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 – October 25, 2018

McLaren Announces 720S Track Pack Pricing

When McLaren announced the Senna and its GTR version, we thought they were the ultimate expression of the 720S. But after a visit by one of their engineers, we learned that only a handful of parts are shared between the 720S and the Senna. If you like the idea of a track-focused car without the wild aerodynamics, something new is heading our way. The new McLaren 720S Track Pack is your ticket to a faster lap time. Announced in a press release this morning, their engineers were able to cut 53 lbs from the curb weight. Using the same insights learned on the 570S Track Pack, the new 720S went on a diet with the help of McLaren Special Operations. Every optional bit of carbon fiber is now standard, including the racing bucket seats. Ambient engine lighting and the incredibly light 10-spoke wheels are also part of the kit. The only performance statistic given is 0-124 mph in 7.8 seconds, and that one detail is enough simply bonkers. Also along for the ride is the sports exhaust and McLaren Track Telemetry. The first will shoot flames on everyone behind you, and the second will allow playback of your race to fine tune each apex. Ordering these options individually would approach $400,000, but the 720S Track Pack will arrive with a sticker price of $332,770. Click the link below to order yours and stay with us for all your Mclaren updates. View All McLaren 720S For Sale View McLaren 720S Specs

By Edward Jones – October 25, 2018

Cost to Repair a Scratch on a McLaren 650S

There's nothing worse that going about your business, driving a route you take every day and mindlessly scratching your car. This is precisely what happened to The Leviathan and his McLaren 650S Spider. As he was pulling out of his parking garage, his supercar lightly tapped a wall, but it was enough to do some damage to his pride and joy. After inspecting the auto repair damage, he called up McLaren Automotive who came out and picked up the car the next day. The light tap was enough to call for a new tie rod, tires and a rim. Total cost for those? $5,000. That may not sound like a bad break, it's the paint that really brought up the repair bill. McLaren 650S Price, Specs, Photos With only a scratch on one quarter panel, the cost was going to be $15,000 in order to have a paintless dent repair professional complete the repair and paint it. In total, the light tap was going to cost him a total of $20,000. So, next time you have to get car repair services, just be thankful you're not getting a bill for $20,000! See the entire story by clicking play below.

By Edward Jones – October 24, 2018

McLaren Confirms a One-Off BC-03 Hypercar

McLaren isn't known like other automakers to create one-off models that are separate from their model lineup. In my head, I can really only think of the X-1 being the only one-off creation they've made recently. In contrast, there are companies like Ferrari who have created many special models. For example, the Ferrari SP12 EC for Eric Clapton. Granted, McLaren just started creating production cars, starting with the MP4-12C in 2011 after a long hiatus after the F1. However, it looks like things are going to change because McLaren is creating a wild and new bespoke car that will be a complete one-off. McLaren X-1According to PistonHeads.com, McLaren Automotive has confirmed to them that they are working on a bespoke customer commission that's being head up by McLaren Special Operations. The car is called the BC-03. They did note that specifics around the vehicle are being withheld, so we'll have to wait and see what this car really is. Many are thinking the car will look like the McLaren Vision GT that I used as the main picture of this article up above.The name BC-03 stands for Bespoke Commission number 3, so that must mean that this is going to be an ongoing thing and more of them will be coming. So, maybe we will start seeing a lot more one-off McLaren roaming around shows. And also, where are BC-01 and BC-02? View All McLaren For Sale Related Video

By Andrew Nabors – October 18, 2018

New McLaren Speedtail Getting Golden and Platinum Badges

To be a true successor to the McLaren F1, only 106 examples of the upcoming Speedtail will be offered. Each one has been spoken for after a series of private previews. Information on the finer details will remain undisclosed until the formal reveal on October 26th, but the factory has offered a few hints to the car's exclusivity.View Great Deals on the Lexus LFAIn the latest press release, we've learned the options for their iconic front badge. Because the 1,000 horsepower car is designed to go faster than 243 mph, you will need a badge capable of holding its own against the aerodynamic onslaught. So the front and rear badges are being made of 18-Carat white gold with carbon fiber inlays. The top of the badge has a tiny hallmark, laser etched to show where and when each one was cast.If you don't want 100 grams of gold, the Speedtail's badging is also available in lacquer paint. For the ultimate connoisseur, the badges can also be ordered in platinum from McLaren Special Operations. The Speedtail will be uncompromising in its quality and performance, so stay with us for more updates and the reveal next week. View McLaren For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 12, 2018

