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

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By Caitlin Duffy – August 21, 2015

McLaren Newport Beach's Mission Monterey 2015

Monterey Car Week and the bevvy of automotive events hosted in and around Pebble Beach, California have been the main focus of the automotive world for the past few weeks. But just as importantly as how wonderful those events were is how the attendees arrived.When headed to one of the world's most exclusive and well known automotive events, where millions on millions of dollars worth of fine mechanical creations cross auction blocks and line streets, it's important to arrive in a fitting style. McLaren Newport Beach holds exactly that sentiment, and as a result, hosted the Mission Monterey 2015.A total of 17 McLarens, including two P1s, traveled together up the famous highway California 1, which follows the twists and turns of the Pacific coastline, from Malibu to Monterey. The scenic route of California 1 is a beautiful thing to enjoy any day in any car, but to experience it from behind the wheel of a McLaren while traveling with 16 other like-minded and like-engined individuals is an enthusiast's dream. The events waiting for them upon their arrival were simply the icing on the cake.(See Also: Man Buys and Immediately Races Porsche 918 Spyder, Carrera GT and McLaren P1)Take a look at the photos from this twisting and turning adventure in the gallery below, and hit the button to see what McLaren Newport Beach currently has in their showroom, and begin to prepare for 2016's trip.View InventoryGallery (Source: McLaren Newport Beach, Facebook) See More McLaren News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 13, 2015

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

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

By Caitlin Duffy – August 11, 2015

One-Off McLaren 570S at Pebble Beach

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

By Caitlin Duffy – August 06, 2015

McLaren P1 in Alaskan Diamond White at McLaren Newport Beach

Currently, at McLaren Newport Beach, there is a rare opportunity worth taking advantage of. With only 920 miles on its odometer is a McLaren P1 in Alaskan Diamond White, covered in carbon fiber and waiting for a new owner.A creation from McLaren's Special Operations (MSO) division, this P1 features black Alcantara and leather with red contrast stitching in the interior, with the P1 logo stitched boldly into the headrest of each seat. The exterior is clean, sleek and stunning, with red brake calipers tying the interior's red accents to the exterior's display.Of course, it isn't just the appeal of a visually stunning car that makes this offer so special. Under the hood is McLaren's potent twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 combined with an electric motor creates a total of 903 hp, making a limited top speed of 217 mph and a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 2.8 seconds possible.Tie in the fact that this is one of the 375 examples created, all of which have already been sold, and that the odometer lists a scant 902 miles, and this listing is declared rare, indeed.(See Also: Iconic 1997 Lamborghini Diablo SV)Take a moment to browse the photos of this P1 below, and when you're finished, hit the button to visit the listing and see how you can make it yours.Buy NowGallery (Source: McLaren Newport Beach) See More Listings For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 31, 2015

The Most Unique McLaren 650S Le Mans Edition

Only 50 McLaren 650S Le Mans Editions will be made. Less than 10 can be found in the United States and almost all of the 50 cars are Sarthe Grey, but this example features Tarocco Orange Elite paint with matching orange seat inserts. The lightweight wheels are unique to the Le Mans Edition and pay tribute to the F1 GTR entered in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. It finished first, third, fourth, fifth and 13th in that race, making McLaren the only manufacturer to ever win Le Mans on their first attempt.The Le Mans Edition was produced by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) to commemorate 20 years since the historic win. All Le Mans Editions feature handmade carbon fiber parts and interior badges, but this particular example has many unique options. A few of the carbon fiber parts, including the MSO rear diffuser and roof snorkel, cost in excess of $60,000.The roof snorkel, also found on the P1, significantly helps with channeling air into the engine. The snorkel creates a “woosh” sound above the driver and passenger's heads that makes for an unbelievably visceral driving experience. This example was commissioned for a prestigious collector who had some unique pieces added to the car. He requested the signatures of every McLaren engineer that worked on this car, as well as the signature of Ron Dennis, CEO of McLaren.Dimmitt Automotive Group would like to extend a special thank you to the collector who purchased this vehicle.View Dealer InventoryGallery

By Edward Jones – July 27, 2015

McLaren 650S vs Tesla Model S P85D Insane Mode

The Tesla Model S P85D's Insane Mode is all the rage right now, and has been featured in countless videos accelerating in a fittingly insane fashion. Very few cars have been able to put up a fight against the American electric car, especially the hybrid BMW i8.But, in a video uploaded by DragTimes on July 25, the McLaren 650S takes on the P85D's maniacal sprint. This video can be viewed below.Giving the 650S all of its power during the sprint is an award-winning twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 641 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. Both of these figures are trumped by the P85D's output of 691 hp and a reported " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> of torque. But, even with an upperhand on power, the 650S accelerates from 0-60 mph faster - 2.8 seconds, compared to 3.1 seconds. Of course, this could change once we start seeing Ludicrous mode utilized.Check out the video below to see these two battle it out.Editor’s Note: Do not attempt to recreate anything seen in the video below unless on a closed course under professional supervision. The editors at the duPont REGISTRY do not condone any illegal street activity, and remind you to always obey local traffic laws. (Source: DragTime.com) See More McLaren Videos and News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 22, 2015

