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 Edward Jones – November 30, 2016

Five Things Not to Hate About the McLaren 650S

Back in January of this year, Vehicle Virgins posted " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> about the five things they hate about the new McLaren 650S. In response to this video, the.leviathan has uploaded a video of the five things he does NOT hate about his own 650S. I always love some friendly banter.(Related - Dad Not Impressed With Son's McLaren 650S)In the new video, the.leviathan goes over the five points made by Vehicle Virgins and gives his rebuttal. It's worth checking out, because the.leviathan has owned his 650S for quite some time and has had the chance to find the things he likes and dislikes about the car.(Also Check Out - Is This the World’s Most Expensive Paint Job?)Here are some quick specs on the car. The 650S can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds and can reach 124 mph in 8.4 seconds. A standing quarter mile will be accomplished in 10.5 seconds, and it will top out at 207 mph. The 650S is also a full second quicker than the McLaren F1 road car when accelerating from 0 to 124 mph.McLaren 650S Price, Specs, PhotosBe sure to check out both of the videos and see what you think about the car.All McLaren 650S Spider For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 28, 2016

Battle of the McLarens: 675LT vs 650S Spider

In another unlikely comparison, our friends at DragTimes have brought together the best of Britain for a heads-up shootout. With a combined value of over $700,000, these two McLarens represent the state of the art in big power from small V8 engines. Both cars share a similar architecture, with the 675LT focused on downforce thanks to its long tail. Both cars are powered by a 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 that sends power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed DCT.(Related - McLaren Officially Announces World's First Hyper-GT Car, F1 Successor)The 650S is a hardtop convertible, which imposes a weight penalty with the associated hydraulic hardware. Weight reduction was one of the main goals of the 675LT, so the wheels, brakes and even window glass went on a diet. Revised turbos offer 25 more hp and 15 more lb-ft of torque, and a full titanium exhaust saves a few more pounds versus stainless on the 650S. Both cars are on street tires, so they avoid the water box for an optimal launch. A series of roll races unlocks trap speeds above 150 mph, which makes these cars capable of 11 second times. But given the abuse that hard launches put on the drivetrain, both owners resist the urge for a holeshot. The results speak for themselves, so tell us if the difference in performance is justified by the difference in price. Stay with us for more drag racing action here on Autofluence.650S Spider For Sale|675LT For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 15, 2016

Dad Not Impressed With Son's McLaren 650S

Some love cars, some hate them and some are indifferent. If you're reading this, odds are you're a fan of 'em. However, if you're the father of our friend the.leviathan, you could really care less about a supercar like the McLaren 650S.(Related - McLaren 650S: Top 5 Driving Features)In his latest video, the.leviathan takes his father out for a joy ride in his new 650S. While he tells his pops that he won't go fast, it's hard to not push the pedal down when you're in a car packing 641 hp. Needless to say, dad was not impressed with the sense of speed. While most of us would've been giddy about going fast in a McLaren, he was completely stone-faced.Click play on the video below to see his dad's hilariously calm reaction to the McLaren 650S.All McLaren 650S Spider For Sale

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 Nicole Slaughter-Graham – July 22, 2016

McLaren Hits Record Sales Just in Time for Anniversary

It's been five years since the world met the McLaren 12C, and McLaren's made nothing but positive progress since then. Three of the company's five years putting out production vehicles have seen profits, a nearly unheard of precedent for a producer of low-number supercars. In 2015, McLaren sold a record 1,624 total cars.Additionally, profits from McLarens sold isn't the only good news. As demand rises, more helping hands are needed. Employee numbers are up by 16% and research and development is up by 30% (good news for supercar fans). They invested a total of $65.1 million into research and development endeavors alone.McLaren is also the recipient of a new shareholder who is making a cushy investment into the company's future. According to a press release, "the Chairman of McKal Ltd is well-known to McLaren Automotive as an owner of two examples of the McLaren P1TM, as well as a frequent visitor to McLaren track events." He's now also a shareholder in the company.Congratulations to McLaren and all their success! And we can't wait to see what the Research and Development team is working on!McLarens for Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – July 19, 2016