McLaren Speedtail Reveal Date, Price & More Announced

McLaren Automotive has finally set a release date and more details regarding the upcoming Hyper-GT car known as the Speedtail. First off, the car will be unveiled on October 26, 2018, at 8am EST on the Cars.McLaren.com website. That means we're not far off from the reveal of the wildest car the British automaker has created.On top of the reveal date, McLaren announced a few other details, as well as the teaser pictured above. As for its power, its hybrid powertrain will be pushing out over 986 horsepower. When the Speedtail is revealed, McLaren will confirm its top speed. They note it will have a maximum speed that's higher than any car they've created thus far.Restored McLaren F1 Revealed Alongside New Certification ServiceThe McLaren Speedtail is the first of the 18 new models in the company's Track25 business plan. Only 106 examples of the car will be produced and the entire production run was allocated before the project was officially announced in November 2016. Production on the car will begin at the end of 2019. Each vehicle was reserved at £1.75million (roughly $2.3 million USD) plus taxes. View McLarens For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 12, 2018

McLaren 720S vs 675LT on the Autobahn

McLaren's return to production cars was based on their 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8. The compact and powerful engine can be found in everything from the 12C to the 675LT, and it was also the basis for the P1 hypercar. It is based on a Nissan VRH that was planned for the Indy Racing League. Tom Walkinshaw Racing transformed it from a race engine to a street configuration, just like they did in the legendary Jaguar XJ220. McLaren bought the rights from TWR and the rest is history.Also Read - Cost to Repair a Scratch on a McLaren 650SSomething more was needed for the 2nd generation of McLaren's Super Series. Looking to extract every last horsepower, they forged a new crankshaft with more stroke. Keeping the bore at 93mm, the stroker crank increases displacement to 4.0 liters. The obvious advantage is more power, and it achieves this by allowing the pistons to spend more time in the combustion chamber. It allows for higher compression ratios, cleaner emissions, and higher exhaust speeds to spin the turbos. It all adds up to a much faster car, and the Autobahn is the best place to demonstrate it. Misha Charoudin was lucky enough to ride along in a 675LT who encountered a worthy opponent. The results speak for themselves, so if you are interested in a new McLaren 720S, our dealers are ready to help. Of course, we also have a slew of pre-owned McLarens for sale. View McLarens For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 05, 2018

McLaren 720S Receives New Track Pack Specification

McLaren Automotive has just launched the new Track Pack for the McLaren 720S supercar that will give driver's a more "circuit-focused" supercar. This new pack provides the 720S with a few functional and visual upgrades for the sake of track functionality.Because the pack is based on the 720S Specification it includes the following: hood air intakes, rear fender air intakes and carbon fiber door mirror casings. With the Track Pack, you get the aforementioned upgrades, as well as lightweight 10-spoke forged alloy wheels, a gloss finish carbon fiber active rear spoiler from MSO and the Sports Exhaust system. These upgrades result in a loss of 52.9 lbs. The Track Pack provides drivers with a bespoke Track drive mode.Inside is a cabin that you'd expect in a track car. A titanium bar is mounted behind the seats, which supports 6-point harnesses for both the driver and passenger. Holding the driver and passenger in place are carbon fiber racing seats. For the driver, they will be able to flip through gears by tapping on the new MSO Defined Satin Visual Carbon Fibre Extended Gearshift Paddles that rest behind the black Alcantara® steering wheel.*Why You Should Buy A McLaren 720S* Owners who opt for the 720S Track Pack will be able to review their recent track session thanks to the inclusion of the McLaren Track Telemetry (MTT) system. This system adds three cameras to the car, along with a data-logging software. MTT gives driver's the opportunity to review their performance and pinpoint where they need to improve.Interested in the McLaren 720S Track Pack? It will cost an additional £28,360 (roughly $37,000 USD) when purchasing the car. McLaren will also be offering the 720S with the Performance spec and Track Pack already installed for £224,700 (roughly $293,000 USD) in 2019. View McLaren 720S for Sale McLaren 720S Specs Supercars for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 17, 2018