McLaren 675LT Track Test by Chris Harris

"The new McLaren 675 is to the 650S what the Speciale is to Ferrari 458," describes Chris Harris in his latest video review. "It's the fast one, the light one, the more trackable one." And trackable it seems to be, indeed. On July 21, Harris shared his experience driving the McLaren 675LT at the Silverstone track, and it could easily be called a rave review. We first saw the 675LT take a track on July 15, in a video shared with the world by McLaren Automotive. At just three minutes long, it was enticing and tantalizing, and left us wanting to see more. Luckily for us, Harris expanded the experience to a nine minute long video, and added in an even more exciting perspective - the passenger's seat. Through slight tweaks and weight reductions, the 650S was cranked into the 675LT, though the difference between the two couldn't be more impressive. Unfortunately, those who were hoping to grab a longtail for themselves are out of luck - the same day McLaren announced the production numbers for the model, July 17, they also announced that all had already been sold. Check out Harris' video above to see his review, and keep an eye on our exclusive McLaren listings for when a 675LT has made it stateside and is looking for a second owner. McLarens For Sale (Source: YouTube via Road & Track) See More McLaren News

By Andrew Nabors – July 17, 2015

McLaren 675LT Sold Out and Production Numbers Revealed

We have been wondering about the details of McLaren’s latest model and we figured that we would have a chance to experience them firsthand. But in a press release this morning, McLaren saddened us with the news that all 500 cars are spoken for. Thankfully they did go into detail about the engineering and innovation that it offers. First and foremost, the new McLaren 675LT for sale is not just a new aero package on an existing car. They started from the ground up with the goal of eliminating all unnecessary weight and improving downforce. By losing most of the carpet and insulation, along with a few other pleasantries, over 220 lbs have been shed. Plush leather seats have been replaced by carbon fiber buckets wrapped in alcantara. For the exterior, an F1™ style front splitter and the namesake long tail generate 40 percent more downforce compared to the 650S. Integrated into this tail is a mammoth air brake that’s 50 percent larger than any of the other Super Series models'. Using suspension improvements devised for the P1, the front suspension is lower and the rear is 20 mm wider. The 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 is essentially a new design, since over 50 percent of the engine’s internals are new for this model. This allows it to make a sinister 666 hp at 7,100 rpm and 516 lb of torque from 5,500 to 6,500 rpm. Having that wide of a torque plateau will make for ridiculous smiles and scared passengers. It’s also a key ingredient for our favorite dessert: impromptu donut surprise. The turbochargers share the same housings with other models, but the compressor wheels are now machined from a solid billet of alloy. This makes them much lighter and stronger, allowing them to spin up much faster than previous units. (See Also: Lamborghini Aventador vs. McLaren 650S Drag Race) As is usually seen with other low production supercars, we will inevitably have one for sale on our website soon and hopefully at one of our events. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more McLaren news, and find another one of McLaren's Super Series models from our exclusive listings. McLaren For Sale (Source: McLaren)

By Steve Chapman Jr – July 15, 2015

McLaren 675LT Unleashed on the Track for the First Time

Ever since the McLaren 675LT was unveiled in February, we have been dying to see it in action. Thankfully, the wait is over. In a video uploaded to YouTube July 14 by McLaren Automotive, we get to see the 675LT unleashed on the track for the first time ever. The sound you hear in the video provided below is thanks to McLaren's award-winning 3.8-liter V8 engine. Not one to be content with power output, McLaren upped the power in the 675LT by using 50 percent new parts in the engine. This results in a devilish 666 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The upgrades range from new turbos, exhaust manifolds and cylinder heads, to a new camshaft, connecting rods and "faster-"flowing" fuel pump and delivery system. (Related: 202 mph McLaren P1 GTR Test Drive) What you're seeing in the video is the car's ability to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 2.9 seconds and 0-124 mph in 7.9. Push it to its limit and it tops out at 205 mph. Check out the video below to see and hear what the McLaren 675LT is capable off. Trust me, you won't regret it. (Source: YouTube) See More McLaren News

By Edward Jones – July 10, 2015

202 mph McLaren P1 GTR Test Drive

A normal test drive in a car typically consists of a jaunt through pedestrian roads. A test drive in a McLaren P1 GTR is anything but just a "jaunt."In a video uploaded by Driving Pants Productions on July 6, we get to see what it's like to take the P1 GTR for a test drive. For this instance, which the video description says was one of the very first drives in the supercar, they put the car through its paces on a racetrack in southern France.(Related: Ferrari FXX-K, 599XX & FXX Revving Battle)At one point, during a straight stretch of raceway, the driver hits 325 km/h, which equals outs to 202 mph. Now that is one extreme test drive for an extreme car.Check out the video below to see it all happen.(Source: YouTube) See More McLaren News

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