evija. MUST-READ: Lotus Evija: The World’s Most Powerful Series Production Road Car The jacket’s classic design draws on the core values and DNA inherent in every product that both Lotus and Norton & Sons create a performance-oriented, lightweight contemporary design using advanced technical materials that sport durability. The jacket was created by Norton & Sons Design Director Patrick Grant and Lotus Design Director Russell Carr, with inspiration drawn from Team Lotus pit lane jackets of the 1970s. Celebrating an exclusive release, the Lotus x Norton & Sons Evija Driving Jacket is sure to be a collector's piece for owners and enthusiasts of the iconic motorsports brand. Check out all of the current Lotus Evija models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Lotus Evija For Sale on duPont REGISTRY Media/Information Source: Lotus

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By Andrew Nabors – August 04, 2020

Lotus Unveils Olympic Track Bike Despite the Circumstances

Athletes and fans from around the world were poised to attend the Summer Olympics in Tokyo this week. Given the obvious concerns, the games have been postponed indefinitely. Although Lotus had planned to unveil their latest bicycle in front of thousands, they did it online instead. One day this masterpiece will dominate the track, just as its predecessors did. England's best' rode the Lotus Type 108 to victory in Barcelona in '92, and the Tour de France Time Trial in '94. Richard Hill is the Chief Aerodynamicist at Lotus, and he has been sculpting their cars for 3 decades. Also in charge of the bikes, he has different approaches for both. New 20th Anniversary Lotus Exige Announced "The main difference is that with a bike you have a far greater proportion of the ‘machine’ constantly moving and changing geometry. The rider is also moving so it’s creating an unsteady air flow regime, whereas with cars you only have the wheels rotating. Another difference is the interaction with the ground. A car has a big ‘plan view’ profile, so covers and interacts with a lot of stationary road, whereas a bike has a much smaller footprint and significantly less interaction with the road. But at the end of the day physics is physics and you can’t cheat the rules on two wheels or four!" Click the link below for great incentives on his automotive masterpieces and stay with us for all your Lotus news. Browse Lotus For Sale

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