McLaren 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

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By Andrew Nabors – April 13, 2018

McLaren Unveils 570S Spider Canada Commission

Our neighbors to the north love cars just as much as we do. Canadians might not have the ideal driving weather for much of the year, but that doesn't mean they should miss out on amazing cars. The former British colony is still part of the Commonwealth, so English supercars receive a warm welcome. Pfaff Automotive Partners are McLaren's importer for Canada, and they asked McLaren Special Operations for something unique.If you have the means, MSO will customize your McLaren to your heart's content. So they announced in a press release this morning that they are building 5 unique examples of the 2019 570S Spider to celebrate the brand's success in Canada. These Silica White Spiders have red exposed carbon fiber. White and red accents throughout the car play tribute to the Candian flag, and we hope maple syrup was somehow incorporated.McLaren Special Operations Delivers 10 Wild 570S CoupesBruce McLaren brought home several podium finishes from Canadian races in the 60's, so we think he would be proud of this collection. If you are interested, three examples are heading to McLaren Toronto, and the other two are heading to McLaren Vancouver and McLaren Montreal. If you spend your winters here in the states, our dealers will be happy to replicate this build, so click on the link below and have a great weekend.Browse McLaren 570S Spider For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 05, 2018

See & Hear the McLaren 570S Spider Run 0-62 MPH

Unveiled back in 2017 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Mclaren 570S Spider has been one of the English automaker's hottest cars. This model takes the DNA of the 570S, including its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, and removes the top from it. Since its unveiling, the 570S has been incredibly popular, as most convertible variants are once they're released.Being a McLaren, the 570S Spider is as quick as the rest even without a top. To prove this point, PDriveTV took one example of the car out for some sprints and recorded it for all of YouTube to see. In the video, we get to see just how quickly the car can run from 0 to 62 mph, which is obviously impressive.Top Speed Shootout: 750 HP M5 vs McLaren 570SEven though the 570S Spider may weigh just 101 lbs more than its coupe brethren, it's still one heck of a quick sprinter. In the video below, they recorded a litany of feats. During the tests, the 570S Spider ran 0-62 mph in 3.25 seconds and completed a 1/4-mile in 10.99 @ 132 mph. PDriveTV recorded these results and many more by testing the car on a smooth, flat and drive private road, and the numbers are the result of at least three attempts. Each attempt was recorded via a VBOX Sport GPS timing tool. Check out the test for yourself in the video below!

By Andrew Nabors – March 30, 2018

McLaren Releases Track Pack For 570S Spider

Late last year, McLaren decided to offer a comprehensive upgrade kit for the 570S Coupe. Owners responded quickly to the hardcore upgrades. Adding the same level of precision to the Spider proved to be a bit more involved, but Good Friday is a good day to be an owner of a 570S Spider.In a press release this morning, we've learned the new kit includes more carbon fiber than you have seen before. Starting with the race seats, owners can choose from six interior sport design themes. These are six distinct design packages, something unheard of from other manufacturers. The Sports Exhaust has less internal baffling, and it allows the true sound of the mighty 3.8 liter V8 to be heard.McLaren Special Operations Delivers 10 Wild 570S CoupesAlso included are the forged monoblock Super-Lightweight 10 spokes. The lightest McLaren production wheel, they are only offered in stealth finish. The final upgrade is McLaren Track Telemetry, which will help you shave time off of each lap. The Track Pack is available for order, so click the link below to find our dealer nearest you. Happy Easter and have a great weekend!Browse McLaren 570S Spiders For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 14, 2018

Happy Valentine's Day: Here's a Vermillion Red McLaren 57...

To celebrate Valentine's Day, McLaren has created a special 570S Spider that was commissioned by what they call an "incurable romantic."On the body is a Vermillion Red paint that was chosen to honor Saint Valentine. Joining the red-hot body are red brake calipers and Color Edition Pirelli P Zero tires. Inside, the owner matched the exterior with Apex Red and Black Nappa Leathers, as well as carbon Black Alcantara trim. MSO also installed a few touches, like the MSO Defined Extended Sill Finishers and Indian Red Seatbelts. Grey McLaren Senna Unveiled Alongside New Specs and StatsAn engine that's just as exciting as this McLaren's one-off customizations powers the car, a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine to be exact. This engine will rocket the 570S Spider like one of Cupid's arrows, running 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and 0 to 124 mph in 9.6 seconds.