McLaren 650S: Top 5 Driving Features

When it comes to our favorite supercars, some features, though only aesthetic in nature, get us really excited. Buyers love a custom paint job or exclusive stitching. A little extra umph in the interior to distinguish one already limited edition from another adds a selling point.But not for this guy.Auto YouTuber, the.leviathan, is all about the driving experience. Frivolous features, to him, diminish the true meaning and intention of the supercar. For him, features need to enhance the driving experience. In the video below he's driving a McLaren 650S and he's chosen five specific features he thinks enhance the driving experience: Kickdown- or what the.leviathan states should be termed "Warp Drive," which optimizes which gear the vehicle is in at any given time The Backlight- the back glass drops which channels the sound into the cabin of the vehicle Paddles- they provide a more connected driving experience between machine and man Optimal Gear- much like kickdown, this feature optimized the gears through the paddles Brake Steer- McLaren's F1 technology which ensures there's not over or under steering, which increased maneuverability Check out the full video below for his first-hand look at these driving features.McLaren 650S for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 10, 2016

Two McLaren Flame Throwers In A Tunnel

High-performance cars shoot flames because unburned fuel has nowhere to go when the throttle is closed. McLaren owners have discovered a technique for brake-boosting their twin-turbo V8 engines that results in an impressive display of external combustion.(Also Read: McLaren P1, P1 GTR, Aston Martin Vulcan and Pagani Huayra Blast Around Track)When you take your foot off the accelerator, most cars are programmed to cut fuel and return to idle, which saves gas and helps MPG. Turbocharged cars use additional fuel to protect the engine from a lean condition. When the hot fuel reaches fresh air at the exhaust tip, it makes for a nice fireworks show. In order to showcase this talent, two MP4-12C's faced off in a tunnel for a rev fest. McLaren keeps improving the formula with each new model, which makes the pre-owned market for the early MP4's much more appealing for us. If you haven't had a chance to drive one, they are like nothing else on the street. Shooting flames is fun, until you realize you just wasted $40 in fuel, additionally you might draw unwanted attention from the law. Don't try this at home. Burning carbon fiber is hazardous to your health.McLaren 12C For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 01, 2016

Beautiful: McLaren 650S Flies Through Japanese Mountainside

In an article covering McLaren's latest video of a 650S, the supercar tears through the Hakone Turnpike in Japan, a small slice of the Asian Island which McLaren refers to as a "little slice of Germany." This road goes consists of twists and turns that occur at sea level and 1,000m above. McLaren goes so far as to say that this road even resembles the Nurburgring Nordschleife in some parts.During the latest Sakura bloom, McLaren thought it fitting to take their open top 650S Spider through the turnpike and record it all on video. I'm not quite sure if they were just planning on making everyone jealous, but they succeeded. Taking such a refined supercar through the Japanese mountainside would be a dream for most. And while many will be quick to say that they'd rather drift through the corners in a Skyline, sometimes smooth and tight corners are all you need650S Spiders For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 04, 2016

Dubai Police McLaren 650S Races Drone Through City

Yeah, we've seen cars race other cars and even some jets, but I can say that this is the first time I've seen a supercar race a drone.This is no ordinary drone though, as the uploader of the video below is World Drone Prix. If you've never heard of it, this is a series dedicated to racing drones through courses that look like they came straight out of the movie "Tron". And, the car that this drone is racing isn't ordinary either. This McLaren 650S Spider is part of the Dubai Police supercar fleet and packs a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 that generates 641 hp.Their race takes them through empty streets of Dubai, whizzing around neon obstacles planted along the roads. After watching the video, all I can say is that I'm pretty pumped for the World Drone Prix to start on March 11th in Skydive Dubai. Check out the video below to see what I mean.McLaren 650S Spiders For Sale

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