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 Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2018

WATCH: McLaren 720S vs BMW S100RR

What happens when a two-wheeler challenges a McLaren 720S? In the normal world, any motorcycle has a better power-to-weight ratio than a car. But what if both contestants are not from a normal world? If you have never been on a BMW motorcycle, you are truly missing out. These finely tuned machines have none of the quirks associated with every other liter-bike, and their low center of gravity is a nice for height-impaired riders (like yours truly). It makes 199 horsepower and 83 lb-ft of torque. It only weighs 403 lbs with a full tank, so the performance potential is easy to see.Clash Of Titans: McLaren 720S vs. Kawasaki Ninja H2To see if it can compete against the latest from England, our friend Brooks from DragTimes decided to see if his 720S was a worthy opponent. Once they arrived in Mexico, a series of six races shows what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. Launch control and horsepower are great for drag racing, but after 100 mph, the battle comes down to torque vs. air. Horsepower will get you to top speed, but its torque that keeps you there. The issue with the McLaren 720S is that the factory claims it makes 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. While these are respectable numbers, everyone seems to know they are sandbagging.McLaren 720S vs. 675LT on the AutobahnMy own seat time in the McLaren 720S is limited, but be warned, it accelerates like an ACME rocket. Give us your thoughts on the races in the comments below, and keep your racing at the track. Stay with us for all the latest uploads from DragTimes.Find Your McLaren 720S

By Edward Jones – March 05, 2018

How To Turn On McLaren 720S Secret Startup Exhaust Easter...

I absolutely love it when cars come with secrets. Take the Tesla Model S and Model X, for example. In these models are a number of hidden easter eggs, like the songs that they can "" title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen>" to or the ability to "" title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen>." For the McLaren 720S, the engineers decided they would include their own little easter egg.When turning on the 720S supercar, you simply put your foot on the brake and push the start button. However, there is also another way you can start the engine, which Jalopnik detailed in their video (found below). This new McLaren easter egg allows drivers to start their car with a little extra 'umph.' To activate this secret startup exhaust easter egg, do the following when starting up a McLaren 720S: Press the ignition button Press the "Active" button on the dashboard Switch the car to "Track Mode" Press your foot on the brake and then push the ignition button What you get when you do this is an extra "pop" that happens just after startup.

By Edward Jones – January 30, 2018

One-Off MSO McLaren 720S Raises Big Money for Charity

McLaren has auctioned off a one-of-a-kind MSO 720S at the Naples Winter Wine Festival for charity. The supercar that was auctioned was heavily customized by McLaren Special Operations (MSO). On the exterior of the car is a Nerello Red paint, with a Saddle Brown leather interior. Other MSO options installed include a custom steering wheel, a grape motif found throughout the vehicle )in references to the Nerello Red paint, named after the Nerello Mascalese grape from Castaia, Sicily) and more.McLaren Special Operations Delivers 10 Wild 570S CoupesAfter the hammer was dropped, the final bid was an astonishing $650,000. Proceeds from this auction benefit the Naples Children & Education Foundation. That price is well over the MSRP of a standard 720S, which starts at $284,745.“The McLaren 720S is an extraordinary vehicle - in fact demand exceeds supply, which makes it even more exciting for us to be able to offer this MSO 720S to the winning bidder, who will be able to take delivery immediately,” said Tony Joseph, President, McLaren North America. “The work done by the Naples Children & Education Foundation to help transform the lives of children is so important and we are honored to donate a vehicle to this cause.”Sports Cars for Sale

By Edward Jones – November 21, 2017

McLaren 720S GT3 Race Car Announced

McLaren Automotive has announced their new race car, the 720S GT3. With McLaren having released GT3 versions of all of the 720S' predecessors, we all knew this was coming. The concept sketches featured in this article are of a car that McLaren will develop in a new dedicated facility in their hometown of Woking, England. McLaren will run the 720S GT3 in a development program in the 2018 season and push it for a competitive debut that includes customer teams for the 2019 season.View McLaren 720S' For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 14, 2017

McLaren 720S Races Supercharged and Twin-Turbo Lamborghinis

Brooks of DragTimes is having a lot of fun with the McLaren 720S by showing off its capabilities in the stock form. In his recent adventure, he went up against two different supercharged Lamborghini Huracans, one being supercharged and the other twin-turbocharged. The results of both the roll races and drag races were very one-sided and very surprising, to be honest. Check them out by clicking play below. The 720S is powered by a new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 710 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. With this much power, along with a dry weight of just 2,828 lbs, the 720S has a power-to-weight ratio of 0.251 horsepower per 1 lbs. Such a power-to-weight ratio allows the 720S to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and 0-124 mph in 7.8 seconds. Top speed is also stated to be 212 mph. Sell My Lamborghini on duPont REGISTRY.com

By Edward Jones – November 07, 2017

Supercharged Lamborghini Gets Walked by Stock McLaren

There's nothing like a friendly race between two friends, especially when the vehicles are two extreme supercars. In a new video from DragTimes, Parker of Vehicle Virgins pits his supercharged Lamborghini Huracan against Brooks of DragTimes in a stock McLaren 720S. According to Parker, he was a bit cocky going into the race, only to be shown the rear of the 720S. The beginning of the race looked like it was going well for the Lamborghini, but that was only because the rear wheels of the McLaren were spinning. Check out the video below to see the race for yourself and an additional race between a modified 720S and the stock 720S. Used McLaren 650S Sell My McLaren At duPont REGISTRY.com

By Andrew Nabors – September 21, 2017

McLaren 720S Rev Battle: Sport vs Normal Exhaust

Our friends at DragTimes were forced to hunker down last week for Hurricane Irma. While it didn't give them much trouble in South Florida, we lost power for a few days here in St. Petersburg. Before the storm arrived, Brooks was kind enough to offer a comparison in the sounds of the McLaren 720S. His friend's new car was ordered with the $5,600 Sport Exhaust, so how does the sound compare to a normal example?McLaren 720S vs Lamborghini HuracanAs the cars start revving, the most interesting aspect is that the 720S sounds like an Italian. The new 4.0 liter V8 could be using a flat-plane crank, so if you have the details please let us know in the comments below. The Sport Exhaust sounds deeper, with more sounds from the wastegates and blow off valves. Is it worth over 5 grand on the window sticker? You be the judge. Either way, you can't go wrong with the advanced technology and potent power of Mclaren's latest Super Series.

By Edward Jones – September 19, 2017

McLaren 720S Runs 0-60 MPH in Under Three Seconds in Unfa...

Since the McLaren 720S was released, it has been growing in popularity with each passing day. Our friends at DragTimes recently got their hands on a new 720S to test it and see how it stacks up against the hype.Epic Showdown: McLaren 720S vs Lamborghini HuracanShortly after Hurricane Irma passed his town, Brooks of DragTimes took the new English supercar out for a spin on the drag strip. Unfortunately, the settings were a bit unfavorable, but that didn't stop the car from exceeding expectations. Here is the breakdown of how the car performed:0-60 in 2.8 seconds 1/4 mile 10.2 @ 144.8 mph 1/2 mile @ 174.04 mphThose are numbers that are comparable to the Porsche 918 Spyder and Bugatti Veyron. What's more? It's most definitely less expensive. Check out the video below to see the car's rapid acceleration for yourself.

By Andrew Nabors – August 04, 2017

McLaren Builds Full-Size LEGO 720S

If you are looking for a responsible way to have fun this weekend, we recommend getting brickfaced. LEGO and supercars are a perfect fit for each other. As part of the Speed Champions series, the McLaren 720S joins the Porsche 911 GT3, Ford GT, and the Ferrari FXX K as scale models, but McLaren decided to build a 1:1 example for this year's Goodwood Festival. In a time-lapse video uploaded this morning, over 2,000 man-hours are compressed into 59 seconds of assembly.Last weekend I had an opportunity to visit Art of the Brick, an exhibition of LEGO art by Nathan Sawaya. His creations are solid constructions, which makes them quite heavy. McLaren has a keen ability to keep their cars on the lighter side, so a steel frame was used as the base of the build. A set of brake rotors was welded on at the corners to support the wheels and tires, the only parts it shares with the production 720S. The team built a majority of the car before the event, but the finishing touches were left for volunteers. With proceeds going to Goodwood's Charity, helpers were allowed to use 13,000 bricks to complete the roof. In total, the LEGO 720S used 280,000 bricks and it makes for a great advertisement. If you are looking for the real thing, check out these McLarens for sale and stay with us for all your automotive LEGO news.

By Andrew Nabors – June 02, 2017

A Minute Of Noise For Bruce McLaren, Who Passed Away 47 Y...

On June 2nd, 47 years ago Bruce McLaren passed away. Only 32 years old, he was testing his latest Can-Am racer (the M8D) at Goodwood. Some of the bodywork failed at a high speed, causing a loss in downforce, the car lost traction and what ensued would shock the motorsport world. Instead of a moment of silence, what better way to celebrate his life than to fire up his final build, which is what McLaren has done in a video found below. The M8 series dominated the Can-Am series for years thanks to innovations in aerodynamics. But a slippery design wasn't the only factor. The rear body work and some suspension parts are bolted directly to the engine to save weight. And what a monster motor it is.For the ultimate power in a light package, McLaren built a 7.62-liter all-aluminum 465ci Chevrolet big block. The legendary ZL1 engine was developed by Zora Duntov to make Corvette faster on the track, but only 2 Corvettes were built before the program was discovered by GM's bean counters. The engines were sent to Penske and other racers, and to the Camaro plant where 69 Camaro ZL1's were built. Essentially everything behind the cockpit was bolted to an engine that weighed only 420 lbs. The fuel injected beast made 670 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque thanks to a 12:1 compression ratio. Fully loaded, the car weighed in at 1,398 lbs, which must be a blast to drive. He must be looking down with pride, as his legacy for innovation can be found in machines like the P1 GTR and the new 720S. So fire up your surround sound for a minute of noise. Stay with us for all your McLaren news.

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