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By Edward Jones – February 09, 2018

Black Pack and Louder Exhaust Revealed by McLaren

McLaren Special Operations just dropped the news about two new additions to the MSO Defined options for the Sports Series models. The new options are the new Black Pack, Titanium SuperSports Exhaust, and a few more goodies.Grey McLaren Senna Unveiled Alongside New Specs and Stats McLaren also announced a few other little options for Sports Series owners. Extended Carbon Fiber Sill Covers with McLaren branding is now available, as well as Black or McLaren Orange painted ignition keys. Used Exotic Cars

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2016

How to Design Your Own McLaren 570S

One of my favorite aspects about racing video games is that fact that I can customize my own vehicle. Whether it's a supercar or SUV, it's always fun to design and drive your own virtual car. But, what's more fun than that is designing and driving your own real supercar. And, thanks to online configurators, that is possible. DON'T MISS: McLaren 570S Prices and Complete Specs McLaren's configurator for the 570S is a perfect example of being able to customize your own supercar. From the paint to the trim, just about everything can be customized within this configurator. Looking to customize your McLaren 570S even further? That's where MSO will come in and get the job done. So how does one configure a 570S? Here's the step-by-step process. Sell My McLaren: Get a Cash Offer Configure Your McLaren 570S Paint There are loads of colors to choose from. Personally, I went with Fire Black. Wheels and Brakes Within the Wheels and Brakes section, you can change the shoes of the 570S. You can select the wheels, wheel finish, brakes and calipers (as well as the caliper finish) and tires. Exterior The Exterior section is where you can change just about every bit of trim on the outside of the 570S. For me, it's carbon fiber everything. Interior You're going to spend a lot of time inside your 570S, so you might as well get it to your liking. Luckily, McLaren provides a vast array of options for your to choose from when it comes to the cabin of the 570S. Entertainment In Entertainment, you can select the audio system of the car and opt for the McLaren Track Telemetry options. If you plan on hitting the track, as you should, the Telemetry App is a must have. Safety and Security If you're going to buy a new 570S, you might as well protect. It's within the Safety and Security section that you can select which options will help you protect your car, like a Volumetric Alarm and Parking Sensors. Practical Just about everything in this section I checked off, except for an ashtray. In the Practical section is where you'll find all the extra that will make driving your 570S even more convenient than before. As mentioned before, McLaren MSO branch will take your 570S to the next level through customization. However, you will need to consult MSO in order to get the custom designs you desire. However, the time spent working with MSO to design a perfect 570S is well worth the time. You're Done! You did it! Now you can download a PDF that describes your 570S that you just built. You can also choose to Register Your Interest or find your closest McLaren Retailer to inquire further.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 26, 2016

Top 5 McLaren Colors

Color is one of those important nuances in life that can evoke a number of responses. Blue brings a sense of calm. Red represents fiery anger or passion. From clothing companies to therapy centers and of course, the automotive industry, colors are chosen are meticulously chosen to bring attention or make a statement. Supercars are no exception. Here are the Top 5 McLaren colors. Sell My McLaren: Get a Cash Offer 5. Vermillion Red Red is a color that stands out and for that reason, it's used on vehicles rather often. It's the signature color or some of the main supercar brands (hello Rosso Corsa), and for good reason. When a red car, especially one as stunning as a supercar makes its way down the street, people can't help but stop and stare. Vermillion Red combined with the notoriety of McLaren makes for the ultimate statement on the roads. This particular McLaren 650S uses the bright, bold red as a main color and an interior accent. 2016 McLaren 650S Spider Info Mileage: Contact Dealer Color: Vermillion Red exterior / Black and Vermillion Red interior Special features: Carbon fiber Exterior Upgrade Package Price: Contact Dealer McLaren 650S Spider For Sale 4. Chicane For some car enthusiasts, stealth is the name of the game, and nothing says stealthy like the sheen, understated shimmer of a gray finish. McLaren offers an exclusive gray color known as Chicane, which makes the vehicle look like a gliding bullet in motion. Accented with red calipers and complimented by a Carbon Black Interior 2016 McLaren 675LT Info Mileage: 437 Color: Chicane Gray exterior / Carbon Black interior Special Features: Carbon Fiber Exterior Upgrade Pack Price: $409,900 3. Napier Green For those who want to stand out in a crowd and do so with unconventional flare, a stunning, lime style, Napier Green might do the trick. This color is bold, and fierce, just like the McLaren 675LT. It commands attention at all angles and its raw, vibrant hue elicits excitement much like the adrenaline rush driving a McLaren brings. Statements are meant to be daring and fearless, which makes Napier Green a perfect choice for the McLaren's finish. This McLaren features a Carbon Black interior with touches of the lively Napier Green throughout the stitching. 2016 McLaren 675LT Coupe Info Mileage: 480 Color: Napier Green exterior / Carbon Black Alcantara interior w/ Napier stitching Special Features: Matte Carbon Fiber Exterior Package and Matte Carbon Fiber Interior Trim Package Price: $399,888 2. Lantana Purple Another unconventional, standout color turning heads is Lantana Purple. This color is deeply saturated and vibrant, as well as rare and modern. Native to South America, the lantana is a vibrant, purple flower that grows wild in a flower cluster known as an "inflorescence". It's no wonder McLaren chose this color as one of its signature finishes, and though it isn't likely to see this color in any kind of cluster of vehicles, the McLaren 675LT is definitely wild. This particular example pulls the dominant color into the seats and stitching in the interior for an even more dramatic effect. 2016 McLaren 675LT Info Mileage: 292 Color: Lantana Purple exterior / Black and Lantana interior Special Features: Contact Dealer Price: $434,950 1. Onyx Black There's nothing quite as sleek and inviting as a pristine, shiny black car, especially when it can reach 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Black exudes elegance and posh style while embodying stealth and allure. It's the perfect color for just about any supercar, but looks especially inviting on this Can-Am Heritage edition McLaren 650S Spider. With homage paid to the Can-Am racing tradition, this McLaren 650S Spider features a black finish with carbon fiber hood and exclusive livery. To bring the look together, the red is found throughout the interior including two-tone seats and customized stitching. This McLaren will definitely stand apart from the rest. 2016 McLaren 650S Spider Can-Am Heritage Edition Info Mileage: Contact Dealer Color: Onyx Black exterior / Black and Red interior Special Features: Can-Am Heritage edition Price: $386,604

