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

By Caitlin Duffy – October 12, 2015

McLaren 570S Coupe Ordering Now Open, Pricing Announced

McLaren enthusiasts have been waiting for the 570S Coupe anxiously since its debut nearly six months ago, but that wait is near an end. McLaren 570S Coupe Launch 2015 PortimaoOrdering for the first car in McLaren Automotive's Sport Series is now open, and as an Oct. 10 press release from the marque describes, deliveries should begin before the end of this year. With pricing starting at $184,900 for American buyers and £143,250 for those in the UK, it's one of the most attainable cars ever released by McLaren.Following shortly after the 570S Coupe's launch is the 540C, an even-more-attainable member of the Sports Series priced at £126,000 in the UK. US pricing has yet to be revealed for the 540C, but deliveries are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2016.(See Also: P1 vs. LaFerrari vs. 918 Spyder Hot Laps: Part 1)"It is the first time we’ve competed in the sports car as opposed to the supercar market. As with all McLaren models, we have prioritised performance, driving engagement and exhilaration," described Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive, in the release. "It is a totally driver-focused car, with excellent ergonomics and visibility, and a class-leading driving position. This is also the most day-to-day usable, practical and attainable McLaren we’ve ever made."For being capable of acting as a daily driver, the 570S packs a powerful punch. Its twin-turbo V8 engine creates 562 hp and 442 lb-ft, offering up a 0-62 mph time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 204 mph. So if a quick lap around the track is part of your lunch break plans, this is the car you'll want to take.Check out the photos below for a closer look at this newly available ordering option, then find a McLaren dealer or existing model from our exclusive listings.McLarens For SaleGallery (Source: McLaren) See More McLaren News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 13, 2015

McLaren Sports Series Tested to the Extremes, Enters Pre-...

They've been tested rigorously around the globe and in every driving condition imaginable. They've hit desert heat and mountain snow drifts, and they're just one step away from production.The McLaren Sports Series has been a topic of discussion in the automotive world since it was first introduced in Nov. 2014. Comprised of the 570S and 540C, the Sports Series models take what's been learned from the 12C, P1 and 650S and infuse it into a sports car fit for a daily drive.Videos of the 570S and 540C testing in intense conditions have been periodically released by McLaren, and in a press release today, they've announced that testing has completed, and the Sport Series has officially entered pre-production."The pre-production phase is one of the most important, and also one of the most demanding, in a product readiness phase at McLaren," explained Andreas Bareis, Executive Director of Quality at McLaren Automotive, in the release. "This final phase brings all testing together for the first time in a package that is representative of the cars our owners will be taking delivery of."(See Also: One-Off McLaren 570S Heading to Pebble Beach)The Woking production plant in Surrey, England, had been set up for the creation of the Sports Series, which the release describes as "the most attainable McLaren model range." As of right now, pricing for the Sports Series is set to begin at £126,000, or approximately $196,395 USD*.Delivery of the models is set to begin before the end of 2015, and the full range will be announced and released by the end of 2017.Check out the video of the Sports Series' rigorous testing, added to YouTube by McLaren Automotive today, and see the images of these new offerings in the gallery below. If you can't wait quite that long to get behind the wheel of your own McLaren, find the perfect example from our exclusive listings at the button below.*According to conversion rates at the time of publication McLarens For Sale Gallery (Source: McLaren, YouTube) See More McLaren News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 11, 2015

One-Off McLaren 570S at Pebble Beach

McLaren's entry-level car has been spotted around the country a few times in prototype form, but at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, two one-off 570S examples from McLaren Special Operations (MSO) will be stole the show.The customization division of McLaren Automotive has prepped two 570S Coupes for the California crowd, each to showcase the full range of options that will be available. As an Aug. 10 press release from the marque tells us, the first featured Mauvine Blue paint with a Carbon Black leather interior, while the second was finished in Ventura Orange.Other McLaren creations were also seen around other locations during Monterey Car Week, including the 650S Le Mans and the 1996 McLaren F1 GTR that finished eighth at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Those that attended RM Auctions' event during Monterey Car Week also had the chance to bring a McLaren home. A Volcano Red McLaren P1 and the 1998 F1, the penultimate F1 bearing chassis #073.Earlier reports from McLaren listed the 570S as being capable of a 0-60 mph time of just 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 200 mph. A twin-turbo V8 creating 562 hp is responsible for those numbers, all with a starting price of $184,900. Along with the 675LT, the 570S Coupe is part of the McLaren Sport Series.(See Also: McLaren P1 in Alaskan Diamond White at McLaren Newport Beach)Check out the photos of the McLarens making their way to Pebble Beach below, and if you weren't able to attend the events, find your own McLaren from our exclusive listings.McLarens For SaleGallery (Source: McLaren) See More McLaren News

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2015

Blade Silver 2015 McLaren 570S at McLaren Newport Beach

The first revealed model from McLaren's Sport Series was the 570S, a sports car that aims to compete with the Audi R8 and Porsche 911 Turbo.The car comes packing a M838TE twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 562 hp and 442 lb-ft. Its weight is considerably low at 2,895 lbs, thanks to the carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis. Combine that much power and that little weight, and the 570S can rush from 0-62 mph in 3.2 while topping out at 204 mph.(See Also: Satin Pearl White McLaren P1 Sold by McLaren Newport Beach)Recently, McLaren Newport Beach brought a new example of the 570S onto their showroom floor, finished in gorgeous "Blade Silver" paint. This finish is offered as a "Special" color when configurating your own 570S.Check out the gallery below to see just how beautiful this color looks on the 570S.Gallery

By Caitlin Duffy – June 16, 2015

Two McLaren 570S Prototypes at Dimmitt Automotive

It's the first model in McLaren's highly anticipated Sport Series, and while it hasn't been released for sale just yet, Dimmitt Automotive Group in St. Petersburg, Florida is anticipating a waiting list at least a year long.There are currently two prototypes of this powerful daily driver on display at Dimmitt Automotive Group, one in Blade Silver and the other in Ventura Orange. The Blade Silver example was first introduced to the dealership April 18, during their monthly Cars & Coffee After Party, and the Orange arrived just this past weekend. The two are both stunning, and it's difficult to compare one with the other.Of course, these are just the prototypes. Both were on display at the New York Auto Show, which served as the official unveiling of this model, meaning these both are another example of automotive history in Tampa Bay.Though based on the 650S, there are certainly some significant changes that make this model more attuned to daily use. The carbon fiber tub is 3 inches lower while the doors rise 30 percent higher, creating more space at the entry point. The engine, while still capable of 0-60 mph accelerations in 3.2 seconds, has been redesigned to be more resilient to regular use.But of course, there's still the track package option - three built in cameras come with that selection, with one in the front, one in the rear and one in the middle of driver and passenger, all to record your performance and reactions.(See Also: McLaren P1 & P1 GTR on SPA-Francorchamps)Starting prices have been set at $184,900, but Dimmitt Automotive anticipates selling out for at least a year. To learn about making one of these your own, be sure to contact their McLaren Sales Specialist, Matt Jones, or visit www.Dimmitt.com.Gallery (Source: Dimmitt Automotive) See More McLaren News

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