Bruno Senna Configures his 2019 McLaren 600LT

A configurator is a great tool for dealers and customers alike. When McLaren uploaded the 600LT into their system, it gave the world a glimpse of the nearly endless customizations. To show off the power of this software, they allowed Bruno Senna and Chief Test Driver Kenny Brack built their versions of the latest model. Before you see their examples, take a look at ours in the link below.How To Configure Your McLaren 600LTSpending his days validating each model, Mr. Brack decided on bright Sicilian Yellow with a carbon black Alcantara interior. Of course, he needs the 6-point racing harness. It is the main component of the MSO Clubsport Pro Pack. Aimed at racers, it includes glossy carbon fiber for the roof, fender vents, and all optional carbon accessories. For a truly lightweight ride, the no-cost options of Sirius Radio, navigation, and Air Con were omitted.Kenny Brack's 600LT Brand Ambassador Bruno Senna chose Burton Blue, a special-order paint from MSO. He also opted for the Clubsport Pack with full Alcantara. Orange accents on the headrests and seat belts. For a street-friendly build, it culminated in Air Conditioning and the Bower & Wilkins audio. The press release concluded with a mention that the 600LT will be a limited run. Starting in October, they will only be assembled between primary production of the Senna, Senna GTR, and the new Speedtail. Tell us how you would build your 600LT in the comments below and stay with us for all your McLaren news.Browse McLarens For Sale Bruno's 600LT

By Edward Jones – August 31, 2018

Restored McLaren F1 Revealed Alongside New Certification ...

At Hampton Court Concours of Elegance 2018, a McLaren F1 that had undergone a full restoration to "as new" is being revealed as the first F1 Certified car. The car was the famous '25R' 1997 F1 GTR Longtail and it was restored by McLaren Special Operations (MSO). It was built as one of three Longtail cars for the Gulf-Davidoff team. It has a detailed racing history and was even the last F1 GTR to ever compete in a contemporary race series. During its restoration, MSO used only pre-June 1997 parts in order to retain originality.“Even among F1 GTRs, this car, designated ‘25R’, is unique – and now it is as near to being new as we can make it,” commented Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations (MSO). “The car is the exemplar of everything that the new certification programme stands for and we are proud to have ‘25R’ as the very first McLaren F1 Certified car.”2015 McLaren P1 Specs, Price, Photos & Review The new F1 Certified program includes both road and track versions of the car and provides each car with a Certification of Authenticity. This certificate authenticates the car's condition, history, service life, originality and more. McLaren also gives the owner of each car a bespoke book that documents the history of the car.“McLaren cherishes its rich heritage of iconic and world-beating cars such as the F1,” said McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer Mike Flewitt. “’25R’ presented us with a unique opportunity to demonstrate this by restoring it to precisely how it was when it raced at Le Mans in 1997, thus ensuring its future. Maintaining the integrity of these historically significant cars is paramount and F1 Certified will play a big role in allowing us to do that for the peace of mind of owners today as well as preserving a wonderful heritage for future generations of car lovers.”If you're the owner of an F1, it would be a very smart idea to call McLaren and have it certified. It could definitely pay off in the long run.

By Andrew Nabors – August 24, 2018

McLaren 720S GT3 is Now Ready to Race: Price and Pics

Wait, stop planning on transforming your McLaren 720S into a race car. If you want to go racing, they have just released a GT3 version of the 720S. The engineers must have been delighted to take their 4.0L twin turbo V8 to its fullest potential. Without intake or exhaust restrictions it will be a fire-spitting monster. While the normal 720S reduces torque-by-gear to keep you safe on the street, the GT3 is tuned for maximum output.Stealth Grey McLaren 600LT Heading to Pebble BeachOnboard air-jacks and center-lock wheels will make for quick pit stops, and the rear differential is adjustable for weather and track conditions. In keeping with 2019 GT3 specs, the carbon fiber seat is ready for your HANS device, and the traction control system is within easy reach. The McLaren MonoCageII one-piece cockpit is shared with the street version of the 720S, but the doors and hood are much thinner to save weight.Several prototypes were tested by their tire supplier, with Pirelli recording over 18,500 miles in several 36-hour endurance runs. They are legal to race in several FIA classes, but they are not street-legal in any sense. If you're interested, they come with a £440,000 price tag, which is about $565,000 USD.To see if you can handle it, click the link below to find a 720S near you, and stay with us for all your McLaren updates.Browse McLaren 720S For Sale

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