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 Jordan Aquistapace – December 17, 2020

How To Buy: Period Correct x McLaren 765LT Apparel Collec...

Yesterday, Period Correct and McLaren Automotive announced the release of a limited-edition apparel collection inspired by the 765LT model. The small batch collection includes graphic t-shirts, a hoodie, hat, and long-sleeved shirt sporting the iconic McLaren logos and its infamous orange. The Period Correct x McLaren 765LT Collection is an in-store only release, which means the select dealerships will have inventory and will not restock the apparel once sold out. Celebrate the new 765LT Collection from Period Correct x McLaren by visiting one of your local dealerships listed below on release day. When: Available Now Where: Visit one of the following McLaren dealerships to shop the collection: Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, Charlotte, Greenwich, Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto, Boston, Atlanta, North Jersey, Long Island, Miami, and McLaren Florida. Price: Starting at $40

By Andrew Nabors – December 01, 2020

McLaren 765LT Street Testing by DragTimes

Roast turkey was all the rage last week, but we prefer roasted tires for any celebration. That's why our friend Brooks decided to dive into the latest Long Tail over the weekend. If you have wondered how the Super Series would conclude, let's watch a McLaren 765LT street test by DragTimes. 2021 McLaren 765LT Delivered To The Collection By DragTimes Last month the car arrived in South Florida and he began the break-in procedures. The hand-built masterpiece is loaded with forged internals and the same 3-layer head gaskets found in the Senna. With revised turbos and more boost, McLaren conservatively rates the car at 765 metric horsepower and 590 lb-ft of boost. Made as light as possible by McLaren Special Operations, this car bends our perceptions of street-legal performance. Only 765 cars are in production, so act fast by clicking the button below. As always, stay with us for the latest DragTimes footage. Browse McLaren For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 16, 2020

McLaren 765LT Arrival & Inspection at McLaren Tampa Bay

You've been good all year, so tell Santa what you really want. As the 720S family heads into retirement, engineers pulled out all the stops to build a track-focused beast, so here is the McLaren 765LT arrival and inspection at McLaren Tampa Bay. Our friend Matthew Jones is the Sales Manager and videographer, offering insights with his Supercars in Seconds YouTube series. Thanks to his all-access credentials, he can take us over and under the finer details of each McLaren. Watch The McLaren Speedtail Delivery by McLaren Tampa Bay For a fitting farewell, only 765 cars will be made; each with forged internals, more boost, and a fuel pump borrowed from NASA. You will reach 62 mph in 2.8 seconds thanks to 765 horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque and 176 fewer pounds than the 720S. Allow Mr. Jones to extol the car's highlights then click the button to see all of Dimmitt Automotive's Holliday incentives. Stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse Inventory at McLaren Tampa Bay " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 09, 2020

2021 McLaren 765LT by MSO Looks Amazing While Fully Exposed

Since when do customers enjoy paying more for less? While this might seem counter-intuitive, the 2021 McLaren 765LT by MSO looks amazing while fully exposed. That's because it allows everyone to see the amazing beauty of book-matched carbon fiber. Uploaded to their social media accounts this morning, we've learned that going without paint and primer saves almost 26 lbs. 2021 McLaren 765LT Delivered To The Collection By DragTimes But like every exposed piece of carbon fiber, the time needed to prepare and apply the UV-blocking clear coat requires help from McLaren Special Operations. Only 765 examples are planned, with each packing 765 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Going naked allows this one to be over 200 lbs lighter than the 720S, with a curb weight just above 2,900 lbs. It is a fitting end to the 720 series so you need to move before they are all gone. Click the button below to find yours and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – October 21, 2020

The 1st 2021 McLaren 765LT Delivered in the United States

McLaren Charlotte has just received what is the very first customer example of the 2021 McLaren 765LT to land on the shores of the United States. Loaded with features, this example of McLaren's latest supercar is a jaw-droppingly beautiful car. The exterior of this 765LT is finished in Fistral Blue, a selection from the MSO Defined palette that costs over $9,000. Fans of the famous Gulf Livery will love the sight of this blue being contrasted by the McLaren Orange on the brake calipers and even the orange seatbelts. Just about everything else that isn't blue on the supercar's exterior is visible carbon fiber thanks to the addition of the Carbon Fiber Exterior Upgrade packs. Inside, the cabin of this 2021 765LT is loaded with options, much like the exterior. The Black Alcantara and McLaren Orange stitching match the exterior's color scheme. Other options include vehicle lift system, 12-Speaker audio system, electric and heated memory seats, 360-degree park assists and more. As mentioned before, this 765LT belongs to a customer so it's already been spoken for. That being said, you can still contact them if your interested in picking a new McLaren up for yourself. For that, click the button below. View McLaren Charlotte Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – October 01, 2020