By Edward Jones – July 25, 2016

McLaren 570S Used as Cycling Support Vehicle for La Course

In 2014, La Course by Le Tour de France was started as a single-day bicycle race held for elite women professionals. The race takes place in Paris, France, as cyclists take laps on the Champs-Élysées.Because the cyclists are racing in such a picturesque area, it's fitting that their pace cars/support cars are as pleasing to the eye as the venue. This is why Boels Dolmans Cycling Team used a McLaren 570S as their pace car for the 2016 edition of the race. Is this car overkill? No way. Even though cyclists average at a speed of about 25 mph, having such a spectacular car follow along side while you race must be a great mood-booster.(Also Check Out - New McLaren F1 Successor Planned For 2018 Debut) Image Source: Facebook / McLaren AutomotiveThe 570S has an M838TE twin-turbo V8 engine as its power plant, which McLaren added 30% new components to for the model. Its power is set at 562 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. With this power and a TWD layout, it can run 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 204 mph. Yeah, no cyclist could ever win in a race against a 570S, but this supercar couldYeah, no cyclist could ever win in a race against a 570S, but this supercar could definitely catch up to someone needing a spare bike.View McLaren 570S For Sale Image Source: Facebook / Specialized Women

By Caitlin Duffy – November 05, 2015

McLaren 570S Coupe Begins Production

We've awaited its arrival for months and watched it make special appearances around the world, and the time has come at last: the McLaren 570S has entered production.Announced today in a press release, the 570S's production star officially marks the start of the Sports Series, McLaren's third series of vehicles offered. It's the most affordable and easiest to drive of the McLaren cars released so far, though their iconic race experience still lies at the center of the 570S' design.Pietro Frigerio, the General Manager at McLaren Newport Beach, recently experienced the 570S during a track event in Portugal, and on Oct. 21 described it as an incredibly fun car to drive that doesn't take professional skills to handle. The model entered pre-production testing in August of this year, ordering opened in October and it's now ready, in November, to begin filling orders."The Sports Series is targeted towards a new buyer and opens McLaren up to the sports car market that we have not served to date," described Jolyon Nash, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing for McLaren Automotive, said the release. "The buyer of a Sports Series model will still experience the benchmark performance and driver engagement delivered by every McLaren model, but will also notice the increased usability and practicality that differentiates it from our existing cars."Priced at $184,900, it's expected that this model and the other Sports Series cars, like the 540C, will double McLaren's annual output to 4,000 vehicles by 2018. Stay with us to see if their estimates are correct, and find another one of McLaren Automotive's incredible cars from our exclusive listings below.McLarens For SaleGallery (via McLaren) See More McLaren News

By Edward Jones – October 21, 2015

McLaren Newport Beach's GM Test Drives McLaren 570S in Po...

By Pietro Frigergio, General Manager of McLaren Newport Beach:McLaren Automotive offered the management of each dealership the opportunity to drive the 570S for the first time in Faro, Portugal - the trip started in the little resort of Conrad Algarve, where great food and a 570S craned at the 4th floor terrace was on display.The day program included driving the 570S on the Autodromo International Algarve, a facility used by most manufacturers, with a very long straight where speeds of 170+ mph are possible. To test handling, there are very twisty sections with extreme elevation changes, off-camber turns and blind crests- a real spectacle where the agility of the 570S came out to play.The 570S may not be as fast and composed as the 650S, but for a non-professional driver, it is actually a lot of fun. I'd say it's a bit like a go-kart, allowing everybody to have fun and make the car dance without always approaching the physical limits of the vehicle. And, it really sounds great, considering the challenges of a turbocharged engine. McLaren topped the event off by allowing us to drive the 570S back to the hotel by way of a three-hour drive through beautiful Portuguese country highways. This is where the McLaren really was in its element. Even without pushing excessive speeds, the vehicle was going from turn to turn in a smooth and very reactive manner. The steering felt directly connected to the eyes of me, the driver. The noise was popping at downshifts and upshifts, creating an audible spectacle. Inside, the cabin is a beautiful place to be; seats are extremely comfortable and the view of the road, as in every McLaren, is fantastic.Overall, the McLaren 570S is really an everyday sports car: fun on the track and extremely entertaining on the road with the benefit of looking exotic with a great road presence.Gallery

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