2021 McLaren 765LT Arrives With Unique Pirelli Rubber

You can incredible power and sophistication, but your car is only as good as the tires allow it to be. With 765 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, the latest English supercar needs straight-line traction along with the flexibility to hold a corner. So that is why the 2021 McLaren 765LT will arrive with unique Pirelli rubber. See How Fast the McLaren 765LT Hits 150 MPH Early on in the car's development, McLaren engineers reached out to Pirelli to see if their best could be improved upon. After extensive simulations, they developed a unique tread pattern to optimize the contact patch. These unique P Zero Trofeo R are distinguished by the "MC" on the sidewall. They allow the 765LT to go faster around a test track than any previous McLaren. For drivers who don't race their cars, normal P Zeros are also an option. All incorporate PNCS- Pirelli Noise Cancelling System that negates much of the road noise associated with high-performance tires. Click the button to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 29, 2020

See How Fast the McLaren 765LT Hits 150 MPH

The new McLaren 765LT is a mean machine that deserves to be taken seriously. With 755 horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque and a body that screams "aerodynamics," it's like a rocket through any straight or corner. Matson Watson recently took a McLaren 765LT out for a test spin to see how it performs. The most interesting part of his test-drive video, found below, is when he launched it down a straight. He managed to make the English supercar hit 150 mph in under 10 seconds. I reckon that would make the 765LT quite the formidable quarter-mile opponent. Click play below to see the action for yourself. See All McLarens For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 23, 2020

2021 McLaren 765LT Production & Performance Specs Unveiled

For those of us lucky to secure an allocation, this car is going to destroy all preconceived notions of what the brand is capable of. That's because the 2021 McLaren 765LT production and performance specs were in our inbox this morning. Their latest press release starts by confirming that all 765 cars have been sold, and production will be starting in a few days. While it has all the trademark aspects of its LongTail predecessors, this car will be the first to be comprised of body panels from the McLaren Composites Technology Center. It is there that the future of McLaren will be in lighter and stronger carbon fiber. Of course the 765LT is longer and a little wider due to the aerodynamic enhancements, and yet it is 77 lbs lighter than the 720S. Having 765 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque allow it to reach 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. You will be at 124 mph in 7 seconds and blasting through the quarter-mile in 9.9 ticks. Those numbers speak for themselves, and the 765LT will command respect from all enthusiasts. As soon as we get our hands on one we will have a proper review for you. Until then, click the button for great offers from our dealers and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 21, 2020

McLaren 765LT Design Details Revealed

Aside from our YouTube page, you should subscribe to McLaren to enjoy their Tech Club. Every few weeks a famous presenter explains technical and styling highlights from their lineup. This week, Design Director Rob Melville exposes details of the McLaren 675LT. While it takes inspiration from the 720S, he and his team have endowed it with enough innovation to become its own model. Only 765 examples will be produced, so it will undoubtedly be one of the top 50 best sports cars of all time. So click the button below to reserve yours and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 07, 2020

McLaren 765LT Pricing & Options Revealed

Ever since we were introduced to the 720S, we knew it would be one for the ages. Only the wisest among us knows when it is time to walk away, and go out on top. Such is the case with McLaren's latest Long Tail. Based on the 720S, the McLaren 765LT pricing and options have been revealed. The saddest news was at the top of the press release: Only 765 examples will be offered to the world. Prospective owners in the U.S. will be treated to a litany of standard equipment: Louvered carbon fiber front fenders Quad-pipe full-titanium sports exhaust system Ultra-Lightweight 10-Spoke Forged Alloy Wheels with finished Platinum and secured with titanium wheel bolts McLaren Vehicle Lift Alcantara® LT interior trim Carbon Fibre Racing Seats or Power Adjust Heated Memory Sports Seats Carbon Fibre Exterior Upgrade Pack Carbon Fibre Primary Interior Components Pack MSO Defined Carbon Fibre Extended Shift Paddles A rear-view camera and parking sensors Power Adjust Steering Column McLaren-branded mats on the bare carbon floor McLaren 4-speaker or Bowers & Wilkins 12-speaker branded audio systems can be added at no additional cost All of this can be yours for $358,000. It is a bargain compared to highly-optioned MSO examples of the 720S, which would cost $50,000 in additional upgrades. Even with the plush amenities, they were able to cut 176 lbs from the curb weight. Refinements in the tuning and exhaust have yielded an additional 45 horsepower and 22 lb-ft of torque. Our most pressing question remains: Will it shoot impressive flames? Our guess is yes, so stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale " width="680">

McLaren News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe